Tag: consultation

SJIB and Unite the Union welcome consultation calling for regulation of electricians

The Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and Unite the Union have welcomed the launch of a consultation exercise which it is hoped will lead to the introduction of a Member’s Bill calling for regulation of electricians.

Both organisations are supporting the proposed Bill, which MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston plans to put forward following the new consultation announced last week.

The Bill by the Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands is calling for the introduction of protection of title, which would ensure that only properly qualified and experienced professionals could call themselves an electrician.

Mr Halcro Johnston said: “Poor quality work has potentially dangerous consequences and presents a risk to neighbours and a financial cost to insurers, as well as placing our emergency services unnecessarily in harm’s way.

“The proposed Bill would ensure that electricians undertaking work are qualified to do so and effectively registered. This will not only benefit the end consumer, but also the electrical industry, which depends on the trust of the wider public.

“Unfortunately, due to restrictions on parliamentary time, my Bill won’t be able to get through during the current parliamentary session. However, by doing this, we have started a process which could lead to an historic and long overdue change after the 2021 election.”

The launch of the consultation was endorsed by the SJIB, which is one of the many organisations backing a rapidly-growing campaign for recognition of electrician as a profession.

Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB, said: “This consultation is the first part of a very important journey to ensure that only those who are appropriately qualified and experienced are allowed to call themselves an electrician.

“It adds further momentum to the industry’s commitment to improve consumer safety and is another important milestone in protecting people and businesses across Scotland.

“We would like to thank Mr Halcro Johnston for his hard work in getting this important matter to this stage and we look forward to seeing its development.”

Pat Rafferty, Unite Scotland Regional Secretary, added: “This announcement is another step on the road to protecting the reputation of properly qualified electricians, both now and for the next generation.

“Ensuring that skills, qualifications and competence are properly protected will underpin the future of our industry and help raise the bar across our profession as a whole.”

However, Fiona added: “Momentum is everything, so it’s vital that regulation happens as soon as possible. Every day we spend debating is another day that the public are exposed to shoddy and sub-standard electrical work, performed by so-called electricians with no qualifications at all.”

The SJIB and Unite are among the organisations supporting the #BackTheBrick campaign spearheaded by SELECT, Scotland’s largest trade association.

The association has been pressing the Scottish Government for regulation of electricians and has received significant support from MPs, MSPs and major organisations. In May, Liberal-Democrat MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton and SNP MP Alan Brown added their names to the SELECT Wall of Support, following in the footsteps of  the 32 MSPs who vowed to support the campaign in November 2019.

The issue has already been debated in the Scottish Parliament, with an Electricians Working Group convened to explore the challenges of ensuring the safety of electrical installations and protecting consumers.

  • The consultation can be responded to here and is open until Tuesday 10 November 2020.

MSPs seeks views on financial impact of Covid-19 on human rights budgets

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on future public spending decisions to protect equalities and human rights in Scotland is to be considered by a Holyrood Committee.

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights (EHRi) Committee has issued a call for views on the financial implications arising from Covid-19, including the impact on funding of third sector organisations which support people to be treated equally and to access their rights.

MSPs will focus on how inequalities highlighted by the public health emergency and the response to the crisis can be addressed in Scotland’s economic recovery.

The Committee also seeks views on what more can be done to ensure equalities and human rights are central to Scottish Government budget decisions.

Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP, said: “As this committee’s on-going inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on equalities and human rights has shown, it is some of society’s most vulnerable groups who have experienced disproportionately negative effects as a result of the virus and as a consequence of the lockdown measures imposed.

“Covid-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities in Scotland, but it has also shown that positive outcomes can be achieved with targeted funding to support individuals and particular groups.

“Now that we are moving out of the crisis and restarting the economy, we want to hear how the pandemic has affected funding to support people to access their rights and ensure they are treated equally.

“We also want to explore how the Scottish Government considers equalities and human rights when it makes budget decisions. We want to know what actions should be taken and what data collected to make this happen more effectively, to address the unequal impact of Covid-19 on specific groups and tackle long-standing health and social inequalities in Scotland.”

The closing date for responses to the call for views is Friday 18 September 2020.

The Committee is are looking for information about the following questions:

1. Last year we were successful in getting the Scottish Government to commit to increasing the Equalities and Human Rights allocation to £30.2m. What is this extra money being used for and is it enough?

