THE owners of the Cameron House resort on the banks of Loch Lomond have unveiled plans for a multi-million pound new development in North Edinburgh.
About 120 jobs will be created when the De Vere Group opens its first venture in the capital on the site of an empty office block at Crewe Toll.
An Artists impression of how the new site will look.
It will be a major boost for the city’s tourism industry, which has seen a number of major hotel schemes either delayed or put on hold in recent years.
The £20 million De Vere development will feature a 120-room hotel, a health and leisure complex and a conference centre. Facilities will include a 20-metre swimming pool, a restaurant, bar and Starbucks cafe.
The company is asking Edinburgh City Council for permission to build 270 parking spaces at the site due to its expected popularity.
It will be one of 15 new “village urban resorts” the company is planning to add to its 63 existing sites across Britain.
The site at Crewe Toll, will replace Helix House, an office complex that dates back to 1987 but has been lying empty for several years.
Robert Cook, chief executive of De Vere Village Urban Resorts, said: “Edinburgh is a high- priority location for us and we are very excited to be bringing this concept to the city.
The building is currently empty and has been for some time. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
“The selected site is prominently located in North Edinburgh. The redundant office building on site, Helix House, has been vacant for many years and is becoming something of an eyesore.
“Our new Edinburgh village urban resort will be a positive landmark building in this prominent location.”
De Vere has already begun talks with the city council about the development, set to be next to the Edinburgh headquarters of finance firm State Street.
Local Councillor Iain Whyte said “”The De Vere Group proposal for a hotel at Crewe Toll is a welcome investment in the area that should bring local jobs and will reuse a site that is currently empty. It could make a major impact and revitalise a rather sterile corner of the ward adjacent to the roundabout.
I am conscious that there is the possibility of concerns for nearby residents as a hotel is likely to require a liquor license. I very much hope that De Vere will consult local people properly to ensure that anypotential concerns are addresed in advance.”
Ian Kettlewell, associate director of planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield, said: “This exciting new development will regenerate an important and prominent site, removing a building that has been vacant for a number of years.
“The new village urban resort will create 120 new jobs, offering significant training opportunities and boost to the local economy, as well as further jobs during the construction phase,”
Ward Councillor Gavin Barrie said “This appears at first sight to be a welcome proposal to develop a sites here currently a vacant and decaying building stands but proper cognisance of the wishes and thoughts of the local community must besought before any decisions are made.”
Major hotel projects delayed in Edinburgh in recent years include Caltongate, near Waverley Station, one earmarked for a site next to Haymarket Station, the former Royal High School and the site of the St James Centre.
CORE (Community Organisation for Racial Equality) has closed. Members voted last night to dissolve the organisation, but there’s hope that something can be salvaged from ashes of the old BCDP …
It started raining at lunchtime and it simply didn’t stop. It rained and it rained and it was still raining when around sixty CORE members, supporters and service users trooped in to Royston Wardieburn to deliver the coup de grace to an organisation that has been an important feature of North Edinburgh community life for 17 years. The mood matched the miserable weather as CORE – like North Edinburgh Trust (NET, formerly Pilton Partnership) and North Edinburgh News (NEN) before it – became the latest casualty of funding cuts.
Facing funding shortfalls, dramatically decreasing reserves and a serious pension deficit (for which individual committee members could be held liable), four office bearers – all volunteers – have battled to save the organisation since May, but they were finally forced to bow to the inevitable and admit defeat.
Chairman Fernando Almeida Diniz said: “It is not just one thing, but a combination of events, decisions and circumstances that have brought about this unhappy day. There is no one reason, and no individual, to blame, but there is one key message – the sole factor that triggered CORE’s closure is financial. We have looked at all options, and sadly there is no alternative.”
Development worker Adil Ibrahim stayed on to support CORE as a volunteer when trouble hit the organisation, and Adil and former chairperson Mariam Gallander made a brief presentation on CORE’s activities over both the last twelve months and some other recent successful initiatives; a final opportunity to reflect on an illustrious past.
