Cllr Scott Arthur

June Update - Understanding Scotland's Part in the Slave Trade.

The reaction to the killing of George Floyd is being felt around the world. In the

UK this has led to a debate about our involvement in the slave trade, and

culminated in slave trader Edward Colston's statue being toppled in Bristol.

Closer to home, Jamaican-born academic and human rights activist Prof Geoff

Palmer of Heriot-Watt University (Scotland's first black professor) called again

for a plaque to be placed on Edinburgh's Melville Monument to explain Henry

Dundas’s links with the slave trade.

The Council agreed a plaque could be placed on the pedestal as long ago as

2016 to "spell out the true story" of Dundas's links with slavery. No progress

has been made, however, as the “panel of experts” progressing the issue

became locked in an “acrimonious dispute”. This is ironic given Dundas’s

pivotal role in delaying abolition of slavery.

Thankfully, Prof Geoff Palmer's intervention means the logjam has been

broken, and Councillors agreed these words for the plaque:

On the plinth at the centre of St Andrew Square stands a neoclassical

column with a statue at the top. This represents Henry Dundas, 1st

Viscount Melville (1742 – 1811). He was the Scottish Lord Advocate and

an MP for Edinburgh and Midlothian, and the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Dundas was a contentious figure, provoking controversies that resonate

to this day. While Home Secretary in 1792 and first Secretary of State for

War in 1796 he was instrumental in deferring the abolition of the Atlantic

slave trade. Slave trading by British ships was not abolished until 1807.

As a result of this delay, more than half a million enslaved Africans

crossed the Atlantic. Dundas also curbed democratic dissent in Scotland.

Dundas both defended and expanded the British empire, imposing

colonial rule on indigenous peoples. He was impeached in the United

Kingdom for misappropriation of public money and although acquitted,

he never held public office again. Despite this, the monument before you

to Henry Dundas was funded by voluntary contribution from officers,

petty officers, seamen and marines and erected in 1821, with the statue

placed on top in 1827.

In 2020 this was dedicated to the memory of the more than half a million

Africans whose enslavement was a consequence of Henry Dundas’s

actions.

Although this progress is welcome, I have mixed views on simply erecting a

plaque or renaming a street as it may appear tokenistic when the bigger issue is

the lack of awareness of Scotland’s history (a third of all plantations on Jamaica

were owned by Scots, and Robert Burns almost worked on one). No museum in

Scotland really tells the full and frank story of our nation’s links with slavery and

colonialism. These links are bolder and bigger than a single statue in

Edinburgh, and a plaque can’t cover them.

Everything from streets to schools in Edinburgh have been named after people

who exploited others. For example James Gillespie, who lived in my ward in

Colinton, has a school named after him despite profiting from slave labour on

tobacco plantations.

I think it would be fantastic if one of Edinburgh’s museums were to tell the story

of Scotland’s links with slavery and colonialism, both for school children but also

visitors from overseas. We owe it to both of these groups of people to be open

and honest about Scotland’s history.

Scott

Cllr Scott Arthur

Councillor for Colinton, Oxgangs & Fairmilehead

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Now that we know that the lockdown is starting to ease , it's worth remembering that

we've been truly blessed to have so many local shops and businesses running

through the crisis - many thanks to all the staff involved. 🌈

As the others begin to open in the coming weeks and months, it is our duty to do all

we can to support them. #ShopLocal

A few weeks ago the Council asked for ideas from the public on how to make walking

and cycling safer in Scotland’s capital city – the aim was “quick implementation”.

They received over 200 responses, including a survey from me which was completed

by 300+ local people. Rather than respond to these suggests, the Council have now

asked residents to map their suggestions. Given that we are now 3 months into lock-

down, surely we should be seeing real action? Rather than residents mapping

suggestions, the Council should be mapping results!

I mailed the Council on the 14th of May asking what actions were due to be

undertaken in my Ward – almost four weeks later I have had no reply.

