June 2020 – Page 8 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Man guilty of Edinburgh child rape

A man has pled guilty to the rape of a then 12-year-old child which happened in Edinburgh in 2016. Balwinder Singh (54) pled guilty to raping the child at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said:
“Today, Singh has pled guilty to raping a 12-year-old child in 2016. My thoughts remain with the victim and those impacted by Singh’s actions.

“Singh fled the country soon after the offence came to light and travelled across the world seeking to avoid detection. However, his attempts would not be allowed to succeed and as a result of committed national and international partnership working, he was traced and deported from Canada, ultimately leading to his arrest in the UK on 12 March 2020.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the Police Scotland International Unit, Canada Border Services Agency, Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service whom made significant contributions towards achieving Singh’s conviction today.

“Singh will now face justice for the abhorrent offence committed by him.

“We remain committed to bringing sexual offenders before the courts and treat all reports of sexual crime with the utmost seriousness. Anyone wishing to report such offences should do so to Police Scotland via 101.”

First Minister: remember the FACTS

Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the media briefing in St Andrew’s House on Monday 22 June:

Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s briefing. I want to start by giving the usual update on the COVID-19 statistics.

An additional 14 positive cases were confirmed yesterday – that takes the total now in Scotland to 18,170.

A total of 867 patients are currently in hospital with the virus either confirmed or suspected. That is 66 more than yesterday, but the increase is all in suspected cases. The number of confirmed cases has reduced by 3.

A total of 15 people last night were in intensive care with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. That is 1 fewer than yesterday.

Since 5 March, a total of 3,978 patients who had tested positive and needed hospital treatment have now been discharged.

And in the last 24 hours, I’m pleased to say that no deaths were registered of a patient confirmed through a test as having COVID-19. That figure is of course extremely welcome, but we must bear in mind that fewer deaths tend to be registered on Sundays.

The total number of deaths in Scotland – under that measurement of people confirmed by a test as having the virus – is therefore still 2,472.

I want to send my deepest condolences to everyone behind these statistics who has lost a loved one as a result of this illness.

I also want to express my thanks once again to our health and care workers, and indeed to all our key workers – the entire country is grateful to you for everything you are doing.

Our progress in suppressing this virus continues to be good as these statistics bear out – though we must not be complacent.

That progress, however, does allow us to consider now whether and to what extent we can give more clarity in terms of indicative dates for the next steps in our routemap out of lockdown – and, as a heads up today, I intend to set out more detail on that later this week.

However, as we do so, we must remember, all of us, that the virus hasn’t gone away. There are already countries – China and Germany for example – that are right now dealing with spikes in cases as a result of significant outbreaks.

And health officials in South Korea have said today that they think the country is now experiencing a second wave.

So I know that when numbers of cases and deaths here are continuing to fall, it’s very tempting for all of us to think it’s all over and we should just now quickly get back to normal.

We are trying to get back to normal and we want to do that as quickly as possible, but let me reiterate my strong view that acting recklessly now would be a serious mistake – we must continue to be cautious and all of us must continue to adhere strictly to the public health advice.

That will help us continue progress and avoid a resurgence of the virus now – and it will also hopefully put us in a stronger position ahead of the winter months to come.

So please stick to the rules – and when you are out and about, as all of us are able to be more now, remember FACTS:

Face coverings in enclosed spaces – these are mandatory from today on public transport
Avoid crowded places, even outdoors
Clean your hands regularly, as well as surfaces
Maintain two metres distance from people in other households
Self-isolate and book a test immediately if you have COVID symptoms

Today’s news conference is following a slightly different format from usual. I’ve got one significant item that I want to update you on today and it relates to the economy.

Once I have finished my remarks, I’m going to hand over to Benny Higgins, who joins me today. Benny is the chair of our Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.

The Scottish Government appointed the advisory group back in April, to provide recommendations on how best to restore the economy to sustainable and inclusive growth as we bring the Covid pandemic under greater control.

We did so because we knew then, that the pandemic and what we had to do to tackle it would cause significant economic harm. Our initial focus has had to be on protecting people’s lives, and on providing immediate lifeline support to keep businesses afloat and people employed.

But as the pandemic does comes under more control, our efforts must increasingly focus on how our economy recovers and renews itself for the long term.

