Update February 2006

'Save Our Old Town' campaign    © Campaigners against the proposals for Waverley Valley have been holding a series of meetings.  At a meeting of the Canongate Community Forum held on February 20, 2006: -  Peter Wilson, of the Canongate, (Architect and Director of Business Development for the School of Built Environment, Napier University) was reported to have given a very thought provoking talk on Modern Architecture and its role and impact in Edinburgh today, and why this very important site in The Old Town deserves better than what is being proposed. -  Andy Wightman gave an update on the Common Good issue. More to come on this in the next week or so. (The campaigners have argued that the land on which the proposed development is to be built is in fact land held for the common good.) Those attending the meeting were reminded that the plan for Waverley Valley is due to be released to the public on March 6, 2006. They were encouraged to display posters in support of the 'Save Our Old Town campaign'  Here are the posters.   Please click on them to enlarge them. ©          ©          ©

Sally Richardson, 'Save Our Old Town' campaign.

 

Update March 2006

Masterplan On March 4, 2006, developer Mountgrange released a £180m masterplan for Caltongate. The masterplan has been  designed by Edinburgh architect, Allan Murray. The Masterplan includes:  - Demolition of approx 18 Local Authority developed flats from the 1930s, in Canongate, opposite St John's Street.  this is to create space to build a new road, Parliament Way, that would extend  East Market Street further east, then swing round and join the Canongate. -  A  hotel and conference centre at the south end of New Street, including a tunnel through which traffic would pass as it approached the Canongate from New Street.  The hotel would open onto a new public square. -  Offices on the east side of New Street, opposite Edinburgh City Council's new headquarters. -  Up to 300 new homes, some close to the existing flats off Old Tollbooth Wynd, and a community centre. -   Shops,  workshops and artists' studios in Jeffrey Street

Building The developers hope that planning permission will be granted to enable building to start in spring 2007.

Edinburgh Evening News:  March 4, 2006:  p.9

 

Update March 2006

Web Sites For further details of Mountgrange's proposed Caltongate development see the Caltongate web site. For further details of the campaign  against the development, see the Caltongate Community Forum web site.  This web site includes: -  contact details for the SOOT  (Save our Old Town) campaign. -  comments on articles that have appeared in the press. -  dates of future meetings.

Meetings Canongate Community Forum' attempts to persuade Edinburgh Council to extend the consultation period for the Caltongate development from 8 to 16 weeks were thwarted at a meeting of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee Meeting on March 9, 2006. There will be a SOOT meeting on Monday, March 20, at 7.30pm (doors open at 7) in Old Saint Paul's Church Hall, on Jeffrey Street, between Jury's Inn and the Carlton Hotel.  This meeting will discuss and plan, for the next 8 weeks.

 

Update May 2006

Press Coverage Following a period of campaigning, including a street party in East Market Street on 6 May 2006 © campaigns, both for and against the proposed Caltongate development have featured prominently in the Press.

Cockburn Association's Objections The proposed Caltongate development may become the subject of a Public Inquiry, following objections from Edinburgh's two leading heritage organisations: -  The Cockburn Association and -  Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. Reservations have also been expressed by -  Historic Scotland -  The Architectural Heritage Society and -  Architecture and Design, Scotland In particular, concern has been expressed over: -  the proposed public square, not thought to be in keeping with the architecture of the Royal Mile, - proposals to demolish two blocks of 1930s tenements on the Canongate to make way for a  new hotel and conference centre.

Edinburgh Evening News,  May 8, 2006;  p.23 Edinburgh Evening News,  May 10, 2006;  p.21 Edinburgh Evening News,  May 17, 2006;  p.10 The first of the articles above includes a plan of the proposed developments. Arguments for and against the  Caltongate development proposals have appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News on most days in early-May, 2006.

 

Update June 2006

Planning Committee Approval Edinburgh Council's Planning Committee, at a three-and-a-half-hour meeting on June 15, approved Mountgrange's Masterplan for their £180m Caltongate Development, despite objections from local residents and heritage bodies. Objectors from 8 groups spoke at the meeting.  These included: -  Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce -  The Cockburn Association -  'Save Our Old Town'. Mountgrange have been asked to submit a revised version of their plan, to the Planning Committee to seek final approval. The Council will require the revised plan to: -  take account of the historic character of the Old Town, including narrow winding streets and an emphasis on pedestrianisation. - retain the social mix of the Old Town, providing 25% of the housing in the 'affordable' range. -   provide a new stepped route to Regent Road. -  ensure that the 'breakthrough' into Canongate at the site of the current 1930s tenement is narrower than vehicle width.