It was left to Honorary Chairman Daniel Onifade to go through the formality of the vote to dissolve the organisation. With no other viable options available, members voted 20 – 3 with one abstention to close CORE, and at 7.20pm the organisation was formally dissolved. Mr Onifade said: “I have known, and been involved with, the organisation since before the Black Community Development Project was born, so this is an extremely sad day for us all.”
However there are hopes that all that was good about CORE can be retained; through existing organisations and agencies or perhaps even through a new group. During a discussion session chaired by Forth councillor Vicki Redpath, city council equalities chief Nick Croft said: “We could spend time talking about what went wrong – quite bluntly, Edinburgh lost out to the West of Scotland when it came to employability funding, and CORE’s application was not the best – but I think it’s more important that we build on the positive energy that has been generated this evening to ensure that we build services to meet the local community’s needs.”
That ‘positive energy’ produced a ‘transition group’ of six volunteers which will work with council officers and other agencies to ensure gaps in provision for the black and minority ethnic community are addressed short-term and that any new services are designed to meet both their needs and those of the wider community too. Royston Wardieburn will initially become a ‘hub’ for these activities while evaluation work is ongoing, and voluntary organisations – both local and city-wide – have also offered their support. An initial meeting of interested parties will take place within two weeks.
So yes, a sad evening – but an evening with some positives too. And leaving the meeting, the rain had stopped.
Stockbridge traders and residents have vowed to fight Edinburgh Academicals’ latest plans to upgrade their Raeburn Place home. The rugby club wants to build a new 5000 spectator venue – but it’s their plans to add up to nine retail units as part of the redevelopment that’s causing consternation in Stockbridge.
The club has been tried unsuccessfully to upgrade it’s situation for ten years now. Edinburgh Accies and Festival Inns finally got planning permission in 2005 following a three year planning impasse but that development fell through. Then in 2010 new plans were tabled for a clubhouse and 52 bed hotel but these also came to nothing.
The latest plans for a ‘sensitive redevelopment’ would see a modern sports centre with boutique-style outlets fronting on to Comely Bank Road, with a series of clubhouse suites and function rooms as well as tiers of seats constructed above the units to face on to the pitches. A new rugby museum would also be created in adjacent Portgower Place.
At a packed public meeting organised by Stockbridge Inverleith Community Council to discuss the plans on 18 July, Edinburgh Accies insisted their latest proposals are necessary to secure the club’s future, but assurances that the club will work with the local community were dismissed by some participants as ‘pure spin’ The packed meeting in LifeCare House was clearly divided on the club’s plans – many are in favour but just as many seem implacably opposed.
Frank Spratt, executive chairman of Accies, said the development should be seen as an opportunity for the local area and will bring benefits to both the club and the wider community. He said: “Edinburgh Accies is as proud of being part of Stockbridge as we are of our role in the history of Scottish rugby. Our proposals are one are be one of the most ambitious proposals made by any community enterprise in Edinburgh. They will secure the future for EAFC in Stockbridge; creating jobs as well as enhancing Stockbridge as a tourist destination with a new museum of rugby. We are delighted to work with the local community to deliver the highest quality proposals possible for enhancing the area.”
However Ann McLeod, a founding member of Save our Stockbridge, a group created to fight the proposals, said: ’Our group is for everyone who is against a 5000 seater stadium being built in Stockbridge in the centre of Edinburgh. The stadium is to be built over the historic rugby grounds at Raeburn Place. These are the oldest rugby grounds in Scotland and the site of the first ever international rugby match. The area is surrounded by beautiful Victorian and Georgian buildings. It has a unique skyline across to Inverleith Park and beyond to Botanic gardens. I fear that a monstrosity of glass and steel would destroy this skyline and blight this historic area.”
She continued: ‘The current pitches are well used and well-loved by the community. The proposed stadium will require thousands of parking spaces and room for the structure itself, so one of the two historic rugby pitches would almost certainly be lost. Retail outlets are planned as part of the stadium. The Stockbridge area already has empty shops. I believe this massive development would destroy the character of the area. I believe this would adversely affect local businesses and reduce property prices. The chaos generated on the main road by the thousands of cars coming out of the stadium does not appear to have been considered. The drunken hospitality nights would also be unpleasant; there is already a problem with this. There is also concern about the historic walls and protected trees around this ground. This development is madness and totally out of proportion – Edinburgh Accies need to think again.’
