The Edinburgh Reporter November 2020

2
NEWS
The Edinburgh Reporter
ABOUT US
One of the joys of the lockdown
has been the ability to cover the
news from the cosy comfort of an
office. One of the drawbacks of the
lockdown has been the inability to
get out and about to cover stories,
take photographs, film video and
enjoy the camaraderie of our
colleagues in the news gathering
industry.
I know that this has affected
all of you too, so it appeared
useful to devote some of this
issue to health and wellbeing. It
is important for all of us to look
after ourselves and of course each
other. I hope you might get some
ideas of ways to do just that.
Turn to Page 12 for our wellbeing
feature.
Although the pandemic may
make us feel that we are standing
still, the city is still progressing
and will make changes. Our front
page story about the former Royal
High School is an important one
for the city. It has taken several
years to get to this point, and it
will affect the skyline and the
city's economy too. If the 80
pupil music school is allowed
to progress its plans, then they
promise "to extend our outreach
programmes, masterclasses and
workshops to reach children from
communities all over the country.
The plans include a small concert
hall (capacity 280), recital rooms
and teaching facilities which will
enable the school to offer concerts
and music education to a much
wider audience." And of course
their current building at the West
End will become vacant for some
other development to take place
there.
One of the most important
sectors during the current
lockdown, whatever Level we
find ourselves at, has been the
charities who have prepared and
delivered meals and food packs to
those in need in the city.
Do give them a hand if you can,
in whatever way.
Morrisons is only one of the
supermarkets which has helped
charities, but they have done so in
the most visible way by donating
thousands of paper bags which
have been used to distribute the
food and meals.
The government has now
introduced a new strategic
framework with different levels
from the least intrusive at 0 to the
highest at 4 using local authority
areas and not health board
areas in future. Whatever the
restrictions, do stay safe.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
Art for art's sake
Our photo shows one of the murals painted on utility boxes in Leith Walk
and funded by the Trams to Newhaven project as part of its £2.4 million
Support for Business Scheme. Community arts organisation Vue Art
have arranged for local artists to paint them. Transport and Environment
Vice Convener Councillor, Karen Doran, said: “These fantastic murals
showcase the creativity synonymous with Leith, something which we
really want to protect and help to flourish over the coming years. Thanks
to Vue Art Ltd and this group of talented community artists, a splash
of colour has been added to these otherwise everyday utility boxes,
treating visitors to Leith Walk, Constitution Street and the many shops,
cafés and attractions here.”
Lotte, from Vue Art Ltd, said: “Vue Art Ltd are rooted in the Leith
community. We were established to provide services to clients who have
an interest in commissioning, owning and exhibiting street art, and to
meet the needs of aspiring and established graffiti and street artists.
“We are pleased to be working with Trams to Newhaven on bringing
more art to Leith Walk and Constitution Street.”
Letter to the Editor
Dear Madam,
Every year, Carers Scotland
organises the Carers Parliament.
This brings together unpaid
carers and young carers from
all over Scotland to discuss the
issues that affect them, and speak
directly to policy and decision
makers.
As the numbers of carers grow
because of the pandemic, reaching
over one million, this year it is even
more important that carers have
their voices heard.
For the first time, the Carers
Parliament will be an online event
and will take places across three
days 16, 17 and 25 November.
On Days 1 and 2, carers will
have the opportunity to take part
in discussions ranging from the
social care review to financial
inequality and from human rights
to mental health and wellbeing.
Also on Day 2, the event will
feature a webinar from Professor
Jason Leitch, Clinical Director for
the Scottish Government talking
about “Managing risk and decision
making in a Covid world”.
On Day Three, the main event will
take place with interviews from
carers, a presentation by young
carers and a keynote address from
Joe Fitzpatrick, Minister for Public
Health, Sport and Wellbeing.
This will be followed by a
panel discussion with questions
from carers to a panel including
Ministers responsible for carers
and for mental health.
Carers will also have the chance
to visit virtual information rooms,
chat together and take part in
wellbeing activities.
Best wishes
Fiona Collie
Policy & Public Affairs Manager
Carers Scotland
Find out more about all that
is happening later this month
and how to book on the Carers
Scotland website
bit.ly/3liuhbd
info@carerscotland.org
Planning notes
We told you last month about
the plans for a building at the
foot of Dundas Street. This is
Centrum House and BUPA House
across the street from the former
RBS building. Although a public
consultation has already been held
you can still make comments on
the planning application until 13
November through the website
108-116dundasstreet.co.uk or by
phoning 0131 226 7225.
An interesting application has
been uncovered in the weekly
planning lists for redevelopment
of the former laundry on Pittville
Street Lane in Portobello replacing
the existing water tower and
creating a single dwelling above
office/studio space.
Whenever the journalists who
fill the columns of The Scotsman
and the Edinburgh Evening
News returm to their office on
Queensferry Road, they may find
the surrounding areas altered.
Owners Palm Capital have asked
for permission to develop the
car parks to the east and west
of Orchard Brae House for a new
residential development. The
public consultation has taken
place but is open for comments
until 6 November hello@
orchardbrae.scot or 0131 202
3259 for details.
An application to demolish a
garage and replace it with a two
storey house would not normally
attract much attention. There is a
real need for more housing in the
city, and a need to avoid using the
greenbelt.
But those living and working near
Spey Street Lane in Leith have
begun a Save the Lane campaign
to oppose the new home, partly
on the grounds that it does not
fit within the Local Development
Plan. They say: "The men and
women working on the lane are
vulnerable because their livelihood
depends on their workshops which
are at risk if a change of use from
business to residential is granted
- vulnerable places need to be
safeguarded, especially when
they meet the needs of the local
residents by providing essential
services and job opportunities to
the community.
"The proposal would not
contribute towards a sense of
place. It would be damaging to the
small scale industrial character of
the lane."
savethelane.co.uk
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Editor: Phyllis Stephen
editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk
07791 406 498
We write about news relating to Edinburgh and the immediate area.
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