City of Edinburgh Council – Page 15 – The NEN

All change in city centre, by George!

Twelve-month trial for part-pedestrianisation and one-way system on George Street

One of Edinburgh’s best-known and busiest streets has been transformed to create a welcoming environment for pedestrians, cyclists and visitors. The new look George Street was officially opened by local workers and daily commuters yesterday.

Changes, aimed to make the area more attractive to shoppers, residents and tourists, include the introduction of a dedicated two-way cycle lane and a one-way system for general traffic and buses.

The resulting increase in pedestrian space will allow for outdoor dining facilities, exhibitions and public art, supporting an emerging café culture and encouraging footfall to the city centre, while the cycle route will connect the National Cycle network at the east and west end of the City Centre.

George Street’s development follows successful Festival periods over the last two years, when pedestrian areas were increased to allow outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants, in addition to Fringe venues.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, (pictured above) said: “As we have seen over the Festival, opening up George Street for pedestrians and cyclists can result in a much more relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

“We want to create an inviting city centre, showing off what local businesses have to offer as well as creating an accessible space for residents, visitors and commuters. However, we will continue to cooperate with stakeholders to ensure this works for all those involved.”

Andy Neal, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, added: “We are delighted that the Council has agreed to go ahead with this one-year trial, as we had advocated. The aim of the part-pedestrianisation is to create a space that attracts even more people to enjoy all that the city centre has to offer – its shops, bars, restaurants, attractions and public spaces.

“A shorter pilot last year returned very encouraging figures. We are confident that a year-long pilot will show even more reasons for encouragement – and will undoubtedly illustrate ways in which we can bring about further improvements in the future.”

Proposals to develop George Street were first agreed as part of a wider city centre vision at last October’s Transport and Environment Committee and built on a review of city centre public spaces by Gehl Architects, which identified traffic-dominated streets and the quality of the pedestrian experience amongst the challenges faced.

Final designs were drawn up after a six-week consultation held with stakeholders and the public. Planners have ensured minimal changes to parking for residents and visitors, with spaces in the centre of the street, separated from new cycle lanes by rubber kerbs and decorative planters, and residents’ parking maintained in the design.

The adaptation of George Street will take the form of a year-long trial, overseen by a monitoring and evaluation group, allowing the Council to review the impact on residents, visitors, business and movement in and around the city centre before considering a more permanent solution. More than 1000 people will be interviewed on George Street during the trial to gauge their views on what they would like to see happen with the street in the long term.

Have your say on 20mph proposals

Hinds: ‘a very important step in our journey towards a culture change in the Capital’

A consultation is now live to help draw up plans for new 20mph speed limits across the Capital. Members of the public are encouraged to take part in the consultation via the Council’s website or by attending one of the planned public meetings, roadshows and drop-in sessions being held across the City over the coming weeks.

The consultation at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/20mph asks for feedback on a map of proposed 20mph limit streets.

Following a successful pilot in South Edinburgh, a 20 mph speed limit is now proposed for the City Centre, main shopping streets and residential areas.

Recent market research and consultation in Edinburgh has shown strong support for more extensive 20mph limits. The Edinburgh People’s Survey in 2012 showed a sizeable majority in favour of 20mph limits in residential areas, shopping streets and the City Centre. And 67 per cent of people supported a 20mph limit for all city centre streets, while just five per cent opposed such a limit, with 29 per cent uncertain.

One of the key priorities of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Local Transport Strategy 2014-2019, approved earlier this year, is to consult on detailed proposals for the citywide 20mph network. Consulting “with a view to extending the current 20mph traffic zones” is also one of the Capital Coalition’s pledges.

20mph speed limits encourage more considerate driving, leading to safer streets for all road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The lower speeds reduce the risk and severity of road collisions.

Reducing traffic speed helps make people feel more confident about being on their local streets and helps children and elderly people to travel independently and safely. Calmer road speeds also help to make walking and cycling more attractive options, contributing to less traffic congestion, better health, less noise, more social interaction, an improved environment for local businesses and stronger communities.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “This consultation is a very important step in our journey towards a culture change in the Capital regarding speed limits and we want to make sure as many people as possible have had the chance to comment on the proposals.

