Pride of place: national award for North Edinburgh Grows

‘inventive, playful, life-enhancing and civil-minded. It is a worthy winner.’ – My Place Award judges

North Edinburgh Arts has won a prestigious national award. The Scottish Civic Trust has recognised the arts centre’s garden project North Edinburgh Grows with the My Place Award 2015 (writes Dave Pickering).

Kate Wimpress, Director at North Edinburgh Arts, and Lachlan Stewart, from Anta Architects who designed the garden, received the award from Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment Marco Biagi MSP at a ceremony at the Lighthouse in Glasgow on Thursday.

The Scottish Civic Trust is the national body for the civic movement in Scotland and the My Place Awards is a unique scheme that celebrates good local design and conservation as nominated and evaluated by local people. The Awards are supported by the Scottish Government.

The My Place Award project category recognises buildings, landscapes, public realm and civic projects that have had a positive impact in local neighbourhoods and delivered tangible benefits to their communities.

Judges said: “The North Edinburgh Grows project is both inspiring and humbling. In the face of many challenges the designers, client and local community have transformed an unloved bit of land into a remarkable resource for local residents and visitors. It is exactly the sort of project which the My Place Awards were set up to acknowledge – inventive, playful, life-enhancing and civil-minded. It is a worthy winner.”

North Edinburgh Arts Director Kate Wimpress was delighted to receive the award on behalf of the project. She said: “NEA and the North Edinburgh Grows team would like to thank all members of the community and local organisations who have contributed so much to the success of the garden.

“This award is a recognition of everybody’s hard work and enthusiasm. If you would like to be involved with the garden please contact Valla, our Community Growing Coordinator, directly at northedinburghgrows@gmail.com“

You can follow the North Edinburgh Grows blog here: northedinburghgrows.wordpress.com

The My Place 2015 Exhibition celebrates Scotland’s places, people, community projects and civic champions. It runs at the Lighthouse until 6th May. For full details about the awards and exhibition go to: www.myplaceawards.org.uk

Letter: No fracking need!

Dear Editor

It would seem the oil extraction companies, finding their vast profits falling, are withdrawing investment. The question now arises: where will they invest their money, and in what?

In America there has been heavy investment in ‘fracking’ to extract gas. This has led to widespread contamination of the water table, with toxic chemicals making it impossible to drink or even use. The recent television programme on the dangers of ‘fracking’ should be shown over and over again to alert people before extraction companies start investing.

There have been some indications that authorities may oppose fracking; presure must be put on them to do so.

As with wind generators, a danger arises in that private land owners will make deals with fracking companies: this must be prohibited.

Fracking is neither needed nor wanted; it poses a potential disaster by polluting our water – all done in the name of making profits for some.

Fracking as a news topic is disturbing by it’s absence: this can only mean ‘Danger Ahead’.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Lazarowicz: ‘Government must listen to people’s call for action’

North & Leith MP supports Earth Hour

Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, has signed up to support this year’s WWF Earth Hour when millions of people around the world come together to switch off their lights for one hour in a symbolic act of support for action to tackle climate change.

Earth Hour takes place on Saturday 28 March from 8:30 – 9.30pm. You can find more information at www.earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

As part of this year’s Earth Hour, the North & Leith MP pledged to back protection of the world’s forests at a WWF reception in Parliament this week through support for a responsible trade in sustainably-sourced forest products.

Mark Lazarowicz said: “Earth Hour is a clear demonstration of people’s concern around the world about climate change and I am really pleased to see that Edinburgh will be taking part again with the lights at Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, the Scott Monument, and Forth Rail Bridge all going out.

“Economic growth can make a real difference to the lives of people around the world but it must be sustainable: that’s why I want to see action on deforestation with businesses and governments making a commitment to responsible trade in wood and paper.

“The world has lost nearly half its forests, and already global demand for wood for timber, paper and fuel is set to triple by 2050.

“The UK is the fifth-largest importer of timber and wood-based products in the world so what we do makes a difference and Government must listen to people’s call for action at Earth Hour.”

