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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Are clumsy streetscapes threatening Edinburgh's heritage status?
'Whilst we may not be under imminent threat of being considered a World Heritage Site in danger, there is this steady, slow creep of issues which need to be addressed to reinforce the city's commitment to its inscription and the value that being a World Heritage Site brings,' says Terry Levinthal, director of the Cockburn Association. Conservation of the city's architectural heritage and its landscape on a macro scale has been relatively good (with a few noted exceptions), but small-scale interventions have been slowly slicing at the overall look and feel of the city. 'Death by a thousand cuts,' says Levinthal. 'One thing Edinburgh does not do well is streetscape, or how it manages the surfaces and the spaces in between buildings in an urban context.' Charlotte Square (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) The Cockburn Association, whose civic guardianship of Edinburgh hinges on heritage as civic responsibility rather than nostalgia, has sounded the alarm about the state of the city's streets. Two months on from the association's public forum, On the Road to Nowhere? Edinburgh's Streetscape and Heritage Places, Levinthal is cautiously optimistic. It would take a very long and substantial decline for the city to lose its World Heritage status, or for it to be considered endangered. But decades of 'chronic undermanagement' and an ethos that streetscape insertions have nothing to do with World Heritage when 'of course they do' has given heritage enthusiasts cause for concern. 'One of the one of the biggest risks in a historic city is not necessarily just to do with altering buildings or building new architecture, but it's actually making sure that you look after the historic streetscape, which is the setting for all of these beautiful buildings,' says Fiona Rankin, the head of public realm conservation at Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH). She explains that the city's streets don't have the same protections as listed buildings, which leaves them vulnerable to a lack of coherent design and maintenance standards. 'It's the cumulative effect of lots of small interventions that can really start to change the character of a place,' she adds. Modern times have brought a myriad of new street objects, like EV charging points, bins, defibrillators, phone charging stations, seating, bollards, planters, sandwich boards, cycle racks and more. They change how people see the street, plucking it out of its historic context and clashing with the Old and New Towns. 'We have to minimise the appearance of these interventions and design them so they coordinate well with each other,' says Rankin. 'It's really important that they're not just installed on a random basis, but the whole street design is taken into consideration, the positioning and design of such objects.' Frederick Street (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) Frederick Street (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) Piecemeal funding from local and national governments has resulted in a patchwork of streetscape elements. A project gets designed by one team; other teams are responsible for different areas. Working separately means they don't choose the same materials, the same style of seating or they might install signage under slightly different guidelines, and everything lacks continuity. Rankin points to Picardy Place as an example. Cycle lanes, tram lines, street lighting, and pedestrian crossings have created a confused urban landscape. 'You end up with a sea of poles,' Rankin says. 'Poles with signage, poles for crossing the road, poles for holding up tram lines. Areas like that, to me, have a negative effect on the heritage location.' Rather than just following engineering guidelines, she suggests that urban realm works begin with the aspiration to have as little intervention as possible and to find the option that suits the heritage best. 'I think it's very difficult to retrofit guidelines for a historic place when the guidelines are generally written for new places, new streets, new junctions,' she says. The EWH is currently working alongside the City of Edinburgh Council to develop a standalone Street Design Guidance Factsheet on Street Design in the Historic Environment, which will be added to the council's suite of Street Design Guidance Factsheets. Rankin has been seconded two days a week to work alongside the local authority's World Heritage officer to ensure that processes of thinking within the council are putting heritage first. 'Making it the starting point, the baseline,' she says. With the council, they are currently looking at coordinating the street furniture so that bins, cycle racks and seating all come from one design. 'We have a huge amount to learn from historic cities,' Levinthal says. 'We have an approach at the moment which is just not working with that outstanding heritage value that Edinburgh has.' (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) Edinburgh's Waverley Station (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) One of the biggest changes within the council is the introduction of statements of heritage significance commissioned by EWH. The key is not to try and take what they have done in say, Copenhagen or Amsterdam or Prague or Berlin and try to replant it in Edinburgh. The specific issues that the capital faces requires its own unique approach. The heritage statements are set to be given out at the very beginning of a project, defining the importance of a location and its history. The hope is that they will allow designers to develop a keen understanding and analysis of what they are dealing with right off the bat so they can carry out their work from start to finish in a sympathetic way. The first major heritage statement has been commissioned for Princes Street and the Waverley Valley ahead of its forthcoming redevelopment. 