This is a circular to all emailable Spokes members. [If you have recently sent us a change of email address, your change may not yet be in our database, so this message may go to your old address or possibly to both]. We hope you'll have the time to read this circular carefully and take action on those points that concern or interest you. If using email addresses shown below, replace AT by @. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE - Item 7 is important but is at the end as it is quite long - and note that it includes an exhibition ending on 5 September. 1. SPOKES SUMMER COMPETITION - CLOSES 24 SEPT. Win some great prizes, including 1st class return for 2 between any 2 Scottish stations, a one-month Lothian Buses pass, Edinburgh Bicycle workstand rrp £89.99, family tickets to some great attractions, meal at Kalpna restaurant, set of Sustrans Scotland maps, etc. Not only can you win a great prize, but we hope the competition will come up with ideas (small or big) that Spokes can publicise!! Full details and optional entry form here... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2011/08/spokes-competition-2011 2. CHILD-CARRYING TRYOUTS + FREE FAMILY-CYCLING TRAINING FOR PARENTS Until the end of September the Bike Station is demonstrating trailers, tag-alongs, bike seats, etc every Wednesday 12-2pm, at the Pavilion Cafe, Jawbone Walk, The Meadows, as part of our joint 'Weans on Wheels' project which provides practical advice and support to families about cycling with young children. You can also drop in at the Bike Station (250 Causewayside) on Friday afternoons, 1-4pm, for demonstrations, advice, child bike sales, and to arrange free family bike training. More details at... http://www.spokes.org.uk/wordpress/2011/08/free-family-cycling-training-for-parents/ 3. STALL HELP NEEDED Sun 11 Sept. We need help with the Spokes stall at the Pedal for Scotland end point at Murrayfield. Please contact Judy if you can help. Tel. 0131 447 7108, e-mail judy.cantleyATbtopenworld.com 4. SPOKES BULLETIN 110 - SPARES We've still got quite a few leftovers of the summer bulletin. Please get in touch if you can use any, and let us know how many. For example, at your workplace, stalls, relevant conferences, etc; or if you could cycle round local shopping areas leafletting parked bikes. 5. PHOTOS NEEDED For the autumn Spokes Bulletin it would be handy to have photos (ideally with one or more bikes) illustrating (a) the new solar lighting on the canal towpath (b) the need for 20mph in South Edinburgh. If you have anything suitable can you if possible put them on a website (e.g. flickr) and send a link; or email them if not too huge - ideally total email not more than 5MB. Contact DaveduFeuATgmail.com. Good photos (especially positive ones) on other current topics would also be welcome. We cannot promise any will be used, but you will be credited if they are. 6. VOLUNTEER T.E.S. ADVERTISING BIKE TEAM Transition Edinburgh South (which campaigns for a society more resilient to the impacts of peak oil and climate change) needs volunteers to join a team to operate their advertising bike. For more info on this (and other opportunities with TES) see the 'Ad Bike Team' entry at http://www.transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk/jobs-and-voluntary-positions 7. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS [including one exhibition ending 5 Sept] We are taking the chance to notify you of 4 major planning proposals in different parts of Edinburgh City. Note that (a)-(c) are all 'proposals of application' (PANs) under which your comments go to the developer, not to the council. The Developer will then submit a planning application at a later date, incorporating the results of this consultation. At that stage you will have an opportunity to lodge a formal objection with the council if you wish, but there's more hope if you get your views in now. Note that if the council website says a PAN has been 'approved' that means that it has been approved for consultation - there will be no approval of an actual plan until the planning application stage The PANs all have public exhibitions - details are below and in the online documents on the council website. Usually developers put very little detail of their proposal in the online PAN documents, so you have to go to the exhibition or contact the developer/agent for details. Usually there is a feedback form at exhibitions, and an email address so you can send in more detailed thoughts. You can find outline details of all 4 proposals by pasting the entire reference number e.g. 11/02543/PAN into 'application reference' on the council web page below. http://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx Then click on 'associated documents' then 'view associated documents.' If viewing more than one of the proposals you may have to reload the above web link before entering subsequent reference numbers. *** WHAT YOU CAN DO *** Please attend/enquire and comment on any of the proposals below that concern you. If commenting by email, or if you feel strongly, please copy your comments to Spokes so we can take account of them in our own submission. Also, if you feel strongly, contact your local councillors too and ask them to support your points with the Planning officials and Planning Committee. Find your councillors at www.writetothem.com. *** POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE DEVELOPMENTS *** Is there adequate and properly designed bike storage for residents? If communal storage, is it to be managed properly? Is there adequate and suitably located bike parking for visitors? Is access to the site convenient and safe by bike from nearby roads /paths? Does the development provide the opportunity for a new path or link to improve existing routes/networks? a. 11/02543/PAN - CRAIGHOUSE CAMPUS - EXHIBITION ENDS 5 SEPT - turning it into residential. Public exhibition at the Campus, building 'Old Craig', 1st Sept 4-8pm, 3rd Sept 10-4, 5th Sept 4-8pm. b. 11/02532/PAN - GRAHAM ST/ SOUTH FORT ST, LEITH - mixed use, 240 flats. Exhibition at Leith Town Hall, 13th Oct 6-9pm, 15th Oct 10-1. Very large site, old industrial, bounded on north side by the Warriston Path, on south by W.Bowling Gn St., on east by S.Fort St, on west by Graham St. One idea would be a link from the new site to the Warriston Path, for the benefit of residents of the 240 flats - the south side of the site has an opening part-way along, where an old branch line went off, and this could possibly be opened up to make an access. c. 11/02519/PAN - 142-8 PLEASANCE - student accomm. Exhibition at Deaconess House, Pleasance, 14 Sept 4.30-7.30. Site bounded by Pleasance on west, Carnegie St on south, Sports Centre and Playground on east (plus a public path). Looks like conversion of existing stdt buildings to residential. d. 11/02575/FUL - REDHALL HOUSE - demolish stables and replace with housing. NB - this is a full Planning Application, not a PAN, and so you comment/object to the Council, not to the developer [comment box available on above council website]. There's a separate application (11/02575/FUL) for the demolition. Council Case Officer - Duncan Robertson. There is an existing right of way through the site to the path which runs north-south along the top of steep embankment bordering WoL valley. Plans look as though a route will be retained, but possibly object anyway, to ensure route will be open 24 hours. Incidentally, if you find looking at planning applications interesting, you can check out the new list every week on your local council website. For Edinburgh, the address is... http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/180/planning-applications_warrants_and_certificates/752/planning_weekly_lists/1 Dave du Feu Spokes 31.8.11