ROLLING UPDATE

6 May: Development Proposal: Pre-Application Consultation: 140 Causewayside, Sciennes: Purpose-Built Student Accommodation: Ward No. B15: Planning Reference 25/021125/PAN

Consultation by the Developer (Balfour Beatty Investments - BBI) is proposed on the demolition of the existing building on site and the erection of student accommodation with associated works. The proposed public events, to preview the proposal, are on 29 May and 19 June at 'Mayfield Salisbury Church', 18 West Mayfield, EH9 1TQ, from 3.30pm to 7.00pm. Exhibition materials will be available there and on a project website. A Pre-Application Consultation Report would follow if / when a planning application for this development is subsequently submitted.

A similar consultation took place in mid-2023, again anticipating demolition of the existing Scottish Law Commission office block and the new-build of student accommodation. The planning application which followed was turned down by the CEC Development Management Sub Committee in June 2024 (though supported by Council Planning Officers) and turned down again, on appeal, by Scot Gov. Opposition to the original application ranged across setting, neighbouring amenity and 'excessive concentration of student accommodation' in the area (and city). We wait to see what BBI will reveal as different in this new proposal. (KR)

2 May: City Council Review of Communal Bin Hubs to begin in June.

From the GPCC Secretary: 2 May 2025

1. Changes to Bin Hub criteria were agreed by councillors in November 2024. One outcome is a review of Bin Hubs. The review is based on an updated framework for Bin Hub locations which will not compromise resident access to waste and recycling services. The results will go back to the Transport & Environment Committee.

2. There is a priority list of 184 existing Bin Hubs for priority review. This priority review list can be added to now. (Note that Bin Hubs not yet installed, or locations where changes are already pending, will not be part of this particular review. That’s principally because their locations clash with the complicated Traffic Regulation Order process surrounding them.)

3. Please note this from the Council’s Project Manager, Michael Richardson:

“If there are bin hubs in your area that you want added to the list for priority review, please let us know by emailing waste@edinburgh.gov.uk before Monday 2 June.

We only require the location and/or bin hub ref to add the hub to the list. We do not require details on why the hub should be reviewed and we do not need the request to be co-signed or endorsed by anyone. We also do not need a suggestion of an alternative location (although this is welcome).”

Find out more about bins and recycling at:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/bins-recycling

(KR)