• Leith Local Place Plan Survey 2

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  • Thank you to those who filled in Survey 1 and told us about the challenges of living in Leith. You can see the findings here: www.ealaimpacts.co.uk/leith-place-plan 

    This survey is about the draft Leith Local Place Plan. It lists suggested responses to the challenges reported in Survey 1. We want to know if you agree with these suggestions. The responses that are agreed will become the Local Place Plan for Leith and be submitted to the City Council.

    You can just fill in Section A and then press 'submit' at the bottom. Or if you have more time, have a look through Section B to give us a more detailed response.

  • Section A

  • To submit just Section A, scroll to the bottom and click 'submit'. Keep going to give a more detailed response.

  • Section B

  • Moving Around (1 of 14)

    Moving Around (1 of 14)

    (walking, wheeling, cycling, etc.)

  • You said "Leith Walk is bad for pedestrians and cyclists. Primarily crossing roads and accessing bus stops is seen as difficult and dangerous. More and better cycle paths are wanted with tighter rules for those on ebikes."

    The main challenge is that the new cycle lanes can be dangerous and pavements are poorly maintained. 

    Leith’s top response is that the council should rebuild the cycle lanes to make them safer.

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    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Moving Around 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC alter the bike lanes to be lower than the pavements with proper kerbs.
      • CEC to request Police Scotland to police the use of ebikes on bike lanes.
      • CEC to repair and maintain roads and pavements generally.
      • CEC to develop and share master strategy for wider Edinburgh cycle routes.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to continue to press for completion of snagging the tram works. https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven/news/article/422/community-council-together-on-tram-cctt-deputation-questions-at-12-december-2024-transport-and-environment-committee
      • CCs to ask the CEC councillors to raise the community's requests at the appropriate committees.

      Community/Alternative

      • Members of the public to report cracked pavements (https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report-problem-road/report-road-pavement-problem).
      • Members of the public to work with Spokes (http://www.spokes.org.uk/) to keep importance on the council to fix the bike lanes.
      • Members of the public to report ebikes speeding to the police using this form (https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/c3/)
      • A street safety group to collect data on the users of the bike lanes and those found to be using them incorrectly. Citizen science example: https://telraam.net/,/our-traffic-counter 
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    • Public Transport (2 of 14)

      Public Transport (2 of 14)

      (buses, trains, trams, boats, etc.)

    • You said "Overall most people love the buses and trams in Leith. A coastal route bus that avoids the city centre and is a direct service connecting to Portobello, Musselburgh and Granton is majorly wanted."

      The main challenge is we don’t have a bus link along the coast.

      Leith’s top response is that Lothian Buses should put in a bus link along the coast.

    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Public Transport 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to work with Lothian Buses to put in a bus route along the coast connecting Silverknowes to Musselburgh via Leith.
      • Edinburgh Trams to keep one tram at the Newhaven end in case an early morning blockage stops them coming from the Airport.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to lead this request through Edinburgh Bus Users Group (eBUG) and representations to CEC Councillors.

      Community/Alternative

      • Members of the public to support by participating in eBUG (https://edinburghbususers.group/) and write to councillors with this request for this new bus route.
      • Community to support the feasibility into the Cross-Forth Ferry. Item PR11 -Working with partners, explore the opportunity for a Cross-Forth ferry. 'We will explore the potential for a cross-Forth ferry considering commuting and wider tourism opportunities.' Available here: CEC Public Transport Action Plan 2030: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/33128/public-transport-action-plan-2030-april-2023- 
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    • Traffic and Parking (3 of 14)

      Traffic and Parking (3 of 14)

      (traffic and parking)

    • You said "The changes to car use and parking by the Council are very polarising. People agree that there is too much traffic and that people will park anywhere, which is a hazard."

      The main challenge is everyone agrees that traffic and parking isn't working, but are not agreed about what the solution is.

      Leith’s top response is to support those who do need car parking, and incentivise those who can give them up.

    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Traffic and Parking 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to develop and share master strategy for wider Edinburgh road routes, park and ride, resident parking and visitor parking to explain why certain changes are being made. 
      • CEC to add a central multistorey car park for residents.
      • CEC to create spaces for commercial and visitor parking on side streets so that essential vehicle use is still possible. 

