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Edinburgh invites developers to ‘do a Manchester’

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:04:35 GMT

The City of Edinburgh Council has launched an initiative to work with the property community to be a “catalyst” for economic development in the city.

The council is also in talks with banks to invest £70m to buy back property from its subsidiary companies, such as EDI, to show that it is open for business.

This week it held a breakfast briefing for Edinburgh agents to discuss its new focus on economic growth and the property development industry, and outline the 2,400 ha of “development opportunity” in the city. Similar briefings are planned with developers, investors, occupiers and property lawyers.

Convener of economic development, councillor Tom Buchanan said: “We are taking the lead to try and steer the city through the recession, while laying the foundations for its long-term prosperity.”

The council hopes to emulate cities such as Birmingham and Manchester, where public sector leadership has brought investment and development. Edinburgh is perceived to have rested on its laurels because of its world heritage site status and indigenous demand from the banks. Buchanan said this was not the case any more.

He added: “This administration has prioritised economic development and is being catalytic across a whole range of areas, including the property development market, to ensure that Edinburgh remains competitive at both national and international levels.”

The team will now take its plans to the full council — including development areas and funding — for approval in November.

It will also discuss with the council its negotiations to buy back £70m of property from struggling council-owned subsidiaries, such as EDI and Waterfront Edinburgh. It is thought the council will use Prudential borrowings — low-cost debt available to the public sector — and the rental income will service the debt, leaving profits out of the surplus.

The council’s role could range from assisting new and existing developers with utilities in new schemes to more hands-on involvement to kickstart mothballed schemes.

Peter Watton, head of physical development support at the council, said, for example, that he meets every two weeks with Henderson, which is working on the largest investment project in Edinburgh, the £1bn St James Quarter shopping centre.

“Part of our work also relates to developers who bought sites at the top of the market,” he said. “Rather than mothballing these sites, we will work to redress the balance between financial viability and the parameters of the statutory process.”

One example is the Mountgrange-owned Carltongate scheme, which is now in administration. The council owns 25% of the land for the scheme.

Doors Open Day set to shed some light on city landmarks

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:58:44 GMT

A FORMER prison that is now home to the Scottish Government and a lighthouse are among the unusual buildings throwing open their doors to the public this summer.

The annual Edinburgh Doors Open Day event will, for the first time, be held over two days to give residents even more opportunity to visit the city's usually off-limits buildings.

This year the Cockburn Association, which organises the event, has managed to secure several buildings that have not previously taken part in the popular event, which last year attracted around 80,000 visitors.

One of the new attractions this year will be St Andrew's House, on the former site of Calton Jail.

The art deco-influenced building was designed by Thomas S Tait in the 1930s, and its interior underwent a major refurbishment in 2001.

Built to house the Scottish Office, the building has since become home to the Scottish Government.

Today, the turreted Governors' House is all that remains of the former prison.

The high-security Redford Infantry Barracks are also expected to be a highlight of this year's event, giving the public a rare glimpse into army life.

Originally built to accommodate 1,000 men, it is now home to around 650 members of 3rd Battalion, The Rifles.

Also to be opened this year are Granton Lighthouse, which was originally built as a training centre around 1850, the new Queen Margaret University campus and the City Chambers, which has recently undergone extensive conservation work.

Thompson's Tower, a unique octagonal building designed by William Playfair in 1825 as a curling house for the Duddingston Curling Society, will also be opened to the public.

The building, which has recently been restored, sits within the tranquil grounds of Dr Neil's Garden on the banks of Duddingston Loch, and houses a Museum of Curling in the lower chamber and an interpretation room in the upper chamber.

A total of 75 buildings are expected to be opened up for this year's event, which takes place on 26 and 27 September.

Maggie Spalding, the co-ordinator of Edinburgh Doors Open Day, said: "I'm delighted that it will run over two days for the first time this year, allowing people to see and do more than ever before.