'This statement will give those designers information that tells them what the priorities are, what's important, and should steer the direction of their design so that it is compatible and complementary to the heritage,' says Rankin. 'We're all guardians of this wonderful city, and we have one chance to get it right.' The redevelopment of Waverley Station is one of the biggest concerns for the Cockburn Association at the moment. Levinthal is anticipating the launch of a master plan consultation 'sometime soon'. 'It is very much a wait and see what that brings with it,' he says. Previous plans involved demolishing large portions of the category A-listed station. At this point, Levinthal says, it's just speculation as to whether a consultation would 'alleviate any fears or give cause for concern.' A glaring issue with maintaining the decadent fabric of the historic streetscape comes down to cost. Council budgets are tight. Temporary fixes, like the tarmac on Frederick Street or the ramp at Charlotte Square, can easily become permanent when they serve a good enough purpose. But, as Levinthal points out, Edinburgh's UNESCO World Heritage City status is the 'golden goose' for both the city's and the country's coffers. Edinburgh'sGeorge Street looking west (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) Edinburgh's Waverley Station. (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) The city welcomes more than four million visitors annually who contribute £1.2 billion to the local economy. And the main reasons tourists flocked to the Lothians was for a castle or fort (42%) and to view architecture and buildings (32%), according to a 2023 survey by Visit Scotland. While it's difficult to pinpoint just how much heritage contributes to the figures or any heritage-specific revenue, it's clear that historic attractions play a key role in Edinburgh's tourism economy. 'Just for that reason alone, it really justifies the investment in it and its added protection,' Levinthal says. The Cockburn Association is optimistic about the forthcoming Visitor Levy, which came into law in September 2024. The tax on overnight accommodation is expected to raise up to £50m a year by 2028/9 which will be reinvested in Edinburgh to manage the burden of propping up a flourishing tourism economy in an ancient city. 'The income, if properly redeployed to help deal with deficiencies like streetscapes and the management of tourist parts of the city, will help deal with concerns the we have with the undermanagement and under maintenance of places,' says Levinthal. He hopes that over time, the trend of places being in slow decline will be transformed. Protecting Edinburgh as a small heritage city 'that punches well above its weight globally' will be on the forefront of civic and political thinking. 'A lot of those death by a thousand cuts could be healed with income that comes from the Visitor Levy, if properly spent and applied,' he adds. 'I think we are at a very exciting but critical point in time,' says Rankin. 'The city is aspiring to grow and transition, and for that reason, we have to proceed carefully. We can't just forge ahead.' In due course, Charlotte Square will be levelled out, as it was before the 1960s, and the unsightly ramp will no longer be needed. The crusty black tarmac on Frederick Street will ultimately be replaced with granite setts. (Image: GordonTerris_Herald&Times) 'For all projects and wider work carried out in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, we take great care to ensure that it respects and where possible, enhances the special character of the area,' says Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, transport and environment convener at City of Edinburgh Council. 'This is in conjunction with making sure that project considerations are properly taken into account, including both the specific and cumulative impacts. 'Under our City Centre Transformation strategy, we're committed to improving our streets and public spaces, creating safer conditions for walking, wheeling, and cycling, along with reducing air and noise pollution. We're taking these goals forward with ambitious projects such as the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), George Street and First New Town and improving the setted streets in the Old Town. Occasionally, we need to make emergency temporary repairs to ensure the safety and usability of streets and spaces. In these instances, permanent solutions will be brought forward as soon as possible. 'We work closely with partners such as Edinburgh World Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland, along with other key stakeholders, including the Cockburn Association, to achieve this consistency and respect for our World Heritage Site – and we'll continue to do so in the future.' Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
Edinburgh Live
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
The eccentric Edinburgh character 'Monkey Mary' who had a story to tell
