by

LHNCC November 2022 minutes

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council ordinary meeting, held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 22 November 2022 at 6:30pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

1 Introductions and apologies for absence

1.a Present

Stewart Auld LHNCC PC Chris Casselden Police Scotland
Elaine Dick LHNCC Cllr Chas Booth Leith ward
Don Giles LHNCC Cllr Katrina Faccenda Leith ward
Jennifer Marlborough LHNCC David Hannah CDA (architects)
Jim Preacher LHNCC Martyn Harrison S Harrison Developments
Douglas Tharby LHNCC Alex Orr Orbit Communications
Neil Tulloch LHNCC Colin Smith Turley (planning consultant)
Arthur Young LHNCC Katie Wilson CDA (architects)
Bruce Ryan minutes secretary ~2 residents/visitors

1.b Apologies for absence

Ben Macpherson MSP Edinburgh Northern and Leith Deidre Brock MP Edinburgh North and Leith

2 Declaration of interests

none

3 Minutes of October 2022 meeting

Accepted subject to noting B Macpherson MSP and S Auld’s apologies (proposed J Marlborough, seconded J Preacher)

4 Matters arising

Item 6.a: LHNCC has not yet received the letter from the Leith councillors about Marks & Spencer.

5 Police report

See also text of report in appendix 1 or PDF at https://lhncc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022_11_22-police-report.pdf.

PC Casselden reported

  • His shifts only meet LHNCC’s meetings every 6 months.
  • There are usually between 200 and 300 calls per month, so this report’s total is usual.
    • 16 public nuisance calls is about half of the number for November 2021.
    • The number of ‘neighbour disputes calls’ is about the same as November 2021
    • The number of calls about theft and housebreaking is half of that for November 2021.
    • The number of calls about concern for/missing persons is about triple that of November 2021. A single person may be the subject of several calls.
    • The single call about fireworks concerned legitimate public use of fireworks at Western Harbour. Police had a lot of fireworks ‘business’ in Craigmillar/Niddrie, including a car arson. Officers were dedicated to such work all weekend, including a focus on restricting access to fireworks.
  • It is ‘tricky’ to cross Leith Walk. Road-traffic concerns should be communicated to police.
  • It was noted that other CCs are not receiving the quality of report as LHNCC.
    • Action: B Ryan to inform PC Casselden of details.

6 Councilors’, MSPs’, MP’s reports

6.a Cllr Faccenda

  • It has been decided that there cannot be a Christmas tree at the Kirkgate, so a small tree has been planted in Taylor Gardens. No lighting-up ceremony has been planned but it would be good to organise a community event.
    • J Marlborough: thanks for getting this tree, but the lights are very dim. The Trams Team has confirmed it has no problems with Christmas trees at the Kirkgate.
  • I am in contact with the Skyliner developers – a new planning application is due.
    • The main change is that 1 block would be four storeys higher, to relate to other buildings. The development would still be build-to-rent but would have less parking space and more cycle storage than previously planned.
  • I will be meeting with Lothian Buses in January. Please keep me informed of any issues.

6.b Cllr Booth

  • This community outreach event has been set up to discuss the Rainbow Bridge. All three ward councillors have asked for a delay to demolition while engineering students investigate alternatives to demolition.
  • CEC’s DMSC has approved an application for Western Harbour Drive. I welcome the new housing but am concerned that internal streets will not be adopted by CEC. This has implications for parking enforcement.
    • This is because it’s the developer’s choice whether to ask for adoption – CEC cannot mandate this. The developers will employ a private parking contractor.
  • Cityplan2030 should be approved by CEC on 30 November. This should help curb short-term lets.

7 Chair’s, Secretary’s and other officer’s reports

7.a Chair (D Tharby)

See report in appendix 2.

  • D Tharby: The issues with Ionos’ invoices are on the way to resolution.

7.b Secretary (J Marlborough)

See report in appendix 3.

