LHNCC January 2023 minutes

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council ordinary meeting, on Tuesday 24 January 2023 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	Bruce Ryan†	minutes secretary
Elaine Dick*	LHNCC	Cllr Chas Booth†	Leith ward
Don Giles*	LHNCC	Tom Valente	Hub
Jennifer Marlborough*	LHNCC	Andrew Cusack	Hub
Jim Preacher†	LHNCC	India Czulowska-Burns†	O’DonnellBrown architects
Douglas Tharby*	LHNCC	Jennifer O’Donnell†	O’DonnellBrown architects
Neil Tulloch*	LHNCC	Alison Maguire	Turley planning consultants
Arthur Young*	LHNCC	~3 residents/visitors

† online; * in meeting room

1.b Apologies for absence

Ben Macpherson MSP	Edinburgh Northern and Leith	Deidre Brock MP	Edinburgh North and Leith
PC Chris Casselden	Police Scotland

2 Declaration of interests

none

3 Minutes of November 2022 meeting

Approved as-is (proposed N Tulloch, seconded S Auld)

4 Matters arising

All covered below

5 Police report

No report had been supplied.

6 Councillors’/MSPs’/MPs’ reports

6.a Cllr Booth

A report on the Pride bridge will come to TEC on 2 February. I’ve met with stakeholders, and some engineering students. CEC officers would prefer, on safety grounds, to demolish the bridge, but I will continue working for its retention.
CEC will support the Forth Freeport bid, although Leith ward councillors do not support it. I am not convinced it will create new investment and jobs. However, the freeport will go ahead, so my role will be to maintain environmental standards and workers’ rights.
Cityplan 2030 was signed off by CEC in November. It is now awaiting Scottish Government (SG) approval, which might take 9 months. National Planning Framework 4 was published in November, and should be approved by SG in February. It would affect short-term lets and green-space impactors.
Seafield was also discussed at CEC planning recently.
Leith ward councilors undertook a walkabout with Leith Connections officers. A plan should come forward in spring 2023.
I am working on the Lindsay Rd bus stop issue – bus stops should be accessible. There is a maximum-distance guideline.
- J Marlborough please take on (lack of) bus stops on Ocean Drive, Britannia Quay etc.

7 Chair, Secretary and Treasurer reports

7.a Chair (D Tharby)

See full report in appendix 1.

7.b Secretary (J Marlborough)

I undertook a walkthrough with Cllr Faccenda, focussing on bus-stops. It is not clear who has been removing bus stops, but CEC is responsible for placement of bus stop.
During resurfacing at North Leith Sands, a box-junction was removed, leading to lack of access to Melrose Drive. It is not clear who removed the box-junction.
Britannia Quay residents are also having issues with bus-stops. There are now long distances between stops.
The ship housing Ukrainian refugees is no longer using on-board generators.
LHNCC was listed as LH/NCC on CEC’s website, so it has been difficult for people to find out about their CC.

7.c Treasurer (D Tharby)

Current balance £806·94, including £1·23 interest

7.d Seafield and Leith Rotary

See reports in appendices 2 and 3.

8 Residents’ queries and issues

Cllr Booth: Portland Gardens is in phase 1 of the CPZ extension (‘North Leith’). This extension is due to take place in 2023. I will ascertain the exact date.

9 Planning

9.a Presentation on proposed Water St development

9.b Q&A

D Giles: how will the building be heated?
- Current plans are for all-electric, including photovoltaic cells on the roof – so it should be net-zero.
- Calculations were based on projected tariffs. Internal insulation will be renewed. Electricity bills will be paid by the owner-operator, i.e. occupants will not pay individual bills.
D Giles: how will the development accommodate cars?
- The courtyard will have spaces for 2-3 vans on an impermeable surface. This will improve sustainable urban drainage, and remove [most] parking from the site: in line with CEC policy, this is a car-free development.
- While there is no immediately nearby taxi-rank, there would be a drop-off area at the front of the building.
- Car-club spaces have not been discussed for this development, but the developers support them in general. There are car-club spaces nearby.
J Marlborough: LHNCC is pleased that the building would be reused. What about disabled access?
- The plans meet relevant regulations, including level access and the new lift.

9.c Other planning matters

See appendix 4 (item 18.a below)

J Marlborough: there were many planning applications before Christmas, effectively shortening the time available for comments. We have met with CEC planners. There are also concerns about the heights of some proposed buildings.
Cllr Booth: planning decisions are decided by CEC officers (delegated authority) unless there are 6 or more objections, in which case decisions are made by CEC’s planning committee.

There was discussion of LHNCC’s process for responding to planning applications.