We were recently told “segregated cycle-ways are set to be introduced on busy

routes to Edinburgh’s two main hospitals“. The map above shows how much extra

protection a nurse (like my wife) cycling from the middle of my Ward to the Royal

Infirmary would get as a result of this measure. We can do better than this.

Please use the mapping tool in the hope that the Council will act to make my

Ward safer for everyone.

Feel free to email me any issues you want addressed.

Follow me on Facebook for more local news and details of what I've been doing for

you. Don't worry, it's just local news not politics.

CLLR JASON RUST - REPORT TO FAIRMILEHEAD COMMUNITY COUNCIL – JUNE

2020

I hope all Committee members and their families are keeping well and staying safe.

1. There is to be a virtual meeting of Full Council at the end of June.

2. Grass cutting, or lack thereof, is a common complaint now. I have been in touch with the department to see if this can now be stepped up as we are gradually released from lockdown, on the basis it will enable residents to better exercise locally and given the pressure on resources going ahead, we cannot afford to miss too many cutting cycles if we are to maintain our amenity.

3. I attended a briefing by Edinburgh Airport on 4th June to hear of their plans going

ahead. Of their 750 directly employed staff, 80% are on furlough and clearly with pressures faced there are concerns around jobs. The airport had 14.7 million passengers in 2019 and had budgeted for 15.1 million passengers in 2020, but clearly the pandemic has impacted on that. Temperature checks, hand santise stations, social distancing measures etc are all being installed and new painting of signs: “maroon red” for arrivals to Edinburgh and “sky blue” for departures.

4. I also had a briefing with the Director of Education and the Head of Schools.

Schools are to return on 11th August, all going to plan.

5. A number of local businesses in the ward have been in touch requiring assistance in pressing the Council on the processing of government grant funding and I have been endeavouring to assist.

6. I have reported overflowing bins in Spylaw Park; and the remains of disposable BBQs and burned grass at Campbell Park.

7. I have been in contact with the roads department regarding the turning space at Buckstone Wood and this has been added to the Road Marking schedule. Response was: “Due to the current circumstances there has been limited resources over this period with emergency and urgent work being actioned. Normal work will start to pick up, however, we will not be able to provide a timescale as the Road Marking squads are currently working on the Spaces for People programme. When we know the availability of the squad we will let you know.”

8. The closure of the car park at Bonaly has caused a number of problems in surrounding residential streets and exacerbated issues for local residents and emergency service access. I have been in contact with council staff regarding the decision-making process around this and the re-opening.

9. Police Scotland has also provided me with the following information as a result of queries: People travelling to work - There is no requirement for any member of the public to carry any kind of paperwork to confirm that they are a “key”, “critical” or “essential” worker, and it is not for the police to decide if someone’s job is essential. Although some employers are supplying letters to staff, under no circumstances will officers proactively ask to see such paperwork. The government has not said that only people doing “essential” work can leave their homes to go to work. Anyone who cannot work from home can still go to work, provided they are not

showing coronavirus symptoms and their employer must also be able to comply with safe social distancing guidelines.

10. Some recent press coverage of local issues I have been involved in since the last meeting:

8th May: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/greater-public-interest-keeping-legal-settlement-between-edinburgh-council-and-st-james-centre-developers-secret-2847556#gsc.tab=0

7th May: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/edinburgh-tories-claim-they-were-intentionally-misled-over-active-travel-road-closures-2846512#gsc.tab=0

5th May: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/five-new-nurseries-edinburgh-children-doubt-major-council-contractor-goes-bust-2842913#gsc.tab=0

jason.rust@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 4953 *Please note that calls will be automatically forwarded to me, although not currently based in the City Chambers and emails are being picked up daily*

