Planning Permission in Principle Agreed May 2024

The Board of the Trust is delighted to advise that Planning Permission in Principle was granted for the proposed new Ravelston Park Pavilion, with the decision notice being sent out on 17 May 2024. You can view the application and supporting documents here. Thank you so much for your supporting comments!

The Board will now move forward with finalising the Community Asset Transfer, which still requires legal agreements to be entered into, and funding applications.  A detailed planning application will be made as part of the usual democratic planning process, once funding is identified.

Community Asset Transfer: Background

The (second) CAT application was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. This is for the existing building and adjacent land as per Blackhall Community Trust’s plan here: FINAL RED LINE PLAN FOR CAT Feb 2022 (1). The land which is the subject of the CAT is almost half what it was in BCT’s earlier application. You can see the proposed new building footprint here Asset transfer reduced area 2022 (1). The red line shows the land which is subject to the agreed CAT; the blue line shows the previous one. The hatched area shows the proposed building footprint.

Why is a new Ravelston Park Pavilion so important?

• Community-run charity Blackhall Nursery and the children and families of Blackhall urgently need a new, fit-for-purpose home (10 new places would be created, taking the total from 30 places to 40)
• The need for a small community space to create opportunities for new activities and learning for all ages. The need for such a space was identified through community consultation in 2016 and 2018 when the business case was drawn up to support the Community Asset Transfer application to the City of Edinburgh Council
• Residents and community groups need changing spaces/accessible toilets so the Park and woods can be used for fresh air, exercise and recreation for all ages.