<LHNCC’s secretary’s personal address redacted>

6 October 2021

Chris Richardson                                                                    

Managing Director

Ambassador Group

231 St. Vincent Street

Glasgow G2 VQ5

EH8 8BG

Dear Mr. Richardson

Re: 21/04420/PAN Ocean Terminal. First Public Exhibition 23 September 2021

Consulation Feedback

I am writing on behalf of Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council (LHNCC) to provide feedback for above. LHNCC planning group met following our general meeting, attended by members and external attendees, where this group response was completed for your attention.

There was unanimous support in principle for this application but with the proviso that some concerns are considered. 

Benefits:

• A general consensus that opening up the waterfront with communal and landscaped areas will be welcomed and enhance the site for the Community
• Would ensure retention of Ocean Terminal as a public facility offering range of services
• New entrance and public realm following demolition of Carpark and Debenhams
• Provision of good retained transport links and addition of the Tram
• Proposed cycle way/footpath retention and extension along the waterfront area
• Variety of opportunities in relation to retail market and community amenities for expanding residential provision
• Retaining and improving transport for range of travel modes
• The provision of proposed opportunity to accommodate plans for 20 minute neighbourhoods
• Vehicle access and parking provision that includes car club spaces and electric charging points for cars and bicycles. Pedestrian priority
• Space for events
• Sustainability and climate change considerations, including pre-demolition waste audit, addressed

Concerns to be considered

• Unanimous concerns regarding proposed high rise/high density development, the proposed area and diagram on page 16 is overpowering and reduces the area available for communal space and is predominately hard landscaping with minimal trees and green space
• This also appears to have tunnel effect at that end of Ocean Drive, blocking out any views to waterfront 
• Debate about provision of BTR that attracts a rather niche market, needs to facilitate

intergenerational needs (Ref: City Plan 2030). Retail areas on ground floor could include services for community 

eg. Office space, Tourist information centre

• Diagrams misleading with regard to public space and facilities as majority appears to be private with limited public space  (diagram front page of Exhibition document and p15)
• Information regarding park accessibility for 20-minute Neighbourhood does not comply with CEC Open Space 2021 Play Place Standards (Ref. Access to Parks)
• Query regarding provision for bicycle racks ensuring security 
• The diagram on front page of exhibition document imply there are internal changes across entire site but no information regarding these.
• Questions regarding bus terminus and turning facility at Northern Traffic Signal junction that is replacing the roundabout. There also appears to be only one bus stop on North side of Ocean Drive.
• Disappointed that no recognition of heritage of site, particularly the Discovery Garden that will provide added attraction and greenspace for visitors.

.

Yours sincerely

Jennifer Marlborough

Secretary

LHNCC

Cc:

Michelle MacLeod, Centre Manager, Ocean Terminal

Colin Smith, Director/Head of Planning, Turley,co.uk, 7-9 North St.David Street, Edinburgh

Hello@development-oceanterminal.com

Douglas Tharby, Chair, LHNCC

References:

Ref: City Plan 2030 (Proposed Sep. 2021) Policies P46 Edinburgh Waterfront: Place 4

                            Planning permission – proposals for a mix of house types, sizes and affordability,

Access to Parks –  CEC Open Space 2021 Play Space Standards (p28)

The Council’s Open Space Strategy sets out the following requirements to help meet the need for equipped play areas within the existing built up area and to provide for new developments. All houses and flats should have access to at least one of the following:

A play space of

good play value (51 – 70) within 800 metres walking distance

very good play value (71 – 100) within 1200 metres walking distance

excellent play value (101 + ) within 2000 metres direct distance

Distances:

OT – Western Harbour 2092m

Leith Links – 1609m

Pilrig Park – 1700m

Victoria Park – 1288m