MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN LINE FOR BONNINGTON
Staff from Montagu Evans LLP met Leith Central Community Council on Monday to discuss a pre application notification for new housing and commercial properties on Bonnington Road Lane (Ref. 17/03256/PAN).
ME represent the John Lewis Partnership which hopes to build ground-floor business premises and up to 220 homes on the 2 ha site of their former depot (Issue 260). JLP aim to apply for planning permission in principle by the end of October. The planning criteria relevant to this particular site can be found on pages 2–3 here.
Precise details of design, access, and unit-type mix are not clear yet, but there are plans to improve green space and connectivity next to the Water of Leith, possibly including a new bridge. Indicative outlines and artist-impressions appeared in the presentation boards shown to LCCC, some of which we reproduce below.
The wider picture
Bonnington Road Lane is not exactly Spurtleshire-central (see map link below), but it’s close enough to be of interest and any development on this scale is likely to have effects on, for example, class sizes, GPs’ and dentists’ patient rolls and waiting times, peak-time traffic levels and so on right across this side of the city.
So, while this is yet another (welcome) increase in housing provision across Broughton and Leith, the cumulative knock-on effects have to be taken seriously. That’s why various voices across Edinburgh (LCCC’s included) are urging the Council to require and better enforce realistic developer donations towards improving local social and physical infrastructure.
For now, LCCC are keeping an open mind and a watchful eye.
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