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to continue to represent local people through the CEC Leith Connections project. CCs to seek input from local people. 
      • CCs to identify small local improvements to balance car usage in Leith and report to CEC.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community to use car club rather that private cars where possible (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/carclub)
      • Hiring of bikes, cargo bikes, and bike trailers to be encouraged by local groups such as Liveable Leith (https://rd8993.wixsite.com/liveable-leith). 
      • A community group to create a bike library for Leith.
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    • Streets and Spaces (4 of 14)

      Streets and Spaces (4 of 14)

      (streets, squares, and buildings)

    • You said "Streets are seen as dirty and not well maintained. People would like to see more permanent greenery that is looked after, trees specifically. Residents are generally positive about the areas and spaces in Leith." 

      The main challenge is the public realm is hard and grey.

      Leith's top response is for the council to make the streets sustainable, porous and green.

    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Streets and Spaces 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to reduce hard surfaces in public areas to slow water running into the sewers and manage ponding water. More SUDS schemes.
      • CEC to repair and maintain roads and pavements.
      • CEC to clean streets and manage bins and recycling. 
      • CEC to add more trees, benches, and planters with support to maintain them.
      • CEC to propose flood prevention and solar shading for 2040.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CEC and CCs to propose engagement strategies that can be supported by the community, such as 'tile flipping' events like these.
      • CCs to respond to any tree protection initiatives and to object to loss of trees in Planning applications.
      • CCs to act on where areas of high littering are reported and notify the property owners/managers.

      Community/Alternative

      • Set up community groups for tile flipping and guerilla gardening/landscaping. 
      • Set up community street cleaning groups and litter picking.
      • Community to tell the CCs where areas of high littering are for them to notify the property owners/managers. 
      • Report dog fouling incidents to https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/dogfouling 
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    • Natural Space (5 of 14)

      Natural Space (5 of 14)

      (nature, parks, hills, woods, beaches, etc.)

    • You said "We are overall very happy with the natural spaces with many parks and the Water of Leith. But we still a want more greenery, trees, and better plants for biodiversity to thrive. A lack of public toilets is an issue. We'd like a connection to the sea-front." 

      The main challenge is Leith should have more greenery generally. Parks and nature should be better looked after and protected. Parks should have benches and toilets.

      Leith's top response is to add new micro-parks. And add toilets and benches to existing parks.

       

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Natural Space 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to install more benches in parks.
      • CEC to budget for parks maintenance. CEC to print the maintenance plan for each park and display on the park notice boards.
      • CEC to create more micro parks as an extension of the Thriving Green Space project (https://www.thrivinggreenspaces.scot/project/linking-leith%E2%80%99s-parks/1).
      • CEC to add more surface-water drainage or permeable surfaces to avoid ponding water in parks.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to advise CEC on where benches and micro parks are to go.
      • CCs to check CEC are maintaining parks and highlight where this is falling short.
      • CCs to ask community for suggestions for blue green infrastructure: https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/About-Us/News-and-Views/2024/03/050324-National-BGI 

      Community/Alternative

      • Community to agree to an inflation-linked Council Tax increase to pay for the benches and the park maintenance.
      • Port of Leith to be asked to create routes though their land to the sea for the community.
      • Parks without a 'Friends of' group to have one created. CEC to seek out these groups and make them statutory consultees when any changes to the parks are planned.
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    • Play and Recreation (6 of 14)

      Play and Recreation (6 of 14)

      (play, hang out, games, and hobbies)

    • You said "There is a need for more free and low-cost activities, especially indoors. People like the good play parks for kids and are looking forward to more skate parks, and more spaces for teenagers and older kids." 

      The main challenge is that there's not enough places to meet others that are free to enter.

      Leith's top response is to add more free covered outdoor places, particularly for teenagers.

       

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Play and Recreation 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to favour planning applications for indoor social spaces, and reject applications which remove social spaces.
      • CEC to set up a fund to support new and existing groups creating free to access social spaces. 

