Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment can give people extra money if they have:

  • a disability or long-term health condition that means they need help looking after
    themselves or supervision to stay safe
  • reached State Pension age

It is also available to people of State Pension age with a terminal illness.

Administered by Social Security Scotland, it’s replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland.

People don’t need to do anything if they already get Attendance Allowance as their awards will gradually transfer to Pension Age Disability Payment, starting early 2025.

People can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment now if they live in Aberdeen City, Argyll & Bute, Highland, Orkney and Shetland.

The payment will be available across all of Scotland by 22 April next year.

Find out more at mygov.scot/PensionDisability

‘Ronan’s Law’ to see crackdown on knife sales online

Retailers will need to report suspicious and bulk purchases of knives on their platforms to police, with tougher sentences for selling knives to under 18s.

Stricter rules for online retailers selling knives will be introduced by the government, along with tougher penalties for failing to enforce them, as we pursue every avenue to protect young people from knife crime.

Following tragedies where the unlicensed sale of these weapons online has led to young people being killed, retailers will be required to report any bulk or suspicious-looking purchases of knives on their platforms to police to prevent illegal resales happening across social media accounts.

Underlining our commitment to stop these weapons from reaching young people, we will increase the sentence for selling weapons to under 18s from 6 months to up to 2 years prison time, which could apply to an individual who has processed the sale or a CEO of the company.

This increased penalty will also apply to the sale or supply of prohibited offensive weapons such as recently banned zombie-style knives, following police evidence outlined by Commander Stephen Clayman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, where he identified a discrepancy in current legislation which means there is more leniency for illegally selling weapons than possessing one.

And in recognition of the broad array of knives – legal or banned – that are involved in knife attacks, a new offence of possessing an offensive weapon with intent for violence will be introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill which will come with a prison sentence of up to 4 years in prison. This means that no matter if the weapon in possession is legal or not, if there is intent to cause violence, it is a crime.

The government will also explore through a consultation later this year whether a registration scheme should be put in place for all online retailers selling knives so that only responsible sellers are able to sell knives. This follows the government’s recent announcement that we will significantly strengthen ID checks on the sale and delivery of knives to keep our streets safe as part of the Plan for Change.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “It is horrifying how easy it is for young people to get hold of knives online even though children’s lives are being lost, and families and communities are left devastated as a result.

“Not enough has been done to tackle the online market over recent years which is why we made it an urgent priority in our manifesto and the measures today will be underpinned by investment for a new dedicated police unit to go after those who are breaking the law and putting children and teenagers lives at risk.

“We are honouring our commitment to introduce Ronan’s Law in memory of Ronan Kanda who was tragically killed in 2022. I am so grateful to the Kanda family for their endless perseverance in ensuring governments take the right actions to protect young people from further tragedy. 

“This government has set an ambitious mission for the country to halve knife crime over the next decade and we will pursue every possible avenue to save young lives.”

Last autumn, the Home Secretary commissioned Commander Clayman to conduct an end-to-end review into the sale of knives online. The review, being published today, exposed lethal loopholes in the sale of knives online which are allowing dangerous weapons to end up in the wrong hands.

The review highlighted the lack of minimum standards for age verification and delivery checks. That is why the government has announced that a stringent two-step system will be mandated for all retailers selling knives online.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Knife Crime, Commander Stephen Clayman said: “A key focus in our fight to tackle knife crime and improve the safety of our communities is limiting the accessibility of knives wherever possible, restricting their availability and the routes to purchase.

“All too often in policing, we are dealing with the horrific consequences of knife crime and seeing how it devastates individuals and families.

“The evidence in the end-to-end review clearly demonstrates just how easy it is for anyone to purchase a knife online, often avoiding any age verification at all, or where it is in place, exploiting vulnerabilities, especially with delivery.  

“We welcome the government’s commitment in working with policing and partners to tackle knife crime and these new measures will significantly enhance our response to this.”

Today’s new measures will collectively be known as ‘Ronan’s Law’ in honour of Ronan Kanda who was tragically killed in 2022 in a case of mistaken identity near his home in Wolverhampton aged 16.

Ronan’s killers, who were also teenagers, illegally bought lethal weapons online and collected them from the Post Office on the day of the attack, with no age or identity verification taking place. It was later revealed that one of Ronan’s teenage killers had bought more than 20 knives online, including by using his mother’s ID.

Today’s measures to close lethal loopholes in the online sale of knives deliver on a manifesto commitment to introduce Ronan’s Law and are the result of tireless campaigning by Ronan’s mother Pooja and sister Nikita to restrict young people’s access to weapons online and to protect other families from the same heartbreak.

Mother of Ronan and campaigner, Pooja Kanda said: “In 2022, I lost my son, Ronan, to knife crime and mistaken identity. In 2023, we sat in the courtroom where we were shown a Ninja sword and 25+ bladed articles. Looking at them, I knew my son didn’t stand a chance.

“Without proper ID checks, the online sale of these bladed articles played a crucial role in this tragedy. How was this allowed? A 16-year-old managed to get these weapons online and sold these weapons to other people. 

“I knew we could not go on like this, and our fight for what was right had begun. Proper ID checks by sellers, as well as postal and delivery services, played a crucial role.

“We welcome the government’s plans to tackle the online sale of these weapons. Retailers, social media, and sellers need to take on more responsibilities. We welcome the proposal of a registration scheme, where the government will continue to implement stricter measures on the online sale of bladed articles. We have so much work to tackle knife crime; this is a much-needed beginning. 

“This part of Ronan’s law will provide much-needed barriers against knife crime. I wish this was done years ago, and my son would be with me today.”

Patrick Green, CEO of Ben Kinsella Trust said: “I am pleased to see that the government is listening to frontline organisations and is tightening the legislation needed to eliminate the supply of dangerous and intimidating weapons.

“These new laws, particularly the focus on reporting suspicious purchases and stronger age verification, will compel retailers to take responsibility for their actions. It has been our stated position that a licencing system for retailers is only way to ensure that specialised knives are only sold to those with legitimate and lawful need. 

“A licensing system will ensure that only reputable retailers who comply with the law and prioritise public safety will be able to sell knives.”

In the spring, the Home Office intends to launch a consultation into a registration scheme for retailers in order to sell knives online.

The government has an ambitious mission to halve knife crime over the next decade and tackling the online space is a core part of that plan. We have already announced that we will introduce significant fines in the region of £10,000 for tech executives who fail to remove illegal knife crime content from their platforms and a mandatory two-step verification system for all retailers selling knives online.

This will require customers to submit photo ID at the point of sale and again at the point of delivery. In addition, delivery companies will only be able to deliver a bladed article to the same person who purchased it.

Since coming into government, ministers have acted with urgency to ban zombie-style knives and machetes, accelerate a ban on ninja swords and address the online market in order to keep weapons off the streets and out of the wrong hands.

The government is also steadfast in its commitment to making prevention a central part of its knife crime action plan through the new Young Futures Programme, which will identify young people at risk of being drawn into violent crime and provide the interventions necessary to steer them in the right direction.

Graham Wynn, Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers take their responsibilities seriously and are fully committed to playing their part in making sure knives don’t make their way into the wrong hands.

“We look forward to considering the full details of the new proposal and welcome the commitment from the Home Office to meet retailers on this vital issue to ensure the safe sale of knives.”

Edinburgh Energy Hub supports Utilita’s renewed Pride365 Pledge

Leith hub offers warm, safe space on the high street for the whole community

Utilita’s high street Energy Hubs strive to provide ‘Safe Spaces’ for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond – welcoming people to host events, meetings, and more in a supportive environment.

No matter whether you are a Utilita customer or not, the Leith Energy Hub team is always happy to give free energy saving advice, something Hub Supervisor Natasha Baillie says is very important given the current cost-of-living crisis – and they’re also able to offer energy-saving products at competitive prices.

As an energy supplier that was created with the mission to offer consumers better service and a fairer deal, people have always been at the heart of Utilita – and its high street hubs provide an inclusive environment for staff, customers and the wider community.

The energy supplier’s renewed pledge to Pride365 ensures that everyone feels welcome and valued at Utilita, not just for a day, a week or month, but all year round.

The Utilita Pride365 Pledge

365 days of the year, Utilita Energy is committed to:

  • Standing proudly with the LGBTQ+ community

We’ll be vocal and visible in our support for LGBTQ+ inclusion every single day – both within our company and out in the world.

  • Creating ‘Safe Spaces’ for everyone

Our Energy Hubs will provide ‘Safe Spaces’ for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond – welcoming people to host events, meetings, and more in a supportive environment.

  • Giving back to our community

Whenever we run awareness day activities, we’ll donate to local LGBTQ+ charities chosen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group. This supports not only our communities but also any staff who may need these vital resources.

Utilita Founder and CEO, Bill Bullen, commented: “At Utilita, inclusivity isn’t just a goal; it’s who we are. Our core values align seamlessly with the Pride365 pledge as we work every day to create a workplace – and a world – that is fair, sustainable, and a little bit smarter.

“We’re not afraid to challenge the norm or stand up for what’s right. For us, that means building a supportive environment for everyone – from our customers to our team and the communities we serve – and our hubs offer something rare in the energy world – a friendly, face-to-face service.

“Our core values – fairness, smart, and sustainability – are at the heart of everything we do. They drive us to create an honest, inclusive, and nurturing culture for our customers and staff alike.”

Making inclusivity know no bounds

Leith Energy Hub Supervisor, Natasha Baillie, added: “Having a presence on the high street lets the public know that the Utilita team are here for everyone and all you need to do is pop down for anything you may need help with, customer or not.

“We aim to make it super simple to manage your energy – no phone lines or online dashboards, just a friendly face to speak to in a warm, safe space and with a cuppa if you’d like one!  Whether you’re looking for account support, help to manage your spend or energy-saving advice, Utilita’s Energy Experts are on hand to help.”

Utilita’s partnership with Pride365 is an integral part of its commitment to make inclusivity know no bounds. 

Natasha concluded: “We’re committed to continually evaluating and taking positive steps towards improving inclusion both within and outside our business, and we recognise the impact this will have on ensuring a happy and successful team and community. 

 “Together, we’re proud to create a brighter and fairer future for everyone – every day of the year.” 

Utilita Energy Hubs are high street locations where customers can top up their accounts, check their balances, and get energy-saving advice – based not just in Edinburgh but also Gosport, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Luton, Derby, West Bromwich, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Hartlepool. 

The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA. See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub

Securing a future for Grangemouth

Additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund

First Minister John Swinney has announced an additional £25 million to establish a fund to help secure the future of Grangemouth.

During a statement to Parliament he also called on the UK Government to address the immediacy and urgency of the situation facing Grangemouth by at least matching the Scottish Government’s investment.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1891907870150590846

The First Minister said: “The aim of this fund is to expedite any of the potential solutions that will be set out in the Project Willow report, as well as other proposals that will give Grangemouth a secure and sustainable future.

“We have made the strategic decision to support this key activity through an additional draw down of ScotWind revenue totalling £25 million, to add to the £7.8 million in our budget for 2025-26. Altogether, the Scottish Government – with a finite budget – has committed or already invested £87 million in Grangemouth.

“We need the UK Government to do at least the same and deliver a fair amount to avoid significant economic disruption in central Scotland, and to protect and promote Scotland’s – and Grangemouth’s – future interests.”

The First Minister confirmed to Parliament that an amendment will be lodged to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate an additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund.

Funds will be available immediately in the new financial year to support businesses and stakeholders to bring forward investible propositions over the next 12 months, and if necessary, beyond.

He added: “We believe that refining at Grangemouth should continue, that this closure is premature and that it is detrimental to Scotland’s transition to net zero.

“We recognise the significance of the fact that we are now facing a programme of redundancies at Grangemouth and the impact this will have on the lives of those employed at the site. Every person, every family and every business impacted by the closing of the Grangemouth refinery, matters. Our immediate focus, rightly, is on providing those who are losing their jobs with targeted skills support.

“Everyone working at Grangemouth’s refinery is a valued employee with skills that are key to Scotland’s net zero future. We want them to stay in Scotland and continue to make their lives here. We will do all we can to ensure they have a future in the Scottish economy as we make the transition to net zero.

“That is why we are also working to secure Grangemouth’s role in that future and create an investible industrial strategy for the site.”

The First Minister also called on the UK Government to continue to work together with the Scottish Government to drive forward the next phase of Project Willow; to expedite a decision on Acorn and the Scottish Cluster of carbon capture projects; and to make urgent progress on allocating funding for the second round of hydrogen production projects. 

Securing a future for Grangemouth – First Minister’s statement – 18 February 2025

Fuel-poor households in Scotland selected for national mould and damp intervention programme

Families across Scotland have this week commenced a 12-month mould and damp intervention programme before a full UK rollout this spring.

Delivered by Indoor Air Aware, the campaign democratising access to healthy indoor environments, and funded by Energy Action Scotland, the year-long pilot project will assist fuel poor households in preventing and safely remediating areas affected by mould and damp at home.

The project aims to address the critical issue of condensation, damp and mould in homes, specifically targeting fuel poor households with preschool-aged children in Scotland.

This innovative pilot will focus on a selection of households living in social rented, private rented and owned housing, providing them with proactive solutions to prevent mould and damp from affecting their living conditions. The initiative enables Indoor Air Aware to act on its mission to improve indoor air quality and the health and wellbeing of families.

The project pilot will involve home visits to assess the efficiency of the fabric and physics of buildings, ventilation and heating systems, and the provision of tailored guidance on household activities like drying clothes and showering – two of the main causes of moisture resulting in mould growth. 

As part of the pilot, each household has been equipped with two smart air monitoring devices, coupled with a user-friendly app.

A team of expert advisors at Indoor Air Aware will remotely monitor each environment and provide guidance where improvements can be made. The energy consumed to heat each property will also be tracked.

To track progress, each participating household will regularly complete surveys to record the physical condition of their home in relation to condensation, dampness and mould and share their experiences after putting new measures and behaviour change in place. 

The health of all residents will also be tracked during the pilot to identify how the improved environment impacts each resident’s level of health.

The project will run for 12 months, culminating in a final report that will outline the findings and effectiveness of the initiative and interventions.

Lisa Malyon, Founder of Indoor Air Aware, comments on the pilot launch: “The steep, sustained rise in energy costs has led to underheated homes which has exacerbated the UK’s mould epidemic.

“Living with mould can have a detrimental and often irreversible impact on people’s health – especially children whose lungs are still developing. The chemistry and physics behind why mould grows in our homes is complex, so this pilot is designed to educate households on the causes, and how to prevent mould and damp. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Energy Action Scotland for funding this pilot project, which has the potential to be life-changing for those who take part.”

Frazer Scott, CEO of Energy Action Scotland comments on the grant fund: “Cold, occupied homes are a breeding ground for mould, so we really welcome the opportunity to learn more through this work with Lisa and Indoor Air Aware.

“If we equip households with the knowledge of heat, air and ventilation, we can all combat the causes of mould growth and protect ourselves and improve our health. We look forward to sharing the outcome of the pilot.”     

Indoor Air Aware is home to ‘Mums Versus Mould’ a fast-growing Facebook community of 1,500 families hoping to prevent mould and damp, or safely clean and remediate their homes after the damage is already done.


Lisa shares her top 10 tips to help avoid mould and damp at home:

  1. Do everything in your power to strike the right balance of heat, ventilation, and insulation. Mould needs moisture to start growing, so we must do what we can to avoid moisture landing on porous surfaces.
  2. Always use the ventilation made available to you. Each day, we each create around 8 glasses of water through washing, cleaning, cooking, sweating, and breathing. Ventilation such as extractor fans and trickle vents on windows should be used to reduce the moisture in the air. Opening a window 5cm will result in less than 5% heat loss. It will feel warmer inside as the window will release moisture from the air.
  3. Cooker hood ventilation is more effective if you cook using the back rings, instead of the front rings. Always make sure to clean cooker hood filters around once a month, or every fortnight if you use it every day.
  4. Each day, do the daily detox. This is sometimes known as ‘back to front’ or ‘shock ventilation’ whereby you open each window of the house very wide, and all internal doors. This allows the outside air – which is generally 3.5 times cleaner than indoor air – to sweep all the moisture, stale gases, chemicals and particles out of the property, leaving behind dryer, cleaner air that is quicker and cheaper to heat.
  5. Establish dry rooms and wet rooms, and don’t mix the two. Never do anything ‘wet’ such as drying clothes, using a steam iron, or having a heated aquarium in dry rooms (living rooms / bedrooms etc). These activities should be done in the bathroom or kitchen, with good ventilation.
  6. Do your maths. Many households are opting to air dry their laundry using a dehumidifier instead of a tumble dryer. My own experiments have proved it’s normally more economical to use a tumble dryer – but make sure it’s well vented and used in a room with an open window.
  7. Do not attempt to clean large areas of mould. Any space larger than the size of a tea-towel should be professionally cleaned and remediated if necessary.
  8. Never use bleach-based products, and don’t try to mask the problem with stain blockers. Bleach feeds mould growth, and can break down silicons, leaving gaps around the bath to create much large water damage issues.
  9. Do not get duped by ‘mould sprays’ as these contain sodium hypochlorite which is bleach.
  10. Pure white vinegar on a microfibre cloth is the best way to remove mould, followed by another wipe down with water and a few drops of liquid soap or washing up liquid in a bowl of water. Wring the cloth out well as excess water will exacerbate the issue. Leave to air dry / use a heater / dehumidifier. Always wear protective gloves, clothing, and a face mask to reduce the impact of spreading the issue and health side effects.

Woodland bulb planting at Pilrig Park

SATURDAY 22nd FEBRUARY from 10am – 12 noon

It might be feeling like the depths of winter today, but Spring is on the horizon!

Join us and Friends of Pilrig Park this weekend to plant woodland bulbs like native bluebells, snowdrops, winter aconite and wood anemone as part of improvements in Pilrig Park.

🗓 Saturday 22nd February

📍Pilrig Park

🕙 10am to 12 pm – join us when you can

No experience or equipment necessary.

Gloves and tools will be provided.

Dress for the weather and wear clothes you won’t mind getting a bit dirty.

Delivering Social Care reform

Changes proposed to reflect people’s needs

Plans to transform the way social care is delivered are being progressed as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to improve the experience of everyone who accesses social care, social work and community health services.

Ahead of Stage 2 proceedings of the National Care Service Bill later this month, a number of amendments have been lodged, all of which are subject to Parliament’s agreement.

As the National Care Service will now be established through both legislative and non-legislative means, with reform of social care at the centre it is proposed the Bill will be known as the “Care Reform (Scotland) Bill”.

If agreed by Parliament, as amended, the Bill will also bring forward significant reforms to social care, including:  

  • Anne’s Law being enshrined into legislation to uphold the rights of people living in adult care homes to see loved ones and identify an essential care supporter
  • ensuring all those working in or supplying services to the health and social care sector follow the same information standards allowing easier communication
  • the creation of a National Chief Social Work Advisor post, in statute, to bring strategic leadership at a national level.

The Bill will also retain measures to establish a legal right to breaks for unpaid carers. Ahead of the legislation, the Scottish Government has identified an additional £5 million in the draft 2025-26 Budget to support 15,000 carers to take short breaks from their caring responsibilities.

Ministers announced in January that legislation to set up a new public body to oversee national improvements would no longer go ahead. However, work to establish a National Care Service Advisory Board is progressing and it is due to meet for the first time in March.

Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: ”Social care has the power to transform people lives, that is why it is so important that those accessing services receive the highest quality care, delivered consistently across Scotland.

“The amendments lodged in Parliament offer us the best opportunity to urgently get to work to reform the system and have a transformative impact on people’s lives.

“Positive progress is being made on establishing an advisory board that puts people with experience of the social care system at the heart of it, helping deliver the changes we all want to see.”

  • An essential care supporter is someone, for example close relatives or friends, who plays a vital role in providing their loved ones with regular care and support alongside staff. This includes companionship, personal support and advocacy.
  • Additional funding for Short Breaks Fund – gov.scot

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK

 Garden Centre announces new National Charity Partner

  • Dobbies appoints new National Charity Partner as the garden centre chain celebrates 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow
  • Dobbies and Alzheimer’s Research UK will work together to highlighting the benefits of garden living to support brain health, and to raising funds for a cure for dementia

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is pledging to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK as the garden centre announces its brand-new National Charity Partner today (Tuesday 18 February). This announcement comes as the retailer marks 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer[1] and right now, almost one million people in the UK are living with it, putting precious memories and lives at risk. This partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK will see Dobbies highlight the benefits of garden living for brain health, and through colleague and customer activity raise vital funds to support research to help find a cure for dementia.

This new partnership follows on from a successful national appeal made by Dobbies to charities across the UK. The partnership will launch from March 2025 with a year-round programme to educate on the impact of dementia and encourage donations that will fund research.

Dobbies Garden Centres’ CEO, David Robinson said: “When we were looking for a new charity partner that would be the right fit for us, and resonate with our customers, Alzheimer’s Research UK stood out as an ideal choice.

“As well as fundraising to help research into a cure for dementia, our aim through this partnership is to inspire people to keep their brains healthy. Gardening can really help this through stimulating both body and mind, and staying connected with other people is also very important.

“In our Edinburgh store we have everything needed to help people garden, and through our restaurant and events we also help bring people together.

“As we celebrate 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow, we’re really proud to be embarking on this important new partnership.”

Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, Hilary Evans-Newton, said:
“Alzheimer’s Research UK is incredibly excited to join forces with Dobbies. Brains are like gardens, when well-tended and looked after, they can flourish.

“We’ll work together with Dobbies to inspire their community to protect their brain health through activities like gardening, while raising vital funds for a cure for dementia.

“If nothing changes, one in two of us[2] will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change this. With Dobbies standing with us, we will speed up our progress and end the heartbreak dementia causes sooner.”

For more information about the partnership with Dobbies Garden Centres and Alzheimer’s Research UK, visit | Dobbies Garden Centres.

Teeing up history at Silverknowes

Edinburgh Leisure scores Heritage Grant

Edinburgh Leisure has secured a £500 grant from the Sporting Heritage Grants Programme, made possible by the players of the National Lottery and Heritage Fund to celebrate the city’s remarkable golfing legacy. 

Working alongside their golf team, this exciting project will shine a spotlight on the rich history of Edinburgh’s six golf courses, tracing the sport’s roots from its 15th-century origins at Leith Links through to the prestigious Dispatch Trophy, which celebrates the 125th anniversary of being played. 

Silverknowes Golf Course will host an exhibition bringing together a fascinating collection of golfing treasures.

Visitors can expect to discover historical artifacts from local clubs, pore over archival photographs and documents, and dive into the personal stories of club members that have shaped the golfing community over the generations.

Rohan Craig, Golf Supervisor at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Our golf heritage exhibition will be looking to transcend traditional sporting narratives by uncovering overlooked community stories and creating inclusive pathways to engagement. By positioning golf as more than a sport – but a social and cultural touchstone – we’re hoping to attract non-traditional audiences.

“We’ll be reaching out to the various clubs that use our courses, in the hope that they can contribute physical memorabilia and archival materials, historical object and photographs and encourage anyone with interesting memorabilia to get in touch.”

This initiative, part of Sporting Heritage’s UK-wide programme celebrating local sporting history, promises to be a hole-in-one for golf enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

The exhibition will complement Edinburgh Leisure’s Edinburgh 900 exhibition, coming soon, which will be displayed at the Braids Golf Course for the 125th year of the Dispatch Trophy in May 2025.

Keep up with the project’s progress by following @sportinghistory.

Have your say on plans to transform Seafield

Seafield to become ‘new environmentally friendly neighbourhood’

The city council is inviting residents to share their views on the regeneration of Seafield to make sure it responds to the needs and wishes of the local community.

As a key site for delivering the goals set out in the Edinburgh City Plan 2030, plans for the narrow stretch of land include a new promenade, GP surgery and opportunities for new shops and workplaces.

The coastal site could also include as many as 2,700 new homes, with 35% of homes being affordable, to address the Capital’s housing emergency. Future residents will benefit from the provision of a heat network which will help keep energy bills down whilst contributing to the city’s net zero targets.

The consultation, which closes on Wednesday 30 April 2025, will build on the first two stages of engagement and consultation carried out to date. Residents can attend a drop-in session to discuss the plans, or they can take part in an online survey via the Consultation Hub.

Planning Convener James Dalgleish said: “Our draft plan to transform Seafield into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood will take us one step further to tackling our housing emergency and reaching net zero by 2030.

“This is a chance for residents to shape the future of the area – whether it’s about improving transport links, preserving green spaces or introducing new community facilities and we’re eager to hear everyone’s ideas for a Seafield that serves the whole community.

“I’d encourage everyone to share their views with us by filling in our online survey or coming along to one of our consultation drop-in events.”

 The in-person events will take place on the following dates and times:

  • Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH15 1AU, Saturday 8 March 10:30-1:30pm
  • Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH6 4AE, Friday 21 March 12:30-3:30pm
  • Craigentinny Community Centre, 9 Loaning Road, Edinburgh, EH7 6JE, Saturday 22 March 10:30-1:30pm