Superstore - New Petrol Station - Parking - New Access

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Jan 2005, 12:27

Most of you will probably have received a letter today from the Inquiry Reporters Unit with details of the forthcoming Public Inquiry.

The inquiry commences at 10am on Tuesday 1 March at the British Legion Club in Baileyfield Rd and is expected to last around nine days. Copies of inquiry papers available in library.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 08 Jan 2005, 15:03

http://www.unece.org/press/pr2001/01env15e.htm

http://www.groundwork.org.uk/policy/greenspace.htm

Post by **wangi** » 23 Jan 2005, 01:07

Today's "picture a day" http://www.pbase.com/wangi/pad

#169 22/01/2005 Pig(-headed Developers)
Kitchener's, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh

Internal decoration in a local cafe/deli... Once of the main supporters behind a local campaign to prevent planning permission being granted for a supermarket on (the end of) Portobello High Street. There are currently nine branches of national supermarket chains within easy reach of Portobello (Scotmid , Sainsbury, Safeway/Morrison, Asda, Tesco, Somerfield, Aldi, Marks and Spencer (food), Lidl). More info on the campaign here: http://www.pcats.org.uk/

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 24 Jan 2005, 22:49

That's a great picture - it makes the pig look almost three-dimensional and thanks for the publicity for the campaign.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 29 Jan 2005, 09:24

http://www.monbiot.com/archives/1995/01 ... -monopoly/

nickchild · Post by **nickchild** » 29 Jan 2005, 18:26

Don't know if this is new or not to this thread, cos I'm too active in other web/communities to read everything here! Sorry if it's old hat or just wrong.

I heard the following from an authoritative Planner pal. The longer a developer has to spend in enquiries and appeals, the more they have to keep paying a fairly significant lot of rates if the plan is for a superstore. So to drag things out is a good thing to do if you want to defeat that plan

Also, if the plan is for housing, then rates don't need to begin to be paid until the houses are up or occupied. So there is an inducement to move towards the sorts of things Porty would like to see on this site.

Nick

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 Jan 2005, 18:06

From Maureen Child's most recent newsletter:

As you must know by now (!), the Public Inquiry starts on 1 March in the British Legion Club, Baileyfield Road. There is a longstanding booking for Portobello Town Hall, a national convention which will take place over two of the nine days which the Scottish Executive Reporter's Unit needed.

All those who will be giving evidence against the proposals are in the last stages of preparing their precognition. These are written statements, which will be submitted to the Inquiry Reporter before the proceedings begin and which are available to everyone in Portobello Library before the case starts.

The Council is one of those making the case against and Councillor Trevor Davies, as Chair of the Council's Planning Committee which was minded to refuse, will be leading the planning arguments. He must base his arguments on planning law and planning policy and play to our strengths there. He cannot lean his arguments on local sentiment, even although he strongly supports local sentiment. Trevor has been doing a power of work on the Campaign's behalf. This is still not fully appreciated or understood - as I see from Portobello Amenity Society's latest members' newsletter.

I won't go into the ins and outs of how mutual misunderstanding arose. Suffice it for me to say the position the Council is taking is fully intended to strengthen the common case against the superstore, and certainly not to weaken it. It us up to all of us to avoid blowing our chance of winning this Inquiry by falling out over past history or questioning each other's motives. I could do that too - very easily! But it would be a self-indulgent distraction. This Inquiry is very serious local business, whatever its ramifications for a wider scene or a national planning debate.

I am doing my own level best to play my part in ensuring we win this Inquiry. I trust that is also true of everyone else involved in this campaign.

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 31 Jan 2005, 23:20

Don't forget the PUBLIC MEETING on Monday 7 February at 7.30 pm in Portobello Town Hall.

This is your opportunity to come along and hear the latest on the public inquiry and listen to Joanna Blythman, author of "Shopped: the shocking power of British supermarkets".

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 05 Feb 2005, 17:40

Just a reminder about the public meeting on Monday 7 February at 7.30 pm in the Town Hall. this will be the last one before the public inquiry.

Come along to hear the latest on the public inquiry and hear Joanna Blythman, highly respected food writer, speak.

