Who We Are and What We Do

Welcome to our website, which was made possible by a grant from City of Edinburgh Council South Local Development Committee. They have secured a number of grants for us since the Association was founded and we are extremely grateful for their support. We are a local community Association, with charitable status, covering the Craigmillar Park Conservation Area.

Originally the Association was formed in 1997, by Ian McLean, our first Chairman, to try to preserve the Playing Field in East Suffolk Road from development.  At that time there was an application to build 58 units on the field, which would have involved the permanent loss of this valuable green space, as well as the demolition of the picturesque Pavilion.

It was a hard fight but with the help of all those who objected we finally won. Historic Scotland eventually listed the Pavilion, as it is in the curtilage of the former Halls of Residence in Newington Campus, now East Suffolk Park, and we are delighted that the Playing Field was designated as Open Space in the 2007 Edinburgh City Local Plan. St Margaret’s School, who used the playing field, closed in 2010 and the buildings were sold in seperate lots and became a Mosque, a Care Home and a Nursery. The Playing Field is still owned by Miller Homes.

In 2015, Miller Homes sought planning consent for the erection of ten semi-detached town houses on the former playing field.
The CPA objected and, after excellent presentations to the Planning sub- Committee of Edinburgh Council by our Planning Advisor and a CPA member (who is a QC experienced in Planning Law), the application was rejected.
Millar appealed and the Reporter appointed by the Scottish Government upheld the appeal on dubious grounds (in our opinion).

Work has been completed on the development and all ten townhouse are occupied and the open space landscaped.

Because of Covid restrictions our AGM and newsletters are on hold until we return to normal. We are currently without a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary but volunteers maintain the nature strips. 

There are also links to various departments in the Council, other Associations and bodies that we think might be of interest to residents. We also give details about your local politicians and other services.

To read the Constitution click on the CPA logo