  • J Marlborough: what is happening with CEC-run care-homes?
    • Cllr Faccenda: I’ve been working on this for some time. Some homes do not fit into new care-models, but the residents like them. Hence there is a campaign to promote good social care.
    • Action: LHNCC to circulate relvant email

7.c Treasurer (D Tharby)

See report in appendix 4.

7.d Seafield (N Tulloch)

See also report in appendix 5.

  • N Tulloch; there have been no further sounding board dates because the board currently has no chair.

7.e Leith Rotary (J Preacher)

See report in appendix 6.

8 Residents’ queries and issues

No matters raised.

9 Planning

See also planning section of appendix 7.

9.a Presentation on Ocean Point 2 PAN submission: S. Harrison Developments and agent: Alex Orr, Orbit Communications

See also presentation slides at https://lhncc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022_11_22-ocean-point.pdf.

  • Harrison Developments is a family business, originally established in 1952 as a village builder. It sold its construction division in 2007, so it could concentrate on development. It has about 24 staff, and works many segments of the development sector. It has delivered a lot of social housing in partnership with housing associations and local authorities, primarily in Yorkshire. Its first work in Edinburgh (about 10 years ago) was student accommodation on Haddington Place. It has since developed more student accommodation and hotels in Edinburgh. It prefers to work with local contractors.
  • It bought this site about 4 years ago, and had been considering building hotels here, but is now considering mostly build-to-rent residential with perhaps some student and hotel accommodation. The current slides show the residential ideas.
  • Residential development is currently challenged due to the Scottish Government’s freeze on rents.
  • The architects look forward to creation of a development that suits the brief and uses a site that has been derelict for a long time. It is part of Leith’s reclaimed land. There has been much development in the area, giving it a European feel.
  • The site is quite constrained (slide 6), being between Ocean Point 1 and the Skyliner site. Vehicle access would be behind Ocean Point 1, with cycle/pedestrian access from Ocean Drive. Hights would be similar to those of Cala and Skyliner.
  • Initial design studies (slide 7) showed that two separate buildings would relate to the site’s shape and maintain views.
  • It would be a primarily residential development (slide 9) with 20% family accommodation, 50% dual aspect, a range of apartment types and 25% affordable accommodation. There might be some student accommodation and a hotel.
  • The public realm is important, especially along Ocean Drive, as are amenities. Boardwalks in the area would all link up.
  • The overall all area would have a staccato look (slide 10) along the waterfront.
  • There is discussion of the forthcoming Debenhams demolition, also leading to taller buildings nearby.
  • The plans are at an early stage of the pre-application discussions. Plans will be presented to Edinburgh’s Urban Design Panel. There will be PAN exhibitions on 13 December and 9 February, at Ocean Terminal.

9.a.i Q&A

  • E Dick: these buildings’ height will oppressively dominate the waterfront. They are too dense for the area. People need more open space and views.
    • We see an exciting opportunity to help the community by providing new homes. The Cala development is lower, but CEC’s policy was for that area to be all commercial, with 9 storeys of a continuous building. Our buildings would not be continuous. Heigh will be a key part of discussions with CEC planning. Skyliner’s consent is for tall buildings.
    • E Dick: we have seen frequent changes to plans, adding more and more storeys.
    • This may be due to the planning process. We were told that height and massing must be carefully considered, and that the buildings must be of high quality. CEC will not accept poor quality development or poor visual impact.
  • J Marlborough: the application letter mentions ‘comprising many uses’. Tall, high-density buildings are far too common, and there is nothing in these plans to support intergenerational living or 20-minute communities. CityPlan2030 would prioritise mixtures of housing types but, because it’s not in force yet, our area is being invaded by ugly high-rises.
    • 20% of the flats would be 91m2 family accommodation, and 25% tenure-blind affordable housing. There is no space on the site for townhouses. We haven’t yet finished the designs for the three-bed flats. Build-to-rent is challenged just now but there would be a variety of types of flat.
    • The development might have some commercial space. There will be interconnections at the ground floor.
  • B Ryan: where will the infrastructure (doctors, schools etc) for the new residents come from?
    • CEC will seek contributions based on impact. Education is controlled by CEC, healthcare is covered by developer contribution guidelines.
  • D Giles: will there be gas heating?
    • Our energy strategy does not involve gas.
  • Cllr Booth: it is welcome that the developers are coming to LHNCC so early in the process. Cityplan2030 is coming to CEC committee at the end of November. It has stronger policies on developer contributions for healthcare and education. Even if CEC approves CP2030 now, it may then take more than 9 months for final approval by Scottish Government.

