Tag: city council

Foundations mark next phase of Powderhall regeneration

Foundations have been laid on the next phase of the Powderhall regeneration, marking significant progress in delivering new homes and an educational facility as part of the long-term transformation of the former waste transfer station, bowling greens and adjacent stables sites.

Above-ground construction is now underway on the former bowling greens site, where contractors CCG (Scotland) are installing substructures, foundations and drainage.

This phase will deliver 27 council homes for older people alongside a 128-place early years centre and improvements to St Mark’s Path which is part of QuietRoute 20. The homes will deliver much needed affordable housing in the city centre including 19 wheelchair adapted homes which there is an acute shortage of across the city.

The new nursery, which will be managed by Broughton Primary School, is part of the city’s expansion of early learning and childcare provision and will increase the accessibility, affordability, flexibility and quality of funded early learning and childcare places to meet the needs of the local community.

The regeneration of Powderhall also includes the restoration of the historic Powderhall Stables into flexible workspace and artist studios, which is due to open soon, and upgrades to the Broughton Road and McDonald Road junction.

The final phase of the project will redevelop the former waste transfer station site where over 200 new affordable and private homes, as well as a new civic square on Broughton Road, will be built.

The complete  redevelopment of Powderhall will create a new residential neighbourhood alongside community facilities, green space and improved walking and cycling routes completing the transformation of Powderhall into a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The development received a £1.4m funding boost from the Scottish Government through the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This is a very exciting moment for the Powderhall regeneration. Seeing foundations now laid for the next phase marks real progress in delivering more homes our city urgently needs.

“I am looking forward to seeing the new affordable homes and early years centre take shape. Once all phases of Powderhall are complete there will be more than 200 homes alongside new community facilities and green space. This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new neighbourhood for people to live and thrive in.

“Two years on from declaring a housing emergency, we know we must keep pushing forward with solutions to deliver more housing at pace. Plans to regenerate city centre brownfield sites such as the former waste transfer station will form part of this.”

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Powderhall will soon become a valued asset for Canonmills. Not only will it help to address the growing demand for amenity housing and nursery spaces, but its delivery will also help to create a lasting positive legacy for the wider community, far beyond bricks and mortar.

“Six new jobs, one trade apprenticeship and 13 work placements are set to be created, alongside £7,500 of investment and a commitment to undertake 50 volunteering days in support of Broughton Primary School.

“We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing how construction will take shape in the months ahead.”

A term of musical achievement for Edinburgh’s young musicians

Even more pupils have had the opportunity to perform as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

Over 5,500 young people in Edinburgh receive weekly music lessons in their schools through the Instrumental Music Service. Over the last month (28 February – 31 March 2026) even more children and young people in Edinburgh have had the opportunity to experience the benefits of live music making, performing as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

  • At the end of February, 60 young pianists took part in the second annual piano festival, hosted in the City of Edinburgh Music School. Young pianists performed a range of pieces on the Steinway Grand Piano in the recital room.
  • On the 1 March, the Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Senior Guitar Ensemble were selected, from a range of national entries, to perform at the Scottish Young Musician Ensemble Final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
  • Young jazz musicians have had the opportunity to showcase their talent this term, including on the 10 March at the city’s iconic Jazz Bar. The Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra performed an hour-long set, featuring the internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Sue McKenzie.
  • BBC Proms presenter, saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam, delivered an inspiring masterclass for young saxophonists on Thursday 12 March, prior to her Scottish premiere with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
  • On the 15 March, three bands from Leith Academy, James Gillespies High School and Boroughmuir High School performed a sold-out gig at the Jazz Bar as part of Edinburgh Rocks! Festival. The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble took to the stage as the headliner for the festival.

On 23 March, over 600 young musicians, with pupils from the majority of Edinburgh’s schools, took to the stage at the Usher Hall, performing across seven different ensembles.

The first half featured Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble and Edinburgh School’s Rock Ensemble.

The first half closed with the inaugural performance of the City of Edinburgh Schools Training Wind Ensemble, with over 120 wind musicians from 17 secondary schools taking part.

