CRAMOND ACTION GROUP - TEMPLATE LETTER of OBJECTION
Dear [insert name of Councillor/MP/MSP/Other]
You will be aware of the Care Concern Group's proposals to build a 4-storey, 74- bed
nursing home on the current single-house residential site at 18 Whitehouse Road,
Edinburgh. The proposed commercial development is entirely inappropriate for the
following reasons:

Conservation Area – Cramond is a designated Conservation Area due to its special
architectural and historic interest, the character and appearance of which it is
desirable to preserve or enhance.
The proposed buildings will adversely affect the unique and special character of
the Conservation Area which is currently enjoyed by local residents, visitors and
tourists who come to visit the shore, Cramond Island the Roman Fort and the
historic church.

Traffic issues - Whitehouse Road/School Brae and the Glebe – The road layout at
the entrance to the nursing home is such that all traffic to the nursing home
would have to drive across the top of School Brae as well as the pavement at The
Glebe.
There are already concerns about the volume of traffic in the area due to parents
dropping their children off at Bright Horizons nursery and there is a suggestion
that Lothian Buses will not expand its already limited bus service because of the
difficulty in negotiating this congested part of the road.
These current difficulties will only increase if the development were to go ahead
due to the increased traffic, with ambulances, refuse lorries, delivery vehicles,
medical supply vehicles, emergency vehicles and staff and visitors’ cars to the
nursing home increasing the risk to parents and nursery children.

Traffic issues - Cramond Glebe Road - The proposed exit at Cramond Glebe Road
has no sight lines onto the public highway and is entirely inadequate in width and
turning space to support both the number and size of the vehicles that would visit
the nursing home. A Roman well is situated on the exit route and it is believed
that this is to be concreted over.
Cramond Glebe Road currently has major traffic problems which have increased
considerably since the new nursery school opened in Cramond House. It is not
uncommon for the road to be grid-locked at busy times of the day - nursery drop
off times, week-ends and weddings/funeral services at Cramond Kirk.
Most of the residents in Cramond Glebe Road/Terrace do not have off-street
parking and so have no alternative but to park in the street. Patients using the
GP's surgery park on The Glebe and on Cramond Glebe Road and two-way travel is
often impossible. The proposed development has parking for only twenty-two
cars, and many of the 100 staff, visiting healthcare professionals and visitors for
the residents will have to park outside the nursing home site, exacerbating
current traffic problems for local residents, visitors and the emergency services

Archaeological heritage - The proposed development would be built over the
remains of the Roman fort and the Roman well. The archaeological heritage of
the area will be irretrievably damaged and lost to future generations if permission
were granted for the Development.

Environmental damage - Three badger sets are situated in the bank along the
western boundary of the site. In addition, the woods on the boundary are home
to owls and bats. All these species are protected species and their natural habitat
will be damaged if the development were to go ahead.
The water table will be affected by the proposed development which may well
have an adverse impact on the wooded area on the slopes of the Almond Valley.

Light & Noise pollution - The 4-storey buildings, the parking areas and entrance
and exit routes will be protected by security lights which will result in light
pollution affecting all neighbouring residents and will also adversely impact upon
the local wildlife.
Staff cars, medical traffic, ambulances, delivery lorries, medical supply vans and
other vehicles will be entering and exiting the nursing home on a 24/7 basis,
causing inconvenience, noise and nuisance and disturbing the general peace
afforded to the residents during the evening, at night-time and in the early
morning.
’
Amenity [this should be personalised to suit individual circumstances]
EXAMPLE ONLY [My property sits on east boundary of the proposed development. The
proposed 4-storey building coupled with the intended roof garden will mean that the
residents and staff of the proposed building will have a bird's eye view into my bedroom,
my sitting room and my garden. I will have no privacy at all and the height of the building
will restrict the natural light into my garden.]
If you require any further information or would like to visit the proposed development
site, please let me know.
Yours sincerely