Mark Lazarowicz is a member of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) which produced a report in December on agreeing ambitious goals for sustainable development which you can find here. The EAC also produced a report on climate change adaptation which you can find here.

Trade waste bins to be cleared from city streets

Trade waste bins will be removed from Edinburgh’s streets as part of a citywide scheme which will begin rolling out in April. Businesses will no longer be permitted to permanently store their waste containers in public and will be required to present rubbish and recycling during timed collection windows.

The initiative, which aims to improve the appearance of the capital’s streets, has been trialled in a number of city centre locations over the last year. Participating streets Rose Street (and its lanes), Leith Walk and High Street experienced, on average, an 81% drop in the number of bins permanently outside business properties.

Now the policy will be introduced to traders across the city on a phased basis, beginning in April with around 5000 businesses in the city centre. This will be followed by areas like Leith, Southside, Fountainbridge and Portobello.

Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Keeping the city clean and attractive will benefit residents, visitors and businesses alike, and removing unsightly trade waste bins from the streets is one big step towards achieving this.

“It is extremely encouraging to see such positive results from the pilot areas, and there is no doubt the scheme will continue having an impact on our environment as it rolls out across the city.”

After being approved by councillors in October 2013, the Trade Waste pilot was introduced to trial areas between January and March 2014, and has since seen bin numbers reduced from 390 to 103 on Rose Street, 116 to 12 on Leith Walk and 37 to eight on High Street.

Throughout the process, officers have worked with businesses to ensure compliance with collection windows, which were agreed after consultation on suitability, and to address difficulties over storage space, timing and cooperation from trade waste companies.

Gordon Minnis, owner of Rose Street North Lane restaurant Calistoga, is delighted with the impact of the Rose Street trial (before and after, above). He said: “The lane looks a lot smarter with only a dozen or so small bins whereas before there were over 40 large containers. It’s also led to a reduction in litter and fly-tipping.

“Our customers are delighted as they have a much better view when dining and don’t need to navigate their way round large waste containers to get to our restaurant.”

Andrew Watson, owner of the Princes Street franchise of McDonald’s, was also part of the Rose Street lanes trial. He said: “The overall cost of the process is more or less the same as it was before, only now it’s much easier to manage and looks a lot better on the street. My city centre store is in such an iconic location, sitting in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, that keeping the streets around the stores clean and tidy is hugely important to the business.”

As the scheme is rolled out, Environmental Wardens will continue to support behaviour change, helping businesses to adapt and ensuring enforcement, in order to gain the maximum benefit.

Businesses will receive letters to inform them when the changes are being introduced to their area.

Find out more about the Trade Waste pilot on the Council website, including guidance, a map of phase one and more case studies.

Granton’s Walled Garden – update

Hi all,

A quick update to say the deputation to the City Chambers went really well with a decision made to review the outdated ‘minded to grant’ planning permission for the 17 luxury townhouses.

I didn’t expect local councillors to be so surprised by this garden’s existence, age and rarity, or the fact that it was a council arms-length company’s responsibility. Heartening indeed was their decision to review the individual planning application by WEL from 2003, in light of new planning policies meant to protect the Historic Environment and Scotland’s Cultural Heritage. Hopefully this time they will refuse it in recognition of the value of this garden as incredibly rare and valuable heritage greenspace.

STV News wrote a good covering article on our deputation (link below):

plea-to-save-grantons-forgotten-walled-garden-put-to-council

Next meeting

Thursday 12 March

6-7.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

Please send in any agenda points you wish discussed.
Hopefully some of you can make this date and time.

Kirsty Sutherland,

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

PS: Can everyone fill in a membership form if you haven’t done so already, postcode is handy to identify areas support is coming from, full address isn’t needed unless you wish to receive correspondence by post rather than e-mail.

For more information check out Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden on FaceBook

Shedding some light on community concerns

Inverleith councillor Lesley Hinds has asked officers to carry out an urgent appraisal of new street lights following complaints from local residents.

Councillor Hinds chairs the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Commitee, which has responsibility for street lighting. She said last night: ““Following a very successful pilot project in 2012, the Council is replacing street lights across the city with new, more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly lighting. In particular, this will result in brighter and clearer lighting throughout the night.