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh is no stranger to an odd character or two, and a firm local favourite over the years was Mary Dunlop and her animals. Mary lived in the Grassmarket, and entertained children in the city with mechanical barrel organ - pulled by her beloved pony, Smokey. If that doesn't sell you, she was also known to be accompanied by a real capuchin monkey who was along for the ride. The trio wowed locals with their musical interludes, and were often seen outside the St Giles' Cathedral. In post-war Edinburgh, Mary and her pals were a common sight in the '40s, '50s and '60s. READ MORE - The Edinburgh Wetherspoon pub ranked one of the best in the UK - with glowing reviews READ MORE - Vegan family issue 'last warning' to neighbours after BBQ request is ignored Mary became such an iconic figure in the city that a memorial plaque was laid for her in Rutland Square. While she was still alive, the barrel organ needed to be fixed - with a local club fundraising for the repairs so that her tunes could continue to entertain. After Mary passed away in 1966, Smokey was taken in by the SSPCA to a centre in Balerno. Their barrel organ can be seen today in the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile. Edinburgh World Heritage said: "Throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s Mary Dunlop was a well-known West End character, along with her white pony 'Smoky' pulling her barrel organ on a small cart. "She brought music to the doorstep of many residents in the streets, and was especially loved by local children who nicknamed her 'Monkey Mary'. In 1958 a major overhaul of the barrel organ was needed, and a group of West Enders clubbed together to fund its repair. "When Mary died in 1966 Smokey went into retirement in an SSPCA centre in Balerno. Mary's barrel organ can still be seen today in the Museum of Childhood." After sharing her story on social media, Edinburgh World Heritage saw dozens of comments with locals remembering Mary. Bill Harris commented: "I remember her well into the early '50s, around where we used to stay." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Mairghread Ellis added: "I remember when she was an old lady. She used to be outside my old school in Queen Street, with a white pony." Morag Small said: "She used to play in Queen Street, outside my school. Teachers would get raging." Lizzie McDougall commented: "Oh the barrel organ lady! I loved her. "She used to come round with her pony, who I adored." The image of Mary Dunlop was provided by the Living Memory Association. They are a free, drop-in museum with sessions open to visitors fortnightly on Tuesdays at 1pm and weekly on Thursdays at 11am.
Edinburgh Reporter
15-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Community council lodges complaint to Edinburgh Council
The New Town and Broughton Community Council has lodged a formal complaint with The City of Edinburgh Council in relation to a planning decision for a new home on Blenheim Place. The complaint centres on the council's Planning Local Review Body (LRB) and the way it dealt with an appeal heard on 2 April. This was an appeal against the council's decision to refuse planning permission in October 2024 for a new house on the site between Greenside Parish Church and 12 Blenheim Place and it was heard by the LRB. Council officers said in the 2 April papers that the proposal was unacceptable as it would have a 'detrimental impact on the New Town Conservation Area and the wider World Heritage Site'. The community council says its members have reviewed the proceedings at the meeting on the recorded webcast and find that there were 'serious procedural failures, apparent bias, and lack of adherence to statutory requirements and council guidance during the review of the appeal'. NTBCC claim that the convener and others on the quasi judicial body were casual in the way they examined the issues, failing to consider whether a building was suitable for the World Heritage Site. They also gave no consideration to the objections from four local representative organisations (including Edinburgh World Heritage) and 28 residents. During the presentation at the LRB councillors heard that Historic Environment Scotland said there would be some visual impact on Greenside Parish Church and on some viewpoints from Calton Hill, but that the organisation considered these would be minimal. They confirmed no objection to the application. Edinburgh World Heritage said they noted that 'significant efforts have been made to keep the building low minimising the impact on views however changing a historical landscape setting that contributes to numerous heritage values would have negative heritage impact'. They did not support the application. This is a site of archaeological potential and the City Archaeologist said a condition about the need for investigation should be attached to any permission granted. The key issues in the report of handing included this statement: 'The erection of a building on this site would create an unsympathetic and disruptive addition to the immediate streetscape.' The LRB had the option to decide on the application before them for review or to ask for more information to be provided – including holding another hearing. The clerk advised that the LRB had to consider the Listed Building – the church – when making any determination. Community Council Peter Williamson, Chair of NTBCC, said: 'Community councillors were shocked at the conduct at the appeal meeting when they looked at the council's webcast. Quasi-judicial processes of this importance to local people need to be conducted in a proper manner.' NTBCC has demanded that the appeal process is rerun, that the shortcomings of the original appeal are not repeated, and that safeguards for any future appeals are put in place. At the meeting the LRB allowed an appeal paving the way for a Passivhaus standard flat-roofed two level five bedroom modern house with external area to be placed between the church, a modern office building and a Georgian terrace at 12 Blenheim Place. There will be windows on the elevation facing towards the church. The site is currently clear, but would be used for the house which would be