The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3628 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Johnstone presses for fracking ban

‘Scottish government must come off the fence’ – Alison Johnstone MSP

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian and a leading campaigner against unconventional gas extraction, is challenging coal gasification firm Cluff over their claim that ‘it is neither necessary, nor in the public interest’ to examine the risks of their plans.

Cluff wrote to all MSPs before Tuesday’s announcement that their plans for drilling under the Forth are on hold, and today Alison replied, challenging the company’s views.

Scottish Green MSPs have been campaigning against unconventional gas extraction – also known as ‘fracking’ – since the 2011 election. Alison Johnstone led Holyrood’s first debate on the issue in May 2014, proposing a ban – all other parties voted against it.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Before Cluff got cold feet and announced a delay in their plans, they wrote to all MSPs as part of a charm offensive. Scottish Greens support the many community groups around the Forth who have made their opposition to coal gasification clear, and I have written back to Cluff challenging their claims.

“Cluff have attempted to downplay coal gas disasters elsewhere but I believe we must look at where things have gone wrong to help us understand the risks. We know of serious problems in Australia, resulting in widespread contamination of land. We know investigators were hospitalised with suspected gas poisoning during soil testing.

“It is therefore essential that Cluff lays out in detail the safety record of its projects rather than dismissing concerns out of hand. Cluff also choose to ignore the fact that we already have far more fossil fuels than we can burn if we want to limit climate change.

“Scotland is in a privileged position to end its reliance on fossil fuels earlier than other countries and create many more jobs by investing in sectors such as renewables, green chemistry, home insulation and forestry.

“In the meantime the Scottish Government must come off the fence, extend their temporary fracking moratorium to include coal gasification given it requires onshore infrastructure and turn it into a permanent ban, to protect our communities, our economy and our climate.”

Kerr welcomes New York direct flights

‘ a real diamond route’ – Colin Keir MSP

Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has welcomed the announcement by Delta Airlines/Virgin that their joint venture will launch a new Edinburgh to New York service from May 2016.

Mr Keir said: “All new routes from Edinburgh are welcome as they boost employment and tourism opportunities, something that is vital to the Edinburgh and wider Scottish economy.

“With direct flights to New York, Edinburgh will link with the most influential global financial centre. Add to this the tourism potential and it makes this a real diamond route.

“Well done to Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar and his team for securing this route and to Delta and Virgin for identifying Edinburgh as a positive destination.”

Meet Michelle at Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Edinburgh West SNP MP Michelle Thomson now holds a surgery at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre (writes JAMES McGINTY)

FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 10.30 – 11.30am

Our newly elected MP in Westminster is back in Scotland after an extensive introduction to Westminster parliamentary procedure, whilst juggling her duties here in Scotland in her constituency.

Many of us have followed Michelle’s exploits via her reports in the Evening News. and Michelle now starts her promised General Surgery here in the Centre (see above).

Come along, no appointment necessary (open door). The surgery will take place in the cafeteria area but will have private space available if required.

People Power: reprieve for Earthy

Success for Canonmills campaigners

Canonmills campaigners are celebrating tonight following a decision by city councillors to reject an application to demolish a popular restaurant to make way for an ‘eyesore’ block of flats.

The planning battle over Canonmills Bridge has raged for over five years. Planning consent has already been granted for six flats, three townhouses and two restaurants on the site currently occupied by Earthy, but the developers still required permission to demolish the existing building because it is in a conservation area.

Save 1- 6 Canonmills campaigners have fought an energetic campaign to oppose demolition and put their arguments to a hearing of the planning committee earlier today.

Campaign leader Jan Anderson, representatives of both Inverleith and Stockbridge and New Town and Broughton community councils, urban designer Ross McEwan, Inverleith Society, the Cockburn Association and local councillors all spoke against demolition.

Committee members upheld the deputations’ views that demolition would have a negative impact on the Inverleith Conservation Area and noted that the scale of the proposed new development is much larger than the current one-storey building it would replace.