There are concerns about the plots at Western Harbour. Previously granted planning permissions have now expired.

10 Licensing

A Young: there is an application nearby Custom House for a knife license.

11 Transport

J Marlborough: there are issues with lack of lighting at Ocean Drive. We have reported this to the Trams team many times.
J Marlborough: there will be much landscaping to be done once trams are running, which is causing much concern.
E Dick: new lights at Stevedore Place are too bright, but they are being altered so they do not shine into homes.
E Dick: there is some work on planting trees on the tram route.
J Marlborough: a lack of drivers is part of the reason for current changes.
E Dick: is there any progress on developing a bus route from Leith to Portobello?
- J Marlborough: EBUG has raised this with Lothian Buses.
- N Tulloch: transport and infrastructure are major objectives of the Seafield group.

12 Environment

SOSLeith has released a position paper on sewage
J Marlborough is a ‘local hero’.
Friends of Water of Leith Basin AGM is 9 February at the Malmaison (6pm).

13 Community

LeithChooses voting is in progress. (There was discussion of the projects, and of voting systems.
CEC is setting up ‘warm and welcoming spaces’ – see https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/warm-welcoming-spaces

14 AOB

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 28 February 2023
EACC is meeting this Thursday (7pm) on Zoom.
S Auld is moving out of LHNCC’s area, and so resigning from LHNCC. He was thanked for all his contributions

15 Appendix 1: chair’s report (D Tharby)

It seems that yet another year has gone by. It is not too late to wish any reader a Happy New Year as indeed today, Sunday 22nd January is the Chinese New Year. The year of the Rabbit which symbolises peace, prosperity and longevity. Let us all hope that these will prevail upon us here in Leith.

The best news, and hopefully the ‘prosperity and longevity’, will come from the recent announcement that Forth Ports have been successful in obtaining Green Freeport status with considerable seed investment by both the Scottish Government and UK Government and the hope that this will attract business and employment opportunities over the years ahead.

Our Ukrainian ‘visitors’ are becoming more integrated into our community with many now getting jobs and the children well settled into our local schools. Perhaps this year we will see ‘peace’ and some agreement struck with neighbouring Russia as to the future of their home country and perhaps even their return or at least a more permanent home will be found for them rather than being on a ship in a fairly remote harbour area.

Planning applications made previously return to us to consider again but now in different ownership and even more ambitious in nature. Just what impact the inevitable harbour development around the new Freeport will have as local industry expands with its associated increased noise and impact on traffic movement is now very unclear.

The cold snap we had in December was repeated last week drawing attention to the need for us to create some ‘warm and welcoming’ places. I believe that across our City we have almost 100 of these in existence ranging from being in open for only a few hours each week to having extension provision over most days and offering food as well. It we can do so, we will try to publish these on our Website. Hopefully the impact of high energy prices will be short-lived and we will see some reduction later in the year which will be welcome to all.

Net Zero Edinburgh is still on the agenda for the City and we can expect to see more emphasis upon this in media. I have personally taken on board the need to ‘decarbonise’ with the purchase of a fully electric car replacing my Euro 5 diesel and an air-source heat pump replacing my aging gas boiler.

It is with regret that it seems Covid is still with us compounded by a virulent Flu strain so perhaps it is too early to abandon face coverings and sanitising our hands.

Leithers are Resilient and we will see this through. Stay well, stay warm and safe.

16 Appendix 2: Seafield report (N Tulloch)

The Seafield Group met with Malcolm Fraser, the architect appointed to guide us through the master planning process on 4 January. We agreed that infrastructure issues must be the priority for the master planners. The Group will act as a steering group, led by Andrew Fournet of C&MCC and will receive monthly reports from MF, to allow us to report back to our CCs.

It looks as though Scottish Government is prepared to provide funds of £30k towards to cost of the master planning exercise, although at the time of writing it is not clear what conditions are attached to this grant.

The Seafield Group has organised a site visit for 21 January, when it is intended to inspect some of the less obvious areas of the area.

CEC officers have confirmed that 7N has now formally been appointed and it is anticipated that the Seafield Group’s first meeting with them will take place on 1 February, shortly before the next sounding board, currently scheduled for 8 February.