FAIRMILEHEAD COMMUNITY COUNCIL Planning Report – Tuesday 2 June 2020 A. FAIRMILEHEAD CC – LIVE 1. Development for mountain bike trail centre, indoor and outdoor leisure, food and beverage, professional services suites, offices, retailing, short stay visitor accommodation and associated site access, parking, landscaping and other works at the former Lothianburn Golf Club, 106 Biggar Road Reference :- 19/00764/PAN (CEC) and 19/00126/PAC (Midlothian) On 13 February 2019 this PAN was lodged by Hillend Leisure Limited. There was a previous PAN under Reference 15/00169/PAN (CEC). There was a public consultation event on Tuesday 5 March 2019 in the Swanston Golf Club. Part of the site lies within Midlothian Council. The PAN was served on both local authorities, but it is understood that Edinburgh Council will be the lead determining authority of any future planning application. Alastair McClung attended the FCC meeting on 3 September 2019 and gave an update on the proposals. I attended a meeting of the Damhead and District Community Council on 3 December 2019 at which Alastair McClung and his planning agent, Richard Slipper outlined their proposals and the issues they are currently working on. No update. B. FAIRMILEHEAD CC – PENDING 2. Numerous Tree works at 231 Braid Road Reference :- 19/05894/TPO Mortonhall Golf Club are seeking approval for numerous Tree works. The Trees are covered by a TPO dating back to 1954. In a report accompanying the application, the agent states the “aim is to improve the safety and amenity value of the woods while bringing them back into active management.” The works will be staged over the next 5 years. I spoke with the Agent on 23 December when he explained the background to the application and why the works are being proposed. The application is awaiting assessment. 3. Proposed residential development at the former Comiston Farmhouse, 83 Pentland View Reference:- 19/02636/FUL Previous Reports mentioned the proposal by Buckley Building UK Limited to retain the Farmhouse and convert it in to 4 flats. In addition, 4 detached properties will be built in the grounds to the rear. On 4 February the application was withdrawn by Buckley. It is understood this relates mainly to issues with access to the site for emergency/refuse vehicles. A new application taking account of these issues will be lodged. The time period in the Sale Agreement has been extended as a result. No update. C. FAIRMILEHEAD CC – COMPLETED None D. CONSULTATIONS, GUIDANCE AND OTHER NEWS 4. COVID-19 - impact on Planning Service (The following is a high level update and subject to change) (a) The Scottish Government published Frequently Asked Questions on recurring Development Management issues on 23 April. These are updated regularly. (b) Despite the restrictions around Covid-19, work is still progressing on the implementation of the work programme for the Planning (Scotland) Act passed last year. Two new provisions of the Act are in force from 18 May (SSI 2020/67). The first introduces a statutory requirement for certain types of development to include accessible toilet facilities which meet specific technical standards. The second introduces a power for planning authorities to designate parts of their Council areas as