fitted with photovoltaic panels. The plans are for an eco-efficient house with a ground source heat pump. The railings would be maintained on the street side of the site but a new entrance would be created for access to the home. This is a site which lies on a slope as viewed from the street with the church sitting higher than the terrace at Blenheim Place. The majority of the roof would be a flat green roof with terrace. Proceedings at the meeting Cllr Tim Jones was the acting Convener of the LRB on 2 April when the decision was made. He commented that Blenheim Place is a beautiful Playfair terrace and a 'precedent' had been set by the building of the modern office block next door. He said: 'I think too much is made of the blocking of the view because this is really very low down.' He said he was of the mind to uphold the application and allow the planning permission to be granted. Cllr Jones asked about the design and how it compares in relation to the height of the modern block of offices next to it. He was referred to the street elevation plans in the presentation pack where the roof of the offices was shown as 'significantly higher' than the proposal. Cllr Key said that the church itself blocks any views of Calton Hill and said the low profile nature of the proposed building did not pose any problem for him. Cllr Hal Osler opposed the application for review. She said: 'There is an important aspect here which is that the church has a definitive gap on either side that puts it in a particular setting. This removes that aspect and makes a continuation where no continuation existed beforehand. It does alter the church's setting which is the whole point of looking at impact on historic buildings. I feel that an opportunity has been taken to fill this site and I don't believe there is a necessity to fill this site. I think it is possible to reduce it further. I think it is too much.' Cllr Ben Parker agreed with Cllr Key that it is a low level building and the views are unaffected. He said he believed the development was quite 'sensitive' but building right up to the church is inappropriate. Cllr Key proposed that the permission was allowed, and it became clear that with Cllr Osler proposing the opposite (and to support the refusal) the LRB – with four members present – were equally divided. Cllr Key said the development would not have a detrimental impact on the application site, it does have regard to the existing characteristics of the area, has minimal impact on the listed building next door and would not have a detrimental impact on the application site and the surrounding area. Cllr Key and Cllr Jones both voted to allow the permission and Cllrs Key and Osler voted to refuse it. With his casting vote Cllr Jones overturned the officers' recommendations and the development was approved with a condition as provided by the City Archaeologist. Other councillors due to appear at the LRB on 2 April included Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron who joined online but was too late for this item, Cllr Neil Gardiner (but Cllr Key substituted for him) Cllr Alys Mumford (but Cllr Ben Parker was in attendance for the Green Group) and Cllr Hal Osler. All of the visualisations of the proposed home are included in this pack here: Loading… Cllr Tim Jones who convened the meeting Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
21-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Why £1m Blenheim Place house reveals shocking reality of Edinburgh's planning system
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It won't be long before the diggers come. Between Toppings bookstore and Greenside Parish Church is 12 Blenheim Place, a patch of greenery overlooked by Calton Hill. Historic maps show the site was woodland from at least the mid-19th century. But then, around 2017, the trees were felled. And now the five-bedroom family home is going up – in William Playfair's New Town, a conservation area. It's not surprising that dozens of people, the community council and Edinburgh World Heritage objected to the application . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is more surprising is that planning permission came down to just two councillors. So, how did it play out? By scrutinising one application on one cobbled street, maybe there are clues to how other planning decisions are made. Plans to build a modern house in Edinburgh's New Town were approved by just two councillors | contributed 32 objections The Local Review Body (LRB) met to decide the fate of the planning application for 12 Blenheim Place on April 2, six months after it was first turned down. Four councillors were present: Conservative Tim Jones – appointed chair for the day – as well as SNP's David Key, Ben Parker, of the Scottish Greens, and Liberal Democrat Hal Osler. Blenheim Place was the first item of business, and slightly unusual for a committee that normally deals with dormer windows, driveways and short-term lets. A senior planning officer presented the case. There were 32 objections (one from yours truly). Historic Environment Scotland did not object to the revised application – the original plans had consisted of two three-storey buildings on the site – but stated its lack of objection should not be interpreted as support. Council officers recommended refusal of permission: the council's own report in October used words such as 'sterile' and 'detrimental'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Two-all tie As the senior planning officer was finishing their presentation, Labour councillor Lezley Cameron joined the webcast. Since she was late to the meeting, she wouldn't be able to vote. The panel was therefore down from five members to four, and it was time for each to express