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 09 Feb 2005, 14:36

I missed it - sorry.
Was there anything new to add?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Feb 2005, 19:33

I suppose that whether you learned anything new depended on what you knew before the meeting started, but if you have been following this thread then you should be pretty up to date with developments.

Joanna was very complimentary about the PCATS campaign and spoke about her book, which highlights the way that superstores are blighting communities like ours the length and breadth of the country.

There was some discussion on Tesco as an employer (minimum rates, unpaid breaks, McJobs) and the fallacy that a superstore would create jobs locally, when experience suggests that a net loss of jobs to the community is more likely.

People spoke of the pleasures of shopping locally, of the social interaction this afforded, the quality and range of food stuffs available and the opportunities for local children and adults to gain employment with local traders.

The need to reform planning law to ensure a more level playing field was agreed to be paramount and Susan Deacon MSP informed the audience that a White Paper on this was expected soon from the Scottish Parliament. Both she and Maureen Child (lest anyone be in any doubt) reaffirmed their 100% support for the campaign, while Gavin Strang and Lawrence Marshall were unable to attend but are with us all the way.

So, nice to hear Joanna speak and I'm planning to read her book soon. Nothing untoward or controversial to report. Everyone is pulling together to ensure that we win and this was very much a 'feel good' event.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the Public Inquiry in large numbers to show the strength of local feeling but a noisy demonstration is not on the cards, since this would be counter-productive at this stage.

After all the hard work and all the fund-raising it is now time for cool heads as the local people who wil give evidence to the Inquiry, along with the expert witnesses and council officials, gather their thoughts and present the arguments to the Reporter. Our hopes and prayers are with them and I think we have a great team on our side

Against all the odds, I expect us to win. What a party that will be!

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 09 Feb 2005, 23:51

For those who wish to see the documents which will be referred to at the PLI, they have been placed in Portobello library.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Feb 2005, 20:05

Last-minute shopping for cash to stop supermarket

Nothing you don't already know, but good to see the campaign continuing to attract city-wide attention. We must have a good press-officer.

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 14 Feb 2005, 14:47

Thanks.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Feb 2005, 18:35

Here is Lawrence Marshall's precognition to the Superstore Public Inquiry. I believe that a limit of 2000 words is imposed, so it is of necessity condensed to key arguments.

Lawrence Marshall - precognition

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 22 Feb 2005, 11:51

Precognitions if over 2000 words, had to be condensed into a 2000 word summary.

Suffice to say, many of the precognitions topped 2000 words eg. if the witness was dealing with one or more topics.

The full precognitions have been sent to the Reporter and Appellants, only the summaries will be read out at the PLI

The following article is just one more reason to halt the Superstore Car Magnet.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/enviro ... ory=612888

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 24 Feb 2005, 19:10

Here is the full version of Stephen Hawkins' precognition statement:

Stephen Hawkins - precognition

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 24 Feb 2005, 19:42

Next up is the full text of Graham Kitchener's statement:

Graham Kitchener - precognition

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 25 Feb 2005, 18:41

Here is John Stewart's statement:

John Stewart - precognition

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 25 Feb 2005, 19:02

And here is Joanna Blythman's statement:

Joanna - precognition

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 27 Feb 2005, 14:55

This is a reminder that the public inquiry into the superstore application will start on Tuesday 1 March at 10 am in the British Legion club, Baileyfield Road. It is expected to last until Friday 11 March, with closing submissions being heard the week commencing 14 March.

As soon as we find out what the timetable for evidence is we will let you know. Please try to come along for at least some of the time to hear what is being said and see what all the money you have so generously donated is being spent on. You can drop in and out as you like so don't need to commit a whole day or even half a day to attending.

If we think that a certain day is going to be particularly interesting we will let you know. Attending is a way of showing your support for the campaign and the Reporter will take public objection into account. If you feel it will help you to commit to attending, you might want to arrange a rota with friends and / or neighbours.

Please also put a window poster up to show your support, even if it's just for the duration of the inquiry.

Thanks for all your support so far. This is the big one - let's hope all our hard work pays off.

