Category: New Town

Residents confront planning chief over ‘super hostel’

Threat to Georgian crescent from 544-bed venue highlighted by locals

Passionate local people trying to save a historic New Town street from a 544-bed “super hostel” have met face-to-face with one of Scotland’s most senior planning appeal officials.

Residents and neighbours gathered in solidarity on Atholl Crescent as a Reporter from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) carried out a formal site visit yesterday (Tuesday 24 February).

The visit follows the hostel developer’s decision to lodge an appeal directly with the Scottish Government, before local councillors had the opportunity to determine the applications.

Philip Flockhart, director of architects Morris and Steedman Associates and spokesman for residents, said: “When nearly 300 people formally object, and when respected heritage bodies speak of irreversible harm, we would hope that the DPEA will listen.

“This is not about resisting change. It is about proportionality, suitability and the protection of a quiet residential community within a World Heritage Site.”

The proposal would see four Category A-listed Georgian townhouses at 14-17 Atholl Crescent converted into a large-scale budget hostel, accommodating up to 544 guests in dormitory-style pods.

The buildings form part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed New Town. Residents argue the location – a predominantly residential crescent and mews – is wholly unsuited to such an intensive, high-turnover commercial use.

A property audit compiled by the group shows the immediate area remains overwhelmingly residential, with 88 homes compared to just 16 commercial properties. Many homes sit directly adjacent to, behind and opposite the proposed development.

During the site visit the Reporter, Katherine Chorley, was invited to walk the crescent and Atholl Crescent Lane to view first-hand the proximity of established family homes, gardens and mews properties to the proposed hostel entrance, servicing arrangements and rear access.

Residents say their objections are not rooted in opposition to visitors or tourism, but in the real, immediate and seismic impact the development would have on daily life.

Among the concerns raised are:

  • Loss of residential amenity and the erosion of a quiet environment enjoyed by many retired residents.
  • Increased noise and disturbance from a 24-hour, high-occupancy operation.
  • Security and safety risks associated with transient, large-scale accommodation.
  • Pressure on narrow streets and lanes from servicing, deliveries and guest drop-offs.
  • The impact on neighbouring private gardens and the quiet residential street.

Campaigners say there is a stark inconsistency in planning policy. The council tightened restrictions on short-term lets and Airbnbs in residential properties on the grounds of loss of amenity. Objectors argue that approving a 544-bed hostel beside family homes would represent a significant loss of amenity.

Around 280 formal objections were lodged during the planning process, with the proposal attracting opposition from leading heritage and civic bodies.

The Cockburn Association warned the development would cause “substantial and irreversible harm” to the listed buildings. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland raised serious concerns about compatibility with the architectural character of Category A-listed Georgian townhouses.

The West End Community Council, a statutory consultee, objected to the scheme “in both principle and detail,” citing transport impact, infrastructure intrusions and the effect on neighbours.

Philip Flockhart, a conservation architect, added: “This is one of the capital’s finest Georgian crescents – a residential street that has retained its character for more than 200 years.

“To introduce a 544-bed dormitory-style hostel into four interconnected townhouses would represent an intensity of occupation completely at odds with the scale, layout and spirit of these buildings.”

Previously the properties were used as offices for a renowned law firm. Permission has previously been granted to convert the townhouses into 34 apartments. Residents question why claims of commercial viability are now being used to justify a large-scale transient accommodation model instead of housing.

Campaigners say the decision will set an important precedent – not just for Atholl Crescent, but for residential streets across the New Town and West End – and signal if residential life is to be prioritised over transient tourism.

Prior to the appeal being submitted to DPEA, the applications were expected to be considered by elected councillors on the Development Management Sub-Committee.  A decision from the Reporter is now awaited.

 Edinburgh bar slashes pint price by 25% following landmark legislative move

The Green Room West End uses the Scottish Pubs Code to break free from purchasing contracts and now able to stock a wider range of beers

The Green Room West End, one of Edinburgh’s most beloved bars, has become one of the first bars in Scotland to leverage the newly implemented Scottish Pubs Code.

The new legislation, which gives pub owners the chance to ask to just pay a rent without being tied to supply stock from the pub-owning business, means The Green Room West End can now stock a wider range of beers.

Furthermore, it means the iconic bar is able to slash the price of a pint of lager from £6.90 to just £5.20, a saving of 25% for local patrons.

The Scottish Pubs Code, which recently came into force, is intended to create a fairer operating environment between tenants and landlords, reduce costly disputes and help safeguard the future of Scotland’s tied tenanted pubs and bars.

Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, co-owner of The Green Room, commented: “The Scottish Pubs Code is a fantastic initiative, but it is currently a hidden gem that many struggling pub and bar owners across Scotland don’t know about.