9.b OT phase 2

  • J Marlborough is organising a meeting of LHNCC’s planning ctte about this. Too many nearby developments are using the height of the distillery as a justification for tall buildings.
  • Ocean Point 1 is being advertised for sale or lease. It might become residential accommodation.
  • Cllr Booth: Granton has been awarded UK government money for redevelopment of the gasholder.

9.c Skyliner

  • The following may be material changes to plans: the distances between any storey’s ceiling and the next storey’s floor would be shortened to reduce overall building heights. Windows would also be smaller, and there would not be balconies.
    • Skyliner may also ask to be excused from transport contributions because it would not have any parking.
    • Action: J Marlborough to request visuals showing shortened inter-floor distances, absence of balconies, windows, etc.

10 Consultations

See also report in consultation section of appendix 7.

  • Action: LHNCC members to send in their opinions by the end of 2022, so a combined LHNCC response can be submitted.
    • It was not decided who would collate these to create the CC response.

11 Licensing

12 Transport

See also report in transport section of appendix 7.

  • J Marlborough: I’m looking forward to the walkthroughs of each CC’s part of the route.
    • Action: JM to circulate combined report on walkthroughs when it is available.
    • E Dick: Stevedore Place streetlighting is permanently switched on.
    • J Marlborough/E Dick: there is dangerous absence of lighting on Ocean Drive and Constitution St. The lights from the actual trams may be insufficient.
  • J Marlborough: EBUG met with Lothian buses on 26 October. LB was reluctant to share information. There is a lack of drivers. Drivers are receiving abuse due to many changes and congestion.

13 Environment

  • E Dick: there is work towards a further meeting about Coallie Park plans.
  • D Giles: The FOWLB AGM will be towards the end of January. We will ask supporters which themes FOWLB should focus on.
    • D Tharby: there is much activity on the Water of Leith – and much debris.
    • A resident: during recent high winds, building material from Anderson Place was blown into the WoL. The builders did a good job of clean-up but still some material is getting into the basins. SOSLeith is removing it when possible.
    • D Giles: information on swans is available on FOWLB’s Facebook page.

14 AOCB

  • D Giles: LeithChooses is vetting the applications it has received, and working on a postal vote system.
    • We look forward to the restart of in-person voting, and hence building community social capital.
    • B Ryan: Academic members of LC steering group have applied for funds to hold a networking event.
  • A resident: renovation work on the swing-bridge has been delayed by tram-works.
  • J Marlborough: Heart of Newhaven is holding a ‘coorie in for winter’ event.
  • J Marlborough: LHNCC can share Leith Links CC’s stall at Proclaimers gigs on 17 and 18 June 2023. (Tickets are sold out.)
  • J Marlborough: Leith History Association is holding a talk (13 December 7pm, in Kirkgate) on chain piers and bridges
  • Action: J Preacher to circulate details of Leith Rotary Xmas dinner

15 Date of next meeting

Tuesday 24 January 2023

16 Appendix 1: text of police report

16.a Welcome to our LHNCC newsletter for November 2022!