Following public consultation, a planning application will be submitted. If this is approved by the city council’s planning committee, Edinburgh Accies hopes to complete the project by summer 2014.
The controversial proposals were on the agenda at Stockbridge Inverleith Community Council meeting on 15 August, but no decision could be made. Community Council chairman Steven Brennan explained: “Frank (Spratt) stated that the Accies application will be another three weeks, so we need to see the final proposal before we take a view on it. We will let you know when the application is submitted so people can form their own opinions.”
Edinburgh Accies is Scotland’s oldest rugby club and their Raeburn Place home was the venue for the first ever Scotland v England rugby international in 1871. It seems that hard-fought battles will continue for some time to come – and perhaps in committee rooms as well as on the pitch.
Bad weather has forced the organisers of the Edinburgh’s end of festival fireworks concert to move its family viewing area from Inverleith Park into the city centre.
Big screens and loudspeakers are usually set up in Inverleith Park to allow more people to enjoy the annual finale, but the park is waterlogged in places after persistent heavy rain and cannot be used for Sunday night’s event.
Viewing areas will now be set up on Waverley Bridge and to the north of Princes Street instead.
Waverley Bridge will close to traffic for the first time this year to provide more space for people to gather and becomes an official viewing area for the first time, and speakers will also be installed to relay the music played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as the fireworks are set off over Edinburgh Castle.
There will also be another viewing area on the north of Princes Street, between Castle Street and Frederick Street, for families and people with disabilities.
The Edinburgh International Festival said it would put a proportion of its allocation of Princes Street Gardens tickets on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 10am rather than the day before the display, as is usually the case, to help those who had planned on going to Inverleith Park to make alternative arrangements.
Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) is on the lookout for a new home following a Church of Scotland decision to terminate the lease of Malta House, LEAP’s base since it was set up five years ago.
Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead of LEAP, said: “We can confirm that our landlord, The Church of Scotland, has informed us it is ending the lease of Malta House and that we require to move out by the end of January 2013.
We would like to reassure patients, their families, staff and partners that LEAP will continue to provide treatment to patients with substance dependence problems.
We are sad at the prospect of leaving Malta House as many people have started their recovery from addiction here and it has met our needs very well. We are now exploring with our partners all of our possible options.”
Funded by NHS Lothian and three local Alcohol Drug Partnerships, LEAP has been a real success story since it was launched in September 2007. Operated in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, Access to Industry (Transition) and the Serenity Café, LEAP has helped people with alcohol and drug dependencies to transform their lives through a three-month treatment and rehabilitation residential programme. In March this year, Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham (below) visited the Stockbridge-based project to join in celebrations to mark the programme’s 250th ‘graduation’.
In a statement, a Church of Scotland spokesperson explained that the decision not to renew LEAP’s Malta House lease had been ‘difficult’ and was due to financial pressures on the church’s own social care budget.
“We originally leased Malta House to Scottish Ministers, acting on behalf of the NHS Lothian LEAP project, in 2007 for a 2 year period. This was subsequently extended to 2010, when it was renewed. At that point Scottish Ministers accepted the renewed lease of Malta House on the full understanding that the building would be sold when it was deemed that the market conditions were right, and to that end there were break points included in the lease. In June this year, in terms of that lease, we gave six months’ notice of our intention to terminate the lease from January 2013.
“We are pleased that we have been able to support LEAP for many years through the lease of premises at Malta House. However, we simply cannot afford to continue that support, given the financial pressures which we face in relation to our own vital services to people in need throughout Scotland. We recognise the good work that LEAP has been doing and we have a great deal of sympathy for the situation they now find themselves in. We have been trying to find them alternative accommodation in another Church building but have been unable to identify one that meets their needs. CrossReach (the Church of Scotland’s Social Care Council) would dearly love to continue supporting LEAP but find ourselves simply unable to do so. We will continue to be as helpful and flexible as possible in managing this unhappy situation.”
