Granton – Page 6 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Edinburgh developers move a mountain to tackle homelessness

More than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material recycled to provide firm foundations for Edinburgh’s new Social Bite Village

A man-made mountain of more than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material has been transported across Edinburgh as part of an innovative scheme to provide a long-term solution for people facing homelessness.

The mammoth operation saw almost 100 truckloads of inert building rubble recycled from a city centre development site to form the foundations of a new Social Bite Village, located along the capital’s Granton waterfront.

Charity Social Bite teamed up with regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate to relocate building material which remained following the demolition of the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road (above), making way for Artisan’s spectacular homes-led redevelopment of the site in 2026.

The recycled rubble is now being used to create level groundwork as part of the ongoing construction of the Social Bite Village which will soon become home for up to 16 people who have been affected by homelessness.

The new waterfront community will provide seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’, together with existing homes converted into single occupancy based on resident feedback. The new community will also include a communal area for residents to cook, gather and relax, together with gardens and space to grow fruit and vegetables.

“This is a superb example of how clever collaboration in the building industry can help improve the world around us,” says Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater.

“As part of Artisan’s stated commitment to sustainability, we always ensure that as much material as possible can be reused or recycled following demolition. And for this commitment to allow us to help such a life-empowering movement as the creation of a new Social Bite Village means that this really is a perfect development partnership.”

The new Social Bite Village is a relocation of the existing temporary village site, less than one mile away in Granton. The charity’s Edinburgh village model has so far helped more than 100 residents who, at the end of their stay, are supported in transitioning to permanent accommodation. Many have gone on to secure employment, reconnect with family, and move into their own permanent homes.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, adds: “It’s very exciting to see our new project taking shape on a stunning seafront location, and we are delighted to be partnering with Artisan to provide such a firm foundation for the site.

“The success of the Edinburgh Village serves as a blueprint for other projects that we are planning. Its design offers people affected by homelessness, living in unsupported temporary accommodation or other insecure housing, a safe and supportive community in which to find a fresh start.

“With many cities all over the UK declaring housing emergencies and becoming overly reliant on expensive, substandard temporary accommodation, we are proud that our village projects can demonstrate a better alternative that also makes use of innovative construction methods.”

Artisan will start construction of its Ferry Road site, known as 525 Park View (above) in early 2026, in partnership with REInvest Asset Management S.A.

The development will create a low-carbon residential-led community providing 256 sustainable homes, 25% of which will be for affordable housing.

Flexible commercial space facing on to Ferry Road will provide potential for cafes, shops and shared workspaces.

Granton Youth Clubs back next week

GRANTON YOUTH at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE

Our Youth Clubs return next week and we’ve adjusted the timings on Mondays EVER so slightly to allow our team more time to make sure we are delivering the best groups possible!

We’re looking forward to welcoming the 330+ young people we have worked with so far this term and of course, yourself if you are interested in joining us!

Please see our posters for details on the youth clubs you can attend!

As always, our full provision, info on our team, and up to date news are all listed at www.grantonyouth.com and you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X for regular updates!

(PLEASE NOTE Pitt Groups are not back until 27th January and we will announce this in a separate post)

GY x

#grantonyouth

#grantonyouthclubs2026

#grantonyouthmixtapeclub

Winter Gathering at Granton Castle Walled Garden

🍎 WASSAILING at GRANTON CASTLE WALLED GARDEN

🍎 SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 1 – 3pm

Join us in the orchard for our annual Wassailing: a joyful winter gathering to sing, share, and mark the turning of the year together.

Led by Penny Stone, we’ll sing traditional and contemporary wassailing songs, spend time outdoors, and celebrate the season as a community. Apple-based food and drinks will be available by donation.

All are very welcome — whether you come to sing along, listen, or simply enjoy the atmosphere!

Wrap up warm and come celebrate winter with us

#Wassailing

#GrantonCastleWalledGarden

Every Meal Matters: Support Empty Kitchens Full Hearts Winter Appeal

SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY’s WORK in 2026

On Friday, we hosted our Christmas Community Lunch – complete with Christmas ham, honey roast veg and of course some Christmas crackers

But a community lunch is not just for Christmas! We host a community lunch for 50 local people every Friday here in Granton, encouraging people to enjoy good food together.