16.a.i Breakdown of calls in north Leith/Newhaven area for November 2022 (~247 in total, stats for period 23/10/22-20/11/22)

  • 16 calls relating to public nuisance
  • 1 call relating to fireworks
  • 11 neighbour disputes
  • 14 calls of theft/housebreaking
  • 11 domestic-related calls
  • 11 calls of other violence
  • 0 incidents with hate motivation
  • 14 loud noise/music-related calls
  • 45 concern-for/missing person calls
  • 1 drug-related call

16.b Some notable actions/events/incidents:

On the approach to Fireworks weekend, Leith Community Officers patrolled on foot & in vehicles to deal specifically with antisocial behaviour and fireworks-related incidents under the banner of Operation Crackle, so that our communities could be kept safe from disturbance and damage. Beforehand we met with potential offenders to provide safety & legislative advice, we liaised with social clubs and youth groups, and we attended at retail premises selling fireworks to ensure adherence to the relevant licensing legislation. Over the weekend itself, we carried out pre-checks of potential fireworks & bonfire sites before being deployed on Operation Moonbeam to respond to spontaneous fireworks-related incidents.

Over this period, there were 28 calls relating to fireworks & bonfires across Leith, which were mainly concentrated around Leith Links, Henderson Gardens, Pilrig Park and Leith Walk. This number incorporates calls relating to both legitimate public use and dangerous/unlawful use of fireworks. Most of the Police’s work over the weekend was, however, concentrated in the vicinity of Craigmillar & Niddrie, as widely publicised in traditional news & social media sources.

We have recently received a number of complaints about road traffic offences at the crossroads of Leith Walk and Brunswick Road, with drivers contravening temporary no-right/no-left signs from Leith Walk onto Brunswick Road. The matter was discussed with City of Edinburgh Council to consider how the junction could be improved so that a high standard of safety was maintained whilst allowing free flow of traffic during the tramworks. Leith Community Officers have also conducted static road checks at the junction in order to provide a high-visibility presence and ensure drivers have been driving in a safe and legal manner; as a result, over 30 Conditional Offers have been handed out to offending drivers, with corrective advice provided to a number of others.

There have been a number of calls to Ocean Drive regarding youth disorder, both within Ocean Terminal and at nearby premises. Leith Response & Community Officers are making enquiries into the incidents, considering the behaviour for potential criminality and identifying those persons responsible. Leith Community Officers are providing the area with extra attention and engaging with any groups of youths to ensure that their behaviour remains socially and legally acceptable.

Other incidents during this period include a report of a leg bone floating in the water near to Newhaven Harbour (3rd Nov), which turned out to be part of a disguise left over from Halloween; and a swan causing traffic congestion whilst crossing Lindsay Road (4th Nov).

16.c Plans ahead:

Tis the season…Leith Community Officers are being deployed into Edinburgh city centre for Winter City for the next couple of months, providing assistance and reassurance to the general public whilst they celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay.

We shall also be paying extra attention to retail outlets and shopping centres across Leith & Craigmillar to assist local security in preventing Thefts by Shoplifting as part of a festive initiative.

16.d About Us

  • Local Area Commander: Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal
  • Leith Community Policing Team based at Leith Police Station:
    • Inspector Colin Fordyce
    • Sergeant Sam Rose
  • Your local Community Beat Officer for NL26:
    • Constable Chris Casselden
    • Plus 8 officers dedicated to community issues in Leith

16.d.i Contact Us:

17 Appendix 2: chair’s report (D Tharby)

As the nights draw in it is time to prepare another round up of our area. Road works seem to have reached their peak, one hopes, bus travel much more of an ‘adventure’ now as routes diverted and this has been compounded by a fire in a top floor flat at the corner of Great Junction Street and Bonnington Road. No casualties as I understand it, but an old tenement building typical of our area and hopefully repairable. The fire broke out during the night and was attended by a number of appliances, the junction had to be closed for some time and added to the persisting problem and resulted in yet further diversions.

We hope to have a Christmas Tree in Taylor Gardens shortly and details of this will appear on our website when they are known. While this is not the best location being so far from our centre at Kirkgate it is hoped that residents will find its new location.

Community Councils are the most local tier of statutory representation in Scotland, they bridge the gap between local authorities and communities, and help make public bodies aware of the opinions and needs of the communities they represent. I was reminded of this when I attended the monthly meeting of our western neighbours at Trinity Community Council on Monday this week. A group of residents with an issue regarding communal bins, their location, their number and the fact that they are being used not just by residents but by others ‘on the fly’ as it were leading to issues of noise and general disturbance. While the emotions run high, it at times being hard to establish fact from speculation, the issue was very genuine and residents were listened to. We at LHNCC have had our own issues with these bins although ours as I recall were mainly about lost parking spaces and the arrangement of the bins thus relocated. A reminder of the importance in having an efficient service from Council and contractors occurred during the recent ‘bin strike’ so let us hope that the new arrangements prove their worth.

