Dreghorn Polo Fields Planning Application 2003-2005

Once more, a planning application for the Polo Fields has been submitted on the run up to Christmas (as was done in 1999).

On 18th December 2003 a plan was submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Department by Miller Homes / Taylor Woodrow (Bryant Homes). This time it a full planning application, rather than an outline application (as was submitted in 1999) and is for the following items:

• Construction of 47 residential units
• Land reserved for 8 affordable housing units
• Community woodland covering the whole of Covenanters Wood - south boundary along the Dreghorn Barracks fence; north boundary along Redford Loan back gardens to the old Redford Road Bridge
• Access Road, via Dunalastair House gardens joining to the top of Dreghorn Loan
• Felling of trees in a conservation area

The Dreghorn Polofield Campaign (DPFC) and the Colinton Amenity Association (CAA) have issued a petition of protest against this application and suggested head points for objections, asking people to sign the petition and to make representations in their own words to the Council before the deadline of 13th February 2004.

The Planning Application can now be found on the Council's website Panning Portal (note that some of the drawings are large and will take time to download). The Planning Application number is 03/04628/FUL. Objections and comments can also be made online via the Council's website (Planning Portal).

Go to http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/portal/portal.jsp.
Click on the View planning applications online link.
Click on the first link in Search for a Planning Application or a Property.
In the first box of the form, input the application number 03/04628/FUL.
Then Search.

Watch this space for updates (most recent first)...

Update 25th August 2005

Good News - the Scottish Executice Inquiry Reporters Unit has confirmed that the appeal submitted by Turley Associates (on behalf of Millers and Taylor Woodrow) have withdrawn their appeal. So the Polofields Planning Appeal is cancelled. The City of Edinburgh's planning website still shows the application as "Minded to Refuse" - the status they gave it when the apllication for appeal was received. Hopefully, the application status will soon be shown as "Application Refused". As much as this application now seems to be dead, we must stay vigilant as it is fully expected that sooner or later another application will be made for building on the Polo Fields.

Update 30th July 2005

The official letters have now been sent out from the Scottish Executive (Development Department, Inquiry Reporters Unit) to advise people that the Polo Fields Planning Appeal will be held in the Castle Room at Napier University's Craighouse Campus (not Craiglockhart Campus as previously stated). The dates are as before - starting 10am Tuesday 13th September, to continue on successive days (Tuesday - Friday), until concluded (expected to take 9 days).

Update 29th May 2005

The pre-inquiry meeting for the Polo Fields Public Local Inquiry was held on 25th May at Napier University (Craiglockhart Campus).

A date was set for the start of the Public Local Inquiry - 13th September 2005. It will probably be held at Napier University (Craiglockhart Campus) - to be confirmed. It is expected to take 2 to 3 weeks.

The background papers and the objections together and the evidence to be presented at the inquiry will be lodged in Colinton Library from August 16th.

Colinton Amenity Association needs volunteers to attend for half days over the term of the inquiry, either to take notes or simply ‘show the flag’, demonstrating local interest and support for our case against the proposed development. Please contact Neil Henriksen at neil.henriksen@virgin.net. The more volunteers we can get the less onerous becomes the montoring process.

Outline of main issues identified by Reporter

• Compatibility with Development Plan and Scottish Executive planning policies.
• Satisfies housing land supply requirements
• Impacts upon environment: AGLV, Conservation Area, wildlife, trees and woodland, recreation
• Infrastructure: drainage, road access, traffic, education
• Quality of design
• Other policies

Update 19th January 2005

The application for the Polo Fields was presented to the Planning Committee today.

Having seen the Planner's recommendation to the Planning Committee a few days in advance of the Committee Meeting, the developers have already lodged an appeal with the Scottish Executive for 'non determination', alleging that the Council have taken longer than the specified period to reach a decision on their application.

Because of this the Committes took three decisions - all unanimous - in the following form:

1. The committee refused planning permission by their normal process of assessment.
2. The committee also stated that they are 'minded to refuse' planning permission [the appeal process having pre-empted a normal decision].
3. In addition, the committee continued the case for a week in order to elaborate their objections to the inappropriate design of the proposed houses, as part of their subsequent evidence to the Scottish Executive Reporter.

Update 4th January 2005

October, November and December 2004 have gone past. The Polo Fields planning application is now expected to be brought before the Planning Committee during January 2005 for a decision to be made.

Update 9th October 2004

The Polo Fields planning application is expected to be brought before the Planning Committee on 20th or 27th October for a decision to be made.

Update 3rd April 2004

The Polo Fields planning application closed to objections and representations on 13th February 2004. It is now up to the Council Planning Department to make their deliberations in preparation for taking them to the Planning Committee with their recommendations. The Planning Department has indicated that this process is expected to take about 4 months (presumably up to mid June). As soon as any progress is reported, it shall be added to the updates here.

Update 29th January 2004

A public meeting was held on Sunday 25th January, hosted by Councillor Brian Meek. Nearly 300 people were estimated to be there. The Polo Field plans were presented and discussed by various speakers. The developers declined an invitation to attend this meeting. Comments were received from the audience. The outcome was strongly against development of the Polo Fields and the people were reminded that all objections and comments are to be lodged with the Planning Department by 13th February 2004.

Update 17th January 2004

The Full Planning Application has now been listed on the Planning Department website to be advertised on 23rd January. This means that all objections, comments and the like are to be submitted by 13th February.

The Listed Building Consent application has been deemed as not necessary by the Planning Department. That decision may be questioned.

Update 2nd January 2004

The two planning applications (03/04628/FUL and 03/04628/LBC) for the Polo Fields and part of Dunalastair's grounds have now been listed as "Application invalid on receipt" and therefore have not appeared on the Weekly List of 2nd January 2004. This does not mean that these applications have gone away. A re-submission can be expected very soon.

Update 24th December 2003

The Planning Application can now be found on the Council's website (note that some of the drawings are large and will take time to download). The Planning Application number is 03/04628/FUL.