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CC to invite those with events spaces to add them to a register of such spaces held online.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community to identify indoor spaces not used enough and add to the online register. Community groups to maintain the register and promote it.
      • Chamber of Trade and business groups to be invited to identify social enterprises and local businesses that can cross-fund free-to-access social spaces.
      • Leith Community Centre cafe to be brought back into use.
      • Not for profit public dining spaces to be created (https://www.scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/news/will-edinburgh-be-the-first-to-roll-out-public-diners)
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    • Facilities, Services and Healthcare (7 of 14)

      Facilities, Services and Healthcare (7 of 14)

      (schools, libraries, shops, etc.)

    • You said "Leithers love their libraries and want more funding and
      protection for them and other community spaces. We want more independent shops, specifically food shops that arenʼt the chains we have everywhere."

      The main challenge is that there aren't enough not-for-profit and independent facilities, services, and shops.

      Leith's top response is to have more not-for-profit and independent facilities, services, and shops.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Facilities, Services and Healthcare 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to continue support for the existing Leith Libraries.
      • CEC to look for opportunities to add revenue streams to libraries that build community wealth and cross fund the libraries.
      • CEC to seek partnerships with existing community buildings and organisations to create additional Library services in South Leith near the High School.
      • CEC to favour license and planning applications for independent or not-for-profit shops and enterprises. CEC to reject planning applications for removal of small business premises.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to work together to support the council in adding Library services.
      • CCs to object to planning applications which reduce small business premises.
      • CCs to support any opportunities for engagement in Leith Theatre. 

      Community/Alternative

      • Community to use the Libraries to demonstrate their value to the Council.
      • A 'Friends of Leith Libraries' group to be set up to support the Libraries.
      • Local businesses to be invited to set up a Business Improvement District (https://www.gov.scot/policies/regeneration/business-improvement-districts-bids/) and a 'buy local' or a 'group buy' scheme for local independent shops only.
      • Leith Chamber of Commerce to be asked to prioritise connections between Leith-based, independent businesses.
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    • Work and Local Economy (8 of 14)

      Work and Local Economy (8 of 14)

      (jobs and places to work)

    • You said "There are many opportunities for volunteering and lots of new cafes and restaurants opening. But jobs are mainly hospitality and minimum wage. There's aren't jobs in Leith that pay enough to enable us to live in Leith." 

      The main challenge is there are not enough good local jobs, which makes Leith a great place to live, but not to work.

      Leith's top response is to create good local jobs. 

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action plan for Work and Local Economy 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to repeat the Economic Framework for Leith 2014 (https://leithcentralcc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/leith-economic-framework-consultation-document-3.pdf).
      • CEC to reject applications for demolition or change of use that reduces small business premises in Leith.
      • CEC to favour applications for mixed use developments with new business opportunities.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to object to planning consents which reduce small business premises in Leith.
      • CCs to speak with the Leith Chamber of Commerce to keep a registry of local businesses and carry out a gap analysis for what businesses Leith needs. 

      Community/Alternative

      • Leith Chamber of Commerce to invited to set up a group supporting establishment of new local businesses.
      • A Business Improvement District (BID) to be created.
      • Leith Place Based Network to be asked to carry out a gap analysis for what new third sector enterprises and charities Leith needs.
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    • Housing, Community and Energy (9 of 14)

      Housing, Community and Energy (9 of 14)

      (homes, friends, and neighbours)

    • You said "There isnʼt enough affordable or social housing. People are against all the student accommodation being built and want fewer AirBnBʼs to create more housing. We need community initiatives for building maintenance, heating and energy efficiency." 

      The main challenge is that new-build is not delivering for residents and existing buildings are hard to maintain and improve.

