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Application form
Please make sure you have read all the notes carefully before you start to fill in the application form. This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically - it is available on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Please complete all five sections. The deadline for submitting applications is 27 August 2008. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.
1 Please provide a name and contact details of the lead organisation responsible for this work.
Name | Simon Lievesley |
Job title | Project Manager |
Organisation | City of Edinburgh Council, Services for Communities - Regeneration |
Address | C:3 Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh |
Telephone | 0131 529 4315 |
Fax | 0131 529 6202 |
Email | simon.Iievesley@edinburgh.gov.uk |
2 If this is a joint application, please list the other partners who had a key role. You should also inform your partners that you are nominating the project for an award.
3 Tick one nomination category
4 Title of entry | NICOLSON SQUARE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS |
Please complete the form on the following pages by providing a brief summary of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude with a key reason as to why you think this work merits an Award. Only the two A4 pages supplied here can be used and your text must fit within the boxes. The font size should be no less than 12pt.
The judging criteria are set out below. Please tick only the key criteria relevant to your entry:
You must describe how the project relates to the criteria which you have ticked.
Description of project
The project aimed to regenerate a small but important Square on the Southside of Edinburgh, situated on the southern boundary of the World Heritage site, and containing two important heritage objects (The Brassfounders' Pillar (Listed) and a Sun Foundry fountain dating to 1886 and 1866 respectively). Traditional iron railings were restored to the perimeter, formal paths laid out, tree planting comprehensively replaced, new lighting introduced, and seating and new planting provided. The Nicolson Square Development Brief, approved by the Council's Planning Committee in 2001 formed the project's context. |
Describe the background to the project
The works at Nicolson Square form a final phase to public realm improvements undertaken to South Bridge and the northern end of Nicolson Street commencing in 2005. Footways were comprehensively repaved in Caithness stone, improving the general appearance of the public realm within the Old Town & Southside Conservation Areas and the setting of a number of listed buildings including A listed University, Methodist Church and Royal College of Surgeons. New street lighting and "decluttering" was undertaken, along with the installation of a bronze inlaid stone to commemorate the Quincentennial of the Royal College of Surgeons. Initial works to the Square also commenced in Phase 1 with the removal of bow top railing, restoration of existing copes and installation of traditional iron railings |
What are the aims and objectives of the project?
The project sought to achieve: a) a comprehensive landscape improvement to an historic (first laid out in 1765) but somewhat neglected city garden in a key mixed use area of city (retail/university/theatre/community)
b) encouragement of increased footfall to potentially support local businesses
c) upgrading of the appearance of the southern boundary of the World Heritage site
d) public enjoyment of the open space |
Over what timescale has the project been developed?
The Nicolson Square Development Brief was approved by the City of Edinburgh's Planning Committee in November 2001, setting out guidance for both the built form and public realm of Nicolson Square. Major works to improve the pedestrian quality of the main route of South Bridge/Nicolson St (including substantial investment in new traditional railings and cope repair for Nicolson Square) commenced in 2005 under the Council's Town Centre Improvement and Capital Investment Programmes. Paving upgrading to the north side of the Square was undertaken in 2007, while consultation and planning procedures were completed for the Garden. Works to the Garden and additional footway repaving commenced in 2008. |
Explain the process and action taken
Works to Nicolson Square were locally sensitive. The existing perimeter planting of cherry trees, despite being over mature for their location and the presence of canker confirmed, retained many admirers who were reluctant to see them go. Clear felling and replacement with a suitable species was nevertheless deemed necessary for both aesthetic and practical reasons to allow a comprehensive regeneration of the space. Consultation was undertaken locally during the planning process and an explanatory note describing the reasons for the replacement planting widely circulated to those who commented on the scheme as construction moved forward. Some cherries have been retained within the garden, and new perimeter planting of Chinese scarlet rowan undertaken to reflect consultation responses. |
Explain the role of the key partners
The Nicolson Square project was led by City of Edinburgh Council, Services for Communities - Regeneration; designed by LAND Landscape Architects and constructed by Fountain Support Services Ltd. Key consultation was carried out through the Southside Community Council. Funding was through the Council's Capital Investment Programme, augmented through the negotiation by the Council's City Development Department of Section 75 developer contributions from adjacent sites. |
What results were achieved?
"The Southside Community Council welcomes the transformation of Nicolson Square. Refurbishment of the coping stones and railings was well overdue. The enhanced internal layout, with new paths, and new planting of a variety of species will improve the visual amenity of the Square all year round, and these welcome features will encourage greater use by the public." (Southside Community Council) "The City of Edinburgh Council's (works to) the paving, general streetscape and Nicolson Square park strongly enhance the overall aesthetics and condition of a prominent Gateway to the Edinburgh World Heritage Site." (Edinburgh World Heritage) |
In summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?
a) forms an integrated part of an overall public realm improvement rather than an isolated project and assists in realising an approved development brief b) Supports economic viability of surrounding businesses in the context of public realm improvements encouraged through PAN 59 c) acts as a catalyst for further investment - Edinburgh World Heritage now looking at scheme for improving buildings on northern side of Square d) Sustains a community resource |
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