I am very grateful to Benny and the advisory group members for their efforts. I’m also grateful to all of the businesses, business organisations and others who engaged so fully in the group’s work – and to Lord Robert Smith who facilitated much of that business engagement.

The advisory group’s report, which I have received today, includes 25 substantial recommendations. These are wide-ranging in scope – alongside areas such as investment, employment and skills, they cover areas such as the relationship between government and business, the future of the care sector, the importance of culture, and the role of the third sector.

The Scottish Government will produce a detailed response to the report before the end of July, so I will not comment in detail today on all 25 of the report’s recommendations – although Benny will expand on some of its key points.

What I do want to do this morning, however, is be very clear that the Scottish Government sees the report as a serious and substantive piece of work – and that we agree with its basic principles.

Many of its themes – for example the importance of education, employment and tackling inequalities – are clearly going to be critical to our economic recovery. The report is also very strong in highlighting the regional dimension to growth.

And its specific recommendations are significant and constructive. For example the importance of digital infrastructure investment has been emphasised once again by this crisis, and is rightly a major issue in the report.

In addition, the Scottish Government agrees with the advisory group about the importance of working with the UK Government, so that our fiscal framework has enough flexibility to enable us to support investment for recovery.

We also support the advisory group’s prioritisation of a green recovery, and its recognition of the vital importance of the new Scottish National Investment Bank.

And the report’s recommendations for youth employment and a Jobs Guarantee – including the essential contribution that business can make- are potentially very significant, as we seek to ensure that young people get the opportunities they deserve in the wake of this pandemic.

Finally, the report highlights the fact that Scotland’s economic recovery must be a collaborative partnership.

The recommendations in this report are not just for the Scottish Government, though many of them of course are. They are for the business sector, the third sector, our higher and further education sector and the UK government as well.

The Scottish Government already works well with these organisations in many areas – but the Covid crisis has reinforced the crucial importance of those relationships, and of ensuring that recovery is a true partnership effort.

Above all else, the report is clear-sighted about the scale – the vast scale – of the challenge that our economy faces as we come out of this crisis.

However it sets out practical measures, founded on values, which can help us to address that challenge.

It provides recommendations which can help us to help businesses and individuals get back on their feet.

And in doing so, I think it potentially lays the foundations for a much more resilient, more sustainable and fairer economy in the years to come. I therefore warmly welcome it, and once again want to thank everyone who has contributed to it and particularly Benny for chairing the group.

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I’m going to hand over to Benny in a moment or two, but I want to end by reiterating our key public health messages. If we want to get into a recovery phase, it is crucial that we continue efforts to suppress this virus.

Since Friday, any household has been able to meet with up to two other households – but let me remind you those meetings right now must be outdoors unless you have formed an extended household group. You should only go indoors to use the toilet, or to get through to a garden, and you should clean any surfaces you touch as you do that.

I know as I indicated at the outset of my remarks, that when you hear me report relatively low numbers of daily cases, and thankfully reducing numbers of people dying, many might wonder whether these rules still matter.

But it is important to stress that as we start to go out and about more, these rules actually matter more not less. And it is important to remember that COVID-19 has not gone away. It remains highly infectious and highly dangerous.

As I said earlier, we have seen reports in recent days from many other countries of increases in the virus and that should remind us of the risk that it still poses. And it should remind all of us that it doesn’t take much for the virus to take off again. It is only by sticking to the rules that we have made the progress that I report now on a daily basis. By continuing to stick with them, and by suppressing the virus further, we will all be able to move more quickly out of lockdown in the weeks ahead.

That is why the decisions all of us are taking now as individuals more than ever directly affect the health, the wellbeing and indeed the economic prosperity for all of us.

The public health campaign we launched on Friday – Facts – which I’ve already mentioned today summarises the key points you need to remember and apply. So let me end just by reiterating those 5 crucial, key pieces of advice.

Face coverings should be worn in enclosed spaces;
Avoid crowded places;
Clean your hands and hard surfaces regularly;
Two metre distancing is important and
Self-isolate and book a test – if you have symptoms.

By remembering and abiding by those 5 basic requirements, all of us can stay safe, protect others and we will all save lives.

So please continue to do the right thing, and to stick with these rules. Thank you once again, to everyone who is doing exactly that.

Lottery boost for Edinburgh groups

Two Edinburgh groups supporting communities in different ways during the COVID-19 pandemic are the most recent recipients of cash from the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) receives an award of £10,000 to support children and families who are shielding due to ongoing health conditions.

Welcoming the funding, Victoria Buchanan, Deputy Director of Fundraising at ECHC, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their incredibly generous contribution towards our COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

“This is a particularly difficult time for families known to the Sick Kids hospital as they are having to cope with the impact of the pandemic on top of the distress of having a sick or injured child.

“Thanks to donations like this, ECHC is helping to ease anxiety and bring comfort to families both in hospital and shielding at home through the provision of Emergency Care Packs filled with food, toiletries, arts and crafts and books – giving them a few less things to worry about.

“Thank you for standing beside children, young people and families when they need it the most.”

Claire Narrie, 32, from Bonnyrigg, has been shielding at home with her husband, John and son Josh (2) for the past three months. Claire said: “Our son Josh has congenital heart disease and chronic lung disease and we have had to shield with him pretty much since he was born.

“Getting the care package was such a help as we didn’t want to risk going out and I was emotional when we got it delivered as it was a real act of kindness. Josh was so excited to open the arts and crafts and it was a real surprise for him. It really helped alleviate the stress we were going through and was a real lifeline which provided us with a link to the outside world.”

An award of £4,500 means that Passion4Fusion can run a series of online learning sessions and virtual classroom sessions for young people from BME communities living in Edinburgh and West Lothian.

Jonathan Ssentamu, Community Development Worker, Passion4Fusion, said: We are delighted that this funding from National Lottery Awards for All will help out community to thrive in Edinburgh and West Lothian.

“The project is being delivered by a group of staff, peer volunteers and young people who are peer leaders and who fully involved in the development and implementation of the programme. We envisage that this project and funding will put smiles again on the faces of BME young people and their families.”

The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Director, Neil Ritch, said: “I’d like to congratulate Edinburgh Hospital Children’s Charity and Passion4Fusion on their funding which has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

“This funding will make a huge difference to the lives of many people and reminds us all how important a package of tailored support can be to improve well-being and keep people connected.”

Working towards economic recovery

Advisory Group report published

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.

The group, led by Benny Higgins, was tasked with recommending solutions to ensure transition towards a greener, net-zero and wellbeing economy, and to advise on measures to address different challenges the economy will face as Scotland recovers from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The group’s 25 recommendations, which will now be considered in detail by the Scottish Government and its partners, include:

an urgent need to access low cost debt requires an accelerated review of the Fiscal Framework, and a significant increase in access to capital investment to support an investment-led recovery
a Scottish jobs guarantee, in partnership between business and government, should be introduced to address unemployment, with refocused skills strategies and decisive steps to align teaching and learning in universities and colleges to the needs of business
prioritisation of sector plans to deliver a green recovery, where the coincidence of emissions reductions, the development of natural capital and job creation are the strongest
critical investment in the country’s digital infrastructure to improve connectivity, reduce inequalities and build the country’s resilience
urgent action to develop a stronger relationship between business and government on the strategy for Scotland’s economic recovery

Ms Hyslop said: “I would like to thank Benny Higgins, the independent Advisory Group members and all who contributed to their work in setting out a route to recovery for Scotland to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.

“Scotland, as with other countries, faces enormous challenges, and we need to all work together as never before to ensure our country emerges through this pandemic with a green economic recovery that has inclusion and wellbeing at its heart.

“We wanted the report to be ambitious and far-reaching, and with this strong and comprehensive set of recommendations this has certainly been achieved.

“The report identifies the importance of employment, the environment, education and equality. I agree that each one of these will be vital as we seek to create a society that is resilient, fair, and one in which everyone has the opportunity to be successful. We will now develop a detailed response to the report which will be published before the end of July.

“This report represents a clear call to action that goes beyond the Scottish Government and the public sector. We will only be able to build the kind of post-COVID-19 recovery we want with the active involvement of the private, cultural and third sectors and, importantly, the public.