While a CC has statutory requirements expected of it, they often take up other causes to address a local matter. I was fortunate to be in the town of Kinross at the weekend and attended their Armistice Day parade ending at the local former Court House. The parade included a pipe band, a colour party and representatives of the services along with guides and scouts etc. laying a number of wreaths. The Kinross Community Council has organised this event for the last 39 years.

Later last Sunday afternoon I attended our own local service of commemoration in Leith Community Treatment Centre which was arranged by our own Secretary Jennifer Marlborough and the local Edinburgh Health and Social Care team manager Darius. This has had to be postponed since 2019 as a result of Covid restrictions but we had a Salvation Army band and a service taken by Rev David Scott from Duke Street United Reformed Church. A small number of wreaths were also laid including our own.

Sunday 20th is the 78th Scottish Seamans service in South Leith Parish Church and again we will lay a wreath at the memorial opposite the Malmaison.

This meeting will be our last until January however we will still deal with resident enquiries over this recess signposting or directly the matters as appropriate and keeping all informed of the outcome.

The Christmas season is now upon us now, however the cost of living will impact many households quite severely which is a huge concern. We are promised ‘warm places’ to go to by CEC and when this list is available it will be published on our website.

We have some vacancies at LHNCC and there is an opportunity to become a co-opted member at any time over the months ahead. All are welcome and attend our meetings and not just to air an issue before us but to find our more about what we do and how we conduct our business.

Until we meet I wish you and your families the compliments of the season however you celebrate or not.

Stay well, stay safe as Covid is still about, stay warm and keep your larder stocked where you can.

18 Appendix 3: secretary’s report (J Marlborough)

M&S Simply Food and Café outlet in OT is closed 30 October.

Leith Christmas Tree to be situated in Taylor Gardens despite requests/suggestions for more central Leith location. Arrangements regarding date and time for turning on lights to be confirmed.

Remembrance Service and wreath laying returned to Leith Community Medical Centre on Sunday 13 November.

Leith History Association provided a very interesting talk about the history of Madeira Street

Wreath laying Ceremony was held at The Merchant Navy Memorial Scotland on Sunday 20 November.

19 Appendix 4: treasurer’s report (D Tharby)

The current balance in the Bank Account is £1,054·08 based on the last statement dated 29th September, 2022.

We have recently paid the Lady Haig Poppy Factory for the wreaths that we as a CC lay, £97·40 this year as we collected them personally.

We are up to date with all known Invoices and online payments.

20 Appendix 5: Seafield report (N Tulloch)

The Seafield Group met with council officers on 9 November to review the procurement process relative to the appointment of consultants to lead the master plan process. The group was happy to confirm the appointment of the successful tenderer, 7N Architects (www.7narchitects.com)

It is intended that the Seafield Group meet with the project team at 7N shortly. Thereafter, the consultants will participate in the sounding board. The timescale for that is unknown, as, regrettably, the Chair of the sounding board has intimated that he wishes to step down and a replacement is being sought.

Council officers confirmed that the issue of ward councillors (other than those representing Craigentinny/Duddingston) attending the sounding board will be revisited.

