Dear All

Halloween this weekend and Bonfire Night to come, but no big organised events possible this year.  Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Council and partners have been working together to prepare for it and try to make sure we all enjoy it safely.  Click here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2020/october/operation-crackle-2020/

Now is the time to make sure any flytipping gets sorted.  I got a couple of tips sorted last week, but here is what to do if you report it yourself and it should be simple: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter-flytipping/flytipping.  It’s important that we all look after each other. Fly tipping during the Bonfire and Fireworks season can be a major cause of fire and we ask that if anyone sees fly tipping or notices an area where there is a build-up of refuse or combustible material to please do let the Council know.

We got our garden waste recycling bin sticker through the post this week.  There will be another window of opportunity to sign on later in the year.  Click here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/gardenwaste

A constituent got in touch with me about public charging ports for electric vehicles, currently the nearest being at Edinburgh College Milton Road. I got an update that others might might find helpful. Briefly, Phase 1 will see 66 chargers installed at 13 sites, including 4 ‘fast’ chargers installed at Kings Road, probably some time next year.

Most of my time is taken up around the built environment, Planning Committee and helping developing planning policy through work on City Plan 2030. With all that in mind, this week I was absolutely overjoyed that Scottish Ministers agreed with the Planning Committee decision to refuse consent to convert the Old Royal High School into a six star hotel.  More here: https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/18825231.edinburgh-old-royal-high-school-hotel-proposals-dismissed-scottish-ministers/

Checking the Council’s planning application lists every week can be instructive.  Immediate neighbours get notified first of what’s coming up near them, but anyone can comment on an application anywhere. Click here to find out more: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planning.  Four constituents are among the >120 emails I have received over the last 12 hours headed ‘Jupiter Artland’.  The worry is about the ghost of a possibility of development at Calderwood as one of the many sites being investigated as part of the City Plan 2030 process. There is no current proposal to develop that land.  

Local Ward planning applications in the last week include the old listed ‘Wanton Wall’ farmhouse at 103 Newcraighall Road (Ref: 20/03756/LBC) and a development at the former laundry building at Pittville Street Lane (Ref: 20/04260/FUL). Just copy and paste those numbers into the search and you’ll find details of what is proposed.  

The four of us Local Councillors got together on a Teams Meeting with the Head Teacher, Norma Prentice and one of the Friends of Castlebrae to further discuss the naming of the new Craigmillar School building.  It was very clear that the school’s community consultation wanted the name ‘Castlebrae’ retained, but it maybe wasn’t clear he proposal was to drop the ‘High School’ part. We’re doing a sense check on social media, but not going out to further consultation.  The school will be called simply ‘Castlebrae’ and the signage will say simply that.

Halloween Adventure at Little France Park 24 October to 1 November a competition spooky adventure with friends and family. Follow a Halloween themed trail through the park to be in with a chance of winning great prizes. More information at elgt.org.uk/projects/Halloween

Have a great weekend!

Maureen

Councillor Maureen Child