“Breaking free from the tie of stock we have to supply has been transformative for us. It also allows us to offer fair, competitive prices to our customers while being able to stock a wider selection of drinks.

“Scotland would have a significantly more vibrant pub and bar culture if knowledge of this law were more widespread. We are seeing venues close every week, if more owners knew they had the right to break these restrictive ties, we would see more businesses surviving, more employees kept in jobs, and more taxes paid into the local economy. This isn’t just about cheaper beer, it’s about the survival of the pub.”

To celebrate the milestone, The Green Room West End will host a ‘Freedom Party’ on Wednesday, 11th February, starting at 4:00 PM.

The event is open to the public and will showcase the bar’s expanded range of beers and its new, lower pricing structure with live music from Edinburgh based musician Haftor Medbøe.

The Green Room West End has shown that the new legislation can provide a vital lifeline for tenants who have felt squeezed by the tied model.

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has launched a new portal designed to help pub tenants navigate the Guest Beer Agreement facet of the code. Tenants and lessees can find the portal at guestbeer.co.uk

The Green Room West End team is ready to share their tips with other publicans, email info@thegreenroomedinburgh.co.uk 

or visit 

https://www.thegreenroomedinburgh.co.uk/about-3. 

Facts about the Scottish Tied Pub Code can also be found using the following links: MRO Guidance and Know your rights.

Happy 15th Anniversary, NEN blog!

NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011

The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:

Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.

For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.

This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media.  We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.

We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.

Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!

The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.

2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.

When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.

Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!

The Yard CEO Awarded OBE for Services to Children and Families

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer of The Yard, a national Scottish charity, has been honoured by the King in the 2026 New Year’s Honours. The OBE for Services to Children and Families marks Celine’s 20th year leading a dynamic team that strives to improve the lives of families in Scotland.

The Yard offers wraparound family support to more than 3600 disabled children and their families from birth to young adulthood from their inspiring and inclusive indoor and outdoor centres in Edinburgh, Fife Glasgow and Dundee. Children can play, grow and connect, while families feel supported, empowered and included and can access a broad range of family supports at point of need, with no diagnosis required.

The Yard’s work includes tailored family support (including 1:1 support), early years sessions, youth clubs, school play sessions, carer respite services, kinship carer support, outreach inclusive play service for children with medically complex needs and a new disability and neurodiversity place-based hub (EDAN) as well as disability inclusion training for professionals.

Celine is driven by personal passion. She found The Yard after her then five-year-old son was diagnosed with autism and she struggled to find places for him to play.

At the time, The Yard was a small community project offering a few play sessions from a rundown centre in Edinburgh and was on the brink of closure. But what started as a personal search grew into a passionate mission.

In 2005, she joined the Board, then stepped into the role of part-time Chief Executive in 2006.

Like many charities, The Yard grew from humble origins. In the early days, The Yard supported around 50 children with three part-time staff and a turnover of £100,000. Today, it supports over 3600 children and families, employs over 80 staff, and has an annual turnover of £3.2 million.

This year, a new centre opened in Glasgow — the fourth after Edinburgh, Fife, and Dundee — marking another milestone in its remarkable growth and reach. In addition, the Dundee service reopened in the Summer after an ambitious transformation, becoming a fully accessible and welcoming space.

Under Celine’s leadership, The Yard has evolved into a national charity that strives to influence policy, pioneer collaborative, transformative models of support, and promote a better understanding of what underpins meaningful inclusion. 

Celine said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the contribution of The Yard model recognised in this way. It has been a chance to reflect on my 20-year career in the third sector and, more importantly, an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful team, paid and volunteers, who make The Yard what it is today.

“Our team provides a vital lifeline for thousands of families with a disabled child each year, who are at increased risk of poverty, isolation, and discrimination. Many of our families tell us that they often struggle emotionally and practically, feeling lost and alone when they learn that their child is on a different developmental path.

“This honour is a tribute to the devotion and commitment of my incredible colleagues, trustees and supporters and a celebration of all that our families achieve. As I absorb this wonderful news, I want to reaffirm my commitment to the sector and the growing number of families who benefit from our care and support.

“As we continue to grow The Yard into a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence across Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow and Fife, I remain fully dedicated to our mission of fostering meaningful inclusion across Scotland.”

Ian Harris, Chair of the Board, said, “We are truly humbled to have Celine’s inspirational and dynamic leadership nationally recognised with an OBE for Services to Children and Families.

“It is also an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the sector and the success of collaborative working with our many supporters and partners. Everyone wants to believe their job makes the world a better place and at The Yard, we know they do.