21 Appendix 6: Leith Rotary report (J Preacher)

The Rotary Club of Leith is now almost half-way through our Rotary year and enjoying our year with our current President David Kay. Our activities are varied. Here is a list of our current activities and donations that are being made locally and internationally:

  • We are joining with YMCA, Pilmeny and the Citadel in supporting the local Ukrainian children including those on the Victoria Ferry in Leith Docks with a donation of £1,000.
  • We have now completed the provision of school jotters, books and materials for school pupils in the Kitwe School, Zambia. We have been assisted in this by the Rev Iain May of the South Leith Parish Church.
  • Also at the Kitwe School, Zambia, we are providing materials and funding for young mothers/students to make school uniforms.
  • We held a Charity Concert for the Kids Operating room (Kids OR) – an Edinburgh-based charity providing operating facilities for children in the developing world. The concert in South Leith Parish Church was provided by the pupils of Leith and Trinity Academies. It was a wonderful evening with a varied selection of music and song.
  • Donations are about to be sent to 3 of our main Charities supported by Rotary International – End Polio Now – £500, Rotary Foundation – £1,000 and we will donate one Shelter Box when we identify a worthy cause we want to support.
  • We are arranging a “Bucket” collection during the festive season at the Tron and George Street.
  • Our Dockers Club Fundraising event was a great success allowing us to donate £1,000 to our local Leith Foodbank and £600 to 3 local children’s charities.
  • We are planning to help Prospect Bank School with some gardening work and painting of outside sheds.
  • Cocktail nights have been arranged for members and friends to raise funds for our charities.
  • We are hosting a Rotary International Scholar from Texas in the USA who is studying at Edinburgh University.
  • We are now planning various activities for next year and of course our speaker programme for our weekly Thursday meetings at 6.30pm in the Queen Charlotte Rooms, visitors and potential new members are welcome!

22 Appendix 7: planning, consultations and transport report

22.a Planning applications and responses to them

These are abridged versions but full documents will be made available on website or on request.

22.a.i Ocean Point 2

  • Presentation – The PAN signifies the formal notice of intent to submit a planning application following a minimum 12-week period of consultation.
  • The brownfield site is highlighted in the plan attached and will aim to comprise a mix of residential homes for rent alongside other potential uses, which are currently being ascertained. These will occupy two buildings on the site.

22.a.ii Ocean Terminal – Phase 2

  • The masterplan, which has been submitted following a 16-month consultation process with the City of Edinburgh Council and key project stakeholders, includes a total of 580 mixed affordable, build-to-rent and private homes for sale around a large central green space, with the properties designed to maximise views over the Firth of Forth.
  • Arrange meeting with OT for preview and discussion
  • Lesley Carus, Waterfront Area, Development Manager has emailed asking about having discussion.
  • Two public exhibitions on the proposals will take place on Tuesday 13th December and Thursday 9th February between 2pm and 7pm at Ocean

22.a.iii Ocean Point 1

  • Being advertised for sale/lease – details to be confirmed

22.b Consultations

22.b.i Speed Limit Reviews: 20mph and Rural Roads closes 8 February 2023

  • We are seeking your views on proposals to extend 20mph speed limits in Edinburgh and on introducing lower speed limits on our rural roads. The rural roads are mostly west of the city between Balerno and Queensferry.
  • Edinburgh’s streets and rural roads are shared by many people and types of vehicle. We want to make our streets and rural roads safer and more pleasant for all, especially the most vulnerable users; those on foot, on bikes or, particularly on rural lanes, on horseback. Higher traffic speeds can put people off walking and cycling, and accidents tend to be worse at higher speeds.
  • Lower speed limits support the aims of the City Mobility Planby improving the way residents and visitors can move about and enjoy the city. The proposals fit with wider Council policies around Active Travel, the Vision Zero approach to road safety and achieving our ambition to be net zero by 2030.
  • View linked proposal maps included https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/slowerspeeds

22.c Transport

22.c.i CCTT – Trams to Newhaven – Meeting Thursday 10 November 2022

  • Report for Site Walk-through 28 October with Robert Armstrong will be available on completion of walk-throughs by all CC members.
  • Repeated report regarding no Street Lamps working in Ocean Drive and area outside OT – raised concern about H&S. There now appears to be work installing new street lamps in progress for the area, no completion date.

22.c.ii Lothian Buses

  • EBUG are meeting with LRT on 26/10/22 –Full report being prepared for EBUG December meeting including push for Bus Lane enforcement and cameras, examples of bus stop flags with missing numbers, bus driver recruitment.

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