Next week, our team will still be cooking, packing and delivering meal packs to people in need across Edinburgh

We know Christmas can be a difficult time of year – with greater pressure on finances and many people feeling socially isolated. Each meal pack tells a person that someone is thinking of them this Christmas.

If you’d like to support our work in 2026, please donate to our Winter Appeal

Donate: https://tinyurl.com/mssm3xtu

Our community lunch returns for 2026 on the 2nd of January.

Please note that there is no community lunch on Friday the 26th of December.

Edinburgh community groups share more than £25K funding boost from Co-op’s Local Community Fund

Edinburgh community groups have shared in a more than £25,000 funding boost from Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

The focus of Co-op’s Local Community Fund is on enabling communities to thrive, supporting local groups and causes to make a difference locally through their work to either: provide access to food; improve mental wellbeing; create opportunities for young people; promote community cohesion and, build more sustainable futures.

More than a dozen causes have benefitted – with celebrations events taking place in local Co-op stores in recent weeks – cause include: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (£3,017); 106A City of Edinburgh Rainbows and Brownies (£1,502); Branch Out Together – prev. Lothian Autistic Society (£2,657); Caledonian Thebans RFC (£1,282); Capella Charity (£1,340) ; Corstorphine Community Centre (£2,165); Empty Kitchens Full Hearts (£2,925); Hays Pantry (£2,052); Teapot Trust (£1,574); The Dove Centre (£2,442) and the 46th Edinburgh and Lothian Girls’ Brigade (£1,188).

Co-op is committed to making a difference in the communities it serves, and its members have a say how the fund is shared between local causes, simply by choosing a community group close to their hearts via Co-op’s Membership App.

Nearly 40,000 unique projects have been supported in communities across the UK since the fund began in 2016.

David Luckin, Head of Social Value & Community Engagement, Co-op, said: “Local causes make a huge difference in communities across the UK. As a co-operative, our members have a say in where and how our profits are shared, and our funding enables local groups to deliver projects that focus on the needs of local communities and, the issues affecting people’s lives.

“We know that things are increasingly challenging for local causes, and we are told that our funding makes a real difference – we are focussed on helping people and communities thrive.”

Around 9.5m people (almost one in seven of the UK population) have benefitted directly from Co-op’s Local Community Fund since the fund started in 2016, with nearly 40,000 unique projects supported UK-wide during the period.

The benefits to community groups also extend beyond the funding support, with more than nine-in-10 causes (94%) saying that they felt more connected with their community as a result of participating in Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back more than 180 years.

The Co-op exists to create value for its membership and communities, and members can view current local causes and choose a community project close to their own heart via the Co-op membership app.

Anchor shootings: Webley murderer jailed for life

A gunman who murdered a gangland rival outside a Granton pub on Hogmanay 2023 has been jailed for life.

Grant Hunter, 34, shot Marc Webley outside the Anchor Inn just before midnight on New Year’s Eve two years ago.

Hunter pleaded guilty to murdering Webley and attempting to murder a second man, Stuart Pearson, who was also shot but survived his injuries. Hunter will serve a minimum of 26 years for the crime but was told he may never be released.

Hunter approached Marc Webley and Stuart Pearson outside the pub, where he produced a gun and fired four shots at the men. Stuart Pearson was injured but Marc Webley died from his injuries in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Jailing Hunter for a minimum of 26 years, Judge Lord Mulholland said: “You fired four shots which showed beyond any doubt that you wanted him dead.

“You shot another man who could have came to his aid which shows further intent.

“It is blatantly sinister that you wanted your victim to see your face which is an aggravating factor. In doing so you removed your mask and this was your undoing as the police knew you and people knew you which led to your swift arrest.

“The public are grateful to the police and forensic scientists for bringing you to justice.

“Gangsterism is not acceptable in a civilised society – this is a civilised society. The public will not put up with this gangsterism and the courts will not put up with it.

“Anyone going to court for carrying out this type of criminality can expect a lengthy prison sentence.

“As I said to you previously, this is not Chicago of the 1930s. Scotland is a civilised place without tolerance for gangsterism.

“You have left a mother without a son and two boys without a father. Your cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

Functional Fungi: Mycobee Anniversary event on 20 December 🎉

Mycobee turns 6 years old – celebrate with us!

Join MycoBee Mushrooms CIC and discover the power of functional mushrooms and their benefits for our well-being. Explore, learn, and try some mushroom tea.