“A number of residents have been in touch regarding lighting in certain streets and, having now visited them myself, I have asked officers to carry out an appraisal and report back as soon as possible.”

Forth councillor Cammy Day – who is also the city’s community safety ‘champion’ – also discussed ‘some concerns’ with the lighting team yesterday.

Many North Edinburgh residents have expressed anger over the brightness and quality of new ‘eco-lights’ installed across the area over the last week. They believe the lighting makes the streets unsafe and could result in more crime and antisocial behaviour.

However the city council says the lighting project will achieve:

Reduced energy costs. Energy costs are expected to double in the next decade. The use of modern lighting equipment will greatly assist in reducing the impact of increasing energy costs.
Improved environmental performance. This new equipment is more energy efficient and lamps have a longer life span.
Provide continuous lighting throughout the night. A number of local authorities have been switching off lights for periods of time during the night to save energy. The City of Edinburgh Council is not currently considering this option.
Compliance with EU directives.
Brighter and clearer lighting. White lights improve colour recognition and improves images captured on CCTV at night. They also allow clothing colours and car registration numbers to be more easily identified.

The council also cites an October 2012 pilot project undertaken in the Gilmerton and Saughton Mains areas of the city: 271 lights were changed and the results from consultation with local households achieved around 90% satisfaction levels.

Work to start on Foot of the Walk junction

The next phase of the Leith Programme is due to get under way on Monday (16 February), focusing on upgrading the junction at the Foot of the Walk.

Contractors MacLay Civil Engineering Ltd, who are carrying out the project on the Council’s behalf, have begun preparing the site for the works, which are expected to take 15 weeks to complete.

Aimed at simplifying and improving the junction, the redesign will see four improved pedestrian crossings installed at the bottom of Leith Walk, Duke Street, Great Junction Street and Constitution Street.

Once fully operational the junction will allow pedestrians to cross more easily than at present, enhancing the overall accessibility of the area in line with the design principles of the Leith Programme.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport Convener, said: “We’ve been delighted with the positive feedback we’ve had on how much the Leith Programme has already transformed the look and feel of Leith Walk and we know residents and businesses are keen to see the Foot of the Walk brought up to a similar standard.

“As always, every effort will be made to keep noise and disruption to an absolute minimum and we appreciate the public’s patience while this next phase of work is carried out.”

Traffic management arrangements have been drawn up in order to minimise disruption to traffic flow as far as possible. Constitution Street will be closed at its junction with Leith Walk for the duration of the works and local access to this area will be via Laurie Street, Queen Charlotte Street or Bernard Street.

Meanwhile, three-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation at the main Leith Walk junction to control traffic flow.

For details of the most up to date information regarding any bus diversions and traffic conditions affecting Leith Walk, members of the public are advised to keep an eye on Lothian Buses’ website or Twitter account as well as @edintravel.

#StrongerNorth: latest update

Click on the link below for the latest #StrongerNorth progress report:

Stronger North Update Feb 15

Fracking on hold in Scotland – for now

Moratorium called: Scottish Government consultation to seek public’s views on fracking

$frack$

Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced that there is to be a moratorium on granting consents for ‘fracking’ whilst further research and a public consultation is carried out – but Green MSPs say the ‘door has been left ajar’.

The decision comes days after the UK Government voted against a moratorium.

Last Friday, following the publication of the Smith Command Paper, Mr Ewing wrote to UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey requesting that the UK Government do not issue further licences in Scotland as the powers over licencing are due to be devolved.

In his statement to Parliament this afternoon Mr Ewing set out that the Scottish Government will undertake additional work to increase the evidence base for decision-making on this issue.

In particular Mr Ewing set out that the Scottish Government will:

• Undertake a full public consultation on unconventional oil and gas extraction

• Commission a full public health impact assessment

• Conduct further work into strengthen planning guidance

• Look at further tightening of environmental regulation.

Mr Ewing said: “I am announcing a moratorium on the granting of planning consents for all unconventional oil and gas developments, including fracking. This moratorium will continue until such time as the work I have set out to Parliament today, including a full public consultation, is completed.

