Category: North Edinburgh News

Common sense prevails – no barriers for Muirhouse

Muirhouse and Silverknowes will NOT be divided by barriers, the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) committee has decided.

The committee agreed to officials’ recommendations that ‘notes and agrees that closure of the access routes should not be supported as this would impact on safe routes to schools.’

In a report into antisocial behaviour in the Silverknowes area prepared for the committee, Services for Communities director Mark Turley concluded: ‘There are widely divergent but strongly held views within the community, split by Council ward, on the best course of action to take. Officer recommendations based on existing policy is that the blocking of access would be unacceptable given the adverse effect on safe routes to school used by a number of children in the area, in addition to the other policy and social concerns. The root cause of this problem is the anti-social behaviour of the individual’s concerned and it is this which requires to be addressed. Such behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of where it occurs.”

More on this story later from Thomas Brown

 

Stars out in support of Stockbridge stadium redevelopment

A squad of Scottish rugby stars has spoken out in favour of controversial plans to redevelop Edinburgh Accies ground at Raeburn Place. The players – including former Scotland captains Andy Irvine, David Sole, Jim Calder and Ross Ford – have written to The Scotsman to pledge their support for the £8 million redevelopment in Stockbridge, and follows the submission of a full planning application by Edinburgh Accies on Tuesday.

The letter says:

‘We are writing specifically as supporters of Scottish rugby, but more generally as ordinary people who passionately support lifelong participation in sport.

We wish to place on record our belief in the ­importance of preserving and improving the Edinburgh Academical Football Club (Accies) home and 
facilities at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge in Edinburgh. Over the years Accies has contributed more than 10 per cent of all Scottish international caps since hosting the first international match between Scotland and England in 1871.

The club is the home of and operates the Edinburgh BATS rugby club, which delivers to and supports rugby at four high schools and 16 primary schools in north Edinburgh. Last year BATS delivered 750 hours of rugby to 1,560 young people. With recent research showing that inactivity causes as many premature deaths as smoking, surely this youth work is something we should cherish rather than discard.

Through little fault of the club itself, the facilities at Raeburn Place consist of temporary units, hired at an onerous cost now met by Accies. This is simply not sustainable. The plans drawn up bring in rent from a maximum of nine shops, and will give 
Accies the best facilities in 
Scotland, run on a sustainable basis, in addition to ensuring the preservation of a valuable 
greenfield space.

With the inclusion of a rugby museum it will make Raeburn Place an attractive destination for families and others to visit. The retail element will enhance and complement Stockbridge’s existing offering. These are carefully drawn-up, high quality proposals. We hope that Edinburgh 
Accies will be encouraged to 
stay in their historic home,
and that Scotland can begin to close the gap with England in terms of rugby facilities and funding.’

David Sole, Andy Irvine, Scott Hastings, Roger Baird, Rob 
Wainwright, David 
Callam, Cameron 
Glasgow, David Milne, 
Stuart Moffat, John Frame, Jim Calder, Marcus Di Rollo, John Allan, Greig Laidlaw, Allan Jacobsen, Nick Deluca, Geoff Cross, David Denton, Ross Ford, Tom Brown, Tim Visser, Ben Cairns, Ross Rennie

However local opinion is divided over the proposed redevelopment. Campaign group Save Stockbridge organised a packed public meeting last month and have now attracted over 2500 signatures on petitions opposing the plans. The group says that it is ‘not anti-development, rather anti this development’ which they feel is too large for the area with a disproportionately large retail element that will have a detrimental effect on existing local traders.

In a statement on their website, Save Stockbridge said: “Our initial review of the submitted plans suggests that there is little, if any, substantial deviation from the proposal originally outlined during the pre-application consultation. We currently have a team urgently working through the fine details of the application so that we can provide a fuller analysis – as soon as this is completed, we will update our website with our findings and our recommendations of what to do next.”

The planning application can be found online on the city council’s planning portal – application reference number is 12/03567/FUL and the plans are also on display at Stockbridge Library. Comments on the proposals should be received by 9 November.

 

Police probe suspicious fire at PEP

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a suspicious fire in West Pilton Park. The incident happened around 7.45pm on Monday (8 October), when two wheelie bins were pushed up against the wall of the Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) before being set alight.

No damage was sustained to the building and no one was injured during the incident, but police are urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward. Officers carrying out local enquiries to identify those responsible are particularly keen to speak to two youths who were known to be in the area at the time.

A police spokesman said: “This reckless act of vandalism could have potentially injured members of the public or, indeed, the suspects themselves. Anyone who was in or around West Pilton Park and remembers seeing anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Letter: Muirhouse must not be divided

Dear Editor N.E.N

I am writing regarding the residents of Silverknowes Eastway who want the walk-way shut off to stop access from Muirhouse Drive.
Silverknowes Eastway is part of the Muirhouse EH4 area and the housing was built on the land that was formally Silverknowes Primary School which was in Muirhouse Gardens. When the area in Muirhouse Gardens was developed for housing it was part of the planning application that it would have pedestrian access to the Linear Park as part of Central Muirhouse regeneration, and that no part of Muirhouse would be divided or excluded.
I fail to see what Davidson Mains and Silverknowes Association or Almond have to do with issues in Muirhouse.
John Davidson
Resident of Muirhouse (by email)

Bruce Peebles as never seen before …

Transformer factory 1979

Granton History Group will be presenting an illustrated talk about Bruce Peebles in Wardie Parish Church next month. Organised by member Ian Luttton and presented by David King, the talk will be illustrated with photographs of electrical items produced by Bruce (and later Parsons) Peebles, for many years one of North Edinburgh’s major employers. Many of these images will be on public view for the first time.

The talk takes place on Wednesday 7 November at 7.30pm at Wardie Parish Church, which is situated on Primrose Bank Road at the corner of Netherby Road.

For further information about the talk – and for a look at Granton’s fascinating history – visit the group’s recenly upgraded website at www.grantonhistory.org

Bruce Peebles winders, 1905

 

 

Deal struck for single question referendum?

There is speculation that the Scottish and Westminster governments have reached a deal over the independence question. Following months of negotiations it appears that the Scottish people will now vote in a one-question referendum – a straight yes or no – other than a ballot paper that contains another – increased powers for Holyrood or ‘devo-max’ – option.

It also seems that likely that sixteen and seventeen year olds will have the right to vote in the independence referendum, scheduled to be held in autumn 2014.

Further details will be announced when Prime Minister David Cameron meets Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood next Monday.

Should sixteen and seventeen year olds have the right to vote? Let us know!

Celebs know breast when it comes to cancer awareness!

A galaxy of Scots celebrities have backed an online campaign to help raise awareness of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early Campaign. The campaign aims to save lives by helping Scots to spot the symptoms of breast cancer and by encouraging them to visit their GP if they are worried they may have a sign of cancer.

The new online viral featuring Amanda Hamilton, Michelle Mc Manus, Greg McHugh (Gary Tank Commander), Kaye Adams and Tom Kitchen can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_301895&feature=iv&src_vid=lxQdfB-no50&v=yNKbmif0M6c

 

Letter: Building barriers is not the answer

Dear Editor

I am writing  express my anger regarding the proposal from residents of Silverknowes asking to brick up three access points leading to Muirhouse following incidents of antisocial behaviour being blamed on Muirhouse residents. While I disagree with vandalism and antisocial behaviour, blocking pathways will not be the solution to this problem. This could have the adverse effect on the problem. Unfortunately lots of this behaviour is happening all over the city.

I recall this same group opposing the building of the new Craigroyston High School close to their homes . What do these people want? A Berlin Wall within North Edinburgh? They are not an elitist group who can dictate what they want.  The majority of people from Muirhouse are decent people who strive to improve their community and retain good links with surrounding neighbourhoods. Perhaps the answer is getting activists groups together within the neighbourhood to consult with each other . This could hopefully help to resolve the problem. Building barriers between communities is not the answer.

Anna Hutchison (by email)

SILVERKNOWES EASTWAY ‘barriers not the answer’

Paralympic torch coming to Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s Blackhall customers will have the chance to see the Paralympic Torch as it goes on a special tour across the UK. Sainsbury’s Blackhall will welcome the torch on Friday 19 October, when customers will have the opportunity to see, hold and take photographs of the iconic torch between 1 – 3pm.

The Sainsbury’s Paralympic Torch Experience will see the Paralympic Torch travel to 400 Sainsbury’s stores across the country – the Torch’s epic journey begins at Sainsbury’s Bradford Upon-Avon and ends at the retailer’s Lampeter store on Thursday 1 November.

The Torch is one of 620 Torches used in the 24 hour Relay which took place from Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury, the home of the Paralympic Movement, to the Olympic Park in Stratford, London on Tuesday 28th to Wednesday 29th August. 101 stores from other areas across the country previously saw the Torch ahead of and during the Games, and now the retailer –  and first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor – is extending it to the rest of the country.

Sainsbury’s Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “We’ve really enjoyed playing our part in raising awareness of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in Blackhall. For our customers, it’s a once in a lifetime chance for them to see the Torch and feel the buzz of the Paralympic Games, which we’re proud to have sponsored.”

The local Sainsbury’s store is also responsible for another Olympic legacy, with two local high schools sharing in the success of the 2012 games thanks to donations from Sainsbury’s. The Royal High School received a donation of London 2012 sports clothing which they aim to use for team events, and organisers of Broughton High School’s recent Septemberfest were delighted to use Sainsbury’s London 2012 merchandise for prizes.

The store hope the donation will help maintain the positive momentum and feeling created by the London 2012 Games. Sainsbury’s Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “Our colleagues and customers have really got behind all Paralympics GB and Team GB athletes and we wanted to celebrate the success of the London 2012 Games by providing The Royal High School and Septemberfest with a lasting memento of what has truly been a year like no other.”

 

 

Living Well welcomes new manager Sandra

Living Well North Edinburgh (formerly PROP Stress Centre) has warmly welcomed new manager Sandra Walkingshaw (pictured above).

Sandra said: “I am delighted to have joined the Living Well team as the new manager. I am really looking forward to working with all our members, staff and volunteers on continuing the excellent work that is currently going on and also planning for the future aims and goals of Living Well North Edinburgh.”

Living Well North Edinburgh are currently presenting ‘The Journey Within’, an exhibition of members’ arts and crafts, at North Edinburgh Arts Centre as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2012. The exhibition runs until 2 November.