“It is therefore vital that everyone continues to work together in the crucial weeks and months to come to deliver the action Scotland needs to recover from the impact of COVID-19.”

Benny Higgins, Chair of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, said: “Scotland faces an economic challenge of monumental scale. If we do not intervene radically to transform our economy, inequalities will drastically widen with long-term scarring for communities across the country, and for our young people in particular. This cannot be allowed to happen.

“The Advisory Group on Economic Recovery has worked at great speed over the past two months, engaging extensively with businesses and with wider civic society to understand the challenges that we face, but crucially to curate a set of recommendations that emphasise the immediate need to protect and create jobs, reduce inequalities by building a green and technology-led recovery, and make Scotland an attractive place to do business.

“To create a robust, resilient wellbeing economy, the public and private sector must now build a new partnership to prioritise and deliver bold action. And they must do so with purpose and urgency.”

Lord Robert Smith of Kelvin, who led the business engagement for the group, said: “It is evident that Scotland faces a lengthy road back to economic recovery and renewal. To succeed this must be led and delivered by the business community with the active support of government.

“I have engaged broadly with the business community over the last two months and there is consistent feedback. Across almost every sector, businesses are exposed to a collapse in demand and profitability, and with the threat of very significant job losses, generations are exposed to chronic economic harm.

“We need to restart the economy, get people back to work across the country, and invest in jobs and businesses that can succeed sustainably. A large part of that will mean securing a significantly enhanced relationship between government and business to ensure that policy and interventions can be delivered practically and with purpose.

“I therefore welcome the speed and conclusions of Benny’s Advisory Group – it has ambition and sets out a clear path for what is needed next for our economy to recover and renew as the restrictions of activity are lifted.”

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Have you seen John?

MISSING PERSON UPDATE – JOHN FOUND ‘SAFE AND WELL’

Police are appealing for the public’s help as part of our efforts to trace a 38 year old man reported missing in Edinburgh. John Glynn (AKA Gee) was last seen in the Leith area on 12th June and there are concerns for his welfare.

John is descried as about 5ft 5 tall, slim build, he normally has a shaved head and a clean shaven face. He has tattoos on his neck onto his arm as far as his elbow, and also has other tattoos on his arms and back.

John would normally wear a blue Stone Island jacket (one he is wearing in the above image), tracksuit and often a cap or hat.

John is almost always on his silver/yellow Giant Talon mountain bike (which is missing from his flat). He has links to the East Lothian area.

Anyone who may have seen John since this time, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1125 of the 19/06/20.

John Glynn has been traced SAFE AND WELL. Police would like to thank the public for their assistance.

Briggs: Unsatisfactory level of Covid-19 testing in Lothian care homes

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs says that the level of Covid-19 testing in care homes still falls well below the level expected.

The latest figures published by the Scottish Government on care home testing shows that 3,345 cumulative tests have been carried out on care home staff, and 2,840 cumulative tests have been carried out and care home residents, as of 14th June.

In Edinburgh and the Lothian only 646 care home staff and 376 care home residents tests were carried out between 8-14 June – despite a promise made last month by SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman that all care home staff would be tested.

Mr Briggs has questioned SNP Ministers commitment to testing, which he has repeatedly expressed his concerns about since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak.

There are an estimated 53,000 care home staff across Scotland.

Conservative Health spokesman Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “SNP Ministers have shown an unsatisfactory approach to testing, since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and testing does not appear to be a central part of the Scottish Governments response to Covid-19.

“The SNP Minister for Health, Jeane Freeman, has shown that she is not committed to her promise last month that all care home staff would be tested.

“The level of testing that has been carried out through Edinburgh and the Lothians has simply not been good enough.

“A deadline must be confirmed for when all Care Home staff will be routinely tested for Covid-19 to keep care home staff and residents safe.”

Famous faces’ farewell to Hermie Heroes!

What do Celtic’s Scott Brown, Hibs’ Martin Boyle, Scotland rugby Captain Stuart Hogg and Blue Peter’s Radzi Have in common?

They have joined BBC’s Dr Ranj Singh, Hibs international female midfielder Joelle Murray, rugby international star Chris Paterson, celebrity chef Tom Kitchin, and Pure radio’s George Galloway in taking part in Hermitage Park Primary School’s leavers assembly!

