"Sort it out yourselves" (PPAG win legal appeal)

[Scoop]

[Epykat]

[Epykat]

This whole 'debate' is reminding me of an incident I had with my daughter once. She wanted a half pound box of chocolates in Scotmid and I told her she could have a finger of Fudge instead. She shouted and screamed and had a tantrum (which was very embarrassing) so eventually even the Fudge offer was withdrawn and she left the shop kicking and screaming with nothing. She was only four and she'd kind of grown out of it by the time she was an adult.

[commander114]

Perfect Epykat I suspected my 14 y.o.son was here masquerading as an unconvincing adult to have a go.

I like the idea of a refurb as well. If this goes on much longer it may be the only option. I neglected to mention in my sketch idea that the goalposts all move by 2018 as far as I am aware. It was with that thought in mind that I hinted at the green properties required of new builds.

I suggested a modular design for a number of reasons. I can think of other ways that a modular approach could be used in other parts of Portobello to deliver a new school as well. This is a sustainable type of building. It is well suited to building in stages over a prolonged period too. Not withstanding the percentage returns incentive and distortion that Rathbone described, people in construction are discovering that sustainable design concepts return a major competitive advantage. What you get is better quality and environment for those using the school and the costs over the life-time of the building are less.

Is the council prepared for the new EU building directive ? I apologise in advance if you've already taken this into account and it's no doubt been discussed till you are fed up. As of 2020, all new buildings must be energy self-sufficient requiring almost no energy at all. For public buildings like schools, the above objectives will be enforced as early as 2018. Here comes 2013. This bears remembering in these 'discussions'.

It means that the planning process will change or is changing right now. A lot of entrenched ideas will no longer be acceptable for public buildings. Sustainable architecture may well be a requirement in this project. The school plan would need to be energy efficient, delivering climate and thermal comfort using passive energy sources. Highly efficient building services as well as daylight-sensitive building design is involved. This generally means that the learning environment would be better as well.

time is passing....

[Porty]

So what about the other "plenty of alternatives" you mentioned? I hope you weren't bullshitting, you will let down all your disciples from the silent majority.

[Porty]

[rmolehusband]

[Pal of Porty]

[commander114]

There really are alternatives around Porky. You’re the guy that flies I think, the flying metaphors ‘n’ all.

Consider this site from a different point of view. There’s an unattractive scar to the north west that could do with improvement. Baileyfield Road is not the greatest through-route in terms of appearance. For the sake of simplicity, picture a couple of modules like those I sketched out previously with courtyards left and right, the assembly block in the middle. Leave the space beneath the structures largely free so as to maintain park space. I’m not suggesting that the entire green area be built on, rather that it be preserved. With a little work the pond and park environment could be greatly improved in terms of visual appeal and safety. You could even indulge your interest in aviation by having a wide chord wing profile - very stylish and inexpensive.



The site offers all of the potential of the previous site I mentioned without greatly affecting the green space or greatly affecting the space at all. The existing school’s site can be preserved to allow playing fields and swimming pool facilities. A pedestrian link to playing fields and parking is more or less there already.

I don’t presume to speak for anyone but myself.

[lg1726]

So is this on the Figgate Park area and if so, what happened to the preservation of green space?

[Pal of Porty]

Here is a picture I took while out on a wee wander around Arthur Seat with Mrs PoP. I think it is a great example of what a modern day school should look like. Note the absence of any highly desirable towers.

[Mark Cameron]

So what you're proposing Commander is to set the school in a park and in closer proximity to houses than the current proposed school appears to be?

If the proposed school was built on stilts so 'preserving' the park would that satisfy PPAG?

Somehow I have my doubts.

[Porty]

[AndyK]

Surely you would struggle to maintain green space under stilts with no rain or sunlight ? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the design - I've no civil engineering, architecture or indeed horticultural background. I suppose it may work if the stilts were extremely high but then you'd only get sun at certain times of the day and year, though sideways rain shouldn't be a problem. I guess the children could make use of Seanie's jetpack idea from a few days ago to get to the entrance.

And would Figgate Park not attract the same issues with regard to common good ?

I concede that it's easy to knock down someone else's plan B but there are still parameters around which any design must work.

[wangi]

That's a winner commander - I see you'll be needing to CPO and demolish properties on Hamilton Ter, as well as build on an award winning park.

[Pal of Porty]

Let's just remind ourselves that Plan B is a PPAG agenda designed to divert attention from the Park still remaining as a potential option for the new PHS. It's great fun but not going to work.

[Porty]

[Franck]

[Porty]

[portygeoff]

Have to say I agree its all a wind up, and does relate to the PPAG plan to distract from the issue. Even the use of Golfie is something that is being used to imply that the school is being put on the golf course, heard it with mine own flappers. Will use my energies elsewhere to get the school built on the park unless serious alternatives that a have a realistic chance of being implemented are suggested.

[Epykat]

[gillian]

[commander114]

[Epykat]

[Epykat]

[Pal of Porty]

I must admit I have always referred to the whole area (pitches included) as the 'Golfie'. Clearly I was wrong but that is what many of us used to call it when we were at school.

[Epykat]

[commander114]

[quote="Pal of Porty"]Here is a picture I took while out on a wee wander around Arthur Seat with Mrs PoP. I think it is a great example of what a modern day school should look like. Note the absence of any highly desirable towers.

PoP, I agree with you entirely. This is a great design, low-rise and shrouded in trees but this type of design is not popular around here.

[Epykat]

I wouldn't say the tower was highly desirable in an ideal world POP and I agree, this design would look great among the mature Cherry trees on the current site. But would it fit?

[Porty]

[rmolehusband]

[Porty]

[Epykat]

[Betty Windsor]

[rmolehusband]

Here's another child related analogy for you.

Some kids have a toy. It belongs to all of them, but sits in the corner of the shed, generally ignored and rarely played with, until one of the kids has a bright idea, digs it out, and starts changing it into a new toy. Lots of the kids love this new toy, but sadly one spoilt little brat has a tantrum declaring that it should be left exactly where it is, as even though he never plays with it himself, he likes it that way. When asked about the other kids, he says he doesn't care about them, but says they can have a finger of f**king fudge instead if they're really that upset about it.