The Edinburgh Reporter July 2023

2 NEWS

Editorial

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Editor: Phyllis Stephen

Designer: Felipe Perez

Photos: Martin P McAdam

CAN WE STOP calling people who come

from Edinburgh Edinburghers? It sounds

as though we are all about to be served

up with egg and chips - and as anyone

from Edinburgh knows “You’ll have had

your tea?”

This unwieldy term has crept into normal

usage and is in now way comparable to the

long established term Glaswegian - but rest

assured you will not find it on these pages.

What you will find is our unique blend of

writing about as many topics as we can get

our hands on.

And now we are delighted to be joined by

the voice of local community sport Bill

Lothian whose column you will find on Page

21. His wee black book is full of contacts in
    sport being played by those who enjoy it
    most. Get in touch if you would like your
    team or club featured here. His email is
    [email protected]
    It is difficult not to fill this issue with the
    events which will take place at the beginning
    of the month when Their Majesties King
    Charles III and Queen Camilla pay their
    first visit to Scotland. Meeting the King’s
    Bodyguard gave us an ideal opportunity to
    look at the body whose history goes back
    201 years to their appointment.
    Looking back in history is the remit of
    the Old Edinburgh Club and while we only
    have space for a few notable dates in the
    paper we urge you to read the full
    fascinating list online.
    Have you been on a tram to Newhaven
    yet? The number of passengers using
    Edinburgh Trams has increased as
    anticipated in the business case to build the
    newest part of the line. We have anecdotal
    reports of businesses in Newhaven enjoying
    their busiest weeks ever - the good weather
    has of course helped, but the easy way to get
    there must also have played a part.
    On page 18 we look ahead to the Fringe.
    Just as we went to press a report confirmed
    that the contribution the festivals make to
    the economy of the capital has gone up to
    £407 million from £280 million in 2015. The
    festivals remain on a par with the FIFA
    World Cup in terms of the number of people
    attending shows. Around 700,000 people
    generate about 3.2 million attendances.
    Enjoy July - August is just round the corner.
    Phyllis Stephen, Editor

Bringing the news to you...

Planning News

A SECOND CONSULTATION was launched

for the Purpose Built Student

Accommodation (PBSA) led development

called Waverley North and comments can be

made online in early July. After this the

planning application will be submitted. The

Vita Group plan a mix of PBSA with affordable

homes and commercial units on Calton Road.

Only nine feedback forms were returned at

the previous consultation event in May, four

supporting the development. There is already

planning permission for a Build to Rent

development but in light of the government

rent freeze it is “no longer viable”. The design

has now removed car parking which would

have been built under the podium courtyard.

Vita Group already built one development at

Fountainbridge with another on Iona Street

due for completion by September 2023.

Work has begun on the former Filmhouse

on 88 Lothian Road to put up a temporary

advertising hoarding while owners

Caledonian Heritable consider what to do

with the inside of the building. No agreement

has yet been reached about the exact plans

for the former arts hub at this point.

The Scottish Government Reporter refused

the application by the developer CA Ventures

to build student flats on a site in Eyre Place as

well as nine townhouses on an adjacent site.

The developer used planning rules which

meant that as their applications had not been

dealt with by the council within the required

time, they could bypass the council system

and appeal direct to Scottish Ministers.

It is a permissible route but was considered

underhand by many councillors and local

residents who had mounted a massive

campaign against the plans. There were more

than 400 objections to the application.

The Reporter, Elspeth Cook concluded in

her report: “I am not convinced that the

redevelopment of the builders merchant’s

yard, offers sufficient justification for setting

aside my concerns regarding design and

amenity. I therefore conclude, for the reasons

set out above, that the proposed

development does not accord overall with

the relevant provisions of the development

plan and that there are no material

considerations which would still justify

granting planning permission. I have

considered all the other matters raised, but

there are none which would lead me to alter

my conclusions.”

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Dear Madam,

I’m writing today from Independent

Age, a national older person’s charity

that supports people facing financial

hardship. We offer free, impartial

advice and give grants to community

organisations. We also campaign to

make sure the voices of older people

and their families are heard.

Last year we commissioned

nationally representative polling of

UK residents aged 65 and over into

how the increase in the cost of living

was affecting them. We heard how

household costs were of particular

concern. As these costs have

continued to rise, we have launched a

survey to better understand the issues

as they stand today. Specifically, the

new survey is focused on older

people’s experiences with their

broadband, water, energy, phone and

council tax bills and their views on the

support that’s available from the

government and service providers.

Findings from the survey will help us

campaign to improve the support

that people in later life get to manage

the cost of living.

By participating in this survey,

people aged 65 and over in

Edinburgh can contribute to our work

to shape policies that may directly

impact them. The survey can be

completed anonymously.

I urge anyone reading this who is

65 or older and has experienced

money worries to take part in this

survey and make their voices heard.

By sharing your experiences and

opinions, you can help drive positive

change for older people.

Morgan Vine, Head of Policy and

Influencing at Independent Age

You can take part by visiting: http://www.

surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BGHQNK

The survey will close on 25 July.

For further inquiries, financial support

and information visit the website:

http://www.independentage.org/

get-advice/money

Letter to the editor