"What's more, this year's participants have included more activities than ever before, helping to bring the history and current use of the buildings to life."

Edinburgh Doors Open Day was first organised by the Cockburn Association in 1991 and has become one of the most popular free days out in the Capital.

A full list of all buildings that will throw their doors open will be available in August.

Council Owned Companies to be Merged

Fri, 22 May 2009 16:57:15 GMT

The changes follow a detailed review of how arms-length companies operate and are focussed on development firms EDI, Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd, PARC and Shawfair Land Limited.

The review of Council Owned Companies was ordered by Council Leader Jenny Dawe after concerns about the efficiency of maintaining multiple operations.

The review underlines the impact of the current recession on Council property companies with land and property values falling across the board. Previous reports to the Council have provided details on how this has affected the individual companies.

The report proposes the companies will be merged under the CEC Holdings Limited umbrella. The restructuring is aimed at securing savings through reduced borrowing and operational costs and creating a sharper operational focus on development projects.

Under the proposals the Council will borrow up to £70m to purchase property interests from EDI, WEL and PARC.

The rationale behind this approach is that Council borrowing is significantly cheaper than the commercial loans currently financing the property portfolio. Rental income from the property portfolio will fully cover the interest payments on the Council’s borrowing. The reduced interest payments would also allow cash resources for future development, while repaying debt over an appropriate period of time.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Convener of the Finance Committee and chairman of CEC Holdings said:

“It makes sense to rationalise our development companies, particularly in the current economic climate. This restructuring will ensure the companies play their part in improving the City’s economic development performance going forward.

“These imaginative proposals will bring the necessary financial stability to our arms-length companies without detriment to Council finances.”

Further details of the staffing structure of CEC Holdings Limited will be brought before Council in the coming months.

John Mark Di Ciacca, Acting Chief Executive of The EDI Group Limited, said:

“The team are committed to working with the shareholder to continue to build on its successful track record of delivering a wide range of property developments over the past 20 years.”

Colin Hunter, Chief Executive of Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd, said:

"We are looking forward to working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council and the other council companies to ensure a smooth transition into CEC holdings. This restructure reinforces the Council's commitment to regeneration in North Edinburgh."

Prince Charles looks to transform waterfront into a crowning glory

Thu, 14 May 2009 16:48:07 GMT

HIS crusades against modern buildings have not exactly endeared him to the architectural establishment.

But now the Prince of Wales could have a key role in transforming Edinburgh's much-maligned waterfront. Talks are under way that could see one of the prince's pet design projects involved in master-planning huge regeneration in areas such as GrantonADVERTISEMENT , Newhaven and Leith.

His architecture and design trust – which has helped regenerate towns and cities across the UK – has launched talks with the city council and developers about staging a major inquiry into Edinburgh's waterfront.

If approved, a five-day conference is expected to be held, at which design experts, architects, town planners, community leaders and developers would be urged to thrash out a new vision for the area. Critics have slated some of the architecture that has appeared along the waterfront in recent years, with claims that developers have failed to involve local communities and that there has been little joined-up thinking.

News of Prince Charles's possible involvement emerged the day after he mapped out a design vision for Britain, saying: "Architecture defines the public realm, and it should help define us as human beings and to symbolise the way we look at the world."

However, critics have accused him of trying to meddle in the democratic planning process by commenting publicly on a redesign of the former Chelsea Barracks in London.

His urban design trust, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment – which has already embarked on projects in Caithness and Ayrshire – yesterday said it would be "honoured" to work with the authorities in Edinburgh. But a stumbling block is thought to be the £250,000 the local authority and developers would have to agree to stump up for the charity.

The foundation, which Charles set up in 1986, was approached several months ago by campaigners worried about the way a planned transformation of Leith Docks is taking shape.

Ross McEwen, head of Leith-based Art in Architecture, said: "We have been concerned for some time about the lack of interest and critical thought going into the waterfront development in Edinburgh. The idea with this is that anybody with an interest in the waterfront could get involved in looking at an overall vision for the area.