The second half opened with over 120 string players performing as part of the Edinburgh Primary String Ensemble – the first public performance for many of these learners. The concert closed with the Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble performing music from three iconic movie scores and the Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Festive Overture.

This school session is the first time all Edinburgh’s secondary schools have been represented as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s Usher Hall concert series. In recent years, the Instrumental Music Service has invested in additional resources including instruments, with a focus on equity, to further remove barriers to learning and participation.

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “We want as many children and young people as possible to have the opportunity to not only learn an instrument, but to make progress, have the chance to play as part of a group or ensemble, and to perform to an audience.

“All of this is hugely beneficial for young people in both the short and long term, helping to build perseverance, self-esteem, communication and creativity. These skills and experiences, together with the sense of achievement, pave the way for better attainment and life chances.

“We are committed to making sure that pupils who may not have had the opportunity to do so before are now taking part in our ensembles and getting to experience the buzz of performing to an audience.

“I want to thank our dedicated instrumental instructors and those who give up their time to coach and lead our ensembles – I am confident that these experiences will stay with our young people well beyond their time at school.

To round off the term, on 31 March, the city hosted their Scottish Young Musician Regional Final, in Portobello High School. The competition featured representatives from 12 secondary schools, all competing for the coveted title of The City of Edinburgh Council Young Musician of the Year.

In the end, it was pianist Joshua Gibson, from Queensferry High School, who found favour with the judges.

With singer Liza Aquado, from St Augustine’s R.C. High School, awarded runner up and guitarist Ivar Mackie, from Portobello High School, awarded the most promising young musician. Joshua will now represent the City of Edinburgh Council, performing at the national Scottish Young Musician Final, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in May.

Oscar, S4 pupil at Boroughmuir High School said: “The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble is brilliant fun, I really enjoy it, it’s an opportunity like no other!

“Our teachers and all the young musicians are totally committed to our weekly rehearsals and to all our gigs throughout the year – of which our recent performances at Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar and the Usher Hall were just two.

“I’ve made some really good friends and I cannot wait to go on tour in June!

Should your community be a Firework Control Zone?

THE City Council wants to hear from communities across the city about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones next November. FCZs are for private spaces such as gardens. These zones help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.

Of the nine zones in place in 2025, four continue this year as the application was for two years – Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.

Resident groups, community councils and other community groups – apply by 24 April if you wish your neighbourhood to be a firework control zone.

Apply for a firework control zone in your community:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/firework-control-zones

Holyrood candidates confirmed

The full list of candidates standing for election to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh’s six constituencies alongside those contesting the seven seats from the Edinburgh and Lothians East Region has now been finalised.

Nominations closed at 4pm yesterday. The candidates for each constituency at that deadline are listed below and on rhe city council’s website:

Edinburgh Central:

  • BONNIE PRINCE, Bob – Independent
  • CREIGHTON, Chris – Independent
  • DALGLEISH, James William – Scottish Labour Party
  • DUNDAS, Charles – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • LAIRD, Tam – Scottish Libertarian Party
  • MOWAT, Jo – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • MURRAY, Craig John – Alliance to Liberate Scotland
  • NEILL, Gary – Reform UK
  • POWNALL, Robert Neil – Independent
  • ROBERTSON, Angus – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • SLATER, Lorna – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith:

  • LEES, David – Reform UK
  • MACPHERSON, Ben – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party
  • OWEN, Liss – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • THOMAS, Oliver Philip – Scottish Labour Party
  • YOUNG, Haris – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Edinburgh North Western:

  • AHMED, Irshad – Scottish Labour Party
  • CAIRNS, Rachel – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • COLE-HAMILTON, Alex – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • HENRY, David – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
  • JARDINE, Lyn Ann – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • THOMSON, Davie – Reform UK

Edinburgh Northern:

  • COWDY, Christopher – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • HYSLOP, Euan – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson – Scottish Green Party
  • MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew – Reform UK
  • MERON, Abu – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
  • RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor – Scottish Labour Party

Edinburgh South Western:

  • KUMAR, Simita – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • MUNRO, Catriona – Scottish Labour Party
  • ROSE, Cameron – Reform UK
  • WEBBER, Sue – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • WILLIAMSON, Andy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh Southern:

  • ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Patricia – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • JOHNSON, Daniel Guy – Scottish Labour Party
  • MUNRO, Marie-Clair – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • TURNER, Charles – Reform UK
  • WILKINSON, Marc – Edinburgh & East Lothian People

Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):

ADVANCE UK

  • MOFFAT, Sean

ALLIANCE TO LIBERATE SCOTLAND

  • MURRAY, Craig John
  • SMITH, Joe
  • KERR, Hugh
  • DALY, James
  • CARO, Anna

ANIMAL WELFARE PARTY

  • SCOTT, Mark
  • WILLISCROFT-FERRIS, Lee Christopher
  • MOIR, Vivienne Margaret
  • SMITH, Jane Catherine

COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN

  • CULLEN, Chris

EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE

  • WILKINSON, Marc
  • SISSON, David Henry Alan

EQUALITY PARTY

  • RENTON, David
  • MACKINTOSH, Laura
  • DYKES-JOHNSON, Caitlin

INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND PARTY

  • HANNAH, John

INDEPENDENT GREEN VOICE

  • BURNS, Megan

REFORM UK

  • ROSS, Angela
  • CHIDAMBARAM, Pal
  • DOUGLAS, Nigel
  • LEES, David
  • TURNER, Charles
  • MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew
  • NEILL, Gary
  • THOMSON, David
  • ROSE, Cameron

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY

  • BRIGGS, Miles
  • WEBBER, Sue
  • MUNRO, Marie-Clair
  • COWDY, Christopher
  • MOWAT, Jo
  • JONES, Tim
  • CAIRNS, Rachel
  • YOUNG, Haris

SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY

  • HOLDEN, Philip
  • DEEPNARAIN, Niel
  • LUCAS, Mairi
  • MACEACHEN, Helen
  • COX, Peter James

SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY

  • SLATER, Lorna Jane
  • NEVENS, Kate
  • MANIVANNAN, Q
  • KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson
  • BOOTH, Chas
  • AL-KHATEB, Adam
  • PHILLIPS, Jo
  • WADHWA, Mridul Machindra
  • HEAP, Dan
  • KVASSNES, Astri JS
  • STANIFORTH, Alex
  • CEBULSKI, Mariusz Artur

SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY

  • AHMED, Irshad
  • SANGSTER, Katherine
  • JOHNSON, Daniel
  • MUNRO, Catriona
  • WHITFIELD, Martin
  • STOTT, Caitlin
  • DALGLEISH, James
  • RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor
  • THOMAS, Oliver

SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

  • DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne Carlien
  • ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Particia
  • DUNDAS, Charles Christopher
  • YOUNIE, Lewis James
  • BUTLER, Jenny Claire Marr
  • OWEN, Alissa Jayne
  • GRANT, Alan

SCOTTISH LIBERTARIAN PARTY

  • LAIRD, Tam
  • SMITH, Gary Finlayson

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)

  • SHEPPARD, Tommy
  • BROCK, Deidre
  • KUMAR, Simita
  • ROBERTSON, Angus
  • MCLENNAN, Paul Stewart
  • BEATTIE, Colin
  • JARDINE, Lyn

SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY

  • FOX, Colin
  • REID, Natalie
  • MAXWELL, Ally

SCOTTISH WORKERS PARTY OF BRITAIN

  • HENRY, David
  • MERON, Abu

INDEPENDENT

  • BONNIE PRINCE, Bob
  • BALFOUR, Jeremy Ross
  • DAVIES, Morgwn Carter
  • REGAN, Ash

Paul Lawrence, the Constituency Returning Officer and Regional Returning Officer, said: “Today marks a significant step closer to the Capital going to the polls, crucially we now know who our residents will have the opportunity to vote for on 7 May.

“We want everyone to be able to exercise their democratic rights come polling day. I encourage everyone to make the appropriate arrangements as soon as possible – whether that’s registering to vote or applying for a postal or proxy vote if that is your preference. 

“I want to thank our colleagues who are working hard to ensure this election runs smoothly and efficiently for the people of Edinburgh and the broader region.”

