Old paddling pool site on the Promenade.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 21 May 2003, 14:15

I can recall the days many moons ago when I used to use the paddling pool just off the prom between Laing Terace and John Street.It was always a good alternative to going into the sea.

Unfortunately this site has long passed into a blight on the landscape and has been the victim of much vandalism.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for this site.If there are let's hope it's not for housing or any building like that.

If no plans have been made,it would make a rather nice site for some sort of garden ,[even a memorial garden-does Portobello have a memorial area to those who died in the WW1&2?],which could be planted out with native species etc.

The promenade does lack general landscaped areas that could be used by vistors and local residents.[but obviously not for dog fouling etc].

This site needs action and let's hope that something is done in the near future or the area is fully discussed within the community council and councilor.
Feedback would be welcome.
Kevin.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 21 May 2003, 18:10

Kevin

I have asked Maureen Child to reply to this as it is very much one of her pet projects but, as this may take a day or two, here is an interim report based on what I know:

There are indeed plans to develop the paddling pool site, which as you say has fallen into considerable disrepair through a combination of neglect and vandalism over the years. The idea was to provide a seaside garden with perhaps a play area. These plans have been drawn up by a local architect following a considerable degree of consultation with local residents and the community at large. The project has recently been handed over to Richard Barclay at City Development and work is expected to begin in this financial year. We hope to publish the plans on the website in the near future.

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 02 Aug 2004, 22:27

Does anyone have any more news on this issue? I'm going to start taking a close interest very soon(ish) so could add my voice to shout in Mr Barclay's ear (as long as he sits down so I can reach it)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 11 Aug 2004, 17:42

The following progress report on the Paddling Pool site has just been received:

Following an extensive public consultation undertaken by community members of Portobello, the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with the local community are currently trying to regenerate the former paddling pool site into a Community Garden. It is proposed that the Garden will include a picnic area, basketball area, structure planting and kiosk, as these were the most popular responses received from the consultation.

In order that this can be achieved two hurdles must be overcome. Initially planning permission has to be obtained which I can now confirm has been secured and secondly the appropriate level of funding will have to be found in order to pay for the development. To date four applications for funding have been made and their outcomes are as follows. Applications made to the Community Fund (Lottery money) and ONYX Environmental Trust were unsuccessful as it was deemed that the objectives of our project were not entirely compatible with the criteria's of these funds, however there may be an opportunity to re-apply to the Community Fund in the future.

Applications have been made to Transforming Your Space (Lottery money) and Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd and we are currently waiting their decisions which are expected at the beginning of September. An application is also currently being submitted to Sport Scotland. The reason for the delay in this application is that we had to wait until planning permission had been secured.

Every effort possible is being made to secure the necessary level of funding needed for the site, however if this is not achieved the site will be cleared and made as safe and attractive as possible with the limited amount of funding available.

Alan Graham

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 12 Aug 2004, 11:46

Thanks Bob

Post by **wangi** » 22 Nov 2004, 20:06

I understand the planning application was granted, but the first two funding applications refused.

Anyone got specific info?

http://www.pbase.com/image/36666370

Mimpty · Post by **Mimpty** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:15

[quote="Bob"][b]It is proposed that the Garden will include a picnic area, basketball area, structure planting and kiosk,

I still don't understand how you fit all that into that wee space.

And, nothing against people playing basket ball, but do you really want to sit so close to balls being chucked about? Why not make it one basketball court? (And kiosk for coffee of course).

Post by **wangi** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:19

Mimpty wrote:I still don't understand how you fit all that into that wee space.

The plans are available on-line (see the link in my post yesterday) - it's only one basket, not a court.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:24

Don't think you'll have to worry about that now Mimpty. As wangi states, the grant applications failed and that just leaves the Ã‚Â£100k that the Council had already earmarked for the site, which has to be spent before the end of the financial year. This should be enough to clear the site and probably grass it over, but nowhere near enough to create the community garden that was envisaged.

I know that Maureen and the other people involved haven't given up on the idea and, even if it never happens, at least we will have one less eyesore in Portobello. That in itself is worth celebrating.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:36

100k would go a lot further if we did something such as contact "Ground Force". I saw big Tommy on Prince's Street yesterday and was about to give him a cheery "Hello" when I realised that he wasn't someone I really knew, but instead a familiar face off the telly

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:38

I think it should be flats and or a medical centre. What on earth do we need more leisure space for down on the Prom?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:41

Marya wrote:100k would go a lot further if we did something such as contact "Ground Force".

I believe this is one avenue that is being explored.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:47

Well, you could count me in with helping out - I'm not doing a Charlie Dimmock,mind, whether I'm wearing a POL tee-shirt or not

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:58

I upset the staff at Dobbie's once, a few years ago, when i went to buy a tree. I grabbed my tree, headed off to checkout, and they were most disgruntled that i wasn't going to wait around and see Charlie. I asked, "Who's he then?"

. When they told me who she was, I left the store even faster. Not my kind of thing.

