Planning Applications

We have seen a marked reduction in the submission of planning applications within the Colinton area over the past few months. This isn't particularly surprising given the current economic climate. Changes to the planning legislation means that permission is not now required for small developments.

Proposed development at Bonaly

CEC Planning Department rejected the application for a farmhouse on the site between the City Bypass and Bonaly Tower. The planned usage was for a smallholding growing organic produce for sale to local retail outlets which in today's self-sufficient, carbon neutral transition town thinking, would be a good thing, however the construction of a "farmhouse" might have led to more development. It remains to be seen if the owner carries out his agricultural plans from his present nearby residence.

Development of the old NAAFI site at Redford Road

The old NAAFI site at Redford Road has been for sale for some months now and CAA understand that a proposal to build a 90 bed care home is being put forward for planning consent in due course. One benefit to this proposal may be that some of the woodland lying behind the old NAAFI building may be gifted to the CEC to be incorporated into the Redford Wood.

Thorburn Road School Annexe

CEC have decided to retain the old school building until property values recover sufficiently. There are concerns that the condition of the building will suffer as a consequence. It seems a pity that other uses for this building have not been found.

Capelaw View

Eco-Logical Developments are now making good progress building the front row of houses at the development. This was started at the beginning of October.
It is hoped that continued and prolonged complications regarding legal matters in connection with the handover of the new toilets have been overcome and Colinton enjoys a brand new convenience.

Redford Wood

Plans to create this area into a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) have been delayed due to the failure of the application for funding from the Forestry Commission. Carillion have not yet returned the land below the Gallolee to its former state due to the need to store waste materials from the culvert work. It is hoped that discussions between Carillion, CEC and CAA will allow progress to be made before long. CAA is still pursuing plans to improve Redford Wood with the Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership (PNP) and while funding may be limited some progress may possible.

Braid Burn Flood Defence Update

Progress is being made at the Redford Road Culvert. Access to the east side of the road within Redford House Estate was established in September and preparation work begun to allow a tunnelling machine to be used to form the new and much wider culvert. Piling was put in place to form a "Coffer Dam" to allow excavation for the tunnelling work to begin. It is expected that this work will be well advanced by the time this is published.