Lowrie opens up on planning matters
There’ll not be another eyesore in Edinburgh like the sprawl of grey square boxes – dubbed the Gulag by locals – that dominates the Newhaven waterfront, if Convenor for Planning Cllr Jim Lowrie has his way.
“We’re all embarrassed by that development” he admits. “It was a mistake and nothing like that will be sanctioned again. The advice was that lots of small units were what people wanted in that area. Clearly it isn’t – there are many unsold dwellings and it has become very obvious that the build is quite unsuitable for mixed use and family living.”
With community councillors (C llrs) keen to not only exercise their statutory rights as consultees on planning applications, but effectively so, Cllr Lowrie is also keen that the communication process is open and above all, responsive. As a result, he has agreed to answer questions, via this EACC blog, on a regular basis
Right, let‘s go then – first, foremost and by far the burning issue is whether there is any point at all to Ccllrs’ protests about developers’ planning applications. More than a few believe that all the consultation, reporting and commenting is just a wishful whistle in the wind, a box-ticking exercise that is largely ignored.
“That is not the case at all,” says Cllr Lowrie. “Since the new legislation that enables Ccllrs to say more, their comments and contributions are a very valuable part of the process. They are not just ’objectors’ but ’consultees’. They often provide the committee with information and perspectives in their areas that we couldn’t get from anywhere else. The committee listens carefully to these and often reacts accordingly.”
OK, but what about that tension between economic ‘benefits’ brought by developers and local concerns about the suitability of the build? Doesn’t the favour always fall on the side of the developer? “No it does not,” says Cllr Lowrie. “I have sometimes had to respond to the Convenor for Economic Development, Cllr Tom Buchanan‘s remarks about the proportion of applications that we reject. We are trying to balance the needs of local communities with the economic needs of the city. Within the last three years we have developed a more balanced approach to builds, not focusing on just one type of unit or individual need, but aiming for more mixed use – and always including 25 per cent of affordable housing. Developers need to be able to sell what they build and we must be aware of this reality in order to stimulate investment. They are currently interested in building terraced housing. This kind of dwelling meets our needs for more family friendly accommodation and is more acceptable to local needs as well.”
There are a lot more questions that need some urgent answers. Planning reps for Ccs from across the city have queries about the brewery development in Slateford Road, near Fountainbridge, Gibson Terrace in Merchiston and Leith’s The Walk since the trams debacle. And they will also be looking for answers about the bigger builds, PAN applications, that apply to more than 50 dwellings. Watch this space for more answers from Cllr Jim Lowrie, Convenor for Planning in the near future.