“A couple of things it’s worth pointing out are that to reduce speeds, we’ll concentrate mainly on signage, although physical measures like pedestrian islands may be required on some residential streets where speeds don’t fall sufficiently with a signs and paint only approach.

“I also want to stress that speed humps will not be used on any main streets – ie those most likely to have bus services on them – which move to a 20mph limit. And the nature of the busier roads on which a 20mph limit is likely to be taken forward – the city centre, shopping streets and other roads with high numbers of pedestrians – means that impacts on bus journey times are expected to be very limited indeed.”

Councillor Adam McVey, Vice Transport Convener, said: “Lower speeds in residential areas and shopping streets are not just good for safety and environmental reasons. Slower traffic makes streets more attractive to residents, pedestrians, cyclists and children, improves the environment for business and enhances quality of life. Don’t miss your opportunity to help us draw up the map of 20mph streets – check out the consultation online, visit the public exhibition or drop in to one of our many information sessions and have your say.”

The public consultation closes on Friday 17 October 2014.

As well as the roadshows, public meetings and drop-in events, an exhibition of the proposals will be the Central Library, George IV Bridge from 1 – 14 September.

Maps of the proposals will also be available in the following local libraries from 1 September: Piershill, Northfield, Gilmerton, Morningside, Wester Hailes, Drumbrae Hub, McDonald Road and Muirhouse.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

A series of drop-in sessions and public meetings has been organised through the Neighbourhood Partnerships. Council officers will be available at these events to answer questions.

West:
Drop-in session on Tuesday 26 August, 4.30 to 6.30pm, Drumbrae Library Hub followed by a presentation on 20mph proposals at the Western
Neighbourhood Partnership Meeting at 7pm.

Drop-in session on Monday 8 September, 2 to 4 pm, South Queensferry Community Education Centre, Kirkliston Road.

All-day roadshow on Sunday 21 September at Gyle Shopping Centre, Gyle Avenue.

North:
Drop-in session on Wednesday 3 September, 10am to 1pm, North Edinburgh Local Office.

South West:
Drop-in session on Thursday 18 September, 2 to 4pm, Edgar Hall, Stenhouse St Aidan’s Parish Church.

Drop-in session on Monday 22 September, 2 to 4pm in Oxgangs Library.

East:
Public meeting on Wednesday 10 September, 7pm, Portobello Town Hall.

City Centre:
Public meeting on Tuesday 16 September, 7pm, City Chambers.

Roadshow on Thursday 25 September, 10 – 1pm, St James Shopping Centre.

South:
Public meeting on Tuesday 3 September, 7pm, City Chambers.

Leith:
Drop-in session on Wednesday 24 September, 6pm, Business Centre, McDonald Road Library.

Football tournament kicks off World Suicide Prevention Week

THE recent suicide of the much-loved actor Robin Williams highlighted how suicide can affect anyone. Sport can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, so a five-a-side football tournament will kick off World Suicide Prevention Week in Edinburgh next Saturday (6 September).

The Choose Life Challenge Cup will run from 9.30am until 12.30pm at Gracemount Leisure Centre on 2 Gracemount Drive with sixteen teams from Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian and Dundee taking part. Among this particpants are two ladies teams from Edinburgh who will be copeting in the tournament for the first time.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill will be there to present the trophy and other prizes.

Event organiser John Murphy, a project worker with Scottish charity Health in Mind, believes the Choose Life Challenge Cup is a fantastic event as it offers a comfortable space for guys to get together, reduces isolation and promotes a sense of belonging.

John said: “So many young men find it hard to talk about their feelings and in 2013, there were 795 suicides recorded in Scotland, with the rate for men more than three times that of women.”

John said the event provides a great opportunity for people to find out about the issues and the services available locally. “If there’s someone you know who you think might be considering suicide; ask them and be willing to listen and encourage them to get help – you could help save their life. Alternatively if you are feeling suicidal, don’t hide it; find someone you trust and talk to them.”

The Choose Life Campaign is part of the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland.

The partners supporting the Choose Life Challenge Cup – Lothian Five-a-Side Football Tournament are NHS Lothian, East Lothian Council, The City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian and West Lothian Councils.

Pupils all aboard for writing competition

An annual creative writing competition with an environmental theme for primary school children has been launched in Edinburgh by local author John Fardell.