Due to the pandemic, P7s across the country missed out on their usual last term festivities which they look forward to all year. So kind hearted sports stars and celebrities sent video messages offering good luck and inspiring words to our P7 Hermie Heroes!

Click on https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=1ZKGt-9LlrA

New electric scooter and electric bike store opens on Wednesday

Micromobility developing as Scottish Govt. plans electric scooter trials

17 jobs secured by the Somerset-based business
Local retail, repair and servicing facilities
Stores managed and staffed by local people
Wide range of top brands of ebikes, escooters and accessories

On Wednesday (24 June), the Somerset-based firm Pure Electric will be opening new stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

This is part of an ambitious growth program with 9 other stores opening across the UK in the space of a few days, with European growth plans also being developed.

Peter Kimberley, Chief Executive of Pure Electric: “Our ambition is to be the largest e-bike and escooter retailer in Europe. We’ve got a fantastic team and demand is growing every day. Opening these stores is an important milestone for us.”

The business is the brainchild of former Hargreaves Lansdown pensions director Adam Norris, who launched his escooter business in 2018, before diversifying the company into e-bikes as well this year.

Norris recently handed over the role of CEO to Peter Kimberley but continues to work in the business full time, focusing on its growth strategy, its customer engagement and developing corporate partnerships, including Cycle to Work.

The store openings

The stores have been taken over from the Cycle Republic brand, which was owned by Halfords and which was being closed down. The stores are employing local colleagues who are all former Cycle Republic employees; they will offer a full range of retail, repair and servicing facilities. Pure Electric’s stores will stock a wide range of e-bikes, escooters and accessories from leading manufacturers.

Escooter trials

The store openings coincide with Department for Transport (DfT) consultations to fast-track trials of escooters in towns across the UK.

In response to Covid-19 and the need to introduce transport alternatives to public transport and private cars, the DfT is inviting applications from any town across Britain to operate escooter trials over the next 12 months.

According to the National Transport Survey, 57% of all car journeys are for distances of less than 5 miles and nearly a quarter are under 2 miles.

With public transport compromised due to Covid-19 infection risks. E-bikes and escooters are the perfect alternative for many of these journeys.

Growth plans

Pure Electric is already the UK’s leading e-mobility retailer. The firm is developing a network of stores across the UK, with more to follow. It is also set to open retail outlets across Europe, with stores planned in France and Spain.

Store opening details

Edinburgh: 71 Morrison Street, EH3 8BU

Glasgow: 107 Bothwell Street, G2 6TS

Kicked into the long grass?

Progress has been too slow, Committee warns football authorities

Legislation and external regulation may be the only way to protect the rights of children and young people involved in youth football, a Scottish Parliament Committee has warned.

In a report published today, the Public Petitions Committee welcomed measures introduced by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) since it first raised concerns about unfair contracts and the state of youth football.

However, the Committee has also warned that progress in many areas has been too slow and that systemic issues remain, with over ten years passing since the petition was first lodged in Parliament – making it the longest-running petition in The Scottish Parliament.

While developments such as Club Academy Scotland players now being able to play recreational football, the establishment of a young player wellbeing panel, and the publication of a ‘Child Wellbeing and Protection Strategy’, have demonstrated a commitment to addressing the concerns raised in the petition, the Committee is not satisfied changes have improved child welfare sufficiently.

“The Committee is therefore making a number of recommendations to footballing authorities and the Government.”. It then continues “This includes calling for an independent evaluation of the work which has been carried out, in order to ensure the wellbeing of young players are protected with the possibility of legislation as a last resort”.

Committee recommendations and conclusions include:

That players under the age of 16 should not be required to sign up to multi-year contracts, proposing to extend the one-year registration period for players aged 10-14 to include 15-year-olds;
That there should be an annual sampling of contracts to ensure that young players are being paid the minimum wage, however their club chooses to remunerate them;
That the Government works with the SFA and SPFL to fully evaluate the measures already introduced, as well as to investigate the recommended changes;
That it is incumbent on the Children and Young People’s Commissioner to maintain a clear focus on addressing the outstanding issues raised in this petition, as there appear to be breaches occurring in regard to young people’s human rights in football.

