Tag: Wester Hailes

Warmer homes in Wester Hailes

A pilot project to radically improve residents’ homes in an area with high levels of poverty has been hailed by the Housing Minister.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s three-year Mixed Tenure Improve Plan is directing £30m towards boosting the sustainability of homes and comfort of residents across the Murrayburn, Hailesland and Dumbryden estates in Wester Hailes.

Measures being installed in Wester Hailes are revolutionising the energy efficiency of these properties, resulting in warmer homes, reduced fuel bills, and significantly lower carbon emissions.  

Two years in, over 900 hundred homes have been upgraded, benefitting over 670 council tenants and 230 private residents in the first eight phases of work. Phases 9 to 11 will be completed by the end of 2024.  

Following a visit to a recently renovated estate at Murrayburn Park, where 84 homes have benefited from the pilot, Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “I was delighted to see first-hand the work of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Mixed Tenure Improvement Service programme, which is making homes more energy efficient so that people are able to live in good quality, warm homes.

“The Scottish Government has provided £36.9 million of funding to the City of Edinburgh Council to fund initiatives like this one in Wester Hailes. This is part of a £1.8 billion investment during this parliamentary term to transform the heat and energy efficiency of homes throughout Scotland and help people with their energy bills.

“High quality housing is a key pillar of Housing to 2040. I am delighted to see the benefits these home improvements will have for residents in Edinburgh.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: What a transformation and a shining example of the work our officers are doing to make hundreds of homes warmer, greener and better inside and out. It just goes to show what we can jointly achieve when we have the funding we so desperately need. 

“It has been fantastic to see the effect this ground-breaking initiative is having. The work we’ve put in to this pilot is clearly welcomed by local residents, including many of our own tenants, and will have a lasting impact on the community.

“Edinburgh is quite unique in the amount of shared housing we have, with many blocks and estates benefitting from a mix of privately owned homes, rented properties and social housing. This project has already increased the lifespan of many of these buildings so that everyone living here now and in the future benefits.”

Residents of the housing estates which have already benefitted from the pilot have reported experiencing warmer, more comfortable homes and a noticeable decrease in their energy bills. 

One local tenant said: “The neighbourhood feels refreshed and brighter, and homes feel warmer.

Another resident laughed, telling us that his daughter gave him a row for having his heating on, when he didn’t. He felt that the works have improved the heat in his home noticeably.  

One tenant told us that she did not switch on her heating at all last winter, saying she thought she had saved about 80% off her heating bills. 

One key initiative has involved installing cutting-edge insulation technologies. The Council has successfully minimised heat loss from homes, helping them to remain warm and comfortable during colder months.  

Other upgrades include new roofs, new common windows, new main doors and door entry systems and decoration of common stairs.

Council to build homes for social rent

More than 200 affordable homes have been given the green light this week, allowing the Council to create more much-needed affordable housing.

At least 130 of these new homes will be for social rent at key sites in Greendykes, Wester Hailes and Dreghorn.

It follows decisions by the Development Management Sub Committee on Wednesday (25 January) to grant permission for newbuild sites and agreement by the Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (26 January) for the Council to purchase empty homes from the Ministry of Defence.

Of the 140 new homes agreed for Greendykes, 74 will be Council homes.

They form the final phase of the Council’s 15-year Greendykes masterplan, which is delivering 2,200 new homes in total alongside four new schools, a new public park, a brand new town centre and 300,000 sq ft of retail space.

The project is also the second pilot for the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme, meaning innovative construction methods will be used to build these homes offsite before delivering them to Greendykes where they will offer residents’ net zero carbon homes. This is a significant milestone for the EHD programme and the Greendykes area as we look to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing that is aligned with the current Net Zero Carbon approach of the Council.

Of the 73 new homes granted for Wester Hailes, 41 will be Council homes.

They will be built at a derelict site in Murrayburn Gate where the Wester Hailes Health Centre once stood. The site is next to the Westside Plaza shopping centre and close to rail links, with the community to also benefit from a new public footway to the nearby Canal View Primary School.

All 23 empty homes agreed to be bought in Dreghorn are currently owned by the Ministry of Defence and are based along Dreghorn Place and Dreghorn Drive. The homes will be made available for social rent from the Council.

Councillor Jane Meagher, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Never has our need for affordable housing been greater as we face a cost-of-living crisis and a climate emergency. The decisions made this week demonstrate our Council’s commitment to urgently creating the homes Edinburgh needs.

“I’m particularly pleased that we’ll be able to deliver so many homes for social rent. We want to provide everybody with a safe and warm place to live but we’re facing growing homelessness in Edinburgh. This remains a challenge, but these new properties that we’re buying and building are going to help many people in desperate housing need.