‘Scotland’s Seas’ is the theme of this year’s ‘Green Pencil Award’, which is run by The City of Edinburgh Council for P4 – P7 pupils.

They are being encouraged to write creatively about how the sea impacts on local communities, the creatures that live in them, seascapes, what the seas are used for and how we can look after them in Scotland.

Primary 7 pupils from St Margaret’s RC Primary School in South Queensferry helped launch the event at Queensferry Library where they took part in a special writing workshop to pick up tips from John Fardell, who writes and illustrates children’s books.

The competition is open to all P4-7 pupils in Edinburgh and entries can be submitted through schools or public libraries until October 10. The 20 finalists and overall winner will be chosen on October 30 with a prize giving ceremony at the Central Library on November 27.

To help support the Green Pencil Award, a series of Live Literature events involving schools will be held in libraries across the capital during September, with support from the Scottish Book Trust.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener for The City of Edinburgh Council said: ‘I’m sure this year’s theme of Scotland’s Seas will inspire our young people to show their creative writing skills and how much they care about the environment.

“The importance of writing to children’s education cannot be underestimated, and the Green Pencil Award complements the work going on in our schools and libraries to encourage this. It’s a very popular competition and I’m really looking forward to seeing another excellent range of entries from children throughout the city.”

John Fardell said: “I’m delighted to be involved with the South Queensferry Library launch event of this year’s Green Pencil Award. I’ll be encouraging the pupils to have fun tapping into what they personally find exciting as they develop their own pieces of writing, and I’m sure this year’s Green Pencil theme of Scotland’s Seas will be a great catalyst for everyone’s imaginations.

“I’ve spent quite a bit of time throughout my life on, in and occasionally under Scotland’s seas, and that’s certainly been a source of inspiration for much of my own writing and illustration work.”

The competition, run by Edinburgh City Libraries and Eco-Schools in Edinburgh seeks to: promote literacy and creative writing; demonstrate care and understanding of environmental issues; encourage learning; link to Curriculum for Excellence aspirations and strengthen partnership working between libraries, schools and other partners.

Prizes have been donated by a range of sponsors, including the Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the Royal Scottish Zoological Society.

The creative writing can be either poetry or prose but must only take up one side of A4. For further information visit

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/greenpencilaward

Have your say on Edinburgh’s local development plan

EDINBURGH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

SECOND PROPOSED PLAN

PERIOD FOR REPRESENTATIONS

The City of Edinburgh Council has prepared a Second Proposed Edinburgh Local Development Plan. It sets out policies and proposals to guide land use and development.

The Second Proposed Plan is accompanied by a Environmental Report – Second Revision, a Second Proposed Action Programme, a revised Draft Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record and a number of other supporting documents. These include a Schedule of Representations, which explains what regard has been had to representations made in 2013 to the first Proposed Plan.

All of these documents are available for inspection from 22 August – 3 October 2014 at:

Planning and Building Standards Reception, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
All Council libraries during normal opening hours.

The documents can also be viewed at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan

Representations can be made on the Second Proposed Plan. These must be submitted in writing using the form provided by 5pm on Friday 3 October 2014. Representations can be submitted electronically to localdevelopmentplan@edinburgh.gov.uk or by post to Local Development Plan Team, City of Edinburgh Council, Business Centre G.3, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG.

Copies of the representations form and guidance note on submitting representations are available on the above website, at Waverley Court and in Council libraries.

If you made a representation to the first Proposed Plan in 2013, please note that you will need to resubmit your representation if you wish it to be formally considered by the Council and dealt with through the examination process.

Written comments can also be submitted on the Environmental Report, Action Programme, Draft Habitats Regulations Appraisal Record and other supporting documents. These should be sent to the above email or postal address by Friday 3 October 2014.

Drop-in engagement events have been arranged to provide further information on any aspect of the Second Proposed Plan:

North West Edinburgh, Rosebery Hall, Queensferry, 26 August, 3.30-6.45pm.
West Edinburgh, Drumbrae Library Hub, 28 August, 4-7pm.
South East Edinburgh, Kings Manor Hotel, Milton Road, 1 September, 4-7pm.
South West Edinburgh, Gibson Craig Hall, Currie, 3 September, 4-7pm.
South East Edinburgh, Faith Mission Hall, Gilmerton, 4 September, 4-7pm.
General session, Urban Room, Waverley Court, East Market Street, 22 September, 4-7 pm.