People aged 16 and over can vote in this election. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April, to apply for a postal vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, and for a proxy vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Detailed advice on registering to vote, the use of postal and proxy votes and other guidance is available on the Council’s website.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday May 7. You can find your polling place on our website. The count will take place on Friday May 8. 

Victory for campaigners as rogue landlords struck off

On Monday Living Rent campaigners took action outside Edinburgh City Chambers as the councillors voted to strike off four landlords from the landlord register.

Living Rent said: ‘This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords.

‘Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord.

‘Everyone should have a safe, warm and affordable home. The council has proven they can take action, now they need to go further and clamp down on all rogue landlords across the city!’

Tackling poverty in Edinburgh

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Cllr James Dalgleish writes about work to address child poverty across schools and communities:

It has a been ten years since the introduction of our 1 in 5 Raising Awareness of Child Poverty campaign – ambitious and extensive work to tackle the stigma associated with poverty and to support families and children.

We built on this in 2018 with the rollout of our Making Education Equal for All framework, providing schools with practical guidance on how to help those in their communities living in poverty. I’m pleased that an updated version has just been launched.

A decade on and around 18,000 children and young people citywide are still living in poverty. It is hard to comprehend what this means day to day unless you’ve seen or experienced it first-hand. The tired faces of children starting the school day with an empty tummy, the endlessly forgotten school trip money – and on top of this the extra burden of shame, isolation and exclusion that living in poverty can bring.

It is unacceptable that this is Edinburgh’s reality and it is imperative that we continue to do everything we can to level the playing field for all children and young people.

It is positive that in the last ten years, the action we’ve taken has narrowed the poverty related attainment gap, helped more learners to take part in activities and to achieve, and supported families with their wellbeing and finances.

Reducing the cost of the school day – including removing/reducing the cost of uniform, trips and extra-curricular activities has been a priority. We went even further last year, when we removed the requirement for branded school uniform – minimising unnecessary costs and reducing pressure on family finances.

Our Active Schools teams provide extra-curricular sport activities, before and after school and at lunchtimes at no charge. We have also invested in musical instruments to enable more pupils to learn an instrument and to progress – it is fantastic that those who wouldn’t have done before, are now taking part in our ensembles.

I firmly believe that our schools should be a place of equity, where regardless of a child’s background, where or who they live with – they have every opportunity to achieve their goals and ambitions.

There is still a long way to go to remove poverty-related barriers. We are committed to doing all we can to make sure that all children and young people in Edinburgh have equal access and opportunities to participate in, and make the most of, their school experience – and every chance to succeed.

This article fist appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News

New affordable homes planned for Leith

A high-quality, energy efficient development at Coatfield Lane, Leith will deliver much-needed family housing and improved greenspace.

Plans to deliver 49 new affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have been approved, marking a significant step forward in the Council’s ongoing programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing across the city.

The new homes will be delivered on behalf of the Council by CCG (Scotland) Ltd in collaboration with Collective Architecture. The development, designed to meet a range of housing needs will include a mix of 1–4 bedroom flats and family houses and will be located in the heart of the Leith Conservation Area, close to the historic Kirkgate.

The homes will be well insulated and highly energy efficient thanks to a combination of advanced construction methods and the adoption of air source heat pump technology.

In addition to the homes, the project will provide improvements to the existing public realm including greenspaces, rain gardens and biodiverse planting.

Councillor Tim Pogson, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Unfortunately too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.

“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused. And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places that respect the historic character of the area while delivering modern high-quality homes.

“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”

CCG Managing Director David Wylie said: “We are delighted that plans for 49 affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have now been approved.

“Our team has worked collaboratively with the design partners to develop the proposals and realise the Council’s aspirations to deliver what will be a transformative development for the Leith community, and we look forward to commencing construction later this year.”

Collective Architecture said: “We’re delighted that the scheme has received planning approval.

“The new homes are sensitively integrated into the historic Kirkgate setting, sitting comfortably within the existing urban grain and immediately adjacent to the Category A-Listed Linksview House.

“Our proposals enhance the surrounding public realm and prioritise high quality architectural and urban design, incorporating social and environmental needs. This approach ensures meaningful benefits for both new residents and the existing community in Leith.”

