Latest news with #PlanningCommittee
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Dualchas Architect 'Soviet-era bunker' house on Skye wins top award
But now architects are extending an olive branch to their detractors after a much-criticised home on the Isle of Skye won a top award for design. The 'modest' house at Torrin, designed by Dualchas Architect, is made from three interlocking larch-clad blocks which sit above the ground on steel posts. Judges praised the view over the mountains (Image: Dualchas Architect) The main house has two bedrooms, with further accommodation in a separate building which helps frame the entrance and create shelter from the prevailing wind. It was universally condemned by councillors during a Planning Committee back in 2018, with the design only being approved after their rejection of the proposal was overturned by a Scottish Government Reporter on appeal. Dualchas Architect director Neil Stephen: 'We always try and do design that is respectful of context and place and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Council agrees to explore ban on purpose-built student accommodation
Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, after it was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP councillor Danny Aston at Jock's Lodge, where new student accommodation is due to be built. | supplied At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it said that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion.
Edinburgh Reporter
7 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
New student housing ban possible
Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, which was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it says that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
7 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Options for Edinburgh ban on new student flats to go before council later this year
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Options for bringing in a ban on the development of new student accommodation units In Edinburgh are set to be brought before councillors later this year City officers have been asked to explore options for a ban on controversial purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects, and present them to the city's Planning Committee in September for a decision. A majority of councillors backed the motion calling for a ban to be explored, which was proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston. But 10 opposed it, with one saying a ban would be 'premature'. At the meeting, Cllr Aston said: 'It seems to me that developers aren't taking the changing circumstances into account. 'My concern is that if the council doesn't step in as the state body responsible as the planning authority to rein in the market here, our city may be left disfigured by white elephant PBSA developments that no-one wants.' PBSA projects often draw significant protest from the communities they are built in. One recent development in Jock's Lodge, which went on to be approved, drew over 1,000 public objections. Opponents say that PBSA projects add strain to, and harm the character of, local communities, as well as taking up development space for housing for the wider public. Additionally, the rents in the developments are often higher than students can find on the private residential market, with rooms in shared flats within Edinburgh PBSA developments often starting at £800 or £900 per month. But PBSA developments are rarely pushed back by councillors. They are usually compliant with planning regulations, which means there is often no legitimate reason for them to be rejected. Glasgow City Council had its own moratorium on PBSA developments between 2019 and 2021, with new projects still effectively banned in parts of the city by planning regulations. Conservative councillor Joanna Mowat filed an amendment that said a ban should not be implemented now. Instead, it says that any decision on restricting student housing should be made as a part of creating the city's new Local Development Plan, which must be implemented by May 2026. She told the council on Thursday: 'The main point of this is that we are going through a process to look at student housing, examining those numbers. And I think that whilst that is being undertaken, it's premature to ask for a moratorium.' 'The reality is we are supposed to have this information later this year, and I think asking planners to do another report into this, at this point, when they're undertaking that work for the new Local Development Plan is overburdening them. 'I think the points Cllr Aston makes are good ones, but I just want to try and get what we need to do done rather than having extraneous reports that I think will be difficult to accomplish.' Councillors voted for Cllr Aston's motion over Cllr Mowat's amendment by 46 to 10, with the Conservative group voting against the motion. A report compiled by officers on a possible ban will be considered by councillors at the next meeting of the Planning Committee on Wednesday, 10 September, which you can view here.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Ottawa Airport Authority opposed to proposed housing development on Riverside Drive
An Air Canada plane takes off from the airport, Monday, July 8, 2024 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The City of Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee has approved a zoning amendment for a proposed housing development on Riverside Drive that is facing opposition from the Ottawa International Airport Authority. The Taggart Group is proposing a development that would add 660 units in a mix of single-detached and semi-detached homes, townhouses, and apartments in four mid- to high-rise buildings. City staff recommend councillors approve the zoning change to allow low-rise development including single and semi-detached dwellings and new height limits. Staff say in a report prepared for committee that the zoning amendments align with applicable policies for the area and the land sits outside the zones closest to the airport. Councillors on the committee voted 8 to 3 in favour of the zoning change. Riley Brockington, Laine Johnson, Theresa Kavanagh, Clarke Kelly, Catherine Kitts, Tim Tierney, Ariel Troster, and Jeff Leiper voted in favour. Laura Dudas, Cathy Curry and Wilson Lo voted against. Planning committee Ottawa's Planning and Housing Committee meets June 18, 2025. (Kimberley Fowler/CTV News Ottawa) Airport Authority opposes development Joel Tkach, vice‑president of business development & marketing at the Ottawa International Airport Authority, spoke to committee to express the airport's opposition to the development. 'This site sits underneath the flight path of Runway 14 32 – YOW's longest – and within the circuit loop for general aviation and flight training on Runway 04 22 – our shortest,' he said. 'On average, eighty aircraft movements occur here daily, at altitudes between 50 to 150 metres. Although the proposed residential development land lies just barely outside the Airport Operating Influence Zone, noise doesn't respect lines on a map.' Airport zoning map A map showing Ottawa International Airport zoning regulations. The magenta star represents the site of a proposed housing development at 3930 Riverside Dr. (City of Ottawa) City staff say a noise feasibility assessment was done one the site to review both roadway traffic and aircraft noise. 'Typical commercial windows are expected to be sufficient to attenuate aircraft noise; in addition, a detailed noise assessment will be required at the time of site plan control review and approval for specific noise control measures,' the report said. Tkach said, however, the development could harm airport operations. 'We've seen what happens when homes encroach on airports. Montreal‑Trudeau, Toronto‑Pearson, and Toronto-Billy Bishop downtown have all endured waves of complaints, political pressure, curfews, and therefore lost air service,' he said. Tkach said the airport received 140 noise complaints from approximately 85 homes last year. 'We confirm that residents will endure constant overhead traffic from heavy jets and low‑flying single‑engine aircraft. And guess what? A note on title about airport proximity does nothing to comfort someone who can't sleep, can't concentrate, or can't enjoy their own home.' Development designed to reduce noise Kyle Kazda, development manager with Taggart, told committee the design of the project would help shield residents from noise. 'Part of the layout of the site from the beginning did consider the potential for impacts from both airport noise and traffic from Hunt Club and Riverside. This has informed the massing of the towers along those two major streets, which, at minimum would shield, from a traffic noise perspective, the low-rise residential from that exposure,' he said. He said the low-rise buildings would use wall components, roof sheathing and insulation intended to dampen noise for residents inside. 'We also will be undertaking site-specific noise studies for the four apartment blocks on the site, which will include on-site receptors measuring aircraft noise and then ensuring that those building components also will properly attenuate noise to ensure residents are comfortable.' Homebuyers and tenants would be informed in advance of the potential for noise when moving in, Kazda added. Audrey Belanger, president of the Hunt Club Community Association, urged committee to approve the zoning amendment. 'The biggest mistake we and council members could make, is to think that our personal preferences are representative of everyone's needs,' she said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'We need housing and infrastructure that meets all residents', current and future, needs and not just what we personally currently want or use.' The report will go to full city council June 25.