The spokesperson added that no final decision about the sale of Malta House has been made, but that the option to sell is ‘actively being pursued.’
A group of concerned neighbours and supporters are mustering support to keep Malta House available to LEAP – visit http://www.facebook.com/SaveMaltaHouseForLeap for more information.
There is an on-line petition to sign and add comments at:
A man who raped and killed a local pensioner who treated him like a grandson has been jailed for 12 years and eight months.
Jay Soso, 20, from the Tollcross area of the city, attacked 63-year-old Marie Reid in her sheltered home in Easter Drylaw Way in November 2010.
Mrs Reid lay dead for up to four days before her body was discovered.
Jay Soso raped and killed Mary Reid
Soso was initially charged with murder, but admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide.
At the High Court in Edinburgh today, judge Lady Dorrian said Soso had been aware that his victim, who lived alone and suffered from poor health, was vulnerable.
She told the guilty man: “You knew her and there was an element of trust in the relationship you had with her.
“The rape was clearly forcible and violent, causing injuries to her and leading to her death.”
I write in response to the survey by Shelter Scotland showing that one in five young couples have delayed starting a family due to not being able to get on the property ladder. The charity says this highlights how the lack of safe, affordable social housing is impacting every level of society.
As the property market continues to struggle, many people who once would have thought about buying simply cannot and are being pushed into renting. A soar in the number of ‘reluctant renters’ has pushed rental prices, already renowned for being very high in Edinburgh, beyond reach of many of the city’s key workers.
With the average rent for a two bedroom property in Edinburgh currently at over £700 per month, and over £900 in the city centre, people on modest incomes working in roles such as nursing, teachers and youth and charity work, would find it very difficult to afford a safe and secure tenancy in a modern and well-equipped home.
This is why, in addition to providing more social housing, there now also needs to be a focus on supporting this group through the recently formed ‘mid-market rent’ model. At Port of Leith Housing Association, of the 500 properties we plan to build in the next three years around half of these will be available for this category.
The need for affordable housing is at its most pressing for a generation. The average wait for a social rented home is now counted in years rather than weeks or months and the problem is growing. To deal with the remaining backlog alone, it would take approximately 20 years. These figures may seem an insurmountable task but they only take into account those who are eligible for social housing. We estimate there are thousands in Edinburgh who would benefit from mid-market rent homes.
Pricing people into dilapidated properties will only, in the long run, likely price them out of cities. It also creates a real disparity and does not encourage vibrant, mixed communities that are essential for the ongoing success and wellbeing of communities.
Keith Anderson
Chief Executive, Port of Leith Housing Association
Pilton Equalities Project’s Neighbourhood Group took part in a sponsored walk from Wester Hailes to Ratho last month and raised a staggering £272.00. Group members are pictured with their certificates at Ratho’s Pilton Retreat.
Billy, second fom left, with North Edinburgh’s Social Action Research Group
Given the service took place across the other side of town, many local people made the journey to Mortonhall Crematorium last week to celebrate the life of Billy Anderson, who died on 6 August . Billy might have been secretly proud of all the attention, but he probably would have said: ‘this is a load of crap!’ or ‘what’s a’ the fuss aboot?’ That was Billy.
Billy was a hugely likeable character – grumpy and huffy, sure, and I’ll always remember with affection his regular comic fall outs with his pal John Davidson – but William Nelson Anderson was a man who above all enjoyed company and who loved to laugh.
It’s fair to say there was a time when Billy didn’t have a lot to laugh about. The youngest of five children (he had a twin who died), family life was shattered when Billy’s mother died when he was only twelve. Billy sometimes talked about the dark years that followed, and while he often made light of it life could not have been easy for Billy as a boy and young man. He talked of sleeping under London Bridge looking up at the stars – it’s a romantic image, but it masks the ever-present danger and misery of being alone, hungry and homeless in London. These must sometimes have been desperate days, and the fact that he survived the ordeal with his sanity – and even sense of humour – intact says a lot about Billy.
