The dogged efforts of Mr Osman Simsek (Breaking news, 11.10.10; 4.2.11) to change the use of his shop premises at 3 Elm Row to a hot food takeaway with limited seating have again been turned down (Ref. 11/00372/FUL). Officials said the proposals did not comply with the development plan and non-statutory guidelines, and would adversely affect the vitality and viability of the defined Leith Walk shopping centre.
To give them their due, City officials have at least been consistent. This is precisely the same wording given in their refusal of a very similar application by the same applicant on 8 October 2010.
In its full pedantic glory, the reasoning goes like this:
The proposal is contrary to Edinburgh City Local Plan Policy Ret 9 in respect of Alternative Use of Shop Units – Primary Frontages in the City Centre and Town Centres, as it would increase the number of authorised, non-retail premises from 6 to 7 (35% to 41%) within the defined retail frontage of this part of Elm Row (total of 17 units) and that the loss of the existing retail, class 1 use at the premises would further erode the number of retail units within the defined frontage to the detriment of the existing vitality and viability of the defined local retail centre.
Environmental Assessment, Transport, Police and neighbours raised no objections to the proposals. But officials assessing Mr Simsek's arguments found that none of them was sufficiently robust 'in planning terms, to justify a relaxation of the retail policy in this instance; especially concerning a policy that has so recently been the subject of a full reassessment as part of the Edinburgh City Local Plan review and adoption'.
Rules are rules, and if their application will truly help to preserve this particular town centre then so much the better. However, it would not be so irritating to Mr Simsek and others if only Officialdom had shown equal backbone and more imagination in defending Broughton from the unwelcome attention of two supermarkets over recent months.
The presence of supermarkets is an additional pressure on small retailers, and unmatchable competition will inevitably lead independent businessmen to seek alternative niche activities here.
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An individual has sought planning permission to convert office space at 76 Northumberland Street (currently occupied by Finlayson Medical Solutions) into two semi-basement flats (Ref. 11/01917/FUL). All changes would be internal.
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At 43 Broughton Street (Crolla's), retrospective planning permission is sought for the change of use, from Class 1 to Class 3 restaurant/café and ancillary hot food takeaway; and erection of two flues to the rear (Ref. 11/02045/FUL).
The Albany Lane Partnership already had permission for the conversion of an existing 2-storey and attic warehouse building on the corner of Albany Street Lane and 4 Albany Lane into 2 houses (Ref. 08/03345/FUL). More recently it applied for a material variation to that permission, incorporating minor alterations to window and rooflight positions, colour of building paint and – What was it? Oh, yes – two additional garages with room for 4 cars. Officials have agreed this variation with minor conditions aimed at preserving the character of theOsnab conservation area.