“Every day we are proud to witness the dedication of our team and what they achieve under Celine’s steerage and look forward to building new partnerships that further support children and families in Scotland.”

For more information, visit www.theyardscotland.org.uk

Sexual assaults in Stockbridge: Man to appear in court on Monday

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with six sexual assaults in Stockbridge and the New Town.

Police received reports of three incidents on the evening of Friday, 12 December, 2025, in the Fettes Row, Inverleith Row and Saxe Coburg Street areas. Three further incidents were reported thereafter in the Dean Bank Lane and Royal Crescent areas.

Following extensive enquiries, a 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 22 December.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “We know these incidents caused concern in the local community and I would like to thank members of the public for their support during our enquiries.”

Singing for Solidarity: North Edinburgh choir at Modern Two today

TODAY (Thursday 18 December), from 1.30pm to 2.00pm, join us and the Greater Pilton Singers for a performance of their specially penned song Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton, surrounded by the Resistance exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two!

Written collaboratively by members from North Edinburgh Arts Art For Grown Ups Project and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group – also with musician and activist Penny Stone – the choir created a gentle yet mighty protest song, evoking nostalgia and hope.

As well as their own anthem, they will perform a couple of classic soul and activism songs. The song has been developed as part of the Resistance outreach programme, which has culminated in the exhibition Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh at the Portrait Gallery until 30 April 2026.

PICTURES: CRAIG MACLEAN

Appeal for witnesses following sexual assaults in Stockbridge area

POLICE are appealing for information following three sexual assaults in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh last Friday (12 December).

Around 5.20pm on Fettes Row, a woman was approached from behind by a man who sexually assaulted her and made sexual comments.

Around 5.30pm on Inverleith Row, a woman was walking her dog when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then walked down Inverleith Row towards Dundas Street.

A short time later, a woman was walking past Stockbridge church on Saxe Coburg Street when a man approached her, sexually assaulted her and exposed himself.

Officers believe the same man to have been involved in these incidents. He is described as being of Asian appearance, aged between 25 and mid-30s, of slim build, around 5ft 8in, with light facial hair.

He was wearing a khaki or brown coloured coat and carried a backpack.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “I understand incidents like these cause concern in the local community, but we are carrying out extensive enquiries and doing everything we can to trace the man responsible.

“I would ask anyone who was in those areas on Friday evening and who may have witnessed something to get in touch. If you remember seeing a man matching the description, contact us.”

Chief Inspector Ran MacDonald, Local Area Commander, said: “I want to reassure that there will be an increased visible police presence in the local area as officers carry out enquiries. Anyone with any concerns should approach officers without hesitation, as they are there to help.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 2889 of 12 December.

Photography competition to kick off 30th birthday celebrations for Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site

Residents and visitors are invited to enter a photography competition, launched to celebrate Edinburgh’s 30 years on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The competition is being run by the partners who look after the site: Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH), Historic Environment Scotland (HES), and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Entries will be grouped into twelve categories, each celebrating a particular value of Scotland’s capital city. The winning photograph in each category will become part of a year-long calendar, which will be sold on Historic Scotland sites and at Edinburgh World Heritage events to raise money for the Trust.

The over-all winner will take price of place on the front cover of the calendar and will receive a one-year membership for Historic Scotland, who run top-rated visitor attractions all over the country.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were first inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995, where they were recognised as one of the most extraordinary urban landscapes in the world. With its division into Old and New Town, Edinburgh is a remarkable example of urban growth, showcasing two distinct but equally significant styles of city planning.

Photography enthusiasts will have until October 2026 to submit their work showcasing Edinburgh in all its glory across the seasons. The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers, using any camera or device.

The entries will be judged by Tom Duffin, a professional photographer who specialises in showcasing Edinburgh’s heritage; Neil Hanna, a multi-award-winning photographer with over 35 years of experience; and Jane Bradley, celebrated Arts and Culture Correspondent at the Scotsman.

Terry Levinthal, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: “Edinburgh is a city of matchless qualities.  It is a city of contrasts; of distant prospects and intimate details; a city of old and new; a place to be admired and be lived in.  

“These very picturesque qualities make it the perfect subject for photography.  To mark 30 years since inscription, we hope that everyone will be inspired to share their favourite views, details, buildings and places with us, so that we can share them with others.”

James Bruhn, Head of World Heritage and Heritage Policy at HES, said: “When a place is inscribed on the World Heritage List, that is by no means the end of the story.

“Edinburgh is a living, breathing place, and we are excited to support this competition and give local photographers the chance to capture Edinburgh’s unique beauty and win a membership to visit historic sites across the country.”

Cllr Joan Griffiths Planning Convener said: “I’d encourage everyone with an interest in photography to help us celebrate this significant milestone for the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site by entering the competition for a chance to be part of this exciting calendar.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the results.