Billy was the guy who only planned to stop in Muirhouse for a wee while and ended up staying thirty years, and he certainly made his mark over that time. While he’d lost touch with his real-life family, Billy managed to create himself a new one as he became part of the Muirhouse community. He became involved in a number of community activities – he was a member of his tenants group and went on to become an Edinburgh Tenants Federation executive committee member alongside his friend, Birnie’s Court neighbour (and ‘Ayatollah’!) Betty Stevenson. Billy also took the opportunity to participate in training courses in North Edinburgh – he was an enthusiastic and forthright contributor at courses run by Pilton Partnership and Granton Information Centre. And if there was a community event Billy was there – particularly if it had a social afterwards!
In recent years Billy was perhaps best known for his involvement in Muirhouse Millennium Centre – he was part of the original steering group and he stuck with the Centre all the way through, the cafe was his kingdom. The Millennium Centre was like a second home for Billy; it was a huge part of his life and the centre staff, members and volunteers were Billy’s family. It just won’t be the same dropping into Muirhouse Millennium Centre now – Billy was always there, delighted to share the latest gossip, rumour and scandal with an evil cackle!
At last week’s funeral service, Lesley Hinds read a number of touching tributes from friends and colleagues:
Where do you start?
Billy wasn’t your everyday guy – when you said ‘good morning’ to him he would say ‘what’s good about it?’ and ‘it was morning when I came in!’. Billy would not have been the person we all loved if he didn’t wind you up!
His stories were amazing, and if he’d written them down they would have given him a best seller.
Billy’s café, as we all knew it, was his special place. Whether it was soup, bacon rolls, pasta or puddings (although you didn’t want to try his custard!) he loved cooking.
Billy volunteered in the Centre for eleven years but was very active in getting the Centre built.
Bus Pass Billy became his new name when hr turned sixty and thought it was great as he could go for the messages jumping on and off the buses as he pleased! Although he did get carried away when he was going up to Craigleith – he ended up at The Bridges only to come all the way back using three different buses!
Everyone has good memories of Billy as he was that kind of man – whether you are young or old he touched everyone’s heart in some way. The passing of Billy has had a massive impact on everyone as it was so unexpected. The Centre doesn’t feel the same at the moment, but as he used to say ‘everybody’s got to die’; that was Billy, living every day and enjoying it.
He once said ‘naebody will care when ah’m deid’ – well Billy, you were wrong; we all care and we will never forget you as you gave us so many memories to remember you by. Take care Billy and keep an eye on us all.
Your Family and Friends at the Millennium Centre
My Memories of You, Billy
When we first met, Billy, many years ago I knew you were a character – you had such a sense of humour, you were never afraid to speak your mind and you did not care who it was! We went to so many meetings together over the years, and still were until your sudden departure. You had a colourful life – you joined the Hari Krishnas for five years and you even slept under London Bridge for a time – you said you enjoyed it and it was an experience. I tried to get you to write a book about it – you did start it, Billy, but you did not take it any further.
When we went to Edinburgh Tenants Federation Executive meetings you used to say to me: ‘get it finished before 9pm as my programme is on the telly then!’ We brought in New Year together and watched the fireworks but last year you fell asleep, and for that you got an ear-bashing from Leanne! Leanne asked me the other day if yo would still see the fireworks – I said you will have a better view than anyone!
I remember when you took your first heart attack over ten years ago – we had been at a meeting in the church, and when we came out you looked terrible. I asked what was wrong: you said it was indigestion and blamed it on the vicar’s tea, saying it was stewed!
When you got the flat next door to me you were happy and said you felt safe, but you continued to have trouble with your heart, diabetes and high blood pressure – but you would not slow down, you said you’d be bored. You loved working with the young kids and their mothers at the Millennium Centre and even gave some of them cooking lessons.
Billy, you had a few nicknames for me; some I would not dare repeat but the latest one was Her Next Door Who Must Be Obeyed! You loved it when you got your bus pass – not having to pay fares, it was like you had won the Lottery!
I always said you were a free spirit, Billy, and you were – you lived your life the way you wanted to. I hope you are now free from pain and at peace. I for one will miss you. As well as a neighbour you were a friend and I will always remember you as that. Rest in peace, dear friend.