All events are free to join. To book your place, email Mycobee stating the date and time of the event you would like to book: info@mycobee.org.

20 December, 1-3 pm at Granton Castle Walled Garden

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#freeeventsinedinburgh

Scottish Government ministers visit Social Bite village

Màiri McAllan and Maree Todd applaud homelessness charity’s supported accommodation as an exemplary alternative to temporary accommodation

Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Màiri McAllan, and Minister of Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Maree Todd, visited leading homelessness charity, Social Bite’s pioneering supported accommodation village in Edinburgh yesterday to explore the model and discuss its success in breaking the cycle of homelessness, addressing addiction issues and reducing social isolation.

Accompanied by Social Bite founder Josh Littlejohn MBE and Cyrenians CEO Ewan Aitken, the ministers were given a tour of the village including a look inside one of the innovative nest houses which, since launching in 2018, have helped break the cycle of homelessness for almost 100 people.

One of three Social Bite Villages currently in progress in Scotland, discussions centered around the models as an excellent alternative to temporary accommodation, their track record in helping people leave homelessness behind for good, and their impact in addressing addiction issues.

The Ministers applauded the charity’s innovative approach and its ambition to scale the projects country-wide to help as many people as possible out of homelessness and addiction, build independence and gain safe and secure housing and employment.

The charity called upon the ministers to look at the current welfare and temporary accommodation systems in the UK and to work together with them to back the bespoke village model as a viable and effective way of meeting the needs of people across Scotland. There were also discussions around how more cross-portfolio working between housing, homelessness, health and addictions policy-makers, could truly make the difference for people with addictions in Scotland.

Josh Littlejohn said: “I’m grateful to Màiri McAllan and Maree Todd for taking time to visit the Edinburgh Social Bite Village. It was brilliant to discuss the ways we can better support people who are facing homelessness and to have the opportunity to explore the challenges around access to recovery facilities, as we gear up to submit our planning application for a village in Dundee.

“We have called for backing from both ministers to help us scale our tried and tested Village model across the country, and hope they will be able to show continued support as we work with our partners to find appropriate solutions to preventing homelessness and addiction.”

Danielle, who lived in the Edinburgh Village in 2022, shared some of her experience: “The Village gave me stability, it has a calming atmosphere – it was the first place I could call home since childhood.

“I owe so much to Social Bite, to the Village, and everyone who helped me along the way while living there and beyond.”

Ewan Aitken, Chief Executive of Cyrenians, said: “The Social Bite village is the epitome of a public health approach to homelessness, relying on partnership between two charities, and the experience of those with lived experience, to provide a service which is truly tailored to the needs of the people who use it.

“I was delighted to be able to meet both the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol and the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, using the village as an example of the kind of collaborative approach that we need to across the public, private and third sector.

“Because if we are to truly tackle homelessness and drugs and alcohol harm, we need to understand how those two problems intersect and how we can all work together to combat them.”

The Village will soon undergo a move from its current site to a new site in Granton, where it will continue to house up to 16 people who have experienced homelessness. The new location will bring with it a refresh of the Hub, the communal area for villagers to cook, gather and relax, and the introduction of seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’ which have been re-designed and improved, following resident feedback.

Charity partner and fellow homelessness prevention organisation, Cyrenians, will continue to deliver round-the-clock support.

Cyrenians has been a key part of Social Bite’s work in supporting the reintegration of people into the community by helping residents to develop skills and confidence.

For more information on the Edinburgh Village, visit: https://www.social-bite.co.uk/what-we-do/the-edinburgh-social-bite-village/

Friends of Granton Castled Walled Garden: Winter Break

The garden will remain closed between 19 December and 5 January.*

Our last volunteering session of the year will take place on 19 December, and we will be welcoming volunteers again through our gates on 5 January.

If you would like to visit the garden and are not a volunteer, our visiting hours are 1-3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Last chance to visit this year is on 14 December. We are looking forward to seeing you again on 10 January.

Wishing you all a lovely festive season.

*This does not affect the event run by Mycobee Mushrooms on 20 December. It will still happen as advertised.

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts: Community Meal TODAY

Menu for Friday the 12th of December

We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you today. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu today:

Tomato and root veg soup
Fish pie with veg
Pea and lemon bites
Chocolate and coconut slice

Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens.

And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out! Do come along and enjoy.

Thank you!