Speaking as the report was published, Committee Convener Johann Lamont MSP, said: “There is a huge power imbalance between football clubs and the young people who aspire to play for them.

“Football is a passion for many young people and an offer to join a club’s youth set up may seem like a golden ticket. However, clubs trading in children’s dreams should not be hiding devils in the detail, such as contractual small print which too many young people and their parents or carers may overlook until it is too late.

“The Committee welcomes some of the measures introduced by the SFA since our consideration of this petition began, but this progress has been painfully slow. After 10 years, the Committee believes that time is up.

“A number of the issues in this petition are not simply about football, but the protection and welfare of our young people. Children under the age of 16 should not be expected to sign exploitative multi-year contracts, and young players should expect to be paid at least the minimum wage for their work.

“We are also concerned that the current Children and Young People’s Commissioner is not prioritising this petition in his office’s work, despite agreeing with his predecessor that issues remain unresolved.

“We believe that the Commissioner’s office still has a critical role to play in ensuring the rights of children involved in youth football are not overlooked.”

First lodged on 11^th March 2010, PE1319 ‘Improving youth football in Scotland’ has become the Parliament’s longest-running petition ever.

More info can be found online by clicking here.

Artisan launches new standards for sustainable homes development

Urban Regeneration Specialist Creates New Design Framework to Boost Low Carbon City Living

Niche homebuilder Artisan Real Estate has launched an ambitious new blueprint for sustainable development, responding to the changing requirements of local people and communities in a post-Covid world.

Smart, energy-efficient building design has been matched with an innovative approach to placemaking and community, introducing such creative concepts as green roofs, ‘edible’ gardens and green transport plans to sensitive city centre environments.

Initially focusing on new homes’ projects in Edinburgh, the plan is geared to achieving low to zero carbon development – as well as creating a more open and landscaped environment to benefit general health and well-being.

Linking closely with the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy which aims to make the city carbon neutral within the next ten years, Artisan is now applying its radical design philosophy to two major developments in the city: Canonmills Garden to the north of the city centre and the recently acquired Rowanbank Gardens in the popular Corstorphine area and currently subject to a planning application.

“The challenges highlighted by the Covid 19 pandemic has accelerated the importance of changing the way we deliver new home development,” said Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Group Development Director.

“We are now very much going above and beyond the existing Council guidelines as outlined in its ‘Future Edinburgh’ strategy. As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, sustainable homes in low car-use locations well-served by public and ‘self-propelled’ transport, we are also envisaging what people want from their living environment, post-Covid 19.

“Significant emphasis is placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.”

Artisan’s Canonmills Garden development, scheduled for completion in early 2021, has pioneered the integration of low and zero carbon generating technology.

This includes a combined heat and power system helping to support building energy loads whilst charging electric vehicles, reducing both building and transport CO2 emissions.

This strategy, combined with well-designed green roof spaces and climate responsive building facades, helps improve and enhance environmental integration, natural light provision and the quality of indoor and outdoor air.

Similar development principles have been applied to the major planning application for 126 new homes at Artisan’s Rowanbank Gardens.

The former care-home site in Corstorphine is set to answer the Council’s requirement for well designed, high density living whilst providing spacious communal areas and well-established public transport links ensuring low car ownership.

The development is designed around a central courtyard garden providing nearly twice the level of open space recommended by council planning policy, filled with fruit trees and communal planting and growing beds. Apartments are designed for open plan living with large windows giving views of the courtyard and the wider area, while green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, insulation and ecology.

Artisan is perhaps best known in Scotland for large-scale city regeneration projects like the award-winning New Waverley, which has transformed the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town.

The developer is now applying the same values and philosophy which has guided the successful design and execution of New Waverley to its residential developments, setting it apart from other major homebuilders in Scotland.

“Remaining true to our urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is building a strong sense of place,” adds Clive Wilding.

“We are specialising in niche urban developments in the most exciting parts of the city centre, creating a high-value premium product for a wide range of homebuyers, including young professionals, families and downsizers.

“Artisan now has an opportunity in Scotland to set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use.

“Our track record in Edinburgh and in Scotland has given us a strong understanding of the importance of high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”

For more information on Artisan’s developments in Scotland and the UK visit: