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Transforming Planning in Practice – action under way

(adapted from an email from the Scottish Government)

Having recently published the work programme for our planning reforms, we are now putting it into action.

We have laid four sets of regulations in the Scottish Parliament, to bring various parts of the Act into force.  We’ve published a note explaining what the regulations do, and when they will take effect.

We’ve started discussing with a range of people how early work on Regional Spatial Strategies might shape up and have been raising awareness of the NPF4 engagement that will begin early next year.  You can find out more and keep up with future developments on our blogs.

As outlined in the work programme, preparation of a consultation paper on reviewing the Planning Performance and Fee Regimes is well underway.  To help inform the consultation paper we held a series of workshops with a wide range of stakeholders from 21st to 24th October and a summary of those discussions is due to be published shortly.  Keep an eye out for that and the forthcoming consultation.

We have published our Sustainability Appraisal and proposed work programme on reviewing Permitted Development Rights.  Early priorities include measures to address the global climate emergency, rural economy and digital communications, as well as looking again at Hill Tracks.  We would welcome comments on the prioritisation and the sustainability appraisal by28 January 2020.

If you are on Twitter you can get updates as they happen from @ScotGovPlanning.

How to keep up to date: Follow Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division

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A survey on the future use of Custom House in Leith

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is carrying out a survey of people and organisations in Leith to help define a long term plan for the development of Custom House.  The survey is designed to build on consultations carried out since Custom House was bought by the City of Edinburgh Council and leased to SHBT in order to save and regenerate this important historic building.

It is important for SHBT to understand the communities’ views on the development of Custom House. The consultations are being carried out in line with SHBT’s remit from the Council to ensure that the building is used sustainably for the benefit of the community of Leith – this reflects the purchase of the building using the Common Good Fund.

A fairly consistent picture has emerged through consultations of the kind of uses that might be developed for Custom House.  This seems to be a multi-purpose building, largely accessible to the community and part of which would celebrate and display aspects of Leith’s rich and fascinating heritage. It could include and be partly financed by rentable spaces for events, artist studios, cafes and compatible small local businesses. It could also be of sufficient interest to be a draw for visitors to Leith.

We now need as many people as possible to give us feedback on the potential uses by completing the survey. The results will be used to define the future of Custom House and guide the final proposals for the building.

Please help SHBT by completing this questionnaire as soon as possible – by Friday 6th December at the latest. Please click on the link below or copy and paste it into your browser.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LeithCustomHouseSurvey

If you have any queries about the survey or Custom House please contact SHBT by email on admin@shbt.org.

 

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Newhaven Tram project update

(adapted form an email from ‘Trams to Newhaven’)

Leith Walk Planters

In order to facilitate construction of Trams to Newhaven project, the 14 planters that are currently situated on Leith Walk will be moved to the Leith Links / Duke Street / Lochend Road / Easter Road junction. This will be a permanent move in order to accommodate dedicated cycling lanes post construction. The planters will be moved as part of the enabling works commencing on Monday 18 November 2019.

We are aware that some businesses / residents have been looking after the planters and where this is known we have made contact to explain. An example of this is the Kadampa Meditation Centre who we visited to explain what is happening and to thank them for the work they have done. We will be attaching posters to the planters this week to highlight the planters being moved.

Trimming of trees at South Leith Parish Church Wall

In order to begin works on the South Leith Parish Church wall later in December 2019, TD Tree and Land Services Limited, a specialist in tree maintenance, will trim back overhanging branches in order to gain access to the wall. The works will take place over two days (Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 November) and will not damage the trees in any way.

Wherever possible all work will be carried out from the ground.  If required, trees will be climbed by trained personnel and will only take place once an assessment has been made that is safe to do so.

An eco-check for bats and nesting birds was undertaken recently which identified the trees had not been used by either species.

We will be highlighting both of above on the project website and in the electronic newsletter this week.

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Parks consultations: please have your say – thrice!

(adapted from a rather confusing email from Edinburgh Council) 

Survey of events in parks

This year’s survey about events held in parks across the city in 2018-19 has been published today: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/copy-of-copy-of-parks-events-review-2018-19.

This surveyfocuses on views and comments on a range of events which took place between October 2018 to September 2019. Events include the Beltane and Samhuinn Fire Festivals on Calton Hill, the Summer Sessions and the Virgin Festival Fireworks in West Princes Street Gardens, the Circus and Colour Bomb Carnival in Sighthill Park and many more.

Continue reading →

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Briefing events on Brexit, citizens’ rights and the EU Settlement Scheme for local authorities in Edinburgh

(adapted from an email from EU Citizens Rights Project: www.citizensrightsproject.org)

EU Citizens Rights Project has partnered with COSLA and the International Office for Migration (IOM) in Scotland to offer a series of briefing events about Brexit, citizens’ rights and the EU settlement scheme for local authorities, including community councils.

The first session is in Edinburgh on Monday 11 of November from 09:30 – 12:30 in Augustine United Church (Studio Room), 41 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EL.

You can register your interest here.

Attendees will be signposted to any relevant materials and support tools, such as Home Office toolkits, and specific advice services for citizens who need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

These free briefing sessions will:

  • Give attendees a clear understanding of the EU Settlement Scheme (the new immigration status that EU citizens will need to apply for after Brexit)
  • Explain the changes to EU citizens’ status, and when these will come into effect
  • Explain possible changes to EU citizens’ rights to work, study, access public services, and to vote.
  • Signpost sources of further information and support from COSLA, Citizens Advice Scotland, IOM and others.
  • Give practical information on the steps EU citizens, and the organisations that work with them, can take to resolve any problems.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at info@citizensrightsproject.org

Yours faithfully

Noelia Martínez
Project Coordinator
EU Citizens Rights Project
www.citizensrightsproject.org

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Cleaning and varnishing the 3 benches opposite the Truva Cafe

(Circulated on behalf of the Friends of the Water of Leith Basins)

FOWLb, working with the Edinburgh Tool Library is going to clean and varnish the three benches opposite the Truva Cafe.

They are going to start on Thursday 7th November so if you want to be involved then come along at 11am to the Tool Library. That’s in Custom Lane at the opposite end to the cafe. (Custom Lane is behind the Custom House, in Commercial St.)

The first job will be to move the benches round to Custom Lane. It is expected the the work will take several Thursdays to do all three benches so if you can’t manage on the 7th please email Fowlb. They’ll tell you how work is progressing so you can get involved later.

Don Giles
Secretary, Friends of Water of Leith Basins

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Community safety night team

(Adapted from an email from CSNT)

CSNT commenced 1st October 2016 as an outcome following the transformation programme.

  • Operation Times: Thursday through to Sunday 17.00 until 02.30
  • Contact Details:
  • Team leaders
    • Craig.Ferguson@edinburgh.gov.uk
    • William.Muir@edinburgh.gov.uk

Click the graphic to see more information: