Edinburgh greenbelt: SESplan and Cockburn Association

You can directly respond to SESplan’s report here. If you do so, please respond as an individual, not on behalf of LCCC.

However, the Cockburn Association says

The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh Civic Trust) is preparing its response for the 2nd South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan (SESplan2) Main Issues Report (MIR).

It would be most helpful if we could include your views on some of the key issues in our response.  These are outlined on the attached survey form.  Although the form requests a name/postcode, your views will not be attributed, as the intention is to collate and summarise the survey responses for inclusion in our representations on the MIR to the six Local Authorities that have prepared this plan, which include the City of Edinburgh Council.

If you are able to complete the survey, we would be grateful if you could return it to us by Friday 28 August 2015

Please download the CA’s survey from here.

SESplan Main Issues Report Seminar Events

(Adapted from an email from SESplan – full email is here)

The impact population, household and economic growth will have on our countryside, infrastructure and communities is explored in the SESplan Main Issues Report.  With the second largest population growth in Scotland predicted by 2037 (220,000 more people and 25% more homes) there will be significant implications for wherever this new development is accommodated in the region.

SESplan launched the public consultation on Main Issues Report on the 21 July 2015.  The consultation aims to get as many people as possible interested in the future of the region and commenting on the issues.  The Main Issues Report asks key questions, the answers to which will shape the way our region looks, feels and functions for decades to come. The Main Issues Report represents your chance to influence the second strategic plan for the region.

As the consultation is gathering pace a range of events are taking place in the region and SESplan are encouraging people to come along to consultation events in their area to find out more.  Events include:

Community Events

Aimed at Community Councils, Community Groups and anyone looking to engage in discussions about the Main Issues Report (PDF).  These events feature an introduction on what SESplan is and what the Main Issues are followed by workshop based discussion.  Please let SESplan know if you want to attend contactus@sesplan.gov.uk.

The Edinburgh events are

  • Monday 24 August Community Event:  St Thomas Church Hall, Glasgow Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh 6-8pm
  • Thursday 27 August Community Event:  Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm
  • Wednesday 2 September Community Event:  Portobello Town Hall, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm
  • Thursday 3 September Community Event:  Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm
  • Wednesday 9 September Community Event:  Business Centre, City Chambers, Edinburgh 6-8pm

Continue reading →

Festival and Britannia Fireworks

(with thanks to Leith Links CC for their original post)

If you’re a pet owner and have an animal that reacts and can get stressed during fireworks displays then here are a couple of dates for the diary.

Edinburgh International Festival Fireworks, Monday, 31st August at 21.30 (9.30pm)

Britannia: The events team at Britannia have advised that on Saturday, 5th September at 22.00 (10pm) there will be a fireworks display expected to last 3-4 minutes.

Edinburgh Tram Enquiry. Public call for Evidence and Issues

(With apologies for being late to post this)

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is currently retrieving and reviewing documents, and gathering further material as part of the investigation into the Edinburgh Trams project. As part of that process the Inquiry is now keen to hear from the public on two themes:

  1. What issues should the Inquiry be investigating in detail?
  2. What direct evidence does the public have on the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected?

Further details and an online survey is available via the website (www.edinburghtraminquiry.org) or by contacting the Secretary to the Inquiry.

The deadline for responses is 4 August 2015.

Kirkgate CCTV camera

(adapted from an email from Edinburgh Council. Link added by Bruce Ryan)

With regards to the item regarding the Kirkgate CCTV camera contained in the draft minutes (item 2.2.3) from your recent Leith Central CC meeting highlighted on social media. Just for clarity, the costs of removing and relocating the fibre connections that would be required are indeed expensive, however, following discussions with CCTV, their view was that the existing camera was, on balance, best left in its current location in front of the Kirkgate for operational reasons. This position allows it to cater for a number of uses such as the detection and prevention of crime and anti-social behaviour plus helping to assist in local traffic management; measures that can contribute to improving community safety and maintaining traffic and pedestrian flow at the busy junction. Its former location was on the pedestrian island at the Foot of the Walk, that allowed it similar views, but it was knocked over twice by vehicles when it was situated there.