short-term let control areas, as a further means of controlling where short-term lets may be permitted. The Council have commented “there will need to further Council-wide discussions before we consider the use of this power”. (c) A further set of significant legislative provisions were put forward in the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No 2) Bill which was introduced into the Scottish Parliament on 11 May. The Bill completed its Parliamentary journey on 20 May. The following may be of interest :- (i) Student Lettings (Schedule 1 Part 1) – tenants under “student residential tenancies” will be entitled to terminate their lease for a reason relating to Coronavirus by giving their landlord just seven days’ notice. This applies to existing leases and those entered into before the Bill became law. 28 days’ notice must be given under tenancies put in place after the Bill became law. The Bill does not expand on what a “reason relating to Coronavirus” must be. “Student residential tenancies” are those tenancies granted by universities and purpose-built student accommodation providers (with planning permission for student accommodation and at least 30 beds) granting the tenant the right to occupy the let property while the tenant is a student. The Scottish Government’s formal commentary accompanying the Bill explains that these provisions are designed to assist students with tenancies of purpose-built student accommodation; and (ii) Listed Building Consents (Schedule 4 Part 2) – the validity period of any listed building consent which would otherwise expire between the Bill becoming law and 6 October 2020 will be automatically extended until 6 April 2021. (d) Construction sites: hours of operation - The Chief Planner issued a letter to all Local Authorities on 29 May. The following was stated as regards construction sites – “Planning permissions are sometimes subject to conditions which restrict hours of operation; either directly or sometimes by requiring working hours to be separately agreed with the planning authority. We are aware that discussions are underway between some developers and planning authorities about the potential to expand the hours of operation of construction sites once they are able to re-commence work. The need for safe working and physical distancing – on-site, in the wider community through travel to and from sites, and in allowing a spread of working patterns throughout the day – will likely necessitate some different working arrangements while restrictions continue. Planning authorities should be supportive of reasonable changes and requests to extend working hours. The circumstances may differ between construction sites, for example due to the nature of some operations and their locations. We could not set a national standard that would apply to every construction site; rather there will normally be a need for use of judgement in relation to the positive benefits of carrying out and completing development alongside any potential public health implications. Nevertheless, in most circumstances it will be reasonable to be able to extend working hours from 7am through to 9pm, Monday to Saturday; therefore such requests should not be refused unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Depending on the nature of the works and the surrounding area, much longer site operation times may be acceptable, including up to 24 hour working. Not all aspects of construction activity have the same impacts, and so in some cases it might be helpful to agree appropriate parameters that can enable overall working times to be extended; for example by agreeing to limit particularly loud operations, considering any proximity to noise sensitive receptors, perhaps between 9am and 5pm or another period, or ensuring noise mitigation measures into the extended working times. We recommend proactive, early and swift discussions between developers and planning authorities, to allow for reasonable site management that allows development to progress, recognising the current circumstances and restrictions in place”. (e) National Planning Framework 4 - The Scottish Government had anticipated laying a draft NPF4 in the Scottish Parliament in September 2020, but given the impact of the current emergency on many people's and organisations' capacity at the moment, delay has been inevitable. The Chief Planner in that letter of 29 May said – “We are disappointed to postpone the NPF4 timetable, but we must be realistic with ourselves and also give a clearer understanding of the timings for our stakeholders. We now anticipate laying a draft in the Scottish Parliament in autumn 2021, with a final version being adopted in spring/summer 2022. Taking into account stakeholders’ ability to get involved in preparing the draft, the period required for consultation, the timing of the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, and also the revised timescales of other government policies with which the NPF4 must align, we consider that autumn 2021 is the earliest that we could now lay a draft NPF4

