Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Shona Robison visited Muirhouse yesterday to officially open the new Pennywell All Care Centre. Ms Robison met staff and guests during a tour of the facility before cutting a ribbon to declare the ‘one stop shop’ open. Continue reading Health Secretary formally opens Pennywell All Care Centre
New flood gates with artwork featuring an inlaid carved poppy motif have been installed at the Warriston Viaduct beside Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory. The gates, which form part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Water of Leith Flood Prevention scheme, were “adopted” by staff at the historic Poppy Factory and will prove to be something of a local attraction as well as being wholly practical. Continue reading Decorative floodgates open at Poppy Factory
Friday 20th April 10am – 12 noon
North Edinburgh Arts
Free lunch – All welcome
Work gets underway this week to improve safety at various locations on Leith Walk, including what is believed to be the first installation in Scotland of a particular kind of cycleway delineators. Continue reading New road safety works begin on Leith Walk this week
Events aimed at encouraging more and more people to walk and cycle are to be held in each of the four Edinburgh localities for the first time this year as part of a calendar of active travel events.
Continue reading £564,000 funding to encourage walking and cycling across Edinburgh
Marking the centenary year of the first women receiving the right to vote in the UK, a new exhibition is to open at The Museum of Edinburgh charting the significant role the women of Edinburgh played. Continue reading New exhibition to celebrate the historic role played by the women of Edinburgh in the Suffrage movement
An ambitious 94 affordable homes project, which is creating a new community at Edinburgh’s Leith Fort, has been shortlisted for a trio of awards.
The £11.5 million housing development which is co-owned by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) and the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) is in the running for the forthcoming RICS, RIAS and Homes for Scotland awards which will take place later this year.
The homes are built on the former 18th century Leith Fort site and welcomed residents last year.
Sixty two of the colony style properties are owned by PoLHA for mid-market rent, with 32 units owned by the City of Edinburgh Council for social rent.
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, said:“We’re thrilled to have helped to restore this area to its former glory and to have created a neighbourhood where people want to live and to set down their roots.
“We are very proud of this successful modern interpretation of the Edinburgh colonies which has brought much needed high quality, affordable housing for families in Leith and North Edinburgh. We’re delighted it has been shortlisted for three industry awards, providing great recognition for us and our partners.”
The new properties have been modelled on the Edinburgh colonies concept and are a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes. A feature of this development is that all homes have access to private south west facing gardens.
The main contractor was CCG (Scotland) Ltd and the development was funded by PoLHA, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government.
Cllr Kate Campbell, Housing and Economy Convener, said: “The Council and Port of Leith set out to deliver modern, affordable homes on the historic Leith Fort site but the development has created so much more than housing.
“It has community spirit right at its heart and it is great to see so many award nominations coming in. Our aim is to deliver 20,000 affordable and low cost homes in the next decade bringing prosperity to every person in every neighbourhood.”
Nicola McLachlan, Project Architect, Collective Architecture, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Port of Leith Housing Association, The City of Edinburgh Council and the local residents within Leith. The project heralds an exciting time in Leith’s rich history and plays an important role in stitching the Fort back into the community – both physically and socially – and encourages positive interaction between neighbours.
“It is wonderful to see that the residents are already making their own mark within the community and flourishing within their new homes.
“I am delighted to see how well the restrained palette of materials and careful detailing sits calmly within its context. Everyone involved with the project has worked collaboratively with the client group to ensure these homes stand the test of time; their skills and experience shine through within the project.”
There’s another opportunity to examine the council’s proposals to extend the tram line to Newhaven this week. The event takes place on Thursday at Leith Community Education Centre from 3 – 9pm. Continue reading Tram consultation rolls on to Leith Community Centre
A major £1.5 million resurfacing project on one of Edinburgh’s major arterial routes will start next week. Work on the main road stretching from South Bridge to Newington Road is expected to take three months and will mean considerable disruption for both commuters and local residents. Continue reading Prepare for more roads disruption: now it’s the A7
“We will be seeking answers from ESP as they have once again let down the parents and the Council over the condition of the school.” – City of Edinburgh Council Chief Executive Andrew Kerr
Following proactive inspections by the Council of recent repairs carried out by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP), further work is to be carried out immediately on Oxgangs Primary School. Faults have been identified on the roof and in the suspended ceilings of the school following the inspections last month.
Continue reading More school safety checks as further faults found
