The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh's Civic Trust) has been working to protect & enhance the beauty of Edinburgh since 1875.

We support, enable and promote:

• Excellence in new design
• Sensitive regeneration on appropriate sites
• Sustainable transport systems
• Maintenance of existing and the creation of new civic and green spaces

Cockburn News

Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 3rd June, 7pm, free
The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh

The 133rd Annual General Meeting of the Cockburn Association (Edinburgh's Civic Trust) is on Tuesday 3rd June at 7pm. Lord Macfadyen's successor as Chairman of the Association will be announced and introduced.

There will also be a short talk by Cockburn Council member Ian Wall: Working Spaces/Living Spaces.

The AGM is followed by wine served in the garden or, in case of inclement weather, inside the Storytelling Court. All members and new members welcome.

Doors Open Day: Closing Date Reminder
If your building is hoping to take part in this year's open doors day on Saturday 27th September - organised by the Cockburn Association, in partnership with Edinburgh World Heritage - please return your form by 6th June. We cannot accept entries after this date due to brochure design and printing deadlines.

To request information on taking part either this year, or in 2009, please contact Stephen Murray, Doors Open Day Organiser. More information on Edinburgh Doors Open Day here.

Members' Meeting
Thursday 4th September, 6.30pm, free
Scottish Book Trust, Trunk's Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh

The Cockburn Association members' meeting is an opportunity to discuss developments in Edinburgh and raise questions with members of the Cockburn Council and the Director. Dave Anderson, the new Director of City Development at the City of Edinburgh Council will also be attending. Members only.

Campaigns

Restore & Re-use
The Association works to promote the restoration and re-use of buildings wherever possible. We are showcasing recent examples of successful and sensitive regeneration projects on our website. Completed projects include Lothian Chambers and Dr Bell's Centre by Smith Scott Mullan Associates and Stewart's Melville Performing Arts Centre by Simpson and Brown Architects.

If you have an example of a restoration project - small or large - you think could inspire and should be showcased please contact Moira Tasker, Director.

Panmure House
The Association was delighted to hear that the City of Edinburgh Council recently decided to sell Panmure House to the Edinburgh Business School.

The Association wrote to the City Council expressing concern that this A listed building, home to Adam Smith between 1778 and 1790, should be developed in a way that would promote and enhance Edinburgh through its connections with one of its most famous citizens.

We are pleased that the proposals, which aim to reinstate the building to reflect the lifestyle of Adam Smith, with meeting space for academic and charitable group use, facilities for academic seminars and a library of the early works of Adam Smith and other Enlightenment figures, have been accepted subject to Ministerial approval. A condition of the sale further stipulates that if Heriot-Watt University choose to sell the building in the future, the City Council will have first opportunity to re-purchase.

Edinburgh City Local Plan
The pre-inquiry modifications to the Edinburgh City Local Plan are expected to be published tomorrow, Friday 30th May. The modifications will include qualified support for student housing, a new policy on tram contributions and the deletion of open space at Portobello Promenade and housing sites at Powderhall, Meadowbank and Edinburgh Zoo. The Edinburgh City Local Plan public inquiry is scheduled to open on 23rd September. More information here.

Cases Roundup

The Cases Committee meets every second Wednesday to review and comment on a selection of City of Edinburgh planning applications.

Many responses from the committee are available in the Members' Area of the website. This month the committee has commented on applications at West Brighton Crescent, Lanark Road West, Beaverbank Place and Haymarket - the Morrison Street Goods Yard Site. Cases also received a pre-application presentation on proposed developments at 121-123 Princes Street.

If you are a member and wish to bring a current application to our attention, please contact Yvonne Holton, Cases Committee Officer.

Consultations

Members can view our consultation responses, including recently submitted comments on SPP23 Planning and the Historic Environment, the Leith Links Seaward Extension Design Study and PD Rights for Microgeneration Equipment here.

Bonnington Development Brief
Edinburgh Council is inviting comments on draft development briefs for the Bonnington area. The study area is located between the Ferry Road Cycle Path and Bonnington Road, bounded to the east by South Fort Street, Bangor Road and Breadalbane Street and to the west by Newhaven Road.

This area was formerly designated for industrial use but the brief aims to establish a mix of housing and small business space. It also seeks to connect missing links in the network of pedestrian/cycle routes and green spaces. Proposals include connecting the pedestrian walkway along the north bank of the Water of Leith with the Ferry Road Cycle Path.

A consultation meeting is taking place at Bonnington Primary School, Bonnington Road, on 11th June at 7pm. The draft brief can be viewed here and paper copies can be requested from Ian Tame on 0131 529 6133.

Publications

New Greenspace Quality Toolkit
Greenspace Scotland have launched a new toolkit aimed at local authorities, developers, housing associations and other greenspace managers to assess whether their green spaces are 'fit for purpose' and to identify ways to enhance quality. View the guide and a summary here.

Energy Heritage
A comprehensive guide for homeowners seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their historic or traditional property is now available to download in interactive format from the Association's website. You can find out more about the Energy Heritage project here.

Events

Leith Festival
30th May - 8th June
With 150 events in the Leith area, just a few of the annual Leith Festival's highlights include Ever Changing Leith: Good and Bad, walking tours led by Stephen Dickson on 1st and 4th June and also a talk by Stephen Dickson on eighteenth-century Edinburgh at Leith Library on 5th June. The week's festivities culminate with the Leith Gala Day and Parade on Saturday 7th June and Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop are holding an Open Day. Full programme details here.

Old Town Festival
16th June - 29th June
Two weeks of celebrations, talks, walks, lectures, family activities, music, poetry and book events all taking place in venues in and around the Old Town. Highlights include free talks such as Edinburgh: A Changing City with Roddy Simpson and The Royal Mile: A Hidden History with storytellers Jack Martin and John Fee. On 28th June East Market Street will host the Canongate Street Fair. The Festival culminates on Sunday 29th June as the Scottish Storytelling Centre opens its doors with free family storytelling, music and activities for residents and visitors. Full programme details here.

Cramond Heritage Trust: Open Days
The Cramond Heritage Trust based in the Maltings on the Cramond foreshore, houses a local museum, exhibition and education centre. The centre will be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday until September from 2pm until 5pm. The Trust will also be open on Saturday 27th September as part of Doors Open Day. More information here.

In Brief

Leith Links Ask... Greener Leith, with support from the City Council, are seeking public views on options to improve the Links. Volunteers have compiled 10 options and short video clips, exploring ideas from tennis facilities to mini nature reserves. Interactive map here and full info here.

West End Market... on Saturday 7th June an outdoor market, with food, stalls and on street entertainment, is taking place in Stafford Street from 10am - 4pm.

Love Parks Week... from 14th - 22nd June across the UK, with events such as kite flying, picnics and al fresco plays. Persevere Park in Leith is holding an event on 21st June. Info here.

A New, Old Town Tour... a new tour company is organising tours of the gardens of the Old Town. Walks include modern community gardens as well as hidden treasures such as Dunbars' Close garden. Visitors will also hear about former Cockburn Council member Patrick Geddes's plans for a network of over 70 children's gardens. Info here.

Next Cockburn Newsletter: Thursday 28th August 2008

Register for the next Cockburn Newsletter here.

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