EVENT IN PARK ENGAGEMENT – FLY OPEN AIR MUSIC FESTIVAL – WEST PRINCES STREET GARDENS – 17-19 SEPTEMBER 2021 (on-site between 10-23 September 2021)

23 August 2021

“New Town and Broughton Community Council take the view that events that require significant infrastructure build and de-rig out-with the Ross Band Stand area, both in terms of area used and time taken, are clearly major events and therefore not suitable for West Princes St Gardens (WPSG). We agree with the position taken by the Old Town Community Council in whose area this sits). Over recent years there is and continues to be a strongly emerging view that spaces like WPSG essentially belong to the people of the City of Edinburgh, as such they are used daily and extensively by residents and they should not be subjected to commercialisation.

Assuming that everything runs according to plan, the park will be occupied by FLY for 14 days.

St Cuthbert’s Churchyard is the only level access to WPSG that is suitable for those with mobility issues as well as those who are unable to navigate the steps and slopes whilst using wheelchairs and prams. Additionally, it is a popular through route for local residents and those working in the Old Town traversing to and from Princes Street. The proposed entrance closes WPSG to these people, creates clear equality implications and the site plan cuts WPSG in half blocking access from one side of WPSG to the other.

It is imperative that the top path remains open throughout the timing of the event, including set up and take down to enable public access for the event to meet its claim that WPSG will remain open to the public throughout.

Continue reading →