2. During last year’s budget scrutiny, we found that spending decisions were sometimes being made without due consideration to equality impact assessments. With unprecedented levels of grants being provided to the private and third sectors over the past six months in response to COVID 19, how confident is the third sector and other stakeholders that money is being committed only after due consideration is given to equality impacts?

3. In the Scottish Government’s response to the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, the Scottish Government has committed (p.69-70) to “recognise the necessity of embedding an Equalities and Human Rights approach across our policy thinking and development for economic recovery and renewal.” It has listed what it’s done so far to help meet this commitment and what it intends to do in the near future. What more should be done and how can the 2021-22 budget contribute?

4. Any other relevant comments?

‘Fantastic’ response to Council’s Choices consultation

A report which sets out 1,800 responses to the public consultation on ‘Choices for City Plan 2030’ has been published the Council.

This figure compares to 435 responses received for the main issues report to the current Local Development Plan. Social media statistics show that information about Choices for City Plan 2030 reached over a million people, with over 24,000 engagements on our posts.

A public consultation began on 31 January and responses were accepted until 30 April. Residents and other interested groups were given an additional four weeks due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to give their views.  

Next week councillors on the virtual Planning Committee will discuss the 1,800 responses to the public consultation, as well as the next steps towards City Plan 2030. 

A revised timetable for the Development Plan Scheme for City Plan 2030 including the proposed plan, the period of representation, examination and future adoption of the Plan will also be considered.

Cllr Neil Gardiner, Convener of the Planning Committee, said: “When we set out to consult on ‘Choices’ none of us could have known how the world was about to change and as some coronavirus lockdown restrictions and physical distancing measures remain in place, none of us can predict exactly how Edinburgh and the rest of the world will emerge from this global pandemic.

“We are all adapting to a ‘new normal’ and all of our planning must take account of the changes we are seeing in the way people are living their lives. This includes how we all use and appreciate green spaces with the health and well-being benefits they bring to communities. Community resilience also includes easy access to facilities. Connectivity is therefore very important, with neighbourhoods containing a mixture of services within in easy reach.  

“It is fantastic that we’ve had such a great response to our consultation and I’d like to thank everyone who gave us their views. Now more than ever we must listen closely to what our residents, businesses and other stakeholders have told us to help us develop a plan to allow our city to grow and change to meet future needs.

“City Plan 2030 is about us making the right choices now so that our residents can make reasonable and informed choices about how and where they live and how they get around in the future.

“Edinburgh is a beautiful green, cultural and historic city which has benefitted from a thriving economy but, like many cities, we have increasing levels of poverty and health inequalities in our communities, rising housing costs and in some areas, traffic congestion and poor air quality.

“We also need to adapt our city to meet the needs of an aging population, address the increasing impact of climate change and make sure growth is sustainable. This must all now be addressed in the context of the changes we are seeing as a result of the impact of Covid-19 and making sure we have resilient communities.”

Vice Convener, Cllr Maureen Child, added: “We’re embarking on one of the most significant periods of transformation in a generation which has just become a lot more intense due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we need to rethink the way we use our buildings and expand to accommodate our growing population.

“We’re already committed to building 20,000 affordable and low-cost homes by 2027 but the city needs more housing, with particular emphasis on affordable homes.

“We must make sure we meet our ambitious climate change targets and all houses and other buildings will need to be much more energy efficient in the future. We’ll also work with our partners in the industry to make sure we make the best use of the limited space we have and, going forward, we’ll be asking developers to think more carefully about location, density and design.

“Choices for City Plan 2030 set out bold options for the public to consider and comment on about how we manage future development so Edinburgh can adapt and flourish during a time of major change. This is how Edinburgh could be in a decade’s time if it responds fully to the challenges of a rising population and the coronavirus and climate emergencies and in the manner set out in a radical plan for the future.”

The wide-ranging document set out options for how to the make best use of land for future development. It also addressed how we could tackle short term lets through new planning policies, in addition to the new regulatory powers announced earlier this year by the Scottish Government following Edinburgh’s campaign to seek national legislation.

Views were also sought on planning for and building more affordable housing, managing the growth of student housing, and whether all new buildings and conversions should meet the highest zero carbon standards to help Edinburgh meet its ambitious target of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030.

In each section, the Council gave its preferred option for development as well as other alternatives. 

‘Choices for City Plan 2030’ links closely with the Council’s ambitious draft City Mobility Plan, designed to improve sustainable transport over the next decade.

The proposed City Plan 2030 will be considered by the Planning Committee in December after which it will be published for representation and then formally examined by the Scottish Government before we can consider adopting it.

Community Payback Orders – Tell us your views

Edinburgh residents are being asked to share their views on a scheme that requires people who have committed offences to carry out unpaid work in the community as part of their sentence.

Community Payback Orders can be imposed on people who have committed offences by the courts as an alternative to a short term prison sentence, 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 Council administers the scheme in the city and is seeking the views of the public on people who have committed offences 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:

  • repairing and reinstating headstones in local cemeteries
  • developing and maintaining children’s play areas
  • recycling projects including bicycles and outdoor furniture

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

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Vice Convener of Culture and Communities 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.

“One of the aims of the consultation is also to identify more opportunities in Edinburgh for unpaid community work to be carried out. This work could include repainting community centres, community clear ups or recycling projects including bicycles and outdoor furniture. They are an excellent way for organisations such as charities to get practical help, and they give people who commit offences the chance to repay communities for their offences.

“The information we collect will help us to improve how we work with communities and help to increase understanding of CPOs and their importance in helping people reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.”

The consultation will run until Monday 31 August.

Edinburgh Bioquarter launches public consultation

Edinburgh BioQuarter has launched an online community consultation with the intention of developing a new mixed-use neighbourhood, as part of plans to create the city’s “Health Innovation District”.

A new fly-through of the proposed development shows the latest design phase of the masterplan to the local community, with the consultation seeking feedback on how the site will evolve over the next decade and beyond.

BioQuarter, which sits to the south east of the city in Little France, is already home to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, the University of Edinburgh Medical School and Centre for Regenerative Medicine, alongside a number of medical research institutes and life sciences businesses.

The ambition is that BioQuarter will grow to a community of more than 20,000 people who will live, work or study at the 167-acre site. The expansion will support an estimated 9,000 longer term new jobs, plus additional construction jobs, while greatly expanding the numbers of spin out and start-up companies.

BioQuarter’s partners – the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise, and the University of Edinburgh – are updating their existing masterplan to include a wider mix of uses including an increase in residential and commercial properties planned at the site.

The consultation on the plan will run online – due to current restrictions caused by Covid-19 – between 18 June and 6th July 2020.

Proposals featured as part of the online consultation include the construction of shops, cafés, a gym, hotel, nursery and residential homes set alongside state-of-the-art innovation, teaching and healthcare facilities.

With the commitment of its partners, BioQuarter has already benefitted from over £500million of public capital investment and has a further £300million of investment planned over the next five years.

The site is also home to innovative research including STOPCOVID, a project aiming to test existing and experimental drugs as treatments for Covid-19, spearheaded by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research.

Commenting on the launch of the consultation, Anna Stamp, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Interim Programme Director, said: “Over the past two decades BioQuarter has grown as a place for health innovation with some of the country’s top medical research and life sciences businesses working together across the site.

“We want your views to help shape BioQuarter’s development. This is an exciting time as we look to create a new community in the city; a vibrant neighbourhood that promotes health and wellbeing and compliments its surrounding areas. We have a unique opportunity here, which, if developed in the right way, can deliver huge benefits to the City, including economic growth, jobs skills and education.

“As part of the development of our Health Innovation District, we want to make sure it includes the right mix of amenities that will ensure it becomes a great new place to live, work and discover.”

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “I’m delighted to see plans progressing for this hugely exciting project for Edinburgh. I’d encourage everyone to feed into the consultation for this cutting-edge development.

“Life sciences have long been extremely valuable as a sector here in Edinburgh, and the BioQuarter will play a crucial role in its ongoing success. This can make a massive contribution to the ongoing regeneration of the south east of the city.

“This scheme will create a whole new community of people, with access to a vibrant new public square. In addition to this, it’s estimated the development will create around 9,000 new local jobs, with many more construction roles being created while it is being built.”

Consultation-Documents

Those unable to access the plans online can request detail on the development by writing to Edinburgh BioQuarter Programme Team, Community Consultation, NINE, 9 Little France Road, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, EH16 4UX.

Filmhouse announces online live public consultation sessions

Edinburgh’s Filmhouse continues to consult with as many people as possible by adapting its pre-planning public consultation in light of the social distancing and other advice issued by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to Coronavirus.

Open public drop in sessions which were to be held at the Filmhouse with CEO of the Filmhouse Ken Hay, the architect Richard Murphy, and Fraser Littlejohn from planning consultants Montagu Evans will now take place online with members of the public able to sign up in advance, or join spontaneously.

Questions for the panel will be prioritised from those who email in advance to future@filmhousecinema.com  but there will also be the opportunity to feed through questions live to the moderator.

The public sessions are scheduled for 24 June at 1pm and 7pm, and 25 June at 10am and 4pm.

Each registered participant will be sent a short introductory video to watch before the session and be encouraged to submit questions in advance so they can be collated into areas of discussion.

During the session the panel will each speak and share images and plans of the new building before opening up to questions. The sessions are expected to last between 45 and 60 minutes.

If you would like to secure a place at a session please email future@filmhousecinema.com  to book.

Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image (inc Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival) said: “It’s a challenging environment in which to make sure we do the best job possible of reaching as wide a public as possible.

“We already have almost 500 responses to the consultation on the new Filmhouse building through our online survey, which is terrific. It is really useful to receive this feedback while the consultation is live so we work to address areas of concern or questions through our continually updating information online.

“We’re looking forward to these web consultation sessions and some live interaction with those who are interested so we can answer their questions.”

Information on the bold new vision to create an internationally significant, fully accessible and environmentally sustainable landmark home for film and screen culture in Edinburghincluding architect drawings and visualisations, the background to the development and FAQs are available on Filmhouse’s website.

People can feedback through a simple online survey on the Filmhouse website.

The project team is currently creating a series of further digital resources which are being shared through Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival websites, social media and email.

These resources are drawing out different aspects of the building and its purpose, responding to some of the questions emerging from the consultation feedback so far. The upcoming public consultation sessions will also be recorded and made available on YouTube post event.

The planned new Filmhouse building has been designed by award-winning Edinburgh based Richard Murphy Architects and will significantly improve and increase the quality and quantity of spaces available to and needed by Filmhouse and EIFF for their audiences, customers, participants and industry partners.

It will create a hub for Edinburgh’s film and broader cultural community to base themselves in, and be a focal point for Edinburgh’s citizens to learn about film and filmmaking in all its diversity.

Information on the proposed building is at www.filmhousecinema.com/future

MSPs seek views on move out of lockdown

The Scottish Parliament’s Covid-19 Committee, which will be tasked with considering any changes to lockdown legislation, has launched a consultation to gather views about moving out of the current lockdown phase.

The call for views is intended to inform MSPs looking at the Scottish Government’s framework for decision-making, and considering any proposals to change the current rules.

The Committee understands that future decisions will need to balance competing demands, benefits and harms, and wants to ensure a wide range of voices are taken into account before final decisions reached.

Submissions to the committee can be made until 29 May by emailing covid.committee@parliament.scot.

The Committee is particularly keen to gather views on:

• The overall strategy set out in the Scottish Government’s Framework for Decision Making;
• The scope for differing approaches being followed in different areas – across Scotland or the UK;
• Maintaining public confidence in the public sector response to COVID-19 whilst easing current restrictions;
• How different interests could be involved in the decision-making process about lifting restrictions, and what would help the final decisions to be widely supported despite any necessary trade-offs;
• Could the current decision-making processes used by the Scottish Government to respond to COVID-19 be improved, and if so how;
• How robust is the data used to inform the response;
• How should the Scottish Government’s messaging strategy be developed as we transition out of the current lockdown (and potentially have to create other or further restrictions in the future).

Speaking as the call for views was launched, Committee Convener, Murdo Fraser MSP, said: “This is an unprecedented and complex situation which requires the Scottish Government to make difficult decisions, necessarily involving competing interests and challenging trade-offs.

“Rightly, until now, we have relied heavily on doctors and scientists. But as we move into the next phases of the Covid-19 response, as a Committee we are mindful of the need to involve a wide range of voices.

“The discussions and debates in the weeks and months ahead do not have obvious or ‘right’ answers, and understanding what different sections of society think is vital to being able to find a consensus, or at least broad agreement, on the path forward.

“To help us as we seek to find that route, we are asking people – business groups, charities, civil society, and interested members of the public – to drop us a short response outlining their thoughts on how we can and should find the right balance moving forward.”

Latest images revealed for capital’s new New Town

Homes, Ofices and Hotel Planned for Former RBS Site Creating 700+ Jobs for Local Economy

New images have been published of New Town North – one of the largest regeneration projects to take place in Edinburgh for a generation.

The images have been revealed as part of an online public consultation event, launched in April, illustrating the latest design phase of the development to the local community.

The ambitious New Town North development is one of Scotland’s largest brownfield regeneration projects. It is set to transform the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Edinburgh’s New Town and is being delivered by property company Ediston on behalf of Orion Capital Managers, whose fund bought the site in May 2019.

Ediston is currently leading a major public consultation programme for the site, which sits between Dundas Street and King George V Park, prior to submitting a planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council later this year.

The developer launched the online interactive consultation following the cancellation of the previously planned public event following the coronavirus outbreak. The consultation can be viewed by logging on to the New Town North website: www.newtownnorth.co.uk.

Proposals include a mixed-use development replacing existing buildings with new homes, build-to-rent apartments, premium ofice space and a high-class hotel. Also planned are retail outlets, gym and health facilities together with extensive landscaping and new public realm.

Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, reaffirmed the developer’s commitment to delivering a high-quality scheme. “Now, more than ever, we are 100% committed to progressing with our planning application this year,” he said.

“New Town North will provide a significant boost for the local area which will have a positive impact on local businesses -who are in desperate need of some good news right now.

“This is our third consultation event and provides an opportunity for the local community to have a clearer idea on how the development will look – even if they can’t attend an exhibition in person. Our team is working hard to be ready for significant engagement with residents to make sure they all have their say in our proposals.

“We are aware that this is a complex and large brownfield site with important links to some of Edinburgh’s finest streets and green spaces, and we are making sure we consult properly with local people to deliver a high-quality development.”

Research shows the New Town North development is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area and wider Edinburgh economy, following the closure of the RBS building in 2017 which employed more than 2,500 employees on the site.

The report, by UK planning and engineering consultancy The Waterman Group and commissioned by Ediston, reveals that the operational phase of the development would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the regional economy.

The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million GVA at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs.

The site today

Mr McNulty added: “From our discussions with the local business community, we are aware of the impact that a large redundant site can have on the local area – and the huge potential of creating a new attractive destination and focal point for the area.

“Our research highlights the significant investment benefits that this high-quality development would bring to the Edinburgh economy, as well as helping to meet the pressing need for high quality new homes and ofice space.”

The New Town North development site was formerly the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS first developed the site in 1978 to house ofices and a data centre. Before then, the site was home to St Bernard’s Football Club which disbanded in 1947.

Your Police 2020 – 2021: Police Scotland launches consultation

A Message from Chief Superintendent Sean Scott. Divisional Commander, Edinburgh City Division, Police Scotland:

I wish to convey my sincere thanks for your cooperation, support and fortitude during this period of unprecedented challenge.

Many of you will have been directly affected by the unfolding coronavirus pandemic and my thoughts are with you and your families during these uncertain times.

The sacrifices made by colleagues in health and social care are truly humbling and Police Scotland is committed to supporting NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, statutory partners and the third sector to meet the welfare requirements of those in need.

I wish to reassure you that, as ever, we stand ready to serve Edinburgh’s communities and keep people safe.

You can contact us in the following ways should you require our assistance:

• In an emergency dial 999
• For non-emergencies call 101
• Contact online at: https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/contact-us-form

The Police Scotland website provides helpful crime prevention guidance and practical advice to stay safe, it can be accessed at: https://www.scotland.police.uk/

I have been heartened to witness, first-hand, Edinburgh’s communities pulling together and supporting each other in this time of crisis. Please continue to play your part by following our Government’s instructions and adhering to social distancing requirements.

It’s important to me that we best meet your needs and those of your community. Therefore, I’d be grateful if you’d take a few moments to share your views and suggestions by completing the ‘Your Police 2020-2021’ survey which is available at the following link: https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021/

Edinburgh is a strong, resilient and adaptable city, as are its people and your help and continued forbearance will see us through this testing period.

Filmhouse revises pre-planning public consultation

Edinburgh’s Filmhouse is adapting its scheduled pre-planning public consultation in light of the social distancing and other advice issued by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to Coronavirus.

The ‘bold new vision’ to create an internationally significant, fully accessible and environmentally sustainable landmark home for film and screen culture in Edinburghhas already secured over 150 responses through the Filmhouse and EIFF websites and more through other avenues of feedback.

Although Filmhouse is currently closed and Edinburgh International Film Festival has been postponed, it is hoped that people may find time to engage with a more digital-based consultation process in the coming weeks.

Information on the proposed development including architect drawings and visualisations, the background to the development and FAQs are available on Filmhouse’s website. People can feedback through a simple online survey on Filmhouse and EIFF websites.

The project team is currently creating a series of further digital resources which can be shared through Filmhouse and Edinburgh International Film Festival websites, social media and email.

These resources will draw out different aspects of the building and its purpose, responding to some of the questions emerging from the consultation feedback so far. The presentation planned for the public and members’ events will also be recorded and shared through the same digital channels.

The public consultation events, which have been postponed, were due to take place at Filmhouse on Sunday 29 March, Wednesday 1 April and Tuesday 28 April. The two Filmhouse Members’ Events were scheduled for Sunday 29 March and Monday 6 April. These events will not happen.

Filmhouse will continue to look at options for how people can engage with the consultation process, working with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Department, and any updates will be posted on the Filmhouse website at www.filmhousecinema.com/future.

The team is doing its best in this current context to reach out to as wide a range of audiences, customers, interest groups and stakeholders, for example sharing information specifically to its Young Programmers and Senior Selections volunteers, and will be inviting people from organisations or networks representing special interests to attend video meetings to have more focused discussions about the designs.

Information on the proposed building:

The planned new Filmhouse building has been designed by award-winning Edinburgh based Richard Murphy Architects and will significantly improve and increase the quality and quantity of spaces available to and needed by Filmhouse and EIFF for their audiences, customers, participants and industry partners.

It will create a hub for Edinburgh’s film and broader cultural community to base themselves in, and be a focal point for Edinburgh’s citizens to learn about film and filmmaking in all its diversity.

Filmhouse’s audiences have made it clear what they value and these have been built into the design: location, atmosphere, diversity of programme, education and learning activities, great locally sourced food and drink in the Café Bar, and a safe and comfortable space for people to gather. Most importantly, these will all be delivered to contemporary standards of access and comfort.

Filmhouse has been at the centre of Edinburgh’s cultural landscape for more than 40 years. As well as a year-round programme of inspiring films, creative learning, special events and partnership working, Filmhouse is home to the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), hosts more than 20 other film festivals, and plays a key role in promoting a vibrant and successful film and moving image industry and culture across Scotland.  The new building will secure Filmhouse’s future for generations to come.

The new Filmhouse will:

  • Provide six new cinema screens allowing Filmhouse and EIFF to programme even more great films, festivals and partnership events.
  • Improve the audience experience with a world-class venue that is fully accessible for all, with comfortable seating and state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Continue to screen film on all formats, including 4K digital, and 16mm, 35mm and 70mm film.
  • Ensure accessibility for all, with a commitment that all public and office spaces are fully accessible for audiences, staff and guests.
  • Increase Filmhouse’s education and outreach activity, with dedicated education spaces to host year-round activity for learners of all ages.
  • House Filmhouse’s award-winning Café Bar, which will be designed to retain the intimate and safe atmosphere of the existing space.
  • Create a brand-new Festival Centre to provide a venue to support EIFF and other festivals and special events year-round.
  • Introduce a new Cultural Industries hub, supporting the Scottish screen and broader cultural sector with much-needed flexible workspace in Edinburgh’s city centre.
  • Create a restaurant and rooftop event space.
  • Keep Filmhouse’s iconic character and atmosphere, in a new building that has been thoughtfully designed to represent its independent spirit and ethos.
  • Reduce impact on the environment by creating a building that will aim to produce net zero carbon emissions.
  • Increase financial sustainability, by creating greater capacity, diversifying sources of income generation, and becoming more self-sufficient over the longer term.

The oculus design reflects the eye on the world that Filmhouse, EIFF and the myriad of festivals, events and learning opportunities in the building will provide, whilst also providing a striking addition to Edinburgh’s architectural landscape.

Its location in Festival Square is designed to be the catalyst that brings to life a currently underused public space and as part of the development would place a responsibility on Filmhouse to manage the curation of activity within the surrounding square.

The architect drawings and visualisations for the new Filmhouse give people a good idea of the thinking on the position and shape of the building, and the spaces it would contain, however the design is still in development.

Filmhouse is looking to engage with customers, partners and stakeholders including programming partners, creative learning partners and the Scottish film sector, community councils and councillors, and residents of Edinburgh to gauge support for the plans and further develop the designs before submitting a formal Planning Application to the City of Edinburgh Council during the summer.

Full costing of the project will take place later in 2020 to coincide with the formal Planning Application, but the cost is currently estimated to be in the region of £50m.

An indicative timeline, contingent on the Planning Application decision and fundraising success, hopes to start work on the building in 2023 with it opening in 2025.

This project is led by CMI’s Board and Senior Management Team, with support from property consultancy Montagu Evans.