The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3757 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Inverleith Conservation Area: have your say today

Have your say on the Inverleith Conservation Area Appraisal

Conservation Area Character Appraisals help to manage change in a conservation area. They describe what is special about each conservation area. They help in making decisions on proposals that affect the area’s special character.

Each of Edinburgh’s 49 conservation areas has a Conservation Area Character Appraisal. However, some of these have not been updated for some time, changes have taken place, development pressures and community interest mean that a review is desirable. We are now beginning to review our Character Appraisals, starting with the Grange, Queensferry and Inverleith.

This first stage consultation involves talking to as many people as possible with an interest in the area – residents, businesses and any other group. This local knowledge and interest is invaluable in giving an accurate picture of what people value about an area and feel is special.

To capture this we have designed this on-line questionnaire which will make people think about recent development in Inverleith and whether they feel it has taken the special character of the area into account. Similar surveys carried out in the Grange and Queensferry produced a great amount of useful feedback.

The team will also be available at two drop-in sessions at Stockbridge Library if anyone would like to talk in more detail about these issues, or would like help filling in the survey on line or in a paper version:

TODAY – Tuesday 30 September, 10am-5pm

Wednesday 8 October, 1pm-8pm

The survey will be running for around 3 weeks. Once we have collected all the feedback we will use this to design the new version of the Inverleith Conservation Area Character Appraisal. The draft of this will go out for more detailed public consultation later in 2015.

More information here: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/CACAreview

Flood prevention scheme second phase gets green light

The second phase of a multi-million pound flood prevention scheme has been given the go-ahead following a funding agreement.

The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WoLFPS) is a key infrastructure project to help protect hundreds of properties in vulnerable areas of the city from future flooding.

Following the completion of the first phase, which included defences at Veitches Square, Stockbridge Colonies, Warriston, St Mark’s Park and Bonnington, overall costs for a reconfigured Phase 2 at Murrayfield/Roseburn were estimated at £25.241m.

However, the available capital budget for this second phase stood at £20.539m, leaving a shortfall of £4.702m and jeopardising the delivery of this next stage of the WoLFPS.

The City of Edinburgh Council has now agreed to fund this shortfall through a realignment and transfer of existing Services for Communities capital budgets, meaning that the formal procurement process can now get under way, with flood prevention works starting in the Roseburn and Murrayfield area in autumn 2015.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “It’s fantastic news that we can now proceed with the next stage of this hugely important project, which will safeguard hundreds of properties from flooding in the future. We’ve been working extremely closely with the community and key stakeholders to make sure they were fully involved in the plans from the outset and with reinforced governance and protocols in place, we’re confident that Phase 2 will be delivered efficiently and at best value to the taxpayer.”

Local schools share the Commonwealth Games experience at Spartans

2014 has been a fantastic year for sport in Scotland. From hosting the Ryder Cup to fantastic performances from the national football team against the World Cup champions – what better time to capture the attention of the younger generation and engage them in sport?

Undoubtedly the most popular talking point in Scottish sport has been Glasgow having the privilege of hosting the Commonwealth Games this summer, and following this tremendous event, The Spartans Community Football Academy was keen to offer the young people of North Edinburgh the opportunity to try their hands at some Commonwealth sports.

With the support of Big Lottery Funding, we hosted our very own North Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Day last Tuesday (23 September). Our aim was simple – let young people experience Commonwealth sports they may never have had the opportunity to try before. We invited primary 7 pupils from five local primary schools to join us at The Spartans Community Football Academy – that’s over 200 young people! Thank you Pirniehall PS, Blackhall PS, Forthview PS, Granton PS and St Davids PS for making the day such a special occasion!

Local clubs and organizations were quick to offer help with our event allowing us to offer a great variety of sports. On the day, pupils got to try their hand at Hurdles, Long Jump, Javelin, Triathlon, Boxing, Judo, 100m and 400m relay.

There was great energy around the event and this stemmed from the coaches and volunteers we had on board for the day. We would like to thank coaches and volunteers from Kabo Boxing, Edinburgh Leisure and Jidel Judo for coming along and making the event such a success.

We were extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to offer a Triathlon station to the young people – this wouldn’t have been possible without the help and resources from Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and MyAdventure who offered us use of their swimming pool and bicycles.

We would also like to extend thanks to staff from the Nike store in Craigleith for all their help and support with this project. We would like to extend a final thank you to Big Lottery Funding for believing in our project – without their support this fantastic event would not have been possible.

Pictured above are pupils from St Davids PS and Granton PS who spent the afternoon at our Commonwealth Games.

Jamie Tomkinson (Youth & Community Worker)

The Spartans Community Football Academy

Sainsbury’s and D Mains double up to support Macmillan

Colleagues from Sainsburys Blackhall – with the help of the parents and pupils of Davidsons Main Primary School – held a Macmillan coffee morning on Friday (26 September) and raised an amazing £1,000 for the Macmillan nurses!

A huge thank you to all involved!

Gail Wilson
Sainsburys Blackhall

Masked men raid family home in Crewe Road South

Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery in Crewe Road South during the night. Four armed men wearing masks broke into a house just before 2am and attacked a terrified Chinese couple and their ten-year-old son. The raiders – who spoke with Scottish accents – escaped with a four-figure-sum of cash and jewellery.

Police are carrying out inquiries in the area and have increased high-visibility patrols in Craigleith.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston, who is leading the investigation, said: “The occupants of the house were awoken in the night to four masked intruders, who threatened them with a weapon and demanded cash. This was obviously a terrifying experience for them, and we are looking for any information to help us trace those responsible.