Betty Stevenson
Billy was an activist who worked hard for his area. He was always there in the background but when it mattered his voice would be heard, Billy came to Muirhouse as a visitor and ended up staying for 30 years. Billy has left his mark in Muirhouse, North Edinburgh and Edinburgh.
Councillor Lesley Hinds
I don’t remember the first time I met Billy but I was surprised to learn that he was only a member of the (Edinburgh Tenants Federation) Executive Committee for five years, as it feels like he has been a part of the Federation for ever!
Billy was always good fun and had a wicked sense of humour. He would come out with a comment at just the wrong moment and have me spluttering when I was trying to be serious! Billy was particularly good with helium, having lots of fun when helping to set up for our social events! I am going to miss him.
Mary Cockburn
I loved Billy’s wicked sense of humour. I enjoyed his company at EC meetings and in particular at the High Flats meetings where he would always arrange refreshments. The people of Muirhouse have lost a hardworking and dedicated volunteer. Rest in peace, Billy, you will be sorely missed.
Mark Henry
Billy was a lovely guy who knew how to work the (ETF) staff; he always praised the staff reports by calling for us to be rewarded with extra holidays and pay rises – really he knew that this would earn him extra drinks tickets at social events!
Justine Bradd
I think of Billy as a quiet man with a great sense of humour and deep compassion for humanity. Billy was quiet in the sense that he had a peace about him – he was thoughtful, content and at one with his place in the world.
Billy seemed to have a strong spiritual side – I remember him telling me stories about his life as a Hare Krishna monk, we had conversations about the Dalai Lama’s visit to Edinburgh and how his message of peace could fit into this fast-paced, individualistic world.
That spiritual side fitted well with Billy’s passion for social justice. He cared about people, and especially people who were vulnerable. Maybe that’s what made him such a committed community activist – he fought injustice by being involved in community groups – to make a difference.
Billy was a very intelligent man, with a lot of life experience and a willingness to share his wit and wisdom with others in his own quiet way. He was fun to be around as well – he had great stories to tell about his life in Edinburgh and in London, and he wasn’t one to mince his words, either. If he had a strong view about something, you’d hear it! ‘What a load of shite!’ he would often say if something wasn’t to his pleasing! And his views were often proved right!
I worked with Billy on the ETF’s 20th Anniversary planning group, where we organised a big plan of events to celebrate this milestone. Billy was really positive, coming up with lots of creative ideas and keeping us focused by chopping us down and telling is to ‘get real’ when our ideas got a bit too mad!
I’ll remember Billy as being a supportive Executive Committee member for ETF. He was really funny and brought a lot of knowledge to the table. Wherever he is now, I’m sure he’ll be swearing about Betty being the Ayatollah! Their ‘love/hate’ relationship was comedy gold to watch, especially because you knew they were great friends and neighbours behind the hilarious banter. Billy will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.
Clare MacGillivray
A collection following Billy’s memorial service at Mortonhall raised £371.06p for the British Heart Foundation. There is some speculation about who donated the 6p!
Two local men will feature in a photographic exhibition at the Scottish Parliament next month. Dads Alex Newport and Malcolm Borthwick and their families are part of the ‘In Dad’s Shoes’ exhibition being staged by the father’s group Dad’s Rock.
Wester Drylaw’s Alex and Malcolm, who lives in Granton, are members of a North Edinburgh group set up specifically for dads. Based at the Haven Project in Craigroyston Primary School, the father’s group is run by Circle Scotland’s Nick Smithers.
Alex and family
Nick explained: “The exhibition comprises of photos of all kinds of dads and their children, telling their own stories through photos and with words. The images show a variety of differing stages of being a father, ultimately the aim is to highlight positive, caring images of dads and their children. The exhibition has been on view at Eteaket during July and August, and, complemented with added new material, will go to Holyrood next month.”
Previously on display south of the border following an official launch at the House of Lords in June, Dads Rock and Fathers Network Scotland worked in conjunction with Dads House to bring this unique photo exhibition to Scotland. It’s hoped that the display will continue to tour Scotland after the Holyrood exhibition.