For more details see www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan

or contact Marius Hince on 0131 529 4692

or email marius.hince@edinburgh.gov.uk

Ben Wilson

Principal Planner, Local Planning Policy

Council seeks your views on Community Payback Orders

Edinburgh residents are being asked to comment on a scheme that requires offenders to carry out unpaid work in the community as part of their sentence.

Community Payback Orders can be imposed on offenders by the courts as an alternative to a short prison term, and can last between six months and three years. They give those involved the chance to address their behaviour and also to repay communities by carrying out unpaid work.

The public consultation has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council, which administers the scheme in the city. Views are being sought on offenders working in communities and the effectiveness of community payback as a way to reduce re-offending.

Examples of unpaid work carried out by the scheme include:

Refurbishing rundown gravestones, including a memorial in Craigmillar to an abandoned baby;
Maintaining the Vat Run mountain bike trail in South Queensferry;
Clearing overgrown paths in Figgate Park;
Building and filling flower planters for the Queen’s Baton route.

As well as using the questionnaire to comment on the community payback scheme, individuals and community groups can also recommend projects that may benefit from unpaid work through the online suggestion form.

All local authorities are legally required to carry out an annual consultation on the unpaid work aspect of community payback orders.

Community Safety Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “We’re really keen to hear what people think about community payback orders, and the work carried out by the people subject to them.

“They are an excellent way for organisations such as charities to get practical help, and they give offenders the chance to repay communities for their offences.”

City meets the challenge of rising school rolls

Edinburgh is a desirable place to live, but that popularity creates some challenges. As more and more families choose to make Edinburgh their home, the city council faces an ongoing struggle to ensure there are enough school places to meet demand.

Twenty-three new classrooms opened their doors to pupils in Edinburgh this week as the city council tackles the pressing issue of rising school rolls.

Four new buildings – providing 18 classrooms – have been built at Victoria, St David’s RC, Craigour Park and Broughton Primary Schools, and five extra class spaces have been created to meet increased pressure at Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Fox Covert and Gylemuir. This programme has ensured that hundreds of new pupil places were ready across the city for the start of the school term.

The £3.8m Council investment has been carried out in conjunction with partners Hub South East Scotland Ltd and Morrison Construction.

Victoria Primary School had a special opening ceremony on Wednesday, with 93-year-old local resident George Hackland, who attended the school in 1927, as their guest of honour (pictured above).

George, said: “The new building is very different from when I was a pupil at the school 80 years ago! It’s nice and big and open for the children to learn in. It’s a great school who do a lot with the local community.”

Laura Thomson, head teacher at Victoria Primary School, said: “There’s a real buzz of excitement around the school with the new classrooms opening. Staff and pupils have watched them being built over the past few months so to start teaching in them will be great as they will provide a bright and stimulating learning environment. The children are so excited about starting the school year in their brand new classrooms.”

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m delighted that for the second year in a row we have successfully delivered much-needed class spaces for our primary schools pupils. While many local authorities across the United Kingdom struggle to find sustainable solutions to the increase in pupil numbers the Capital Coalition has delivered 46 new rooms in two years.

“Dealing with rising rolls is a challenge, but it is a challenge we are meeting. However we know that with primary school rolls currently projected to rise to a peak of nearly 31,000 pupils by 2019 there is still a lot more work to be done. That’s why the Capital Coalition is committed to tackling the rise and despite the difficult economic climate we’ve already pledged £15m to build the required accommodation.

“We will continue to listen to parents’ views and work with school communities as we move forward together on our plans for even more new class spaces. Whether it is traditional extensions, new buildings or the refurbishment of existing space, we are committed to providing the very best educational environment for our pupils.”

Jo Elliot, Chair of Hub South East Scotland Ltd, said: “This is the second year running that we have successfully delivered additional classrooms on schedule and on budget for the City of Edinburgh Council, and we are proud to have played our part in finding innovative solutions to assist with the issue of rising school rolls.

“Last year’s projects were very well received, and this year we’ve kept the same high quality design and construction, whilst reducing the cost for the Council. We look forward to continuing this successful working relationship in future phases, ensuring staff and pupils benefits from modern, fit for purpose facilities.”