17 Appendix 3: Leith Rotary report (J Preacher, Hon Secretary Rotary Club of Leith)

The Rotary Club of Leith is now half-way through the 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:

Following a meeting with local Ukraine charities, we are arranging the purchase and delivery of an electricity generator for Ukraine. This is being coordinated directly with Rotary Clubs in Ukraine and with the assistance of a local UK transport company.
We also spent a weekend collecting contributions for our Ukraine appeal at the Tron
We sent an Aqua-Box to Pakistan following their flood relief appeal
We donated £200 to the Citadel children’s groups for their Christmas activities.
The Club visited Prospect Bank School tidied their garden, planted bulbs, plants and a tree. We hope to paint their outside sheds when the weather improves.
We sent a Shelter Box to Indonesia disaster appeal following their earthquake
We continue with our weekly speakers, the latest was a very interesting presentation by our Rotary Scholar, Mayrose from Texas, USA.
Our speaker’s programme is looking very good for the rest of the year and visitors are always welcome to attend our weekly Thursday meetings at 6.30pm in the Queen Charlotte Rooms.
We are planning to hold an information night and will invite friends to join us and find out more about the Leith Rotary Club.

18 Appendix 4: planning, consultations and transport report

18.a Planning applications and responses to them

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

18.a.i Ocean Terminal — Phase 2.

The masterplan 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.
Edinburgh Urban Design Panel raised serious concern regarding the quality of the residential units with respect to amenity and liveability noting that the design has not placed residents first but visitors. The Panel were not convinced that the proposed urban form of a perimeter block offeres a good solution particularly with respect to the amenity of future residents given the high percentage of single aspect units. The lack of daylight and outlook to many of these units and sunlight to the open spaces would in the Panel’s view create a very poor living
Feature tower to create city beacon and urban way-finding device. ECC 33 storeys (c.100m) will require review and certification by Scottish Ministers. Potential for reduced tower at 21 storeys.
amenity such as privacy, open space, sunlight, daylight etc.
Potential noise issues from adjacent commercial uses and Leith Docks.
LHNCC Concerns about creation of tunnel effect along Ocean Drive, height and density,
Daylight and sunlight issues, particularly for proposed Affordable housing block, also amenities such as privacy, open space.
Lack of view and access to Waterfront, poor public realm amenities
This area is being overwhelmed when combined with increasing height and density plans for neighbouring developments.
Potential noise issues from adjacent commercial uses and Leith Docks.
Meeting with Senior planning officers resulted in agreement for extension of closing date to 27/1/23 for CC comments.

18.a.ii Ocean Point 2.

Erection of mixed-use development potentially comprising residential, hotel, purpose-built student accommodation, along with commercial uses /co-working and amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure.
The following uses for each building are currently being considered: Residential, Private for sale, Build to Rent, Hotel, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation.
There is serious concern about recent suggestion that height of proposed block adjacent to Ocean Point 1 may be over 18 storeys high. This appears to be following trend included in OT and Dockside developments
Public Consultation: Thursday 9′” February between 2pm and 7pm at Ocean Terminal.

18.a.iii Dockside (Skyline) PAN application Public Consultation 17 January 2023

Developer now Goldstone Living
Concerns regarding increased height of Block A by 5 storeys and additional 45 units for rent
Public Consultation website – https://oceandriveedinburgh.co.uk
Application for variation – concerns
building heights reduced without changes to internal ceiling heights
omission of balconies and space internalised within apartments.
window widths amended to improve U-values

18.a.iv Harbour Homes (PoLHA)

Amendments to previous approved planning permission to accommodate Tram Route at 2 Ocean Drive and cancellation of completion occupation date that has expired.
Planning application is for a total of 57 Flats ( 36 Social housing & 39 Mid-market Rent.
We supported previous application and would expect to continue with that response

18.a.v Linksview/26 Tolbooth Wynd,

The proposal is for the demolition of 21 flats, and also the demolition of 25 garage lock ups and the plinth area with under croft parking.
Public improvement works surrounding the site include landscaping and the provision of amenity spaces with furniture/seating for both private and public use.
A total of 54 trees within the site are proposed to be removed. This area raises concerns that were commented on in our earlier response to the original application in 2018.

18.b Consultations

Speed Limit Reviews: 20mph and Rural Roads _ closes 8 February 2023

18.c Transport

18.c.i CCTT – Trams to Newhaven – Meeting Thursday 8 December 2022

Repeated report regarding no Street Lamps working in Ocean Drive and area outside OT — still without lighting
Further discussion about arrangements for landscaping and snagging.
December minutes still to be approved at meeting in January
Concerns raised by Britannia Quay Residents Association’s Chair regarding Tram works traffic management on Ocean Drive at junction with Melrose Drive and loss of yellow box junction at North Leith Sands/Lindsay Road. https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven

18.c.ii Lothian Buses

Continuing concerns regarding removal of Bus Stops and use of floating bus stops in our area and lack of clarity regarding who 1s responsible! http://edinburghbususers.group