“It’s a huge accolade to hold World Heritage Status and it’s extra challenging for a living, breathing city. We look after the Site with our partners and it’s important to us to make sure our residents from across the city feel a sense of ownership and belonging to the Site.

“The competition and resulting calendar is a great opportunity for people to reflect on what the Site means for them through their art as well as what they find special or feel proud of in this internationally renowned part of the Capital.”

The twelve categories for which applicants can submit their photographs are:

  1. Medieval Old Town
  2. Neo-classical New Town
  3. Gardens and open spaces
  4. Urban planning/street layout
  5. Topography and skyline
  6. Public and commercial monuments
  7. Conservation
  8. Layering of heritage
  9. Architectural detail
  10. Graveyards
  11. Juxtaposition
  12. The Living City

To learn more about the competition and prepare to take the perfect shot, visit this document.

Eduardo Paolozzi’s Master of the Universe finds its new home outside Scotland’s National gallery

Having lived at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two since the early 2000’s, a triumphant effort has seen the sculpture travel through the city to its new location at the National.

Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We wanted to bring the art outdoors and into the gardens at the National to spotlight that we are a gallery from the moment people arrive in the gardens.

“We wanted it to welcome people in and to show a snapshot of the incredible Scottish art on offer inside. Paolozzi seemed like a perfect choice for this spot, he was very much an artist who looked to the past as well as to the future, which is very much what we are about at the National Galleries of Scotland.

“He was also from Edinburgh, which seemed very fitting as he will now be looking out over the city and facing towards his hometown of Leith.’

Taking two days and extensive pre-planning to move the impressive one tonne sculpture, it called on expertise inside and outside the gallery to make it possible. Requiring the skills of curators, conservators, collections management, specialist movers with specialist kit including a crane and gimble to get the statue in position.

Master of the Universe is based on a famous drawing by William Blake, which shows the scientist Isaac Newton. Paolozzi used the same pose as in the Blake drawing but has mechanised the figure. 

The artist also fashioned it to put himself in the picture, creating himself as the sculpture. Interested in the relationship between nature, science and the man made, Paolozzi brought all of this together to create Master of the Universe.

Visit National Galleries Scotland: National to see Master of the Universe and lots of other free art, including the greatest collection of Scottish art in the world.

Co-op Corner Café pops up to celebrate the power of community and co-operation amid high street decline

  • Co-op Corner Café will open at Coffee Saints, 2a Little King St, Edinburgh EH1 3AR on Thursday 16th October 09.30 – 17.00
  • New YouGov research for the Co-op reveals:
    • 76% of people in Scotland say that their local high street has declined over the last few years
    • 4 in 5 believe their community “would lose part of its identity” without local shops

Co-op is bringing its special blend of co-operation and community to Edinburgh on Thursday 16th October with the pop up of the Co-op Corner Café.

Hosted at Coffee Saints on Little King Street, the event invites members and the wider public to discover how co-operation can help revitalise local high streets and strengthen community spirit.  

Part of Co-op’s On Your Corner, In Your Corner campaign, the event will be packed with fun and engaging activities, designed to spark conversations about the benefits of co-operatives and the role of local businesses in creating thriving neighbourhoods and helping the people that live there thrive too.

Open to both members and non-members, there will be the opportunity to understand more about the wide-ranging social, economic and ownership benefits of membership and how it shapes the future of the Co-op.

Guests can enjoy free Fairtrade tea and coffee, sample and feedback on new food innovations and even enter to win tickets to a hamper.

The event will also spotlight local and community-owned businesses including Scotmid Co-op, West Granton Housing Co-op and West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust, showing how businesses built on shared values can deliver positive change.

Co-op’s own team members will be in attendance, including Jess Clarke, Democratic Services & Engagement Manager. Jess said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting our members and the wider community in Edinburgh.

“Being at the heart of local life is a real privilege and we want to show how co-operation can help address some of the challenges facing high streets today. It’s sure to be a fun and thought-provoking day – and a great chance for members to tell us how we can do even more to support Edinburgh’s communities.”

On Your Corner, In Your Corner is part of Co-op’s Social Value Strategy – a commitment led by 6.9 million active member-owners to stand firm on climate, opportunity and community.

Since 2016, the Co-op Local Community Fund has shared over £480,000 with 216 community projects across the City of Edinburgh, supporting people to connect, access opportunities and thrive together.

Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years. Its members own the business and play an intrinsic part in the governance of the organisation.

Co-op is on track to its ambition of growing to eight million members by 2030.

Further information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available at coop.co.uk/membership

For more information about the pop-up cafés and to find local events, visit coopmemberevents.uk