their view. Jones commented the design looked 'discreet' and 'well thought out', and that the 1980s office building next door was significantly higher, and in that way, a 'precedent' had been set. Key wondered how Edinburgh World Heritage could argue the house would impede views of Calton Hill, when the church next door did the same? Osler turned the discussion to the width of the design: the house would extend right up to the boundary of the category A listed Parish Green Church. Parker agreed with Osler, and said the issue of the height was a 'red herring'. The councillors cast their votes: two for, two against. As chair, Jones said he would use his casting vote, and permission was granted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who knows what would have happened if Cameron had turned up on time, or another councillor had been appointed chair that day? But there was no point in ruminating. The decision had been made. Valuing the public realm This is just one decision by an LRB that should be questioned, but there are other committees making planning decisions with far-reaching implications that should also be looked at. For example, why was Rosebery House by Haymarket Station demolished, when it was only built in the 1970s? Why are blocks of student housing cropping up all over the city when we don't have enough social housing? Why does St James shopping centre have 1,600 car park spaces in a town centre that is already heavily congested? And how much do our councillors – our elected representatives – really value the public realm and green spaces? Part of the answer comes down, frankly speaking, to the quality of councillors who sit on the relevant committees. We require people who are invested in the work, who receive adequate training, who ask the right questions, who can form an argument, and who can put their political leanings aside when it comes to quasi-judicial bodies like the LRB. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Needs of local people But that's not to blame individual councillors. It would be fairer to focus on the policies they have to work with and abide by, namely the City Plan 2030, implemented last November, and the National Planning Framework 4 . Both have a stronger focus on climate, for example, than their previous iterations, and applications are now reflecting this: 12 Blenheim Place features an air-source heat pump and a roof garden. But there is a lot that is unsaid in policy and councillors therefore have limited ammunition. It is unsaid that the motivations of property developers, lawyers and architects often run contrary to the needs of local people, and that it's more profitable to demolish and rebuild than conserve. It is unsaid that student housing – categorised as commercial units – generates a high return for investors. (The neighbouring 1980s office block that Jones mentioned is now owned by a German real estate investment fund . It was also renovated by CSG Projects, the same company that now has planning permission at 12 Blenheim Place.) But even if policy was watertight against vested corporate interests, the LRB meeting shows how expert opinion and local sentiment can be thrown out the dormer window, based on apparently personal views of a design, or by looking at a picture and deciding that the height of a building would have 'no significant impact'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The only thing we can do is pay more attention to the committees that our representatives sit on – and vote accordingly at the next local election. But by that point, Blenheim Place – a 'sterile' million-pound house amidst a housing crisis – could already be well underway. Let's just hope it's not converted into a short-term let.
BBC News
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Royal Mile unicorns have horns restored
A pair of 19th Century unicorn sculptures at the top of Edinburgh's Royal Mile have had their horns restoredThe sandstone sculptures adorn the façade of the Scotch Whisky Experience, just in front of the Edinburgh Castle original horns, made from wood and lead, had long been missing, but as part of the building's restoration the attraction's facilities manager Ross Morris, a keen woodworker, crafted some new ones. A competition has now been launched to name the unicorns, with some whisky-themed puns such as Amber, Isla and Pete among the suggestions. Mr Morris said the original horns were believed to have fallen off at some stage during the building's history. "Helping restore the unicorns to their former glory has been a real privilege," he said."Carving the spirals was a new and exciting challenge which drew on years of experience working with wood."He added: "Having the chance to contribute to such an iconic part of Edinburgh's skyline, at a place that means so much to me, has been incredibly rewarding." Edinburgh's architecture often features unicorns and several can be found on the Royal Wilkinson, former director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "Buildings of the late Georgian/Victorian period in Edinburgh were particularly loaded with symbolism."Whether the use of classical features in the New Town, or adaptations of Gothic styles like this in the Old Town."If you look up in Edinburgh, you will often spot intricate carvings of animals."He continued: "It is wonderful to see responsible owners who are willing to invest in the care and maintenance of these important vestiges of Edinburgh's social history and giving them a sustainable long term use." Winners of the "spirit of the unicorn" naming contest, which runs until 27 April, will receive a whisky tour and a special unicorn cocktail at the visitor attraction's can be submitted via the Scotch Whisky Experience website.