Ned Ludd · Post by **Ned Ludd** » 27 Feb 2005, 17:55

Even better. Just park as selfishly as many of those who attended yesterday's coffee morning. Block pavements and park dengerously around junctions and everyone will know that you too are against the superstore. Or maybe PCATS were cleverly illustrating the likely effects of the extra traffic?

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 27 Feb 2005, 19:33

Yes, just multiply by 1,000 to arrive at an accurate picture of the congestion the superstore would generate.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 27 Feb 2005, 21:03

Ned Ludd wrote:Even better. Just park as selfishly as many of those who attended yesterday's coffee morning. Block pavements and park dengerously around junctions and everyone will know that you too are against the superstore. Or maybe PCATS were cleverly illustrating the likely effects of the extra traffic?

Mmm...... lots of folk were parked up as you described Ned, but the people that I observed weren't going to the PCATS coffee morning but to the NCT 'Nearly New' sale in the Town Hall. There was a HUGE queue waiting for some to exit so they could get in. They must have come from miles around, just as they will if the Hypermarket gets the go ahead

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 27 Feb 2005, 23:16

That makes sense as most of our customers were locals on foot and some elderly folk who arrived by bus. I know our "DOs" are popular but they don't usually cause traffic jams!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 28 Feb 2005, 14:08

dccairns wrote: I know our "DOs" are popular but they don't usually cause traffic jams!

Perhaps not but your raspberry jams are divine.

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 28 Feb 2005, 16:06

Did you sneak into the coffee morning while I wasn't looking and buy a jar?

Glad to see you've got your old hat back on. Spring is nearly here so no need for the woolly one for the time being.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Feb 2005, 16:37

From today's EN:

Shop protest set for public inquiry

dccairns · Post by **dccairns** » 28 Feb 2005, 19:05

Hope to see some of you at the British Legion tomorrow.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » 01 Mar 2005, 21:04

Public Local Inquiry Update

What a fantastic turnout of support on the first morning. Over 50 local residents and traders were present at the start and more turned up as the day progressed. Not only that but our MSP, Susan Deacon, MP, Gavin Strang, and MSPs Mark Ballard and Robin Harper were there at the start. Later in the day Councillor Maureen Child attended (Lawrence is on holiday but due back next week). Thank you everyone for your support.

After preliminaries, the morning kicked off with Bruce Hare of Duddingston House Properties delivering his precognition. The main thrust of this was that the council had led him down the garden path into believing that a single use superstore on the site would be acceptable. After questioning though, Mr Hare accepted that he was aware of the design guidance for the site, that it was zoned for industrial/commercial but that he had ignored these factors.

This questioning lasted well into the afternoon and there was only one other witness heard who was an architect. He waxed lyrically about English guidance and the effect that supermarkets had had on Tooting and Ludlow (both in the centre of towns) and how his practice had won a prize. However, he failed to answer when asked a question about Bridge Street car park, said that the indicative plan put in was not what he would have produced and then left on the first plane back to England.

At present, it is expected that DHP will take the next couple of days with their evidence with the council perhaps starting on Friday. this all depends on the progress of some last minute Ã¢â‚¬ËœmodellingÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ of the proposed Seafield junction by the traffic experts. Individual witnesses from the community are expected to be heard on Monday - the appearance of witnesses is a bit of aa movable feast but weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll try and keep everyone informed as best can be.

Tomorrow it will be DHPÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s experts on urban design, ground stability and retail. See you there if you want to find out what this brave new world envisaged by DHP for the ordinary people of Portobello.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2005, 21:38

From Maureen Child's most recent newsletter:

I will attend as much of the Public Inquiry as I can possibly manage starting Tuesday 1 March at the British Legion Club in Baileyfield Road. Having read some of our side's submissions, and contributed to the Council's case, I am very confident we will be able to win the community argument. The more people attend the inquiry - just to listen, quietly - the more the PCATS case against the plan will be strengthened. So, if you can make it along at any time between 9.30am and 4.30pm, then please do so.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » 02 Mar 2005, 19:19

Today at the Inquiry.