Now, if it were Orlando Bloom (that would fit right in at Dobbie's, after all!), that would be a different story.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 23 Nov 2004, 20:25

Bob wrote: This should be enough to clear the site and probably grass it over, but nowhere near enough to create the community garden that was envisaged.

Surprised? I don't think so

The Council doing what it does best.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 24 Nov 2004, 23:34

Just a tad hacked off that the Council can come up with Ã‚Â£100k to grass over an area the size of a postage stamp, but they could not find Ã‚Â£1 to help fund experts required to fight an 85.000sq ft. Supersore, which in comparison is a drop in the Ocean

I think its a b***** disgrace

Post by **wangi** » 24 Nov 2004, 23:47

I'm amazed that 100k can't do the complete submitted plan... twice over!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 25 Nov 2004, 21:44

wangi wrote:I'm amazed that 100k can't do the complete submitted plan... twice over!

Funnily enough Wangi I was just thinking the same thing yesterday as I looked out at my garden which was revamped beautifully on a very much smaller budget!

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 26 Nov 2004, 10:54

Wasn't there a plan for a coffee kiosk? Laying on electrical and waste services won't come cheap and suitable surfacing for a basketball area is also pricey ,but, I must admit, 100k does seem a substantial sum

Jay · Post by **Jay** » 26 Nov 2004, 13:14

Marya wrote:I saw big Tommy on Prince's Street yesterday and was about to give him a cheery "Hello" when I realised that he wasn't someone I really knew, but instead a familiar face off the telly

I nearly did the same thing to Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster on 'Corrie') a few years ago!

Post by **wangi** » 28 Nov 2004, 21:29

Maureen Child wrote:I am grateful to the Portobello Community Council for the information about the Beechgrove Garden and support in pursuing that route of funding. While it would be a good plan to try and proceed with this, I wouldn't want to rely on it or be bound by their time scales and the imperative of making good TV programme - which is what the Beechgrove Garden project is really all about. The design, which we produced together as a community, is capable of being implemented in phases. My own view is that the Council should get ahead and implement that scheme, as far as we possibly can, with the money already allocated.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 28 Nov 2004, 22:27

REf Wangi's last post, where did the Ã‚Â£100.000 come from - ie what budget? and what ,if any, services were cut back to find this money?
I am led to believe that when the Allotment owners were advised that they might loose the allotments - Ã‚Â£175.000 was offered by CEC in order to save them (Portobello Reporter 1998) This money was being taken out of the Education Budget.
This was back in 1998 - as far as I am aware, the allotments are still in use (good for them) but it's quite galling, that Ã‚Â£100.000 + can be found for a 'community garden' but no money is apparently available to save businesses and the Portobello Community as a whole from the devastation that a supersore and associated increase in traffic/pollution that comes with it.
Porty was right, why not build flats on this site, it is adjacent to the biggest amenity area in Portobello - The Beach!
If there is Ã‚Â£100.000 kicking about - put it into saving our Community, sell the paddling pool off to a developer, give the locals a say in the type of built development they want on this site - not another Foot of Bath Street number.

Post by **wangi** » 29 Nov 2004, 13:18

You know, there might well be a recreation budget...

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 29 Nov 2004, 21:48

Gemini wrote:it's quite galling, that Ã‚Â£100.000 + can be found for a 'community garden' but no money is apparently available to save businesses and the Portobello Community as a whole from the devastation that a supersore and associated increase in traffic/pollution that comes with it.
Porty was right, why not build flats on this site, it is adjacent to the biggest amenity area in Portobello - The Beach!
If there is Ã‚Â£100.000 kicking about - put it into saving our Community, sell the paddling pool off to a developer, give the locals a say in the type of built development they want on this site - not another Foot of Bath Street number.

Sorry Gemini but the superstore fight is not the be all and end all in Portobello. The Council have slowly but surely eroded our community for years. They've taken away every last bit of community space - parks are a disgrace, swing park's a disgrace, tennis courts have gone, putting green has gone and now the paddling pool has gone. Tourists don't come here and spend their money in the local shops because apart from the beach there's nothing to do or see. While you're busy selling off our open spaces why not just build a multi storey on the Daisy Park or how about more flats in Rosefield Park since it's empty and in another 15 years we'll have joined up with Princes Street and be one big block of flats. Oh, and probably a supermarket will then be required to feed all the people who will be living in them!

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 29 Nov 2004, 22:25

Agree with you on some of your points Epycat, especially about the open space issues. The only open space to be seen from here is Arthur Seat (through the pollution from the HLR) that aside, the Superstore is a big part in the be all and end all in Portobello, I and others believe that a Superstore will be the death knell for Portobello as we know it, the CATS group and the majority of of the Porty Community are working their cods off to raise funds to oppose it - try telling the traders of Portobello that they will still have business's if a superstore is built, the future ramifications of a superstore in Portobello does not bear thinking about,it will be a disaster for this community.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 29 Nov 2004, 23:03