“And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places. Innovative offsite manufacturing of net zero homes such as those planned for Greendykes will help tenants and residents to keep their fuel bills down. This work will be taken forward alongside retrofitting many of our existing homes, so that older Council properties are also brought up to a better standard.”

Cleaning up the Capital

Local volunteers, housing associations and teams from the Council’s Housing, Parks and Greenspace, Waste and Cleansing departments came together for community clean ups in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes over the last fortnight.

Together they collected over 125 bags of rubbish bags of rubbish, 13 van loads of waste and dumped items and seven skips during their big clean. Greenery was cut back, 200 bulbs were planted, and the Union Canal towpath near Wester Hailes was cleaned with the help of young people from St Augustine’s RC High School.

They were also joined by local police officers and supported by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Many of the items collected had been illegally dumped by flytippers.

During the clean-up teams also removed dumped items in stairwells which could have been a fire risk and gave local residents advice on the best ways to dispose of their unwanted items.

The weeks of action follow the success of a similar event in Craigmillar earlier this year.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convenor Councillor Jane Meagher said: “So many community groups, organisations and local volunteers were involved in the Wester Hailes and North Edinburgh clean ups, and they’ve done a tremendous job. The before and after results are clear to see and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part.

“Council officers work hard all year round to keep common areas and green spaces clean and tidy but clean ups are a great way for communities and partners to come together to tackle issues with litter and flytipping.

“Wester Hailes and Pennywell are both areas that we have prioritised for capital investment over many years. It’s great to see so many new, modern affordable homes built alongside schools, health centres, shops, and green spaces that people can enjoy as part of our 20-minute neighbourhood strategy.

“These events are being coordinated by Places for People, Prospect Community Housing, and the Council’s housing operations team, supported by officers from waste and cleansing and parks and greenspace.

“We also thank our commercial partners Mitie, GasCall, Robertson Homes, ISS, Belac, ID Verde and Premier One for their important role in supporting these initiatives.”

Have you seen Connor?

Police are seeking the assistance of the public in trying to locate a 28-year-old male, missing from Edinburgh. 

Connor Murray was last seen around 5.30am in Longstone Street, Wester Hailes.

Connor is white with a slim build and short blond hair. He may be wearing black jogging trousers and carrying a blue rucksack.

A number of searches are under way to locate Connor, with officers also checking relevant CCTV footage from in and around the area.

Connor Murray

Inspector Keith Scott said: “Connor’s family is understandably very worried about him and they just want him home safe and well.

“We are currently completing extensive enquiries with all his family and friends for any information which could assist us in finding him. If anyone has seen Connor or has any information as to his whereabouts, please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 850 of 8 October, 2022.

UPDATE

MISSING PERSON – TRACED

We are pleased to confirm that Connor Murray has been traced safe and well. We would like to thank the public for their assistance.

Missing man: Have you seen James?

*** UPDATE: JAMES HAS BEEN TRACED SAFE AND WELL ***

Police have released an updated image as part of their ongoing appeal for the public’s help to trace a 53-year-old man reported missing from the Wester Hailes area.

There are growing concerns for James Allan who was last seen in Hailesland Grove about 5.30pm on Thursday (26th May 2022).

James is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, with long black hair. When last seen he was wearing a black jacket, brown jumper and black jeans.

Inspector Caroline Flynn, from Wester Hailes Police Station, said “Given the passage of time since James was last seen, we are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare.

“Anyone who may have seen James, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0448 of Friday, 27 May, 2022.

“Similarly if James sees this appeal I would ask him to get in touch to let us know he is safe.”

Missing man Stuart Campbell: Police issue renewed appeal

Police investigating the disappearance of Stuart Campbell have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Stuart (36) was last seen in the Barn Park area of Wester Hailes, around 4pm on Tuesday, 22 March, 2022. It has now been four weeks since he went missing.

Stuart’s mother Jane said : “Stuart, if you are reading this please get in touch. All your family and friends are worried about you and want you home safe.

“If anyone has seen Stuart or knows where he is please get in touch with myself or the police.

“It’s been nearly four weeks now and we all want you home safe and well.”

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Area Commander for South West Edinburgh said : “Over the last four weeks local officers supported by specialist teams from Police Scotland have continued to search for Stuart.

“We are increasingly concerned for his well-being and have carried out open searches in Barn Park, Clovenstone, Union Canal, Water of Leith and Colinton Dell in effort to trace him and further searches are continuing in the surrounding areas.

“Officers are also carrying out further house to house enquiries and have been asking residents in Wester Hailes if they have any information that could assist them with their enquiries. We are also identifying further CCTV opportunities in the area and in particular would welcome assistance from local businesses or residents who may have private CCTV.

“Stuart is described as being 5ft 10in tall, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, green hooded top with white ties and grey jogging bottoms.