Another excellent turnout from local residents and some good, probing questions from the independent witnesses (local residents) to the Duddingston House Properties experts. Keep on coming and encourage your friends to also come and find out why these people want to destroy our town centre and clog up the streets with even more traffic.

Firstly, an expert was led in urban design who stated that a superstore could be built and accord with the Baileyfield design principles put forward by the council. However, his interpretation of mixed use is that the superstore would have other things in it other than just food retailing. Some mixed use!

Secondly, a ground stability expert gave his solution as to how the poor ground conditions could be overcome. But he would give no guarantee that the cottages in Baileyfield road would not be affected simply saying that the builder would be responsible.

And lastly, evidence was heard from an expert who said that Portobello was dying in the opinion of the retailers here and that no one wanted a shop here. He had not spoken to any independent retailer and obviously did not know that Pizza Hut, The Mortgage People, Sizzlers and the cartridge shop were recent additions to the High Street.

ThereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a problem with the traffic evidence which should have started tomorrow. Strange as it seems, the developers (the guys who know whatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s going on in, and is best for Portobello) didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t know about the traffic lights proposed for the Seafield roundabout. Extra time is needed to consider this and evidence is now to be heard in the week beginning 14th march. WeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll keep you posted on events.

So, tomorrow will kick off with Robert Drysdale, the retail expert for Duddingston House telling us why we need another superstore even though there are sufficient superstores within easy distance. Then the council will start its case with Alun White confirming why the superstore could not meet the high standards of urban design this sensitive site demands. It might just be that this is followed by Cllr Trevor Davies but, if not, then the local group will start with Stephen Hawkins giving his evidence.

Sorry that I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be more definite about the timetable but these things seem to change on a daily basis - not helped by the developerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s inability to understand what the bus priority scheme meant.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Mar 2005, 19:34

Sounds like it is going really well so far, and I'm sure that the Reporter will be less than impressed with the developers' incompetence and weak arguments.

We are all right behind you. Go get 'em!
:whdat:

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 02 Mar 2005, 20:47

From today's EN:

Store plans defended as inquiry begins

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » 03 Mar 2005, 19:42

Today at the Inquiry.

Well, what a day of two halves. Another great turn out from our community.

Firstly we had Robert Drysdale who is the retail expert for Duddingston House Properties and the main one justifying why we need a new superstore. It was pointed out that only one person could be found in the local community who had been surveyed and he based his idea of need on the fact that most people use the four supermarkets within a 2 km radius of the town hall. And, in answering a question from the floor about his objection to the proposed tramway system as it would hold him up in traffic he side-stepped the issue about why he felt it good for Portobello residents to have more congestion.

In the end, it boiled down to him implementing the wishes of the Scottish Executive through their planning policies and guidelines - he is only following orders. Comments been passed that he has a passing resemblance to Herr Flick, whoever he was. At least the arguments and issues raised were understandable and one or two humorous quips helped along a marathon session that only ended at 1.15pm.

In the afternoon the council opened their case with their expert on urban design. This was quickly reduced to some fairly lengthy, tedious discussion on how the statement of design principles for Baileyfield site had come about. Unfortunately, this pushed out time for evidence to be heard from the first community witness. Woodwares had offered to bring round some emergency tins of paint so that we might watch it drying in order to liven up the afternoon.

A pity really as the day had started on a light note with the reporter telling us that she had been looking at aerial photographs of Portobello and in particular the Bridge Street car park. The previous afternoon the developers had possibly thought they had refuted suggestions from the community that this car park was little used as the photos showed the car park full. However, as it was sunny and the trees were in leaf that it might have been a sunny weekend day with trippers enjoying our famous sea front and beach rather than shoppers in the town. Who says the camera never lies?

Anyway - tomorrow promises to be far more interesting with Trevor Davies, the chair of the planning committee, possibly followed by the communityÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s retail expert and John Stewart from the Community Council appearing. Starting time 9:30.

Please note that due to the developers not knowing about the Seafield roundabout improvements the inquiry is likely to be suspended from next Tuesday and will re-convene on Wednesday 16th March to hear traffic evidence.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Superstore - New Petrol Station - Parking - New Access

Drag it out?