Edinburgh Evening News,  June 16, 2006;  p.11

 

Update September 2006

Revised Master Plan A revised Master Plan has been submitted by Mountgrange and approved by Edinburgh City Council.  The first planning applications are expected to be submitted before the end of 2006.  If approved, work is expected to commence in 2007.

 

Update October 2006

Indoor Market? Canongate Community Forum (campaigners fighting Mountgrange's proposals for the Caltongate development) have submitted a planning application to convert an old garage in East Market Street into an indoor market  -  even though they don't own the garage or land that it stands on. The garage stands opposite Edinburgh City Council's new offices in East Market Street, a short distance to the west of the former bus garage in New Street They see this as a way of demonstrating their opposition to Mountgrange's proposals to build a five-star hotel on the site. They claim that the land concerned is part of the City's 'Common Good' assets.  i.e. owned by the people of Edinburgh but stewarded by the City Council.

Edinburgh Evening News,  October 17, 2006  p21

 

Update Late-2006

Old Gas Works Excavations under the former bus depot in New Street have unearthed the remains of old gas works.  I believe that these old gas works closed when the new gas works beside the Firth of Forth at Granton were built around 1900. I have some photos of the remains of the gas works  -  still to be added to the web site.

 

Update Early-2007

Campaign The 'SOOT' (Save Our Old Town) campaign against the Mountgrange proposals is continuing.  I'll add more details to the EdinPhoto web site at some stage.  Meanwhile, up to date information can be found on the 'SOOT' web  site.

 

Question 1. LD Grant Penicuik, Midlothian March 2007

Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland wrote:

New Street Bathgate Park "It seems there is a piece of little known history about the former New Street bus depot site. It appears that after the old gas works closed (around 1900) and before the bus depot was built  (1926/27) there was a football park known as Bathgate Park on the site. It is known that it was a  cinder pitch but nothing else is known about the site other than the fact that it was the home of Edinburgh Emmet, a Junior professional football club and that on at least one occasion there was a crowd of 7000 spectators at a game. I would be very obliged if you could appeal for further information on Bathgate Park and Edinburgh Emmet F.C. through your site." L D Grant:  Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland:  March 28, 2007

If you have any information about Edinburgh Emmet Football Club or Bathgate Park, can you please e-mail me, then I'll pass the information on to Donald. Thank you .    - Peter Stubbs.

 

Question 1. Reply 1 Jim Bull Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Jim Bull for sending his memories of Bathgate Park. Jim wrote:

New Street Bathgate Park "Being brought up in the Canongate, just behind where Bathgate Park was situated, I remember my Dad telling me that rather than pay to watch a match the men used to stand on the track leading up from the Calton Road to Regent Road. This led to it gaining the rather "non PC" nickname of the Jew's' Gallery." Jim Bull, Old Town, Edinburgh:  May 18, 2007

 

Question 1. Reply 2 Fraser Parkinson Pilrig, Edinburgh

Thank you to Fraser Parkerson who wrote:

New Street Bathgate Park "Here is a photograph that appears on a Facebook page.  I believe it to be of Bathgate Park, which sat on the old gas works site at New Street prior to the bus depot being built there. It is an astounding photo. I've tried to contact the owner but haven’t heard back.  I've added a few comments to the Facebook page which will hopefully indicate the location." Fraser Parkerson, Pilrig, Edinburgh:  June 15, 2015

 

Update April 2007

Request for Fast Track Approval Mountgrange have already been given outline planning permission for their masterplan.  They have also requested and been given permission to demolish the old bus garage in New Street before being granted planning permission for the buildings to be constructed on this site. Now, the old bus garage site has been almost cleared and Mountgrange are seeking 'Fast Track Approval' to start construction work on the new buildings.  i.e. to start work on these before being given detailed planning permission for them. Mountgrange would like to start the construction work within the next six weeks, but the Cockburn Association and others are concerned that giving such approval now might tie the hands of the council later, when detailed planning permission is sought.

Edinburgh Evening News,  January 31, 2007

 

Update April 2007

Detailed Plans Submitted Developers, Mountgrange, submitted detailed plans to the City of Edinburgh Council today,.  These now include proposals for a live music venue on Market Street with capacity of 1500 and more affordable housing. The plans still include the proposed demolition of 18 homes in the Canongate to make way for part of a five-star hotel and conference centre. However, the plans are expected to meet with continued opposition from the heritage bodies: -  Historic Scotland -  Cockburn Association -  Edinburgh Old Town Association -  Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and from the campaigners: -  SOOT (Save Our Old Town).