Campaigners are naturally delighted with the decision. One said: “The council has got it right this time and common sense has prevailed. We are so happy that the demolition has been halted but we are also very aware that this may not be the end of the saga, as the developer does have a right of appeal. So we have just won the battle, not the war – but today’s victory means we are ready for anything now!”

Have your say on regional development plans

Residents and interest groups living in Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland have been invited to share their views on how to shape the future of the region at a series of engagement events organised by SESplan.

The events mark the second stage of a public consultation launched on 21 July to discuss the Main Issues Report, which will be used to develop plans to accommodate the area’s future growth.

Over the next two decades the local population is expected to grow by 18% and the number of households by 25%.

These events aim to gather views on how to respond to the need for more housing and infrastructure, as well as the potential impact this could have on green belt areas.

Feedback received will help identify the key issues and priorities of people living in the South East of Scotland and will be used to form a strategic development plan for the area. This will inform the Local Development Plan for each local authority area in the region, focusing on long-term strategic level planning matters such as housing, economic growth, green networks and infrastructure.

Councillor Ian Perry, Chair of the SESplan Committee, said: “The South East of Scotland faces serious challenges as a result of population increases and projected future growth. It is vital that we plan now to make sure we have adequate housing and infrastructure, while protecting the environment.

“This means that we have to think creatively and innovatively to find solutions that will help ensure the continued success and growth of the area.

“The response we have received from local residents so far has been very encouraging but there is still plenty of time to have their views heard. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and take part in this consultation. Their comments will help us to make decisions that play a vital role in shaping the future of the region.”

Further information about the consultation and events can be found at the SESplan website, or by contacting SESplan directly at: contactus@sesplan.gov.uk , telephone 01506 282883.

Community Events

Aimed at Community Councils, community groups and anyone looking to engage in discussions about the Main Issues Report. These events feature an introduction on what SESplan is and what the main issues are,followed by workshop-based discussion. Please let SESplan know if you want to attend.

Wednesday 26 August: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Newtown Street, Duns 6.30-8.30pm

Thursday 27 August: Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm

Tuesday 1 September: Bathgate Partnership Centre 6-8 pm

Wednesday 2 September: Portobello Town Hall, Portobello High Street, Edinburgh 6-8 pm

Wednesday 2 September: Fife House, Glenrothes 6-8pm

Thursday 3 September: Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh 6-8pm

Monday 7 September: Gibson Craig Hall, Currie 6-8pm

Tuesday 8 September: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells 6.30-8.30pm

Wednesday 9 September: Business Centre, City Chambers, Edinburgh 6-8pm

Thursday 10 September: Scottish Borders Council, Council Chamber, Rosetta Road, Peebles 6.30-8.30pm

Wednesday 16 September: Midlothian Federation of Community Councils, Middleton Village Hall, Midlothian 7pm

Drop-in Events

Aimed at everyone who wants to find out a bit more about the Main Issues and have a chat with officers. Come along at any time on the time and date shown. No prior confirmation required.

Monday 14 September: Inverkeithing Civic Centre, Fife 3-7pm

Wednesday 16 September: Lasswade High School, Bonnyrigg 3-7pm

Thursday 17 September: City of Edinburgh, Faith Mission Hall, Gilmerton, Edinburgh 3-7pm

Seminar Theme Events

Events about the wider challenges and solutions rather than about SESplan and the Main Issues Report itself; these three events are aimed at the development industry, investors, house builders, social housing providers and those with interests in active travel, energy, town centres or green infrastructure. Advance booking essential.

Friday 4 September: ‘A Place for Communities’ seminar event: Chartered Institute of Housing, Edinburgh 9.30 am-1pm.

Featuring presentations on placemaking in a capital city region; looking beyond housing numbers; the future of town centres; green networks and the coordination of housing delivery with infrastructure provision. Speakers include Craig McLaren, Director RTPI Scotland; Malcolm Fraser, Director Malcolm Fraser Architects; Nicola Barclay, Director of Planning Homes for Scotland and Diarmuid Lawlor, Architecture+Design Scotland

Tuesday 8 September: ‘A Place to do Business’ seminar event: Scottish Enterprise, Apex House, Edinburgh 1.30-5pm.

