Hi, Friends group members and supporters,
Recent meetings and discussions with architects developing new plans for Granton’s Waterfront have gone really well, with fresh hope for the walled gardens future restoration instead of another housing development. The timescale we have before the developers make a choice determining the gardens future use is short – 5th October Senior Management team meeting.
The council owned developers Waterfront Edinburgh Limited have until now insisted on housing in the garden as the best option, but we have been invited to make a presentation to show a viable horticultural alternative!
The garden is quite overgrown and neglected now as many aerial shots display (see above), but we feel it has great potential and a unique history as the oldest structure on Granton’s Waterfront. Who knows what archaeology lies hidden beneath its rich soil?
Our committee decided at the end of August monthly meeting to take action quickly and focus our efforts.
We now have cross party support from local MSP’s, community councils, many local community groups and other expert organisations for the safeguarding of the walled garden from unnecessary housing development. Follow the link below from the wordpress site displays some of the images from the last month, recent meetings and unexpected breaking news this week.
The petitions committee meets TODAY at 2pm in the City Chambers: we hope to represent the views of the Friends Group members and supporters despite the short notice given of the petition hearing tomorrow.
Below is the outline plan we have drafted showing the possible uses of the 2 acre garden. Outline design below is based on the survey results from the Friends Group ideas questionnaire, the topography, aspect and historic features of the walled garden.
Our committee had an enthusiastic emergency meeting last week led by Ellie to draft the survey ideas into an outline plan for the restored garden. We hope this news finds you well and that more positive news and future events will follow.
As ever please get in touch if you would like to attend our monthly meetings, or weekly community gardening dropins. Feel free to pop by the city chambers today at 2pm if you have the time – moral support and some positive energy welcome!
Next Friends Group meeting likely to be at the end of Sept, date, time and venue tba
Best wishes,
Kirsty Sutherland
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Postal Address
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden
c/o North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh
EH4 4TZ