in Parliament. This change in timetable does not affect our commitment or momentum. We are now exploring additional engagement opportunities that this new timescale brings us”. (f) Registration of S75 Agreements - The Registers of Scotland now has a digital submissions portal in place and is accepting applications to register deeds in the Land Register, including S75 Agreements. (g) The DMC held its first virtual meeting on 20 May which was webcast live. The recording can be viewed on the Council website. The Council have commented they “learned that it takes a lot more resource than traditional meetings in the City Chambers. Behind-the-screens work included having back-up planners on stand-by in case of IT issues”. From 24 April the Local Review Body is no longer required to take place in public. The first meeting of the Local Review Body over a video conference was held on 27 May and can also be viewed on the Council website. (h) Weekly List Interactive Map The Planning Service are trialling a new tool to show the weekly list of new applications and decisions in the form of an interactive GIS map. Red dots show where new applications have been made, and green dots show where a decision has been made. If you zoom into the map, further detail is provided and the dots become shapes which show the boundary of each application. Clicking on each dot/shape and then on the arrow which pops up will show more detail about each application, including a link to the application page on the Planning Portal. The map will be updated weekly along with the Weekly List. The trial will run for 6 weeks and feedback is sought. I have been using this map and found it very helpful. E. DEVELOPMENTS – EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN and EAST LOTHIAN 5. Demolition of existing dwelling house, erection of hotel (approximately 150 rooms), erection of replacement house plot, formation of 3 house plots, formation of access roads, car parking and associated works – at Land (12.23 acres) at Calderstones, Biggar Road Reference :- 15/00113/PPP; 18/00528/S42 and 18/00628/S42 (Midlothian Council) As mentioned in last May’s Report, Midlothian Council decided to consult with various statutory consultees on the S42 application and the accompanying Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Correspondence between Transport Scotland and the Council in July on the issue of vehicle access conditions for any consent is on the Planning Portal. This raises issues of relevance for all 3 developments currently proposed in the Hillend area. The Report to the Planning Committee is on the Planning Portal and recommends the application be approved (subject to various conditions) for the following reason - “The proposed development for a hotel/tourist accommodation accords with policy VIS2 of the Midlothian Local Development Plan 2017; as such there is a presumption in favour of the proposed development. This presumption in favour of the development is not outweighed by other policies in the development plan or other material considerations. The proposed amendments to conditions 4 and 5 are considered not to undermine this policy position or have a detrimental impact”. The application in respect of 18/00628/S42 came before the Planning Committee at its meeting on 27 August and was approved subject to 14 detailed conditions. A Report before the Midlothian Planning Committee at its February meeting indicated the application 18/00528/S42 was likely to come before the Committee at its May meeting. However the Planning Committee is currently suspended. 6. Application for planning permission in principle for redevelopment of existing Snowsports Centre to include additional leisure facilities, tourist accommodation, hotel, function suite, ancillary retail and restaurant, formation of access road and car parking (this application is accompanied by an environmental impact assessment report submitted under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)(Scotland) Regulations 2017 at Midlothian Snowsports Centre References :- 18/00970/PAC and 19/01018/PPP (Midlothian Council) On 10 December 2019 the application for planning permission in principle was lodged. This follows on from the PAN lodged almost a year before. All the accompanying documents are up on the

Planning Portal. In May 2019 Midlothian Council approved £13.8m of capital funding into the development of the Snowsports Centre into an all year round multi activity leisure facility. A Report before the Midlothian Planning Committee at its February meeting indicated the application was likely to come before the Committee at its May meeting. By law the application should be determined by the Council within a period of 16 weeks. There is a letter dated 24 March 2020 on the Planning Portal in which the Council sought agreement from the applicant that a further extension from 11 April to 10 June be given in order that the application may be fully considered. The agent confirmed agreement to this on 16 April. 7. Demolition of existing nursery school and construction of 3 new townhouses with landscaping, cycle and bin stores, and ancillary infrastructure at Headstart Nursery, 64 – 68 Morningside Drive (as revised) References :- 19/03853/FUL and 19/03856/CON; 20/00549/FUL and 20/00550/CON November’s Report mentioned this application had been withdrawn following considerable local objections. A revised application was lodged earlier this year. There are 29 objections on the Planning Portal – none in support. The application was before the DMC at its meeting on 20 May with a recommendation from Planning Officers that it be approved. In their Report it was stated this development provided “high quality and contemporary designed townhouses”. The current use (Class 10) was not protected under the current LDP. A presentation at the DMC was requested by one of the Local Ward Councillors. Comment was made during the discussion that this development provided much needed housing, and a mixed-use development was not practical. Following the presentation, the application was unanimously agreed to by the DMC. 8. Demolition of existing buildings and erection of mixed-use development comprising residential, hotel, office, student accommodation, senior living retirement housing and other commercial uses including food and drink and healthcare uses, with associated landscaping / public realm, car parking and access arrangements at 34 Fettes Row; and 7,9,11,13 Eyre Terrace

Reference :- 19/03803/PAN This ambitious “New Town North” development which proposes to transform the former 5.9 acre RBS offices and data centre site in the New Town is one of Scotland’s largest brownfield regeneration projects. It is being led by the property company Ediston on behalf of Orion Capital Managers whose fund purchased the site from RBS in May 2019. The site is largely derelict and inaccessible since RBS vacated the site in 2017. There is an associated car park to the east of the site, set at a level lower than Royal Crescent. There are no listed buildings with the site. An online interactive consultation was launched on 9 April and can be viewed by logging on to the New Town North website : www.newtownnorth.co.uk. In their introduction, the agents say this is “a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform this empty space into a world class development for Edinburgh city centre”. The developers intend to lodge the formal application for planning permission this summer. 9. Change of Use from Office to Hotel (Class 7), alteration and extension to rooftop and external alterations to elevations, with associated works at Meldrum House, 15 Drumsheugh Gardens

Reference :- 20/01960/FUL Yet another Hotel proposed for the City Centre, this time in the offices in Drumsheugh Gardens occupied by HMRC who are due to vacate these in April 2021. The building was built in the late 1950s as a replacement for the former St Andrew’s Free Church. The Council have been involved in discussions with the owner since August 2018. The papers indicate the quality of the current building is poor, and not considered to be fit for its current commercial use. The agent also states “the building currently has an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the City Centre, the New Town Conservation Area and the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site”. The Hotel will be operated by Nadler Hotels (who rebranded earlier this year to “the Resident”), a privately owned hotel business with 4 hotels in London and 1 in Liverpool. There will be no bars or restaurants on site as this is the model adopted by the company. No car parking will be provided.

10. Proposed brewery by Innis & Gunn with associated access, infrastructure and landscaping works at Land 150 metres West of 49 Research Avenue North, Currie

Reference:- 20/02083/FUL This is an application to build a major new brewery – the first major one in Edinburgh for 150 years – on a 4.86 acre site at Heriot-Watt University’s Research Park. This unique collaboration between academic learning and business interests will create a world-centre for brewing studies and applied learning. The project will create up to 30 new jobs and see the company’s 45 office-based staff relocate from the current Head Office in Randolph Crescent. In addition to the brewing, the brewery will include a high-speed canning and bottling line and will enable the company to consolidate all currently outsourced production under one roof. No PAN was required for the development. A full set of drawings can be seen on the Planning Portal. 11 Redevelopment of site comprising hotels, offices, retail, leisure, public houses, restaurants, car parking and associated works at 189 Morrison Street by The Prudential Assurance Co Limited

References :- 18/10427/PAN and 19/02623/FUL April’s Report mentioned this application was approved by the DMC at its meeting on 12 December subject to completion of a S75 Agreement to secure payment of various developer contributions. The S75 Agreement is close to completion. Further approval is required from the DMC for that agreement to consider the “extraordinary abnormal costs” with the development of this site. This site is within a 5 minute walking distance of the tram network and will undoubtedly benefit from the proximity to the tram. It is therefore required to provide a financial contribution towards its development in accordance with the Council’s guidelines which is estimated as being in excess of £4m. However the guidelines also stress that the figure can be reduced where it is demonstrated that there are abnormally high site preparation costs that threaten the viability of the project. In this case, the railway tunnel engineering works required (in particular the strengthening works to the tunnels) are extensive and would merit a reduction in the contribution. The applicants are willing to provide a substantial financial contribution towards the development of the tram network which will be secured by the S75 Agreement. This is the same position as reported in the 2010 application and subsequent amendments and forms the basis of the existing S75 Agreements and the proposed one for this application. Planning Officers recommended the proposed S75 Agreement is progressed in line with the provisions established within the existing S75 Agreements, the main inclusion being a clause that allows for the “extraordinary abnormal costs” to be considered in the contribution levels to be agreed on the tram contribution payment. A minimum level of tram contributions would be retained within the S75 Agreement as previously established on the site. The application was granted by the Chief Planning Officer on 6 May under the powers given to him by the Extended Scheme of Delegation, this decision being reported to the DMC when it met on 20 May. 12. Proposed development of retirement living accommodation with associated parking, drainage and landscaping arrangements at Site 90 Metres East Of 4 Barnton Avenue West