Featuring presentations on Developing the City Deal; Growth Sectors; Economic Vision in the City Region; the Visitor Economy and the Future of Renewables. Speakers include Graham Birse, Edinburgh Napier University; Dr Andy Kerr, Executive Director, Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI); Chris Greenwood, Head of Research, Visit Scotland; Martin Wight, Manager Strategy and Economics, Scottish Enterprise and Ian Johnson, Head of Communities and Economy, Midlothian Council.

Monday 14 September: ‘A Better Connected Place’ seminar event: City Chambers, Edinburgh 9 am-12pm

Featuring presentations on city deal, the challenges and plans for the regional transport network, delivering infrastructure and active travel. Speakers include Fiona Clandillon, Rydens; Neil Langhorn, Active and Sustainable Transport Team leader, Transport Scotland; Keith Winter, Executive Director, Enterprise and Environment, Fife Council; John Hamilton, Winchburgh Developments/Scottish Property Federation and Alex Macaulay, SEStran

Time, gentlemen, please … renewed call for minimum unit pricing

Pubs feel the pinch: Almost three quarters of alcohol sold in Scotland was from supermarkets or off-licences

Alcohol sales went up again during 2014 – and the Scottish government says the latest figures reinforce the need for minimum unit pricing to tackle the sale of cheap, strong alcohol.

This comes after recent statistics showing a second year of increases in alcohol-related deaths.

Despite recent improvements in alcohol-related harm levels following measures such as the multi-buy discount ban and increased investment in alcohol treatment and care services, affordability remains a key issue, and is closely related to consumption and harm.

Figures published today show that 10.7 litres of pure alcohol were sold per adult in Scotland in 2014 – equivalent to 20.5 units per adult per week – compared to 10.6 litres in 2013. This is in contrast to the trend for declining sales seen in recent years and is mainly due to more alcohol being sold in supermarkets and off-licences – known as the off-trade.

Scots continue to drink almost a fifth more than in England and Wales, where nine litres of pure alcohol were sold per adult – equivalent to 17.4 units per adult per week.

The figures also show that for the first time since 2007, the average price per unit in the off-trade has not increased and remains at 52 pence. However, more than half of alcohol sold in off-trade costs below 50 pence per unit – the level proposed for minimum unit pricing.

The shift from sales in pubs and clubs to supermarkets and off-licences, where average prices are much lower, has also continued. Almost three quarters of alcohol sold in Scotland – 72 per cent – was from supermarkets or off-licences, the highest market share seen.

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: “It’s concerning that the decline in consumption seen in recent years now appears to have stalled, especially after figures published last week showed alcohol-related deaths have increased for the second year running.

“That is why we remain absolutely committed to tackling Scotland’s difficult relationship with alcohol head on. In particular championing the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing.

“We recognise that no single measure will help change our relationship with alcohol. Our Alcohol Framework has more than 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, such as the multi-buy discount ban, increased investment in alcohol treatment and care services, increased delivery of Alcohol Brief Interventions, legislation to ban irresponsible promotions, and introduction of a lower drink drive limit.

“The Framework has had a positive impact so far, but while an average of around 22 people a week still die because of alcohol, there can be no room for complacency. That is why we are working on the next phase of our alcohol strategy which will be ready in 2016.

“The fact that more than half of alcohol in the off-trade is being sold at under 50p per unit is worrying, given the established link between affordability and alcohol-related harm. It reinforces our belief that minimum unit pricing is an essential part of an effective alcohol strategy.”

Weird and wonderful: weapons and windmills

The wacky world of engineering

Edinburgh College students have been erecting Game of Thrones-style siege weaponry in Midlothian, capable of launching ammo through the air towards scattering foes. But they’re not planning an assault on Dalkeith or Melville Castle any time soon – and anyone who gets in their new trebuchet’s path is more likely to get soaked than wounded!

Inspired by mediaeval military engineering, students at the college’s Midlothian Campus have constructed a trebuchet to demonstrate the role and importance of engineering in the ammunition industry. The weapon fires water balloons as ammo. The team called itself Flower Power, and its choice of a bright pink paintjob could be spotted quickly by any sentry, despite the flowers it also painted on for a bit of camouflage.