“The Scottish Government has taken a cautious, considered and evidence-based approach to unconventional oil and gas and fracking.

“I have listened carefully to concerns raised by local communities and environmental campaigners. We have put in place robust environmental regulation, tougher planning rules and successfully opposed the UK Government’s plans to end Scottish householders’ rights to object to drilling under their homes.

“We recognise that local communities are likely to bear the brunt of any unconventional oil and gas developments, particularly in terms of increased traffic and related emissions and noise impacts. These are issues that must be researched further.

“We have listened to legitimate concerns about potential negative impacts. However, we must also acknowledge that some take a different view and see opportunities in unconventional oil and gas extraction.

“We should never close our minds to the potential opportunities of new technologies – but we must also ensure that community, environmental and health concerns are never simply brushed aside. This government will not allow that to happen and I hope the actions I have announced today will be widely welcomed as proportionate and responsible.”

Scottish Green MSPs have welcomed the Energy Minister’s announcement at Holyrood today – but warn that that the Scottish Government’s position still falls short of a full ban.

Scottish Green MSPs Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone have campaigned against unconventional gas extraction since the 2011 election. As well as proposing a ban, which all other parties voted against, they have urged ministers to provide funding for local authorities to develop robust policies to handle any fracking applications.

A Scottish Green petition calling on the UK Government to halt the imminent awarding of licenses to frack for gas across Scotland has achieved over 5,700 signatures since being launched last week.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “A year ago the First Minister said shale gas was an undoubted opportunity; today the Energy Minister announced a pause but asks us not to rule it out. It is clear that the sustained pressure we’ve been putting on the Scottish Government has paid off, but we do not intend to rest here.

“The SNP and Labour voted against a ban last year when I led the Scottish Parliament’s first debate on fracking. While a delay to allow for further research is a welcome step, it remains a worry that neither SNP ministers nor Labour are talking about ruling it out.

“Leaving the door ajar to a new wave of fossil fuels is incompatible with our climate change ambitions and risks diverting attention and investment from the undoubted opportunity we have to pursue clean technology and energy efficiency.”

Improved recycling for city’s tenements

Recycling will be made easier for people living in tenements and flats around Edinburgh as part of two pilots launching next month. Streets involved will see the capacity for recycling increased, as well as the range of materials that can be recycled expanded.

Aiming to encourage recycling participation, as well as improving the service for residents, the two six-month pilot projects target areas served by on-street waste containers, namely around Montgomery Street, Hillside and Bellevue.

The first pilot will simplify the mix of materials that can be recycled by combining paper with cardboard, cans and plastic bottles in one bin instead of two. Where possible, remaining bins will be converted into glass recycling bins.

The second pilot will take place in areas where large 3200 litre bins are currently used for landfill waste, and will increase the capacity for recycling while reducing the space for residual waste.

Here, the mix of recycling materials will be changed as in the first pilot, but in these areas around a quarter of the larger 3200 litre bins will be used for mixed dry recyclables with the rest remaining as landfill. The smaller 1280 litre paper and packaging banks will, where possible, be replaced with glass banks.

It is anticipated that the scheme will be extended to the rest of the city’s flats and tenements following the pilots.

Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Improving recycling rates is a real priority for the Council as we aim to drive down landfill and the associated costs, as well as making a positive impact on the environment.

“A similar approach to simplified recycling elsewhere in the city has already seen a significant drop in rubbish being sent to landfill, and I know that many people living in flats and tenements want to contribute to this.”

The pilot comes alongside the city’s new kerbside recycling service, currently being rolled out to 140,000 homes, which also aims to simplify recycling, expanding capacity for different materials. Initial figures show the redesigned service is already reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Proposals to introduce the scheme were approved last year by the Council’sTransport and Environment Committee, based on public consultation by both Zero Waste Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council on residents’ attitudes to recycling in flats and tenement areas.

Findings include a general appetite to reduce the size of landfill waste bins while maintaining or even increasing capacity for recycling. Survey results also highlight a demand for more information on what to recycle where as well as a lack of facilities, particularly for glass.

For more information on the pilots, visit the Council’s website.