Category Archives: News and Events

Poor mapping? Poor Planning? HMO & homelessness issues?

Increased pressure on Leith Central area is not welcome

Leith Central’s planning subcommittee (PSC) is probing whether Edinburgh Council is using inaccurate maps in its consultation on Edinburgh Planning Guidance: Student Housing – Issues Paper. The PSC has asked the Edinburgh Councillors for Leith Walk to investigate some potential errors in maps used in the consultation paper:

  • Map 1 (Operational student accommodation 2014) stops at (obscured) Picardy Place
  • Map 2b (Student concentration by data zone, 2011) shows different scale from map 2a (2001) which is used for comparison, and fails to take account of post-2011 changes (e.g. student accommodation in McDonald Rd and off Montgomery Street)
  • Map 3 (Student housing developments by number of beds and planning status since August 2010): Map extract is poorly chosen – it does not show all applications in the pipeline: Haddington Place, Shrubhill, Bothwell Street

LCCC does not want to delay matters, so it has asked for the maps to be amended without holding up the consultation.

There is a high correlation between the distribution of students (in the 2011 census) and the distribution of HMOs, according to Edinburgh Council’s own House in Multiple Occupation Market Review. The background to this is ‘transient pressure’ that might be created by HMOs being used as temporary housing for homeless people (including emergency cases, such as domestically abused women and their children; but also ex-prisoners). In Edinburgh, there are high densities of HMO properties in the Meadows and Bruntsfield links areas of the city, with notable concentrations at either end of the Marchmont area, Bruntsfield, Dalkeith Road, Leith Walk, the New Town and Pilrig.

LCCC is not against housing homeless people and does not cry ‘NIMBY!’ But it argues that its area is the mostly densely populated area of Scotland and any extra stress needs to be carefully assessed. If possible, it needs to be ameliorated or avoided, especially in the context of increased pressure on the dilapidated southern end of Leith Walk which may not be repaired for years to come. This dilapidation cannot be tolerated, in LCCC’s opinion.

Sheila Gilmore, Labour MP for Edinburgh East, has argued that Edinburgh Council may be taking an incorrect approach to limiting HMOs, noting that Dundee Council has adopted a policy that, in certain defined areas, more than 12·5 per cent of properties being HMOs is over-provision. Closer to home, Midlothian Council has approached homelessness/HMO issues by converting properties it already owns to house homeless people – and has saved money into the bargain.

Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 61

(Please note that this statement was  circulated by Alan Dean, CEC Partnership Development Officer (Stakeholder Liaison and Engagement) on 20 November 2014 at 16:37

Dear Stakeholders,

Leith Programme Stakeholder Update 61

Progress Update

The programme remains on schedule to be finished by the planned completion date of 19 December

Section 6b East (Lorne Street junction southwards)

  • Drainage alterations and slabbing in progress

 Section 6b West (Balfour Street northwards)

  • North section completed, grouting works ongoing
  • Kerbing and slabbing works to south section ongoing

 Section 8b East (Manderston Street area north)

  • Main slabbing and kerbing works complete, grouting ongoing

 Section 8c West (Casselbank Street area)

  • South section all works complete
  • Kerb realignment complete to northern section
  • Works to gullies and lifting and removal of existing slabs in progress

 Section 8c East (Crown Street northwards):

  • Kerb re-alignment complete
  • Works to gullies in progress along with lifting and removal of existing slabs

 Carriageway

  • Planing and basecourse works 100% complete in southern sections
  • Planing and basecourse 100% complete in northern sections
  • Final surface/wearing course undertaken to date – north of Stead’s Place to Crown Place

Anticipated final surfacing timescales at junctions (subject to change due to weather conditions and/or issues with existing ironwork)

  • Friday 21 November – Junctions at Manderston, Jane and Casselbank Streets
  • Sunday 23 November – Junction at Stead’s Place
  • Monday 24 November – Junctions at Crown Street and Crown Place

 Weekend Working – 22/23 November

In order to ensure work remains on schedule, the contractors will be carrying out weekend work on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November 2014. This will involve footway work on Saturday and carriageway work on Sunday. The carriageway works will centre around the area at the Stead’s Place junction.

