"Some might think CEC was only humouring any external advice."
It 'humours' much of its internal advice too.
Edinburgh has always been mostly conservative.
Especially since the days of Lord Cockburn "He had a strong interest in architectural conservation, particularly of Edinburgh. The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh Civic Trust), founded in 1875, is named after him."
But the Corporation/Council has always had a very mixed role in the development of the city. Inevitably it has depended on individuals and sections/departments - politicians and officials.
And that's without thinking too much about straightforward commercial/ownership considerations.
Some people think conservation is about lots of traffic but no red tarmac on ASLs in the historic centre. Others are more interested in developing The Gyle or The Waterfront.
Things change, fashions change, people retire etc.
Someone must have thought the St. James Centre was the height of modernity and 'a good thing' at one time.
In many ways it's preferable to Fort Kinnaird etc. as it has a bus station attached (though that is a whole other saga!)
Once upon a time Edinburgh had many breweries. Scottish and Newcastle was a major employer. Large beer tankers thundered through the Grassmarket and Cowgate. Residents had a hard time getting pedestrian crossings installed.
I was told by a very senior planner that it was hard to do things that S&N might not like - 'they employ a lot of people and could move the jobs to Newcastle'.
Of course similar things were said in Newcastle...
Younger (sic) readers may not have heard of S&N...
Now of course the 'commercial reality' is that large numbers of people come to Edinburgh to drink (hen tourists etc.) but almost none is produced here.
It's so hard to plan for things running out - brewers or oil.
If Edinburgh is to plan for more tourists (new 5 star hotel at Haymarket!) perhaps it should pay more attention to some serious traffic management/pedestrianisation.
If only it had been possible to route 'the tram' along George Street and incorporate it into the new "St. James Quarter". Imagine a tram stop under the bus station!
Such vision would have been easy in the 60s.
Unfortunately Edinburgh has not always been good at 'delivery'. Sometimes being stuck in the past has its advantages.
People really like living in Edinburgh. The challenge is to make it a bit better, not a lot worse.
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