“I would be particularly keen to trace the drivers or occupants of any vehicles that were within the area at the time of the incident.

“We don’t have a clear description of the men as they were wearing masks, but they were all wearing dark clothing, and we are working to establish further details.”

If you have any information please call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The jam in Edinburgh’s planning sandwich?

Trinity Community Council has commented on Edinburgh’s latest Local Development Plan:

The City of Edinburgh Council’s latest Local Development Plan shows more than 17,000 new houses to be built on either side of the Trinity area. Trinity comprises about 4,000 houses currently so that is a very significant increase in nearby housing stock. There will also be two new Primary Schools, additional shopping at Granton and Leith and major industrial development at Leith docks.

Despite this, the plan contains no corresponding transport proposals. Will Trinity be the jam in the sandwich between developments at Leith and Granton? The previous plan depended on the tram to Newhaven taking the strain but the scrapping of that extension has not been replaced by any alternative.

Unless the plan recognises the need, transport will only be reviewed piecemeal as developments are built – with all that implies for impatient motorists taking shortcuts through residential areas.

There is also concern about possible impact on parking – already causing a number of problems and made worse by apparent lack of enforcement. One suggestion is to introduce Priority Parking but this would cost residents for their permit. More info at

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20083/parking_permits/451/priority_parking

We will push for a review of roads, transport (including bus services) and parking in north Edinburgh as part of the Plan rather than as an afterthought.

Trinity Community Council

NOTE:

Comments on Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan must be received by this Friday – 3 October

Building New Futures

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership and local community councils organised a conference to discuss regeneration initiiatives in North Edinburgh at Edinburgh College Granton Campus yesterday.

Report to follow, but some pictures to give you a flavour of the event in the meantime …

Winter festivals funding announced

£315,000 to support for festive events across Scotland

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop has announced an award of £315,000 to support events across Scotland as part of the Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme.

Scotland’s Winter Festivals events run across St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night in a celebration of Scottish culture and creativity, spread across the country.

The funding will be awarded to 16 events in total, comprising seven St Andrew’s Day events, five regional Hogmanay events and four Burns celebrations.

Across the country, these events will welcome locals and tourists to celebrate with them this winter – from the Highlands to Dumfries and Galloway.

St Andrew’s Day will kick-start this winter’s festive season with major city centre events in Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as regional celebrations in East Lothian, Oban, St Andrews and Perth. Storytelling, music and traditional Scottish food and drink, at festivities across the country, this St Andrew’s Day has something for everyone to enjoy.

Ms Hyslop said: “Scotland’s Winter Festivals comprise a dynamic events programme, spanning the significant national dates of St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night.

“The Scottish Government is delighted to deliver this funding which enables EventScotland to showcase the best of Scottish music, arts, food and drink, innovation and entertainment to a wide audience.

“We are a country renowned for our warm hospitality and in 2013 alone, almost 15 million overnight stays were spent in Scotland. St Andrew’s Day, Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night offer great opportunities for visitors and residents alike to celebrate our rich culture and distinctive heritage here, while our special dates are also marked around the world.”

www.scotland.org/winter

Fowl! Abandoned birds need new homes

Abandoned cockerels need new homes

The Scottish SPCA is appealing to find loving new homes for a number of cockerels in their care. Scotland’s animal welfare charity has seen a rise in the number of cockerels being abandoned.

The most recent incident saw four Transylvanian cockerels dumped in woodland in Biggar, South Lanarkshire. The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre currently have 11 cockerels looking for new homes.

Assistant centre manager Kenny Sharpe said, “The majority cockerels come into our care after being abandoned.

“People often buy chicks thinking they are hens and unfortunately when they realise they are cockerels they often dump the birds as they don’t lay eggs and can be quite noisy.

“Cockerels are very territorial birds, so ideally we are looking to rehome them singly or in small groups to a home with a number of hens.

“The birds would also need access to a secure run or a fully enclosed garden.
“We’d encourage anyone who thinks they can give any of these birds a fresh start to contact us for further information.”

Anyone who can offer any of the cockerels a new home is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

Pictures: SSPCA

Women: Breaking the mould

Breaking the Mould is a new project which aims to record and celebrate inspirational women from North Edinburgh who have made a difference to the lives of others locally, nationally, internationally. The project is particularly interested in identifying and publicising those women from our community who have ‘broken the mould’.

The achievements of many Edinburgh women are well known to us. Names such as Elsie Inglis and Helen Crummy have been celebrated with honours and memorials. There are many other women out there, however, who may have been forgotten about who really deserve to be remembered.

The group who are undertaking this research live locally and will be supported by a local Community Learning and Development worker and a tutor from the Workers Education Association. The group will be meeting every Wednesday from 10 – 12 in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre – first session is next Wednesday (1 October). A free crèche is provided for participants’ children.

Our short list of women who ‘Broke the Mould’ will be included in a new Edinburgh-wide booklet which will be launched at a special event at the Scottish Parliament next year. We also hope to create an exhibition displaying the images of all our inspirational local women. The exhibition will be launched at a community event in North Edinburgh Arts Centre next summer.

If you are interested in joining the group or would like more information about how you can get involved call Lynn McCabe at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on 552 5700 or Isobel Hart, from the Workers Education Association on 225 2580.

Alternatively, check out the North Edinburgh Breaking the Mould Facebook page. For more information about the project in other areas of the country contact: https://www.facebook.comWEABreakingthemould

Lynn McCabe