David Wilson, Project Director for Morrison Construction, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council and Hub South East Scotland Ltd and have successfully together, for the second year running, completed the construction of additional classroom space to meet the changing needs of the schools involved with regarding to rising school rolls. We hope the pupils and staff will enjoy their first academic year in the brand new facilities.”

The breakdown of classrooms in the new buildings is Victoria (4), St David’s RC (4), Craigour Park (6) and Broughton (4). Both St David’s RC and Craigour Park have a second phase of more classrooms designed if they are needed in future years.

The Council has identified nine more primary schools where additional classrooms may be required for the 2015/16 session to meet the increased demand from catchment pupils and are already starting to plan for the delivery of these for August 2015 should they be needed.

Craig Hill’s rubbish!

FRINGE STAR HELPS COUNCIL CLEAN UP ITS ACT

Cheeky Fringe stalwart Craig Hill kept it clean when he helped City of Edinburgh Council’s street cleansing team spruce up the capital during the Festival.

The comedy veteran and Edinburgh resident pitched in to help the local task force tackle one of the summer’s busiest spots, against the familiar backdrop of his own promotional posters at Middle Meadow Walk.

Craig is one of hundreds of performers to be promoting their shows using the Council’s official advertising, which for the first year will generate thousands of pounds towards keeping the city clean during the festival.

The scheme, now in is in its fourth year, dissuades illegal fly-posters by providing alternative advertising opportunities, saving the Council up to £350,000 on the cost of cleaning away flyers and posters.

And now, for the first time, revenue from the advertising contract with print and distribution company Out of Hand, in partnership with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, will be ploughed back into keeping the city beautiful for residents and visitors.

Money gained from the contract to advertise on Council-owned assets will be used to fund additional street cleansing and litter capacity over the busy festival period.

Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Last year’s Fringe Festival Advertising proved a real success so now it’s great to be able to harness this to help keep our city beautiful for everyone.

“Edinburgh Festival Fringe is an amazing experience for performers, visitors and people living in Edinburgh, but it has an undoubted impact on the city’s environment.

“That’s why we’re glad to be able to work with Out of Hand and Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to provide a solution benefitting both citizens and those making the most of this world-famous festival.”

The City of Edinburgh Council’s outdoor advertising poster project, delivered by Out of Hand, provides different styles of advertising on around 900 Council-owned assets throughout the city, including wrap-around lamp post advertising and tower columns.

Revenue gained from advertising of performances during the period will fund operational costs associated with the Fringe.

Amongst these measures are the employment of more than 70 temporary street cleaners to patrol the city’s streets to tackle litter resulting from increased footfall and a batch of extra large bins, to be located in some of the city’s busiest areas to cope with the rise in rubbish.

Comedian Craig Hill added: “Edinburgh is so gorgeous I’m really pleased that one of the Council’s priorities is keeping it clean because it’s too beautiful a city to mess up!”

It’s no yolk – Edinburgh’s newest park opens at Drumbrae

Buttercup Farm park created on site of former poultry farm

There was a sense of nostalgia in Drumbrae yesterday when community members joined to open Buttercup Farm Park, the first new park in Edinburgh for 15 years.

Former residents and families of workers from the area gathered to celebrate the completion of Buttercup Farm Park, created on the site of one of the city’s most successful poultry farms.

Built in 1922, Buttercup Farm was established by Andrew Ewing, founder of Buttercup Dairy Company, which at its peak had more than 250 shops over Scotland and the north of England.

On Wednesday, Mr Ewing’s relatives, including great nieces and nephews and children of former poultry farm workers, some of whom had lived on the farm, helped to officially open the aptly-named park.

The £235,000 project, designed by City of Edinburgh Council, was supported with funding from Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) and Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) and will be completed in two phases.

The initial phase, now finished, has seen the implementation of a new park landscape, play area and toddler zone with lawn, picnic tables and seating. The second phase will begin in autumn, and will involve the planting of trees and preparation of wildflower meadows.

City of Edinburgh Council’s Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Our parks are the jewel in Edinburgh’s crown so it’s fantastic to be able to add a new one to the city’s repertoire.

“This park has been designed with local people in mind and I’m delighted to be able to open a space with such close links to the area’s social history. I’m sure will be a great asset for the community.”