Edinburgh Evening News,  April 3, 2007:  pp.10-11

Fast Track Approval Edinburgh council officials have recommended that 'fast track special approval' be given by the Planning Committee next week to the proposed £300m Caltongate mixed development Developers, Mountgrange, have announced that they have agreed a deal with French chain Acor to  build a 205-bed hotel.  They also propose to include a 1500-seat concert venue and a supermarket in the development. However, former city planning leader, Bob Cairns has said that he was  "extremely disappointed by [the developer's] piecemeal approach". He warned: "Edinburgh could be landed with the 21st century equivalent of the eyesore St James' Centre unless it takes tighter control of the £300m development."

Edinburgh Evening News,  mid-April 2007

 

Edinburgh City Council Elections The number of councillors in Edinburgh City Council, following the elections held on May 3, 2007 is now:   2007 previously Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party 11 13 Scottish Green Party 3 0 Scottish Labour 15 30 Scottish Liberal Democrats 17 14 Scottish National Party 12 1 TOTAL 58 58

Difficulty now in gaining Planning Approval? Twenty three years of Labour power in Edinburgh has ended today when it was announced that: - the SNP and Liberal Democrats have formed a coalition to run Edinburgh City Council.  (Together they hold 29 of Edinburgh's 58 seats.) -  the Tories have pledged not to oppose the election of a Lib Dem Lord Provost next week.  (The Lord Provost holds the casting vote.) With several of the strong supporters of the Caltongate project no longer actively involved, it is expected that the Caltongate project may now face a struggle to gain planning approval Edinburgh Evening News  May 11, 2007:  pp.1,8,9.

 

Update May 2007

Criticism of the Design The changes resulting from the elections on May 3 do not seem to be good news for developers, Mountgrange. The new City of Edinburgh council leader, SNP, Jenny Dawe, commenting on Mountgrange's proposals for modern-looking buildings in East Market Street to house shops, offices, restaurants and a night club, described them as "hideous and grotesque" and "completely out of keeping with the area". She added: "I don't like the way that the developers of the Caltongate scheme have decided to chop it up into small bits rather that take  forward one big masterplan."

Edinburgh Evening News,  May 24, 2007: p.9

 

Update Aug 2007

Building Work to Begin? The first stage of building work could begin within the next few months if councillors give approval at their planning committee meeting on Aug 29.  The proposals already have the approval of the council's planning officials. This stage is one of the less controversial parts of the overall proposals.  It includes 36 affordable homes on Calton Road, a new hostel for the homeless and possibly a new community centre, shops and offices. However, campaigners objecting to the Caltongate development have called for the planning committee's decision to be deferred until they consider the make a decision on the £300m Caltongate scheme as a whole. Historic Scotland has not objected to the proposals for the first stage, but has expressed concern that that it will have a considerable impact on the views of Canongate Kirk and its graveyard and has urged the council to ensure that "everything possible is done to help the new buildings to blend into the historic backdrop". Edinburgh Evening News,  Aug 25, 2007: p.7

Not yet! A decision on the first stage of the Caltongate development, a five-storey development at 20 Calton Road,  has been delayed.  This is  to allow councillors to visit Canongate Churchyard and consider what impact the development would have on the views from the churchyard Edinburgh Evening News,  Aug 30, 2007: p15

 

Update Sep 2007

Building Work to Begin Edinburgh Council has now given the go-ahead to the first stage of the Caltongate development, 36 homes, offices and a day centre for the homeless, on two sits on either side of Calton Road. Edinburgh Evening News,  Sep 27, 2007:  p.11

New Task Force Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the only high-profile backer of Mountgrange's Caltongate Development, has invited Manish Chande, chief executive of Mountgrange Capital to head a new taskforce. The purpose of the taskforce will be to:  "improve relationships between builders and heritage watchdogs ... and lobby politicians to speed up the city's planning system." The Chamber of Commerce says that the aim is to:  "attract  investment and new jobs to Edinburgh, rather than see them go to Glasgow and Newcastle." Edinburgh Evening News,  Sep 27, 2007:  p.11

Opposition Heritage bodies, including Edinburgh World Heritage and the Cockburn Association and the Architectural Heritage Society continue to be critical of the proposed Caltongate development.  The Save Our Old Town (SOOT) campaign is also continuing to hold a series of public meetings against the proposed development

 