      Leith's top response is to block student housing and AirBnBs. Help local residents by creating community maintenance and energy organisations.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Housing, Community and Energy 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to limit Short Term Let ("AirBnB") ownerships in residential blocks.
      • CEC to limit Purpose Built Student Housing (PBSA).
      • CEC to advertise the need for housing, social housing, innovative housing models, and bringing vacant property into use.
      • CEC to promote, support or facilitate community engagement in building maintenance, community heating, and energy efficiency.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to object to planning applications, regarding short term lets and PBSH.
      • CCs to respond to Scottish Government/CEC consultations on housing.
      • CCs to promote, support or facilitate community engagement in building maintenance, community heating, and energy efficiency.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community groups and community initiatives to advocate for residential use of residential properties.
      • Community groups to respond to engagement on building maintenance, co-housing, community heating, and energy efficiency. Organisations to maintain buildings, and to create community ownership of energy, should be set up. Suggestions: https://cleanheatedinburgh.org.uk/  https://sharedrepairs.novoville.com/  https://www.edinbric.scot/ 
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    • Social Interaction and Wellbeing (10 of 14)

      Social Interaction and Wellbeing (10 of 14)

      (meeting and talking with people)

    • You said "There are many different opportunities to socialise and meet people but it can be hard to find out about them. We want more low cost and free shared spaces."

      The main challenge is there isn't enough places to meet others that are free to enter.

      Leith's top response is to create free-to-enter places, such as additional library space, a museum, and community cafes.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Social Interaction and Wellbeing 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to support the creation of more free public spaces such as library spaces and community cafes.
      • CEC to reject planning applications which reduce these spaces, or for new applications which don't include them.
      • CEC to protect funding for groups which reduce social isolation such as the Pilmeny Project.
      • CEC to include new free to enter spaces in the Seafield Master Plan.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to object to planning applications that reduce spaces for free or low cost social activity.
      • CCs to object to planning applications that don't include for free to enter social spaces.

      Community/Alternative

      • Continue with recognised initiatives that allow people to come together such as Leith Gala, Leith Chooses. 
      • Key groups identified in Survey 1 should be receive more structured help and support from the community in the form of representations to CEC, and donations where possible. 
      • Community groups to create neighbourhood street groups for street parties.
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    • Identity and Belonging (11 of 14)

      Identity and Belonging (11 of 14)

      (feeling proud and part of a place)

    • You said "There is a very strong sense of identity in Leith, but some residents feel as though its getting lost through locals getting pushed out by rising living costs and gentrification." 

      The main challenge is that it's hard to maintain and grow the 'Leith identity' with so much rapid change and othe pressures on communities.

      Leith's top response is to celebrate Leith history and community heroes, and to help people stay in the area.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Identity and Belonging 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • Symbols on City Council infrastructure in Leith to include the Leith crest. 
      • CEC to make sure that Leith is called Leith in all documentation, not "North East Edinburgh".

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to police CEC's use of the word Leith to refer to Leith.
      • The Crocus Award to have an exhibition each year at Leith Chooses.

      Community/Alternative

      • Leith Civic trust to appeal for members of the public to be involved in the Leith museum project at Custom House. the Leith Museum project to give regular updates to the CCs. 
      • The Place Based Network to be invited to instigate an award for local heroes.
      • Re-institute 'Proud to be a Leith Business' signs in shops for independent businesses.
      • A Leith Housing Trust to be set up to secure existing housing for Leithers.
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    • Feeling Safe (12 of 14)

      Feeling Safe (12 of 14)

      (feeling safe)

    • You said "There is lot of antisocial behaviour especially from young people, people wearing balaclavas and driving ebikes dangerously, and people using drugs and drinking alcohol. We want better street lighting and police involvement." 

      The main challenge is that there is no accountability for intimidating or criminal actions. No oversight by authorities like police, teachers or family. 

      Leith's top response is to have more things for youths to do, including paid work. There should be active street-fronts that include community activities in the evenings.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Feeling Safe 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to create a strategy for street presence, active frontages, and mixed uses throughout the day and evening.
      • CEC to work with the police to increase patrols in areas where they are most needed. 
      • CEC to favour planning applications for indoor social spaces, and reject applications which remove social spaces.
      • CEC to set up a fund to support new and existing groups creating free to access social spaces.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to report back to the Police and CEC hot spots of antisocial behaviour.
      • CCs to object to planning consents which reduce small business premises in Leith.
      • CCs to speak with the Leith Chamber of Commerce to keep a registry of local businesses and carry out a gap analysis for what businesses Leith needs to create more local jobs, particularly for youths.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community groups to have a presence on the street in areas of antisocial behaviour.
      • Community youth groups that give youths routes other than antisocial behaviour to receive more support and recognition form the community. Their young service users to receive appropriate public recognition. 
      • The Chamber of Commerce and business groups to be asked to work with Edinburgh College to connect youths with employability schemes and new local businesses being created.
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    • Care and Maintenance (13 of 14)