Final piece of funding secured to transform Granton Lighthouse into arts and education hub

The balance of funding required to bring the historic Granton Lighthouse in the north of Edinburgh back to life and transform it into a community arts & education hub has been secured.

The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Funding programme announced it is contributing the balance of the funding required (£2.278m) to complete the £4.171m funding package. The remainder of the budget will be made up of funding from the Heritage and Place Fund (£1.610m) with £0.283m also being provided by the Council.

The restoration project, part of the wider £1.3bn regeneration of the Granton Waterfront area, will transform the historic building once used as a place to teach lighthouse keepers their trade into a flexible, accessible modern workspace to be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.

As part of its original use, the ‘C’ listed nineteenth century building, an important part of the built heritage of the Granton Waterfront area, was also used to test new illuminations for other lighthouses.

This historic building will be fully refurbished to create a learning, enterprise and exhibition/cafe space. As well as restoring some original features such as the lantern, the outside space will be transformed into a social space for people to sit and relax and enjoy some greenery. Disabled parking and cycle storage will also be provided.

A planning application to carry out the work has been submitted and work could start as early as next year.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “I’m delighted the funding is now in place to restore this historically significant building to be enjoyed by the local community for generations to come.

“The former lighthouse building is a strong visual reminder of the area’s history. It will now start a new chapter as it continues to be a place of learning and creativity as well as a focal point for the local community to meet.

“Arts and Education Trust Out of the Blue were selected as a suitable operator to lease the building following feedback from local people who told us they need a flexible, accessible work and events space for arts education.

“It’s also another great milestone reached for our £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and follows our announcement at the end of last year that the Council had been successful in securing funding for this and several other heritage buildings.

“This includes funding to refurbish and restore structures such as Madelvic House, Granton Castle Walled Garden and the platforms in Granton Station Square, the latter of which are located beside the beautifully restored former Granton Station building.”

New Framework Agreement in place to deliver £350m worth of housing projects in Edinburgh

The first part of a Framework Agreement to support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Edinburgh, worth around £350m, is now live.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s four-year New Build Housing Framework Agreement will provide an efficient route to procure the construction of new build housing. This will help tackle the city’s housing emergency by aiding the Council’s ambition to deliver 25,000 affordable homes.

Lot 1, the first of two lots encompassed by the Framework, was approved by Finance and Resources Committee in January and, after a mandatory standstill period, is now live. The Lot is split into three sub-Lots based upon the size of prospective sites – one to 30 homes, 31 to 100 homes and 100+ homes. By splitting Lot 1 into sub-Lots the Council aimed to encourage greater participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), reducing overall reliance on a small number of contractors.

Now that successful contractors have been awarded a place under the Agreement, the Council can progress housebuilding projects with them more quickly, without the need for a full tender process each time.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Tim Pogson, said: “We’re fully committed to addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, pledging a record £1.6bn to housebuilding in this year’s budget, helping to realise our ambition to build 25,000 new affordable homes across the city.

“Procuring the right contractors to deliver these homes can take time, so I’m pleased that Lot 1 of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement is now in place, helping to streamline the process and letting us tackle the issue at pace.

“Our Procurement Service’s innovative approach to the Framework has opened opportunities to a broader range of contractors, including SMEs, increasing capacity for house building projects.”

Lot 2 will focus on collaboration, allowing the Council to work with other partners to jointly procure sites to achieve economies of scale.

A further award report for Lot 2 will be presented to Finance and Resources Committee in the coming months. Contracts awarded under both Lots of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement are valued in total at an estimated £600m.

A robust tender process carried out by Commercial and Procurement Services involved engagement with the market and attracted 22 responses across both Lots.

According to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) for the South-East Scotland area, there is demand for between 36,000 and 52,000 new homes in Edinburgh between 2021 to 2040, between 24,000 and 35,000 of which need to be affordable.

Read the report Award of New Build Housing Framework Agreement – Lot 1 online.

North Edinburgh Connections: Pennywell Road consultation

Consultation now open by @Edinburgh_CC on ‘North Edinburgh Connections’ active travel scheme (Ferry Road-Pennywell Road-West Granton Road).

You can see the plans and comment (closing date 9 June) here:

http://bit.ly/4d0gHHX