Epykat wrote:
Gemini wrote:it's quite galling, that Ã‚Â£100.000 + can be found for a 'community garden' but no money is apparently available to save businesses and the Portobello Community as a whole from the devastation that a supersore and associated increase in traffic/pollution that comes with it.
Porty was right, why not build flats on this site, it is adjacent to the biggest amenity area in Portobello - The Beach!
If there is Ã‚Â£100.000 kicking about - put it into saving our Community, sell the paddling pool off to a developer, give the locals a say in the type of built development they want on this site - not another Foot of Bath Street number.
Sorry Gemini but the superstore fight is not the be all and end all in Portobello. The Council have slowly but surely eroded our community for years. They've taken away every last bit of community space - parks are a disgrace, swing park's a disgrace, tennis courts have gone, putting green has gone and now the paddling pool has gone. Tourists don't come here and spend their money in the local shops because apart from the beach there's nothing to do or see. While you're busy selling off our open spaces why not just build a multi storey on the Daisy Park or how about more flats in Rosefield Park since it's empty and in another 15 years we'll have joined up with Princes Street and be one big block of flats. Oh, and probably a supermarket will then be required to feed all the people who will be living in them!

Couldn't agree more - You go for it girl

$\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$ $\:D/$

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 30 Nov 2004, 08:02

Lizzie in an exuberent mood!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 30 Nov 2004, 17:11

Gemini wrote: will be the death knell for Portobello as we know it.

Maybe Portobello as you know it, but not Portobello as I knew it! I totally agree with you on the Superstore but the point I'm trying to make is that it is not the only thing going wrong in Portobello and by condoning the selling off of the paddling pool for even more flats to be put up you would only be making things worse and not better. Portobello was a community because we were self sufficient in that we had our own shops and our own leisure facilities. Now, apart from the baths (which incidentally I, and a lot of other people, fought to save) we have very little left. By selling the paddling pool down the river just to get a few more bucks for your superstore fight is not the way to go in my opinion.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Nov 2004, 17:53

Epykat wrote: By selling the paddling pool down the river just to get a few more bucks for your superstore fight is not the way to go in my opinion.

I agree, it would end up just being a drop in the ocean.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Nov 2004, 19:56

Epykat wrote:The Council have slowly but surely eroded our community for years. They've taken away every last bit of community space - parks are a disgrace, swing park's a disgrace, tennis courts have gone, putting green has gone and now the paddling pool has gone. Tourists don't come here and spend their money in the local shops because apart from the beach there's nothing to do or see. While you're busy selling off our open spaces why not just build a multi storey on the Daisy Park or how about more flats in Rosefield Park since it's empty and in another 15 years we'll have joined up with Princes Street and be one big block of flats.

A recent and very near example of regeneration is Leith, where thousands have flats have been built. More residential accomodation has a big part to play in almost every waterside development/regeneration I can think of and that's more than 5.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 01 Dec 2004, 00:06

Epycat, I truly do not want to see the Paddling Pool turned into another foot of Bath Street scenario. My main objection to the whole situation is how CEC can come up with Ã‚Â£100.000 to fund this.
To me it is strange that this sort of money can be found (recreation budget or some other budget) but there appear to be no funds available for CATS campaign to fight off a massive development which will see the end of Portobello as we both know it.

(Incidentally I have lived in and around Portobello for most of my life - so I know the area very well indeed)

You mentioned you were instrumental in campaining against the closure of the swimming pool? did you need funding? if yes were did it come from?

BTW the Superstore is not just my Fight!

Post by **wangi** » 01 Dec 2004, 00:39

Gemini, who do you think pays for the beach to be cleaned a few times a week? Would you agree this money is better spent on the cleaning, rather than a crusade against an unwanted development - i.e. it's money that has tangible results, not that might end up being a waste of resources?

What is so wrong spending on recreation? In your crusade you've actually forgotten one of the main positive points to Portobello.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 01 Dec 2004, 00:55

wangi wrote:In your crusade you've actually forgotten one of the main bonuses of Portobello.

Gemini quote >>
BTW the Superstore is not just my Fight!

Wangi, its becoming increasingly apparent that you know very little of what goes on in Portobello, by all accounts it took forever for Beach cleaning equipment to be implemented,perhaps you campaigned for it! perhaps you pay for it all too?

Fotunately you appear to be one of the minority in the Community who is in favour of the superstore!

The 'crusade' is driven by the Community, not by any one individual.
Perhaps you should take the camera lens away from your eyes for a couple of minutes and see what's really going on.

Post by **wangi** » 01 Dec 2004, 01:16

Eh, i'm not for the superstore... And yes my council tax does pay for the beach cleaning (along with things I do disagree with - i.e. security, policing for the Parliament, ...).

It's plain you do have a crusade, but me saying that does not mean you are the only one, and nobody else does...

Money needs to be, and should be spent on other things than campaining against the superstore development - it's only one issue.

Why the personal dig? Not everything's B&W...

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 01 Dec 2004, 08:00

wangi wrote:Money needs to be, and should be spent on other things than campaining against the superstore development - it's only one issue

Granted not the only issue, but the biggest issue in this Community in recent years that will in effect (if allowed) kill Portobello.

Why don't you utilise your obvious talent for photography to aid community projects.