Work gets underway this week to improve safety at various locations on Leith Walk, including what is believed to be the first installation in Scotland of a particular kind of cycleway delineators. Continue reading New road safety works begin on Leith Walk this week
An ambitious 94 affordable homes project, which is creating a new community at Edinburgh’s Leith Fort, has been shortlisted for a trio of awards.
The £11.5 million housing development which is co-owned by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) is in the running for the forthcoming RICS, RIAS and Homes for Scotland awards which will take place later this year.
The homes are built on the former 18th century Leith Fort site and welcomed residents last year.
Sixty two of the colony style properties are owned by PoLHA for mid-market rent, with 32 units owned by the City of Edinburgh Council for social rent.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, said:“We’re thrilled to have helped to restore this area to its former glory and to have created a neighbourhood where people want to live and to set down their roots.
“We are very proud of this successful modern interpretation of the Edinburgh colonies which has brought much needed high quality, affordable housing for families in Leith and North Edinburgh. We’re delighted it has been shortlisted for three industry awards, providing great recognition for us and our partners.”
The new properties have been modelled on the Edinburgh colonies concept and are a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. A feature of this development is that all homes have access to private south west facing gardens.
The main contractor was CCG (Scotland) Ltd and the development was funded by PoLHA, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government.
Cllr Kate Campbell, Housing and Economy Convener, said: “The Council and Port of Leith set out to deliver modern, affordable homes on the historic Leith Fort site but the development has created so much more than housing.
“It has community spirit right at its heart and it is great to see so many award nominations coming in. Our aim is to deliver 20,000 affordable and low cost homes in the next decade bringing prosperity to every person in every neighbourhood.”
Nicola McLachlan, Project Architect, Collective Architecture, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Port of Leith Housing Association, The City of Edinburgh Council and the local residents within Leith. The project heralds an exciting time in Leith’s rich history and plays an important role in stitching the Fort back into the community – both physically and socially – and encourages positive interaction between neighbours.
“It is wonderful to see that the residents are already making their own mark within the community and flourishing within their new homes.
“I am delighted to see how well the restrained palette of materials and careful detailing sits calmly within its context. Everyone involved with the project has worked collaboratively with the client group to ensure these homes stand the test of time; their skills and experience shine through within the project.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted knife-point robbery at a bookmakers on Easter Road. Continue reading Appeal after attempted robbery at Easter Road bookmakers
There’s another opportunity to examine the council’s proposals to extend the tram line to Newhaven this week. The event takes place on Thursday at Leith Community Education Centre from 3 – 9pm. Continue reading Tram consultation rolls on to Leith Community Centre
Police in Edinburgh have arrested six people after over £13,000 worth of Class A drugs and cash were seized in the Leith area. Continue reading Six arrests following Leith drugs find
The next #TramsToNewhaven public information event takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 3 April) at McDonald Road Library from 10am – 4pm. Continue reading Trams to Newhaven? Have your say at McDonald Road Library tomorrow
Leith projects share £118,000 in local Participatory Budgeting initiative
The following projects have received a funding award following the £eith Chooses 2018 participatory budgeting initiative run by Leith’s community councils with the support of the city council:
SMALL GRANTS (up to £500) The sum awarded is what the project group applied for
Leithers Don’t Litter – Good Clean Fun – £500
CLASP Seniors Tea Party – £500
Cleaning Up Restalrig Road – £500
Help Scouts go Camping – £500
Art Outside the Police Box – £500
The Big Brunch – towards a shared vision of Childcare – £500
Family Fun Street Games and Dance – £500
See Me Portrait Project – £485
Taobh Na Pairce Film Making Workshop – £500
Choose Happiness – £475
Leith Fort Residents Community Group – £500
MEDIUM GRANTS (up to £5,000)
Hidden Door Festival – involving the local community – £4,515
Tailor Ed Foundation – £1,959
Leith Primary Parent Council – Trim Trail – £5,000
All Together Charity Shop – Skills Training – £4,450
Leith Community Cinema – accessible screenings – £3,000
Invisible Cities – Street Barber project – £1,255
Mustard Seed – Soul Food Easter Road – £4,475
Leith Late – A Wall is a Screen – £3,500
Dr. Bells Family Centre – Summer Programme – £5,000
St. Mary’s Primary – Bike Shelter & Scooter Rack – £2,152
Leith FAB Cricket Club – all weather artificial pitch – £4,656
Beyond Gender – LGBT+ Creative Writing – £4,038 (partial funding)
LARGE GRANTS (up to £10,000)
Leith DIY Skateparks – extending skateboarding facilities for all – £9,000
Leith Theatre Trust – Thomas Morton Hall equipment – £10,000
The Edinburgh Tool Library – accessible Leith – £9,690
Creative Electric – art and performance with various groups – £10,000
Projekt 42 – yoga, youth fitness, summer bootcamp – £9,994
Citadel Youth Centre – Citadel Connect – £8,980
Out of the Blue – Meanwhile…in Leith Hub – £9,613
Scottish Historic Buildings / Leith Heritage Trail Group – £1,223 (partial funding)
In-person card voting took place at Leith Community Centre on 3 March, and local people could also vote online voting from 3-17 March.
A face to face feedback discussion session is now being planned to facilitate interaction between participants, identify issues, share suggestions for improvement, and generate new ideas.
Looking for a family friendly Easter activity? Take on the Generation Hibs themed Easter Hunt this Friday in the Leith area between 10:00am and 4:00pm!
The club is welcoming everyone to take on all or part of the Easter Hunt challenge for the chance to win 4 Hospitality tickets to a post split match along with other small prizes. Additionally, the first 10 participants to go to all 8 locations and check into Easter Road Stadium will win a prize. Participants do not need to go to every location to be entered into the grand prize pool, however each location completed by a participant will increase their chances of winning.
Click HERE for more information about this event as well as the terms and conditions.
Continue reading Creative Me: Ocean Terminal art exhibition marks Scottish Autism’s 50th anniversary
A Special Olympic Games in Stirling, storytelling workshops for visually impaired people in Glasgow and a cultural festival in Edinburgh are amongst a range of events set to go ahead thanks to a National Lottery boost of £767k announced today.
The funding comes from National Lottery Awards for All Scotland which makes grants from £300 to £10,000 to voluntary and community groups across the country.
Among the projects funded today:
An Awards for All spokesperson said: “Today we are announcing over £767,000 that will help communities across Scotland to set up and develop projects run for and by local people.
“What is clear is that the smallest amount of funding can often make the biggest difference to people’s lives. All of these grants are a great way to show the variety of projects that can be funded through National Lottery Awards for All.”
National Lottery Awards for All Scotland is now more straightforward to apply to and faster to get funding from. Applications are received on a rolling basis and can be received at any time.
To find out what National Lottery Awards for All Scotland could do for your community telephone 0300 123 7110 or visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/awardsforallscotland
