Day: August 12, 2013

Drylaw’s bench has MOOved!

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The famous Drylaw bench has moved on to pastures new!

The impressive stone sculpture seat was the centrepiece when Drylaw Field was upgraded in 2007 but, six years on and following a number of attacks, it was agreed that the bench should be moved to a safer (stable?) location.

The bench was uplifted on Friday and the moove (sorry again) to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre went well.

That bench has seen some activity in it’s short life and a number of notable posteriors have rested there over the years – including two Lord Provosts!

The life and times of the Drylaw Bench:

Councillors and bench

Drylaw folk and bench

DrylawBench battered

musicians at drylaw bench

police and bench

Provost and bench

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Drylaw Field 004

 

Affordable housing development opens in Lindsay Road

  The latest affordable homes – and the first mixed-tenure development – by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and its subsidiary Persevere Developments Ltd, has been officially opened. 

Councillor Andrew Burns, Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, welcomed 111 households to a block of new, high-quality properties in Lindsay Road, making a significant impact in the regeneration of the area.

The £13.6 million waterfront development, compromising 58 social rent and 53 mid-market rent (MMR) properties, contains a wide range of housing types from one bedroom through to four bedroom apartments.

Features include car parking for 29 spaces and a communal landscaped garden area. Solar thermal panels located on the roof will provide hot water for a number of properties with condensing gas boilers supplying heating and hot water.

Councillor Burns said: “This is a fantastic development, forming an integral part of North Edinburgh’s regeneration. It is vital that we tackle the city’s shortage of affordable homes and projects like this are an important step in the right direction.

“The success of this project is testament to the partnership working between the Council, housing associations, Forth Ports and the community – a model that will continue to use in order to provide much-needed homes but also to create jobs and boost the local economy.”

This is the second affordable housing project within the Western Harbour development on Edinburgh’s waterfront, the first being Goosander Place completed in May 2010.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, said: “This is our second affordable housing development in Western Harbour and complements our existing mix through Leith and North Edinburgh.

“Much-needed, high-quality, affordable housing for local people to buy and rent is at the top of our agenda and we’re pleased to be able to offer both social and MMR properties. MMR is a new type of tenure to help households on modest incomes to rent high quality accommodation at an affordable level.”

PoLHA worked closely with the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council which allocated £6.4 million of grant monies for the development. An additional £7.2 million was funded through private finance raised by the Association.

Port of Leith launch new development pics Alan Peebles

Council leader Andrew Burns is pictured with PoLHA Chief Executive Keith Anderson, PoLHA Chairperson Jack Hunter and Councillor Eric Milligan at Friday’s event