Current Planning Applications
Salvation Army Women's Hostel, 2 West Port and Portsburgh Chapel, The Vennel
08/02657/AOW1 Building Control Warrant
Date Application Received: 07/12/2009
09/04755/AER Building Control Warrant
Date Application Received: 15/12/2009
09/03327/FUL Planning Application Form new door to garden at rear
Date Application Received: 22/12/2009
09/03327/LBC Planning Application Proposed formation of floor to garden from Portsborough Chapel
Date Application Received: 22/12/2009
09/02400/LBC
Alter Existing Former Women’s Hostel to backpackers Hostel and associated facilities for short term let.
09/02401/FUL
Proposed conversion of the former Hostel into a back packers hostel to incorporate a cafe
Address: 2 West Port and including 5 The Vennel.
The current application is a change to the planning permission previously granted to develop serviced appartments. Full plans can be viewd online at the City of Edinburgh Planning Portal -
here
Possible grounds for objection are as follows:
Planning application:
- while drawings show the plan for an additional external door, planning application states existing access only
- while plan is to have a cafe/bar, plans state that retail space is zero
Architectural:This development will require the alteration of the street frontage of the premises thus detracting from the facade. The development intended for Portsburgh Chapel in the Vennel appear not to be fully included in the drawings submitted. This chapel is a building of architectural interest in its own right and some level of conservation is required to maintain its status as the only surviving example of a church of its kind in Edinburgh City Centre; it is listed on the Buildings at Risk Register -
here
Loss of amenity:
The development of a food and drink proposal will materially affect nearby residential amenity particularly within what has been identified as an area of sensitivity, i.e. Grassmarket (Ref: Development Management Guideline: Food and Drink Establishments, Planning Committee, 2 October 2008)
There are several other such premises within a mile of this development and the area has already been blighted by being associated with drinking culture and anti-social behaviour. This development will only compound that association.
Environmental:
The intended use of the development as a backpackers hostel will encourage noise and disturbance in an area which is already subject to high levels of such environmental pollution.
Transport, parking, access and road safety:
The main front door opens onto the existing pedestrian crossing and there appears to be no parking/loading access. An additional door intended for the cafe/bar development would further increase potential for road safety issues arising from the loading and deliveries required to sustain such an establishment.
In addition, the behaviour of the developers to date does not suggest a responsible approach to development and management or any respect for the locality or community. There has been no consultation with neighbours or local community groups about the plans. For years, despite approaches, the developers have made no attempt to maintain the building or remove graffiti: one summer the police ejected several squatters from the building. Two weeks ago the developers felled trees and shrubs on land at the back of the premises which were planned to be used as a garden by St Thomas of Aquins school. Currently there is a significant amount of building work being undertaken to the interior of the building despite planning consent not yet having been gained.
The CEC have served an enforcement enquiry regarding this - to investigate why works commenced prior to planning permission being granted or a building warrant being issued.