Reference :- 20/00685/PAN This is a new application by Juniper Residential Limited relating to an area of vacant ground in Barnton Avenue West which is within the Cramond Conservation Area. No details are given in the papers currently on the Planning Portal. There was to have been a community exhibition in Cramond Kirk on Thursday 2 April but this was cancelled. Juniper are the same company behind the application to build a retirement village in Kinross mentioned in February’s Report. No update. 13. Development of southern phase of Edinburgh Park to comprise mix of uses including residential (class 9 houses and sui generis flats), student accommodation and serviced apartments (sui generis), offices (class 4), hotel (class 7), creche (class 10), leisure (class 11), ancillary class 1/class 2/class 3 and sui generis public house, car parking, landscaping, roads, access and associated works at Land Adjacent to Lochside Way References :- 20/00260/PAN and 20/02068/FUL

February’s Report mentioned the PAN lodged by Parabola Edinburgh Limited for the southern phase of Edinburgh Park which takes forward “a mix used residential led masterplan”. The site extends to 14.3 hectares. The application for planning permission was lodged last month. There are over 250 documents on the Planning Portal for this major development. This development will be phased over a number of years. 14. Residential development by Hallam Land Management Limited and BDW Trading Limited - 116 dwellings, associated landscaping and infrastructure (as amended) at Land 100 metres East of 53 Burdiehouse Road References:- 18/08834/PAN and 19/02616/FUL This 6.82 hectare site comprises 2 areas – A - which is the existing SUDS area established for the previous Burdiehouse residential development lying to the South of the Burdiehouse Burn; and B - which is the main development area and is predominantly open landscape with the exception of an area of young woodland. There will be 86 private residences and 30 affordable flats. There will be parking for 200 cars. Part of the site lies within the housing proposal HSG22, with the balance being an area identified as “Long Term Redevelopment Opportunity – East of Burdiehouse”. 25 objections were lodged, with 4 neutral comments and 1 letter of support. Planning Officers recommended approval as the development complies with the LDP site brief for Broomhills, Burdiehouse and Lang Loan. The DMC at its meeting on 18 December were minded to grant consent subject to various conditions and completion of a S75 Agreement. This Agreement has now been completed and formal consent was given on 21 May. 15. Change of use proposed by Pentland Investments Limited of existing Class 10 premises to form 7 new residential flats at the former Cluny Centre, 15 Braid Road

References :- 19/01998/FUL and 19/02009/LBC; and 20/01169/FUL (as amended) Last September’s Report mentioned that the proposed conversion into residential use had been granted as a Local Delegated Decision on 24 July. The applicant has now lodged a further application which proposes “minor alterations” to what was initially approved. This application has been advertised, and the closing date for comments was 10 April. 2 objections have been lodged with none in support. 16. Proposed 3 storey office building at 24 Canning Street by Capital Business Centre Limited (as amended) References : 19/00195/FUL and 19/00193/LBC The Report for March 2019 mentioned this application seeking permission to build an annexe to CBC House at 24 Canning Street which lies within the West End Conservation Area. The site lies within the boundary wall immediately to the east of the listed former Torphichen Street School, now known as CBC House on what is currently a section of the car parking area. Revised drawings were lodged in March 2020 which changed the design of the roof to incorporate a pitched element, and also remove the windows on the rear (North) elevation. The application was granted as a Local Delegated Decision on 12 May as the development was considered to “preserve the character and appearance of the West End Conservation Area”. 7. Former Royal High School Building at 5-7 Regent Road, Edinburgh Refs:- 15/03989/FUL and 15/03990/LBC Scottish Government Appeals Division Refs :- PPA-230-2178; LBA-230-2076 Refs :- 16/04537/PAN; 17/00587/LBC and 17/00588/FUL (amended applications) Scottish Government Appeals Division Refs :- PPA-230-2213; LBA-230-2118 **Case Update – 02/06/2020** A report for this case has been submitted to Scottish Ministers. A decision by Scottish Ministers will be made in due course. Colin W Anderson Planning Representative