"There has been a lot of interest from the foundation in getting this project under way.

"It'll rely on putting a funding package together, but it's not a huge amount when you consider the millions spent on masterplans for the waterfront over the years," he said.

In a letter to the city council, foundation director Jason Syers said an inquiry would "bring some coherence to the work that has already been done".

"Given the many challenges facing the economy, now is a good time to be standing back to reassess and strategically plan around the changes this will bring," Mr Syers added.

Foundation chief executive Hank Dittmar told The Scotsman: "We've been having a number of discussions with people in Edinburgh and if there is enough interest a project there would be a high priority for us. It would be very much an honour."

A city council spokeswoman said: "We have had some initial exploratory discussions with the Prince's Foundation and these are still ongoing."

Forth waterfront walkway may be capital's answer to the boardwalk

Sat, 09 May 2009 16:54:15 GMT

Long-awaited plans to transform Edinburgh's waterfront with a ten-mile walkway were unveiled yesterday. Twenty key areas will be linked by a promenade expected to create around 1,000 jobs and generate more than £12 million a year for the city's economy.

It is hoped the "Edinburgh Promenade", as the project has been branded, will become a magnet for cyclists, wildlife enthusiasts, and families.

New public parks and piazzas, barbecue areas, cafés and restaurants and works of art are planned to be created between Cramond and Portobello.

Landmarks, sites of historic interest, wildlife-spotting areas and cultural attractions will be promoted under one banner.

Neglected areas such as Granton, Silverknowes and Portobello are among those expected to be transformed under a campaign to be launched within the next few months.

Officials at Edinburgh City Council, who unveiled plans for the venture yesterday, have studies the waterfronts of Copenhagen, Nice and Hamburg in planning for their own venture.

It is hoped Edinburgh Promenade will become Scotland's answer to the South Bank area of the Thames, where thousands flock every day.

Edinburgh Promenade will be promoted alongside the Fife Coastal Trail and John Muir Way, in East Lothian to form part of a North Sea Trail.

However, the success of the project rests on developers helping to pay for the creation of sections of the promenade, and the council admits it could take up to 30 years for it to be completed.

A key goal is to ensure that a high-quality walkway is created along the entire length of the route, accompanied by new promotional signs and interpretation boards, while each section should boast its own identity.

The first new section has already been completed, between Silverknowes and Granton, and a section of Granton Harbour will be overhauled over the next year.

Project manager Steve McGavin said: "The promenade is more than just a cycleway and footpath. It is a key ingredient in making the waterfront an attractive and high-quality visitor destination.

"Experience elsewhere points to a promenade being a crucial ingredient in making a successful waterfront. Annual expenditure associated with the Fife Coastal Path is estimated to be between £24m and £29m."

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "This project will rejuvenate the whole waterfront and utilise coastal areas which have been lying dormant. The promenade will help connect the unique communities along our city's coastline and will provide an inspiring location for people to exercise, explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery."

However Ross McEwen, of the Leith-based campaign group Jump (Joined Up Master Planning), said: "There has been a lot of talk about this project over the years and very little progress.

"It's vital for the council to take the lead on this and ensure developers and landowners get the whole thing moving. Edinburgh's waterfront is very poor compared to other cities across Europe."

SITES ON THE SHORE

Cramond: Popular thanks to its historic sites and attractions, there is already a large stretch of walkway in place linking Cramond with Silverknowes.

Granton: Although there are coastal walkways, some of them are unlit and access to part of the shore is blocked by industrial units.

Newhaven Harbour: Although rich with maritime history, the council admits the current environment is "potentially intimidating". The area would be linked to a planned new lighthouse park.

Leith Docks: Home to Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht Britannia, public access is barred along its waterfront.

Portobello: By far the biggest section of existing promenade and already boasting several works of art.