“Anyone who knows where Stuart is or who has information that could assist in tracing him should call 101 quoting 1205 of 28 March or speak to any police officer.”

Attempted murder in Westside Plaza: Two men arrested

Two men have been arrested following an attempted murder in Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes.

A 45-year-old man was hit by a car in Westside Plaza last Thursday (14 April).

Two men, both aged 28, have been arrested and charged in connection with this incident and they are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Tuesday 19 April).

A report will be forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police appeal for witnesses following Westside Plaza hit and run

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was hit by a car at Westside Plaza, in Wester Hailes. The incident happened around 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 14 April 2022) and is being treated as attempted murder.

The 45-year-old is currently in a serious condition in The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Detective Inspector George Calder from CID at Corstorphine Police Station said: “The vehicle did not stop after the incident, but has now been recovered by officers, we are still trying to trace the occupants.

“We appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time, or has dash cam footage of the incident to come forward.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0742 of 14 April 2022.”

Saving energy in Wester Hailes

Five hundred households, both private and council-owned, living in mixed tenure properties across the Wester Hailes area are to benefit from energy efficient upgrades and revitalised buildings.

This follows an extensive large-scale common repairs and maintenance works programme to renovate 66 low-rise blocks in the first year due to complete by summer this year (2022).

This is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ground-breaking three-year Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS) pilot which gave an update on progress to date for the blocks across Murrayburn, Drumbryden and Hailesland to the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March).

The programme will now be rolled out across the city to help accelerate energy efficiency fabric maintenance and repairs in mixed tenure blocks to benefit more tenants. This is due to the success of the pilot to date in engaging with private owners – with scheme decisions to progress being made in 75% of minority council-owned blocks – and securing sizable energy efficiency grant support through the Scottish Government Energy Efficient Scotland, Area Based Scheme.

Councillors have also agreed to extend the Council’s Scheme of Assistance (SoA). This will, as part of the MTIS, offer enhanced debt repayment terms* to help all private owner occupiers meet their repairs and maintenance responsibilities and allow them to consider more options for funding their share of the cost of works within all Council-led capital improvement, mixed tenure property projects.

Works being carried out on behalf of all owners across the current MTIS pilot includes repairs and replacement of roofing, guttering, drying room facades, installation of external wall and attic insulation, together with the maintenance and decoration of communal stairwell spaces.

This MTIS pilot is aiming to carry this out in 181 mixed tenure blocks in Murrayburn, Hailesland and Dumbryden over a three-year period to the benefit of all residents and tenants, improving the aesthetics, energy efficiency, safety and security and the overall value of properties in the long term.

Cllr Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Bringing all our housing stock up to a good condition, making homes energy efficient, warm and affordable to heat is very important, both for tenants and for owners in these blocks.

“Council officers have worked hard to support private owners throughout this MTIS pilot. As a result, we’re helping owner occupiers meet their share of the energy efficiency improvement works by supporting them to access up to £15,500 each in Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) funding. Supporting private owner occupiers with enhanced re-payment terms will help too, and this is now being extended to others in a similar situation.

“The mixed tenure improvement service continues to be an incredibly successful as a pilot, and I’m so pleased that we are expanding this programme as it will play a crucial role in dealing with the legacy issues caused by right to buy. We can now invest in many more homes making much needed improvements to homes and blocks across the city.”

Cllr Mandy Watt, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Vice Convener, said: “We have a long way to go as part of this three-year programme to improve 181 blocks but this has been a great start.

“In this pilot’s first year we will have improved the standard of living and conditions of a huge number of people in Wester Hailes. The buildings that we’ve completed so far look fantastic and really lift the look and feel of these neighbourhoods.

“We hope once the programme has been completed across all of Murrayburn, Hailesland and Dumbryden, the communities will feel a real sense of pride in their homes which fit in so much better with the new build developments close by.

“We have strong ambitions as a Council and as a city to become a sustainable and net zero Capital by 2030. Housing is a huge factor in getting there and getting our existing housing stock better insulated and energy efficient will be key – which in turn will help to keep people warmer while helping to reduce energy bills.”

* extending the period for payment plans with the Council for owner occupiers to up to 15 years and a reduction in the interest rate from 6% to 4%.

Create Community Wealth project is recruiting two workers

Create Community Wealth is looking for two (2) Lead Creative people to join the project!

Create Community Wealth is an exciting long-term collaborative project that aims to develop micro-enterprises across the communities in Wester Hailes and Muirhouse.

Inspired by the grassroots movement of the Granby Four Streets in Liverpool and other Community Wealth Building initiatives around the world, this project aims to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.

Create Community Wealth is part of a wider national Culture Collective programme and is a partnership between WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts , SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.
​
Deadline for applications is Monday 11 October