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Army sites sell-off opportunity for cycle routes?

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    "
    In Edinburgh, Craigiehall, Redford and Dreghorn barracks will all be sold and a new facility will be built at Kirknewton.

    "

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14182729

    Presumably they will be sold for housing and assuming that they don't just remain as 'gated communities' there should be potential for some useful through routes for cycling.

    In particular the road through Dreghorn would be quicker than the delightful (but often muddy) route through Covenanters' Wood.

    Opening the gates of Craigiehall would a useful route between Cammo and that berry picking farm.

    The later would would take in this view on the way -

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. alibali
    Member

    Groan. Bound to generate lots of rat-run traffic if it goes for housing, as seem likely. Redford is (was) listed though so would probably be converted like the City Hopital. MOD have been good neighbours too, in the main.

    I'll hope for some office and factory space instead of housing and for some local jobs..

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. druidh
    Member

    I assume it'll be Kirknewton Airfield....

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. LaidBack
    Member

    It is Kirknewton Airfield.

    The BBC think it's south of Edinburgh....(!)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    Not just "the BBC", BBC Scotland! (Based in Glasgow.)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. LaidBack
    Member

    I've been listening to 'Garrsion 98.5 FM' . (Lots of ads for boots).

    Oddly enough the Army's own radio station 'broadcasting to Glencorse etc' doesn't even mention Kirknewton.

    It was a military base when I lived out in Livingston

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. splitshift
    Member

    what ! kirknewtons to be converted to squadie land ?and condor ? where will we get gliding for our air cadets ? then again there will be no need for accomodation blocks as the reservists will all go home at the end of the day !
    moan moan !
    on a lighter note, I managed to wreck a wheel at carron valley,on the "big" downhill run. so that was fun !

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    "
    Redford Barracks, which dates back to 1909, is dominated by two grade-A listed buildings, while Dreghorn was opened in 1939.The decision to leave Craigiehall, which has been occupied by the army since 1939, will also lead to the loss of a major army command post in Scotland, as the MoD has decided to axe Headquarters 2nd Division along with two other HQs in favour of a single support command base in Aldershot.

    All three sites in Edinburgh are expected to be sold off within the next four years with the first units due to be move into the new base at Kirknewton by 2017.
    "

    http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/3920m-selloff39-of-historic-city.6803746.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. Smudge
    Member

    "Not just "the BBC", BBC Scotland! (Based in Glasgow.) "

    It's east of Harthill, for BBC Cowcaddens "here be dragons" ;-)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. druidh
    Member

    Part of the plan includes a new training area (probably in the Borders though Caithness has also been mooted). I suspect that will result in the wholesale removal of access to thousands of acres of land, including hill tracks.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. tarmac jockey
    Member

    You can access a full and thorough report on the Dreghorn barracks land and buildings at:

    http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/4056/gardens_and_designed_landscapes.

    This gives you a detailed plan of the grounds and history of the barracks etc...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    "Demand for quality housing may see barracks site sales raise £50m for MoD"

    http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Demand-for-quality-housing-may.6804288.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    I just don't get it, there are new developments all over the city sitting half-empty!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. chdot
    Admin

    "I just don't get it, there are new developments all over the city sitting half-empty!"

    Well the simple answer is that most of the empty ones are small. This will be mostly 'family' ones.

    Then there's Location (x3) - Leith Docks or view of The Pentlands?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Barracks-plan-slammed-as-39ludicrous.6805551.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. chdot
    Admin

    "
    THE proposed new army super barracks in Scotland could cost up to £400 million, The Scotsman has learned.
    "

    http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/New-army-super-barracks-could.6806994.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. Smudge
    Member

    Otoh, the plan is to centre a "multi role brigade" there, the current locations hardly lend themselves to Artillery and Armour to name but two, an out of town site would minimise disruption to the general public surely?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. Arellcat
    Moderator

    "THE proposed new army super barracks in Scotland could cost up to £400 million £2 billion..."

    Fixed that for you. Probably. On the other hand maybe the MOD is like Network Rail when it comes to delivering projects actually on time and under budget.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I think the Craigiehall site offers a great opportunity to join up some disjointed bits of path (like the bit down to Cammo from West Craigs Road) improving access to Dalmeny, Queensferry, Kirkliston. There is, I think marked on the OS maps, a footbrige across the Almond accessible from Cammo that goes "nowhere" because the Army compound is in the way.

    I think it's always been the intention to move out of Craigiehall anyway as it was never designed or intended for its current role.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  20. cb
    Member

    "There is, I think marked on the OS maps, a footbrige across the Almond accessible from Cammo that goes "nowhere" because the Army compound is in the way."

    That will be 'Grotto Bridge'. There is a path on the north side (not great for cycling) that takes you down to Cramond Brig.
    I've not been there for a few years but you used to be able to get into the estate through a gate even though the signs told you not to.

    OS Mapping isn't great here, it is actually possibly to go upstream on the south side of the river from Grotto Bridge all the way to the airport although the path is looking pretty overgrown these days.

    I cycled that way many times in my youth. I have even taken a bike through the (unmapped) ford which is roughly here (not a recommended route):

    http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=315582&Y=675292&A=Y&Z=120

    Posted 13 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    "City chiefs say axing army bases 'good for economy' "

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/City-chiefs-say-axing-army.6821450.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  22. chdot
    Admin

    "Army barrack closure plan 'still lacks economic case' "

    http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Army-barrack-closure-plan-39still.6838862.jp

    Posted 13 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    "CONTROVERSIAL plans to close historic barracks in Edinburgh and build a new complex outside the city are not certain to go ahead, according to the army’s commanding officer in Scotland."

    http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/at_risk_edinburgh_barracks_could_be_saved_says_general_1_1990204

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. chdot
    Admin

    "
    MoD U-turn over £400m Edinburgh super-barracks - Politics - Scotsman.com

    http://m.scotsman.com/news/politics/mod-u-turn-over-400m-edinburgh-super-barracks-1-2180420#

    "

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. chdot
    Admin

    Back on again it seems -

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/fears-for-future-of-redford-and-dreghorn-barracks-1-3672664

    Posted 9 years ago #

  26. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/glencorse-and-redford-army-barracks-to-close-under-government-s-defence-review-1-4280604

    Posted 8 years ago #

  27. PS
    Member

    That'll be a huge residential development at Redford then, with a high risk of associated congestion. Time for the Council to put in segregated cycletracks all the way up Colinton Road...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  28. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Redford and Craigiehall to be developed into "exclusive", "aspirational" estates of 4-6 bedroom executive housing with room for 2.4 cars? Possible names Craiglockhart Heights and Cramond View?

    I doubt very much a housing association is going to get their hands on either site.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  29. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Presumably the density of accomodation is higher in a barracks than in an 'executive' housing scheme? Given the number of people who live in these types of houses who don't work, might this move not actually remove rush hour traffic?

    Marketing idea for the flats - you get a discount if you agree to fulfil the functions of the infantry previously stationed there if Scotland is ever attacked.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  30. Stickman
    Member

    I knew someone who lived in the officers' housing at Craigiehall. It must have been a nice place to be based: the houses were big, all had large gardens and they were arranged around a village green type thing where sheep could graze.

    A developer will be able to cram two or three houses onto each existing plot as well as on all the green space.

    Posted 8 years ago #

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