If you've been in Windsor Place in the last couple of weeks you might have noticed a metal anti-vandal "security device" newly installed on the boundary wall between the Royal Mail sorting office and the block of flats next door.
The offending "device" extends for several feet at the front of the block and for about 50 feet along the car park wall at the rear. This is a type of zinc revolving barbed wire spike fence. It is an extremely vicious looking contraption and seems grossly dis-proportionate and detracts from the visual amenity, making the place look like a prison camp.
We live in the block of flats next to the sorting office and
no one at the Royal Mail has had the courtesy of discussing this with any of their neighbours here so we thought we would discuss it with local Councillor Lawrence Marshall!!!
Yesterday we got a reply from the good Councillor which contained a letter from Alan Henderson, Head of Planning and strategy at Edinburgh City Council in which he states:-
"The security devices would have required the benefit of both listed buildings consent and planning consent. I can find no record of either of these consents being either sought or obtained. I also consider it unlikely that consent would be granted were applications to be submitted. I will therefore request that the security devices are removed. further action will be taken under the above legislation, in respect of this matter, provided it is expedient to do so.
Enforcement will continue to pursue this matter until a satisfactory conclusion has been reached."
Yeeeeehah!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just as we suspected it looks as if Royal Mail have scored a spectacular own goal managing to (possibly) contravene the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 AND the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997!!!!!
Thanks to Councillor Marshall for his prompt action and we'll be watching with interest to see if and when Royal Mail take the offending article down