Update Oct 2007

Survey A survey has been conducted by Mori on behalf of  developers Mountgrange.  Questionnaires have been sent to 30,000 homes within a square mile (whatever that means) of the Caltongate site, asking if people believe that the Mountgrange development will improve the city. Mountgrange say they were very pleased with the result: -  53% in favour. -  27% against. In fact, only 700 of the 30,000 questionnaires were returned.  Some have criticised the survey for not asking any specific questions about the most controversial aspects of the development,  Mountgrange's plans to demolition the former Canongate Venture, the Sailor's Ark hostel of the Royal Mile tenements. Edinburgh Evening News,  Sep 27, 2007:  p.11

 

Update Jan 2008

Affordable Homes Work has begun on stage 1 of the Caltongate development, one of the least contentious parts of the scheme, 36 affordable homes to be built on the northern edge of the site at Calton Road. A planning committee on major aspects of the Caltongate development is expected within the next few days. Edinburgh Evening News,  January 29, 2008, p.21

 

Update Feb + Mar 2008

Tenements to stay Most of the £300m Caltongate scheme was approved earlier this month. The council is now expected to approve the balance of the scheme following Mountgrange's proposal to retain the Royal Mile tenements for affordable housing use. Edinburgh Evening News,  February 28, 2008, p 6

UPDATE:  Mountgrange's plans were approved  March 5, 2008.

 

Update Jun 2008

Public Inquiry ruled out Objectors to the Caltongate proposals have now admitted defeat, following a decision by Scottish ministers to rule out a public inquiry. The Evening News reported: "Yesterday's decision ended months of uncertainty over the plans, which involve the biggest development of the Old town since the 12th century." Edinburgh Evening News,  June 19, 2008, p 6

 

Update Jul 2008

World Heritage Status Following the Scottish Government's approval of the Caltongate proposals last month, inspectors from the United Nations heritage watchdog, UNESCO are to visit Edinburgh later in the year to consider the possible impact of this development and re-evaluate the World Heritage status granted to Edinburgh Old and New Towns in 1995. The Evening News reported: Edinburgh Evening News,  July 7, 2008, p 2

 

Update Feb + Mar 2009

Mountgrange lose £24m Mountgrange, the company behind the Caltongate development posted a loss of £24.3m in the year to March 2008.  Their auditors have have admitted that there are doubts about the company's ability to continue. Edinburgh Evening News,  February 10, 2009:  pp.1, 6, 7

UPDATE:  Mountgrange was put into liquidation on  March 21, 2009.

 

Update Apr 2009

Caltongate to lie Empty The Caltongate site is likely to remain empty for a year or more because the administrators, Deloitte,  have been told by bankers, HBOS, not to sell the site 'on the cheap' to other developers. Edinburgh Evening News,  April 29, 2009:  p.5

UPDATE:  Mountgrange was put into liquidation on  March 21, 2009.

 

Update May 2009

Development to go ahead again? Two former Mountgrange directors have secured funds of £300m from a range of investors, and are keen to secure some of the former Mountgrange sites from Deloitte, Mountgrange's liquidators, to enable development to go ahead again. Edinburgh Evening News,  May 25 2009,  pp1,7

 

Update August 2009

Development to go ahead again? Five months after the site's owner, Mountgrange, went into administration, six developers have announced that they would like to take control of the site.  A deal is expected within the next few weeks. The site already has planning permission for a five star hotel, conference centre, offices, shops and homes, and a French hotel operator, Accor, waiting to occupy the hotel. Edinburgh Evening News,  Aug 13, 2009:  p.11

Update March 2010

Development Firm about to be Chosen Edinburgh Council say that they are expecting to hear imminently, from the receivers which firm has been chosen to take forward the development of the Caltongate site. It is thought that Bank of Scotland will be in control of the next move.  Bank of Scotland are owed £74m by the previous developer,  Mountgrange, who went into liquidation a year ago. It is not yet known to what extent any new developer is likely to follow the plans submitted by Mountgrange and already approved by the council. Edinburgh Evening News,  March 1, 2010, p.10

Anta Architects Vision Scottish Architects, Anta Architecture say that the Mountgrange plans for the Caltongate were similar to many other modern schemes and were too monolithic, so they have prepared designs with a stronger 'Scottish identity'. © NOTE:  No formal proposal is being made for this design.  It is just a vision put forward by Anta, architects of Fear, Tain, Ross, showing future developers (whoever they might be) how the development could, perhaps, proceed following a more traditionally Scottish theme. Anta propose a colourful scheme using simple materials, featuring arched arcades similar to those in the Cowgate.  Their design provides for the same uses as were proposed in Mountgrange's plan -  business space, offices, hotel and residential. Anta have sent their designs to the firms thought to be competing to take forward the Caltongate development.  These include British Land, Allied London and Grosvenor. Edinburgh Evening News,  March 22, 2010