Item no

Report no

PS/26/11-12/CD

Council Depot at Inverleith

Policy and Strategy Committee 4 October 2011

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Purpose of report This report is prepared in response to a motion by Councillors Hinds and Whyte which asked for the current position to be set out with regard to the proposal to dispose of the Council depot at Inverleith; the planning status of the land, and the details of any community consultation undertaken or planned on the proposal for the sale of the depot. Summary No decision has been made on the sale of Inverleith depot. Due to the expiry of the lease at the Council depot at Baileyfield, options for the depot adjacent to Inverleith Park are being considered as part of a Councilwide depot rationalisation programme. A business case and space planning exercise for depot rationalisation by Services for Communities, is currently being undertaken. Once completed, and the depot at Inverleith potentially declared surplus, a report with a recommendation will be made to Council. No further action will be taken to progress the disposal in the meantime. The receipt from a sale of the site at Inverleith depot may require to be reinvested in creating an adequate replacement facility, probably at Inch Park. Main report
Planning Status

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The Inverleith depot is in need of major upgrading and investment. The expiry of the lease and subsequent closure of the Baileyfield depot, in 2012, offers an opportunity to consolidate a number of existing Parks depot operations at the Inch Park site. This will require upgrading to provide a fit-for-purpose facility. The funding for any upgrading of the Inch Park site would come from the capital receipt from the Inverleith site.

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The depot at Inverleith (circa 2.93 acres) is shown on the attached location plan (Appendix 1) along with an aerial photograph (Appendix 2). The depot comprises several storage sheds and buildings, including a former farmhouse. The depot site has a largely tarmacadam surface. The site is the original Inverleith farm, dating back to 1877, and has been developed over the years to form one of the Councils park maintenance depots. The depot is separate from the Park. The Edinburgh City Local Plan (ECLP), adopted in January 2010, does not classify the depot site as open space. The site was removed from the open space designation in order to accord with the definition set out in the Scottish Government Planning Advice Note 65. The open space strategy draft report was finalised after extensive consultation. The change to the ECLP was advertised in full accordance with the relevant regulations. The Councils Open Space Strategy was adopted in September 2010 and identifies Inverleith Park as requiring improvement. This document was approved in draft in February 2010 for consultation and a workshop held locally in April.
Community consultation

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The Inverleith Park Management Plan, prepared by Services for Communities with the Friends of Inverleith Park, identifies specific improvements to be made to the Park (potentially to be funded by Section 75 developer contributions). In 2010, GVA were appointed to advise the Council on the planning aspects of this project. GVA have developed a proposal for a high quality, low density residential development. This involves the demolition of the existing depot building. Seven low height/density residential units would subsequently be constructed which would improve the views of the Edinburgh skyline relative to the existing depot buildings. A new pedestrian access route would also be created from Aboretum Place. GVAs involvement has now reached its conclusion. If and when a decision is reached on disposal of the site the advice received by GVA will require to be evaluated in light of market conditions at that time and the Council will wish to consider at that stage whether achieving a capital receipt from disposal represents the best value option. The Council held a one day public exhibition on the GVA proposals in September 2010. This event was advertised in the Evening News and by way of posters around the area with invitations sent directly to 21 stakeholder groups and 403 properties. An internal Council exhibition was also held on the day with relevant councillors, departmental heads and officials invited. The main public exhibition ran from 2.00 pm 8.00 pm and 132 people attended. Exhibition boards were displayed at Stockbridge Library from 23 -28 September 2010 and further comments invited. Additional feedback was invited following a presentation to Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council, on 20 October 2010. There has been significant local opposition to the proposal for sale expressed through the Save Inverleith Park campaign group, including an 8000 signature petition. 2

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Next Stages

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The next stages of the process will be the completion of a business case and space planning exercise for depot rationalisation by the Services for Communities. This process is likely to be delayed until the outcome of the Councils Alternative Business Model (ABM) process is known as this will affect the number of personnel to be accommodated. Following completion of the ABM exercise, a report will be made to the Council recommending a depot rationalisation programme, including the potential disposal of the Inverleith depot. No further action will be taken to progress the disposal until the ABM process has been concluded, the current space planning exercise has been completed, a report made to Council and the site formally declared as surplus. Financial Implications The city depot rationalisation programme is intended to provide efficiency improvements and will contribute to the Councils overall requirement to make revenue savings. The funding required for the depot rationalisation, including improvements to the Inch Park depot would come from the capital receipt from the sale of the Inverleith depot. Environmental Impact Rationalisation of the depots across the city will present opportunities for more sustainable operations. The sale of the depot site, if ultimately approved by the Council, would allow much needed improvements to be carried out within Inverleith Park including a direct link from the Water of Leith path into the Park and an extension of the play area. Conclusions The information given in this report discharges the Council motion. Until the business case and space planning exercise has been completed, a report made to Council and the site formally declared as surplus no further action will be taken to progress the disposal of the depot site. Recommendations The Policy and Strategy Committee is asked to note the contents of this report.

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Dave Anderson Director of City Development 3

Appendices

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Location Plan Aerial Photograph

Contact/tel/Email Wards affected Single Outcome Agreement

Alistair McArthur - 529 5928 alistair.mcarthur@edinburgh.gov.uk 5 - Inverleith National Agreement 10 - We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need Outcome: An upgraded depot facility will provide a more efficient delivery of park maintenance National Agreement 12 - We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations Outcome: An upgraded facility will better protect and enhance the Council parkland and open space

Appendixes

1. Inverleith park map showing Depot outlined in red 2. Aerial showing Inverleith Park and Depot outlined in red

Background Papers

Members Briefing 1 February 2011 Economic Development Committee Report 12 October 2010 Finance & Resources Committee Report 26 October 2010