Charlie Cumming, Chief Executive of ELGT, said: “Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust has been proud to be a partner in delivering Edinburgh’s first new park since 2000 and we look forward to working with local residents on future projects as the park progresses.”

Ben Walker, WREN Grant Manager, added: “WREN is committed to funding projects that make a real difference to local communities, children and families. The project has seen the delivery of a modern community park with original and exciting features and elements for the whole family to enjoy.

“It will encourage outdoor activities and promote a healthier lifestyle for all. We are delighted to support City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust to provide this new valuable community green space to be enjoyed for years and years to come.”

Local author Bill Scott, who wrote The Buttercup – The Remarkable Story of Andrew Ewing and the Buttercup Company, also joined the celebrations on Wednesday.

His novel charts the success of Andrew Ewing, who started out life as a penniless child in Stranraer but went on to establish one of the most successful poultry businesses of his time, including the 86-acre Buttercup Farm.

A generous and religious man, Mr Ewing refused to charge for any eggs laid at his farm on a Sunday, donating more than 100,000 to hospitals every week, and eventually died without any money, having given most of it away.

New homes for Western Harbour

Housing Minister hails nearly 100 new homes for rent in Leith

Nearly 100 new affordable homes are to be built at Western Harbour in Leith through the ground-breaking National Housing Trust initiative (NHT), the Housing Minister has revealed.

Margaret Burgess made the announcement during a visit to Scotland’s largest NHT development in Edinburgh this morning.

The recently completed 145 home development at Salamander Place marks the completion of all 422 homes built under the first round of NHT procurement in the Capital.

Mrs Burgess said: “I am delighted to announce the latest deal under the National Housing Trust initiative, which will deliver 94 brand new and affordable homes to rent in Edinburgh.

“Developments such as the one planned for Western Harbour, and the new 145 home development at Salamander Place, not only provide a boost for our construction sector and wider economy, but also offer people and families the chance to rent a new home at affordable rates.

“I have met NHT tenants all over Scotland and have heard how delighted they are with their new, high quality homes.

“NHT continues to go from strength to strength. The initiative is on track to deliver over 2,000 much needed new homes in communities across the country – all for very little taxpayers’ money.

“Despite Westminster’s cuts to our capital budget the Scottish Government is doing everything possible to stimulate growth, maximise our investment in housing and deliver on our target of 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this Parliament.”

The original NHT model allows developers and councils to jointly fund the purchase of new homes, with local authority loans to the initiative being underwritten by the Scottish Government.

Under the original NHT model, homes are available for rent at below market rates for five to 10 years before being sold, with tenants being given priority to buy at the end of the rental period.

Councillor Cammy Day, Housing Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This new development at Salamander Place is an excellent example of how the Council is supporting housing developers to turn derelict sites into modern new build homes for rent at affordable prices. The Council provided over £15m in loan funding for these homes and is committed to securing more developments like this.”

Stuart Paterson, Chief Financial Officer of Forth Ports Limited, on whose land the new NHT development at Western Harbour would be located, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government in this NHT initiative at Western Harbour.

“Whilst we are a port operator first and foremost, when this was brought to us by Rettie & Co, who helped co-ordinate the deal, we saw an opportunity to help towards the regeneration of the community by providing more housing in the Leith area. Other areas around the Port of Leith, including Britannia Quay, are and will remain operational land.”

Angela Linton, Chief Executive of Hillcrest Group, the Housing Association that manages the Salamander Place development, said: “The NHT model allows us to market a different tenure of housing to the traditional affordable properties offered by Hillcrest Housing Association.

“Through Northern Housing Company, part of the Hillcrest Group, we have delivered mid-market rent properties, making a much needed injection of housing at this level.

“Many people find themselves not qualifying for affordable housing but at the same time not being able to afford the private market, so we are grateful for the Scottish Government support which helps us to deliver this project at Salamander Place.”

Christa Reekie, Commercial Director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “SFT’s work in developing and managing the innovative NHT programme is helping to deliver affordable rented housing in areas where there is a shortage.

“The City of Edinburgh Council has fully embraced the NHT initiative and so far has over 420 NHT homes across five sites in the City, with the construction of an additional 94 homes starting soon. The Salamander Place site is the largest across the whole of Scotland and reflects the huge positive impact the NHT programme is having on people’s lives.”