Looking ahead for next week

  • Continue with slabbing works in footpath areas 6 & 8
  • Continue with carriageway final surfacing heading south
  • Continue with footway inspections and remedial works
  • Progress raised table work at road junctions

 Bus diversion or traffic delay information reminder

For the most up to date information regarding any bus diversions and any traffic delays affecting Leith Walk please visit either of the sites below:

Regards

Alan Dean BA (Hons) MSc PGDip I Partnership Development Officer (Stakeholder Liaison and Engagement) I Services for Communities I City Centre Neighbourhood Management Team I 1 Cockburn Street I Edinburgh I EH1 1BJ

Tel: 0131 529 7519        Mobile: 07739 188 438           alan.dean@edinburgh.gov.uk

£EITH DECIDES APPLICATIONS STILL NEEDED

(adapted from a post on Leith Links CC’s website)

Applications are still needed to provide a good choice of projects for the people of Leith. Making an application gives the opportunity to get a grant of up to £1,000 for a Leith project. But it does more than that. Applicant groups and organisations become part of the £eith decides publicity which promotes the groups and organisations involved. Posters are displayed in libraries as well as information going out on the Neighbourhood Partnership website and social media. However, The Leith Event in February attracts hundreds of local people, providing valuable networking opportunities and enables participating applicants to recruit new participants, members or volunteers.

The decision is made on the day of the event (7 February) for projects to be completed by 31 August. So good timing for any Spring and/or Summer 2015 events or projects. Projects who have been made awards in the past have benefitted children, young people, older people, families as well as people vulnerable for a number of reasons. There have been a wide range of projects involving the arts, such as music, drama, dance and painting; the environment such as gardening and clean up campaigns; fun activities such as imaginative play, camping, sailing and day trips; skills training for young people and jobseekers; support for people with physical disabilities or mental health issues, and more.

So spread the word and get those talented and capable Leithers involved. See the website http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/leith/about/%C2%A3eith-decides to download an easy-to-complete application form and easy-to-understand guidelines.

Applications must be in by 28 November 2014. They can be e-mailed to Loraine.duckworth@edinburgh.gov.uk. (Signed hard copies may be needed later.)

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact:

Loraine Duckworth | Partnership Development Officer | Leith Neighbourhood Partnership | Services for Communities | City Centre Leith Team| Cockburn Street| Edinburgh | phone: 0131 529 7403 | Mobile: 07739188437

Serious Sexual Assault, Leith Links

Please see media release from Police Scotland below. If you were in the vicinity last night or saw someone acting suspiciously in the area please contact the Crime Stoppers number in the press release.

POLICE SCOTLAND – CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS – EAST Serious Sexual Assault, Leith Links

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a serious sexual assault in North of the city.

The incident happened around 1am today (Thursday) in the Leith links area.

A 28-year-old woman was approached by a man who produced a knife before subjecting her to the attack.

The man then made off and the victim contacted police. Officers are now carrying out a thorough investigation of the scene.

Anyone who can assist with this ongoing enquiry is asked to come forward.

The suspect is described as being of Asian appearance and wearing a grey hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn said: “This attack was carried out in a public area and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in or around Leith Links in the early hours of Thursday morning and saw anything suspicious.

“Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who has any further information that can help us trace the man responsible is also asked to contact police immediately.”

Chief Inspector Sara Buchanan said: “We understand that this incident may have an impact on the local community and so high-visibility patrols are currently being deployed within the Leith Links to engage with members of the public and offer reassurance.

“In addition officers will be liaising with relevant partner agencies to assist anyone affected by this attack.

“I would urge anyone who wishes to speak with an officer in relation to this incident to approach one of the officers at the scene, contact 101 or make an anonymous report via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Carers Support Payment – Are you eligible?

Granton & District Community Council

Do you care for someone?  Have you heard of the Carer’s Support Payment?  The Carer’s Support Payment is a single payment of £250.  It is for unpaid carers to spend on themselves, for example to maintain health and wellbeing, or for a short break from caring.

You can apply if you are an unpaid carer, at least 16 years old and not at school, who is providing substantial and regular care for a partner, friend or relative.  The person you care for must be:

  • an adult aged 16 or over
  • eligible for adult Social Care Services
  • receiving Attendance Allowance or Disability Allowance middle rate care component or Personal Independence Payment daily living component
  • living in Edinburgh

 If you think you’re eligible – call Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.  You will be asked a few questions and a form will be sent out for you to fill in and return…

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