Tag: waterfront redevelopment

Have your say on Edinburgh’s new school proposals

Views are being sought on proposals to build two new non-denominational primary schools and nurseries in and Granton Waterfront and Gilmerton.

The Council is looking for people’s views on proposals to build two new non-denominational primary schools and nurseries in the city. The plans include both creating new catchment areas and changes to the catchments of nearby existing schools. 

One proposed new school would sit within the Granton Waterfront development area in north Edinburgh. This would affect the existing catchment areas of Craigroyston, Granton and Pirniehall primary schools, and Broughton and Craigroyston Community high schools.

The other would be located within the Gilmerton Station Road housing development in south east Edinburgh. This would affect the existing catchment areas of Gilmerton Primary School, Gracemount High School, and Liberton High School.

Proposals for both schools include ideas to bring daily services together for everyone in the local area to use. This approach is designed to help create more social, inclusive and accessible communities that are connected by safe travel routes.

Education, Children and Families Convener Cllr Joan Griffiths said: “These proposals represent exciting new possibilities for flexible, inclusive and diverse schools in the heart of our communities across the city.

“We’re committed to ensuring our children get the best possible start in life in Edinburgh. We also want this improved way of using our school buildings to help everyone across the city to live well locally in healthier, greener and thriving neighbourhoods.

“We hope that as many people as possible take the opportunity to share their views on the proposals via our website or by coming along to one of our meetings or drop-in events.”

More information on the school proposals for Granton and Gilmerton can be found on the Council’s Consultation Hub, where visitors can share their views.

A mixture of public meetings and drop-in sessions to discuss the proposals will also take place in September:

Granton:

Public meeting:

  • Craigroyston Community High School on Tuesday, 10 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Drop-in public information events:

  • Broughton High School on Wednesday 4 September 2024 5.00pm – 7.30pm
  • Granton Primary School on Monday 9 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00pm
  • Craigroyston Primary School on Tuesday 10 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00pm
  • Pirniehall Primary School on Thursday 19 September 2024 2.30pm – 5.00 pm

Gilmerton:

Public meetings:

  • Gilmerton Primary School on Thursday 12 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm
  • Gracemount High School on Wednesday 18 September 2024 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Views and comments can also be submitted direct to the Council by end of Thursday 3 October 2024.

Residents invited to discover the history of Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm

Step back in time and explore the excavation site with guided tours led by archaeologists at an open day tomorrow (Saturday 23 March).

The excavation, which is being undertaken by AOC Archaeology, is being carried out ahead of the Council’s redevelopment of the site of the former Silverlea Care Home into much needed new homes. The site will include 142 high quality sustainable homes, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings in a mix of social rent (91) and mid-market rent (51) each benefitting from coastal views and access to parkland.

The redevelopment forms part of the £1.3 billion wider Granton Waterfront regeneration, which is delivering thousands of new homes along with commercial and cultural space, a primary school, a health centre, and a major new coastal park.

Discoveries at the site include the remains of the 18th-19th century Murieston Mains farm and evidence for the estate surrounding the former 16th century House. This includes a culvert/flue that may have been used for heating the walled garden. Midden deposits from the 19th and 20th century, including bone, pottery, and milk bottles, have also been found which provides insight into the daily life of the estate.

It follows the discovery of a fossil plant remains, uncovered in a reused sandstone block possibly quarried in Craigleith, believed to be over 300 million years old. The fossil contains fragments of giant Club Moss and Horsetail, which grew in tropical swamps during the Carboniferous Period.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the site at 14 Muirhouse Parkway, Edinburgh, EH4 5EU from 10am-3pm to view the artefacts on display, with archaeologists on hand to talk about their discoveries.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: ““It is fantastic to see work continuing at pace at our £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront site, the largest sustainable regeneration project of its kind in Scotland. Archaeology projects, like the site at Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm, help us to get a glimpse of the area’s past.

“Our city has a rich heritage, but these discoveries continue to expose new aspects of its fascinating, varied history. The open day on Saturday is a chance for anyone with an interest to come and have a look at the historical work taking place, and to learn from the expertise of our brilliant archaeologists.”

Sharing Granton’s secret garden?

‘Save our Secret Garden’ community campaign reaches climax on July 29th!

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden 2

You may have heard of Granton Castle Walled Garden, but still not know where it is: that it is kept locked up and no-one can enter, or that it is still at risk from a luxury housing development (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!

At the end of this month the Friends Group campaign to safeguard and restore the walled garden will reach a crucial point.

On 29 July the council planners will make a final decision on the 2004 Waterfront Edinburgh Limited application; ‘minded to grant’ for demolition of parts of the walled garden to make way for 17 townhouses.

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden hope they decide to refuse the 2004 application, instead allowing a chance of the listed garden’s restoration for community use.

Hundreds of local people have made their views known through petitions, representations and deputations to the city council, community councils and other organisations over the last year.

Historic Scotland visited the walled garden this spring and after reviewing the research compiled, concluded that it merits B-listing. Much older than previously thought, infact the oldest undeveloped walled garden in Edinburgh!

So what will happen if the council decide in favour of the historic garden being protected and restored at the end of this month?

  • Raising funds for a future community buyout was discussed at our last two Friends Group meetings.

  • Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill news is good for community groups like ours, interested in taking on the responsibility for a bit of our historic environment on the waterfront.

– Community Shares? – One idea to let local people own a bit of the walled garden and take part in planning and decisions on its future.

One share = one vote

Would you want to help save the garden if we could buy it?

Buy a share in the garden at £10 per share?

Get in touch or come along to a Friends Group Meeting if you want to hear more, ask questions or get involved.

grantoncastlegardengroup@gmail.com

Next meeting on ‘Ideas for the Garden’ in mid-August, date tbc.

Friends of Granton Castle Garden | ‘Forgotten’ Walled Garden