Toddlers to play inside ring of steel

Published on Monday 17 March 2008 09:37

A TWO-METRE-HIGH steel fence is set to be erected around an Old Town nursery to keep out vandals and rough sleepers.

Police have recommended the imposing barrier – made from black galvanised steel – is built around Cowgate Under 5s to keep out intruders, including homeless people.

In October 2006, an arson attack at the nursery on Old Assembly Close caused 5000 worth of damage and destroyed a wooden playhouse, garden furniture, toys and trees.

The play equipment has since been replaced, but the plans to protect it have come under fire from neighbours, including the Faculty of Advocates. The local community association has even warned the fence will create a "gulag atmosphere" and have a "claustrophobic effect" on children.

The nursery also faces a fight to keep its new, larger Wendy House after neighbours objected to its "Tyrolean" style and claimed it was attracting homeless people.

In a letter to council planners, Carole Ferguson-Walker, representing the Faculty of Advocates, said: "This playhouse was intended to replace a smaller building, which had been burned down.

"However, it is substantially larger than its predecessor and the faculty is concerned about the risk that it poses to the Lord Reid Building (where the building is based) in terms of future damage from any fire."

She added: "Obviously it is important that steps are taken to ensure that the children at the nursery are safe, however the risks outlined are perceived rather than real and there do not appear to be any instances of any homeless person being found in the nursery.

"The faculty would suggest that the fact that the structure is almost twice the size of the previous playhouse may in fact encourage homeless persons to attempt to shelter there." The Tron Square Community Association and a resident have also object to the nursery's plans.

They have argued that "the fencing and the playhouse are not in keeping with the character of the conservation area".

The playhouse was rebuilt in January last year after coverage of the fire in the Evening News led to a string of donations.

Kevin Jackson, secretary of the association, and chairman Will Lorimer wrote: "The proposed fencing will create a gulag atmosphere and have a claustrophobic effect on the children.

"It will be an eyesore from the perspective of our flats in upper Tron square which overlook the playground."

The plans have been recommended for approval by councillors at a meeting on Wednesday.

Alan Henderson, the city's head of planning, said in his report that both the new "railings" and the playhouse were "acceptable".

&#149 www.edinburgh.gov.uk

&#149 www.advocates.org

&#149 www.cowgateunder5s.co.uk