      Care and Maintenance (13 of 14)

      (fixed, clean, and managed)

    • You said "There are a lot of potholes on the roads and the pavements are in bad condition. We want more bins and more regular bin emptying and cleaning."

      The main challenge is that there isn't enough care and maintenance of streets, parks and buildings. Yet the public sector hasn’t the funds to improve this, and neither do most people where their own property is concerned.

      Leith's top response is to keep Leith's money in Leith, and spend it on care and maintenance of the public realm and buildings. 

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Care and Maintenance 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to repair and maintain roads and pavements.
      • CEC to clean streets and add bins and recycling points.
      • CEC's Community Wealth Building (CWB) strategy to look at keeping Leith's money in Leith. CEC to look at capturing the profits made by multinational corporates in Leith to be diverted to the maintenance of Leith.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to act on where areas of high littering are reported and notify the property owners/managers.
      • CCs to report dilapidated public realm to the council.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community to set up a campaign for 'no wrapper' shops in Leith to reduce packaging on the streets.
      • Local refilleries and refillary drinks shop, reusable containers to be supported by people shopping there when they can.
      • Community rubbish audit as part of litter-picks. Residents to agree to link council tax rises to inflation, to fund the council to maintain the streets.
      • Public to report road or pavement problems using this website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/report-problem-road/report-road-pavement-problem
      • A community building maintenance enterprise to be set up.
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    • Sense of Control, Influence and Access to Finance (14 of 14)

      Sense of Control, Influence and Access to Finance (14 of 14)

      (having our say and being listened to)

    • You said "There is a general feeling of not being listened to by the council and desire to get involved but many people don't know how. The community councils should have more support and be more accessible so people can get involved easily and know whatʼs happening."

      The main challenge is there is not enough clarity around how communities can be and are being engaged with by the council and other authorities.

      Leith's top response is to create more ways to make your voice heard, meet others in the community, and find out what's going on.

    •
    • Click to view and comment on the full Action Plan for Sense of Control, Influence, and Access to Finance 

    • Action Plan

      City of Edinburgh Council (CEC)

      • CEC to improve their web-presence explaining what is going on at the council and how and when to respond to council activity.
      • CEC to follow up more clearly on the impact of public responses to consultations.
      • CEC to have more than one consultation in each process, with a high level one followed up by a detailed one before any changes are made.
      • CEC publications like meeting minutes to be shorter, and in plain English. 
      • CEC to take the key organisations mentioned in the Place Plan as stakeholders in any consultations. These groups to be contacted directly, rather than having to find out about consultations themselves.
      • CEC community Wealth building to include for funding citizens to partake in local democracy rather than relying on volunteer resource.

      Community Councils (CCs)

      • CCs to publish their minutes in hard copy in the Community Centre and Libraries. 
      • CCs to publish their activity on local noticeboards. 
      • Participation in Community Councils to be more supported for under-represented groups such as working parents, those from ethnic minority communities, and those on lower incomes.
      • CCs to hold drop in sessions at different times of the week to increase transparency.
      • Leith CCs to hold a review of city plan for net zero.

      Community/Alternative

      • Community groups to be asked to volunteer to be co-opted onto Community Councils.
      • Community groups to be asked to actively monitor the Council's activity and respond to consultations in a coordinated way.
      • Community groups to support umbrella organisations such as ECCAN (https://www.eccan.scot), EVOC (https://www.evoc.org.uk), ESEN (https://esen.scot) to amplify their voice.
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    • Eala are supporting the Local Place Plan on behalf Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council, Leith Links Community Council and Leith Central Community Council.

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