The period for public comment on the planning applications has now closed. The Marchmont Sciennes Community Council has compiled a response on behalf of the local community which is available here.

The Marchmont Sciennes Community Council issued the following update on 1 May 2019:

The Sick Kids Hospital is moving to its new Little France site over a ten day period, starting on the 5th of July. Downing Group will then be able to carry out a site survey to determine what risks are presented by the site, such as asbestos. If any risks are established, they will then need to provide a remedial programme to the planning department, before they can commence work. There are strict limits on noise and nuisance caused by the building work and we will remain engaged with the developers and keep you informed.

Sciennes Primary School Parents Council are continuing to investigate the remodelling of Sciennes Road in front of the school. They have been invited by Sustrans to apply for a grant to pay for traffic research and community consultation prior to generating a design proposal. They will know by the end of June if their application was successful and intend this work to be carried out between September this year and May next year. In the meantime, the road will continue to be closed for most vehicles at school drop off and pick up times. The Community Council will remain engaged with this process so that the wishes of the community are fully appreciated.

As well as restrictions on how the development work is carried out, the planning approval notice stipulates that:

1) The community space identified on the plans is restricted to Class 10 use, which is defined within the planning law as one of the following:

• as a crèche, day nursery or day centre;
• for the provision of education;
• for the display of works of art (otherwise than for sale or hire);
• as a museum;
• as a public library or public reading room;
• as a public hall or exhibition hall;
• for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction, or the social or recreational activities of a religious body.

The Marchmont and Sciennes Development Trust (MSDT) has now been wound up, primarily because the space being offered was too small to provide a workable community asset as they had envisaged it. The Community Council will continue to press Downing group to find a use for this space which will best benefit the community and the school. [MSCC] would welcome any practical ideas you may have to this end.

2) The proposed change of use of the mortuary chapel and subsequent alterations to the mortuary chapel are not approved. As a result, the Mansfield Traquair Trust and Historic Churches Scotland are approaching Downing group with the intent that the mortuary chapel, in conjunction with the associated building, should be made as accessible to the public as possible.