Is there no end to the mobile phone-related antennae sprouting from Edinburgh's roofs? No.
Arqiva Ltd and Vodafone UK Ltd seek permission to erect 3 antennae on existing poles, and to replace a cabinet, on the roof of the Category B-listed Waverley Exchange at 12 East London Street (Ref. 11/02999/FUL).
The additions would, apparently, allow 'improved coverage and capacity for 3G and Vodafone customers in the area'.
'Radiofrequency radiation is controlled under other legislation and so it is not necessary for the LPAs [local planning authorities] to treat radiofrequency as a material consideration,' advise the applicants. 'To ensure that known health effects have been address [sic] applications should be accompanied with an ICNIRP Certificate. One such certificate accompanies this application.'
So, obviously, no reason for all the little children in St Mary's RC Primary School playground opposite – already busy microwaving their brains whilst accessing inappropriate material on smartphones – to worry.
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Permission has been granted for a new dwelling on North East Cumberland Street Lane behind 4a Fettes Row (Ref. 11/02306/LBC; see Breaking news, 8.8.11), despite objections from neighbours on the grounds of: reduced parking, 'disappointing modern design', demolition of an original wall, departure from recent planning precedence, loss of earnings from and potential damage to an adjacent property, incorrect drawing of elevations.
Furthermore, 'The three mews houses which were built about 5 years ago were replacing original buildings. This application site has always been a garden and, as such, I believe development is contrary to the Edinburgh Council document on mews development in the lane'.
Council Planners' reasons for approving the application are not currently available online, but should make interesting reading when they appear.
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Is there no end to Edinburgh's expanding city-centre caffeine bubble? Well, not yet it seems.
A (family?) trio of Johnstones have applied to convert offices at 11 Waterloo Place into a coffee shop (Ref. 11/02504/FUL). If approved, Café Briganta would operate from 7am–6pm.
The proposal has been advertised by the Council as a so-called 'bad neighbour application' since it could, potentially, affect the setting of the Category A-listed building.
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Planning permission has been granted for the internal refit of an existing shop, and some eye-catching external changes at the Category C-listed 28 Great Junction Street (Ref. 11/01169/FUL).
The Council case officer who considered the plans noted: 'The application proposes a new shopfront, moving the entrance to the opposite side, and adding timber pilasters. The fascia level is raised by around 400mm – much closer to its original level. A trough light originally proposed has been deleted from the proposal and lighting remains as existing'.
Among other exterior modifications, the addition of 'traditional pawnbrokers hanging balls ... improves the character and ... appearance of the conservation area'.
The display of pawnbrokers' balls is thought to have originated in the coat of arms of the Medici: a fabulously well-endowed, Florentine banking dynasty.