A second team from the NC Pre-Access to Engineering course looked to the future with their project.

The six students worked on ‘Project X’, a wind turbine generator to demonstrate that wind energy, one of the fastest-growing renewable energy resources, can be a potential support to meet energy demand and reduce carbon emission. Their wind turbine was wired into a model house containing multi-coloured LEDs that shone when electricity was generated by the windmill.

Both projects were designed, constructed and tested by the students under the guidance of their supervisor, lecturer Yash Kotak.

The students were working towards their NC Pre-Access to Engineering course. Students on the course develop their knowledge and understanding of engineering principles and systems covering a range of mechanical, electrical and manufacturing disciplines. In addition, they develop practical skills through workshop project time and study additional units to allow progression onto more advanced courses.

‘That’s a business trying to be a good citizen’

Deirdie Brock MP visits Sainsbury’s Blackhall

Deidre Brock, local MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, visited Sainsbury’s Blackhall on Monday where she met staff and local customers (writes GAIL WILSON).

The MP was welcomed by store manager, George Paton and taken on a tour of the 71,000 sq ft store on Craigleith Road.

Ms Brock learned about the store’s new Local Charity Partner, Meningitis Research Foundation. The charity has a vision of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia and was chosen by customers in July.

She also had a chance to hear about the store’s Food Donation Partner, Fareshare, who Sainsbury’s are teamed up with to make use of surplus food and Granton Baptist Church food bank, who they support with in-store collections.

Ms Brock, who was elected to represent Edinburgh North and Leith May’s general election, said: “I was delighted to hear about the work that Sainsbury’s staff do to reach out into the community, the support they and the store’s customers give to a local foodbank and to Crisis Fareshare. That’s a business trying to be a good citizen.

“The store is also a zero waste store recycling all of its packaging as well as providing recycling facilities for customers in the car park. It’s the first time I’ve seen an oil recycling bank in a supermarket car park and I’m looking forward to coming back soon to see how it works out.”

Store Manager George Paton said: “It has been great having Ms Brock in to our store, and introduce her to our customers and colleagues. I’m incredibly proud of our team, our store and the impact we have on the community. ”

Deirdie Brock MP is pictured with Sainsbury Blackhall PR Ambassador Gail Wilson

Happy birthday, Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre is celebrating a special anniversary today, writes JAMES McGINTY

Today’s our BIRTHDAY!! Yes we’re 15 today (sorry, that’s the Millennium Centre, not the average age of our workers – how they wish!!) Yes it’s fifteen years from the day Councillors Maginnis and Hinds officially opened the Centre. Have we changed? Ask our visitors!

YES we have, we’re busier more creative in our activities and projects in our activities than ever.

YES We have also improved our publicity and transparency with our venture into our own website, tweets on Twitter posts on our electronic North Edinburgh News and declaring the number of people who participate in the centre activities each month.

YES 15 years on, roll on the 25th & 50th anniversary! Click onto our website for full report with some nostalgic pictures:

www.muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk

Bogus callers target 81 year old woman in Nichollfield

‘This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home’ – Detective Constable Mark Seymour

Police in Edinburgh are investigating a theft from an 81 year old woman in Nichollfield in Newhaven.

The incident happened around 10.45 am on Saturday (22 August), when the woman was visited by two men who said they needed to speak to her about her water supply.

She allowed the men into the house and after a short while they stole items from her house and made off. The suspects were chased from the scene and were last seen running through a common stair in North Fort Street.

The two suspects are described as:

(1) male, white, about 6’ tall, slim build, short dirty blond/grey hair, wearing a dark grey woollen jersey and carrying a carrier bag;

(2) male, white, about 5’10” tall, slim build, short dark hair and possible moustache, wearing a dark top.

Detective Constable Mark Seymour of Gayfield Police Station said; “This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home by these two suspects who have managed to trick their way into her home by acting as bogus officials.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the suspects as they fled the scene around 10.45 am on Saturday to get in touch.

“A robust and thorough investigation is underway to catch those responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information which may help in this investigation to call us on 101, or if they want to remain anonymous then through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”