Leith Central CC update 👇 • Elm Row safety – interim measures requested • PBSA & aparthotel position updated • Licensing Policy in development • Comments submitted on Local Place Plan • Tram public realm issues monitored Leith is changing fast. What should we prioritise?

📣 Edinburgh tourism businesses — have your say. CEC has commissioned an independent survey on business performance, challenges and outlook for 2026. If you work in accommodation, tours, food & drink, retail, culture, transport or events, this is for you.

LCCC meets Monday (tomorrow) — and there’s a lot happening in Leith. Everyone is welcome to come along, listen in, or raise an issue. 🗓 Mon 16 Feb, 7pm 📍 Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library leithcentralcc.co.uk/reports Agenda includes >>>>

Leith Central Community Council meets Monday 16 Feb, 7pm at Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library. We’ll cover policing, planning, parks, licensing, transport — plus an open forum for local residents and businesses. Come along and be part of the conversation about Leith. leithcentralcc.co.uk/reports

🌱 Garden sitting unused? EGP match people who can’t manage their gardens with local volunteers keen to grow food. It’s a win-win: gardens cared for, food grown locally, neighbours connected. They’ve got Leith volunteers ready to go right now. 📧 [email protected] 📞 07704 185 726

🗳️ £eith Chooses Voting TODAY Help decide how £44K is spent — from youth activities & arts, to wellbeing, food, environment & practical local support. 📍 Leith Community Centre 12–3pm (quiet voting from 11am) If you live, work, study or volunteer in Leith, this is your vote. 👉 leithchooses.net/

🗳️ £eith Chooses Voting Day is this Saturday 24 January, come along to Leith Community Centre (12–3pm) and help decide which brilliant local projects get a share of this year’s funding. 🎨 Face painting for kids ☕ Free refreshments & snacks Drop in, cast your vote, and be part of shaping Leith.

Meeting tonight, all welcome. 🗓 Mon 19 Jan • 7pm at Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library Policing, parks, planning, licensing, transport — plus an open forum to raise local issues. A great chance to hear what’s happening in Leith and have your say. Agenda & papers 👉 leithcentralcc.co.uk/reports/

📣 LCCC January meeting – Mon 19 Jan, 7pm, Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library Policing, parks, licensing, planning, transport + open forum. 🎇 New year, new faces welcome — we’re looking for new CC members. 📝 We also need extra paid minute-taking support. Come along or get in touch.

🚧 Powderhall / St Mark’s Path – Update Good news: the path will reopen from Fri 19 Dec to Sun 4 Jan while construction pauses, giving everyone on Quiet Route 20 a safer, more direct link over the festive period. Council still reviewing options for a better route during future closures.

🚶‍♀️ Elm Row: ideas for change After their recent walkabout, WELM (Windsor Street, Elm Row, Leopold Place & Montgomery Street West Association) has shared practical proposals to fix Elm Row’s long-standing problems with parking, loading and damaged pavements. Send comments by 3 Dec and we'll pass on

☀️ Sun Tan Centres licence review — following public complaints, the Council is reviewing how tanning salons are licensed which could make a difference to safety, hygiene, and noise standards across Edinburgh. The consultation is open until 19 Feb 👉 consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/sun-tan-...

🚧 St Mark’s Path closure – update
Many of you have been in touch about the sudden closure of St Mark’s Path at Powderhall — an important walking, wheeling and cycling link on Quiet Route 20. We’ve been following up to get clarity.

🚋 LCCC update: our response to the Granton–BioQuarter tram consultation The consultation has now closed, and we submitted a detailed response on behalf of Leith Central residents.

🌱 Community planting day Join The Caley in Dalmeny Street Park on Fri 28 Nov, 10am–12pm for a hands-on planting session as part of the Linking Leith’s Parks project. All welcome — no experience needed. Sign up via the Caley or email [email protected]

LCCC meeting tonight, 7pm, Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library. Policing, planning, transport, clean streets, parks, licensing + open forum for residents & businesses. Agenda: drive.google.com/file/d/1eYRS... If something in Leith is on your mind, this is the place to bring it. All welcome

Elm Row still isn’t working as it should — unfinished works are causing confusion for everyone using it. LCCC is working with WELM and Cllr Jack Caldwell to press the Council for progress on safety, parking and the missing sculptures. Some fixes are due this month — we’ll share updates soon.

LCCC Meeting – Mon 17 Nov, 7pm Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library. Open to all local residents & businesses — come hear updates & share views on: 🚓 Policing 🏗️ Planning 🚍 Transport 🌳 Parks 🍻 Licensing

🏘️ A new Living Rent report highlights the gap between policy and enforcement — with only 10 complaints recorded last year. With so many Leith residents in private lets, this matters. LCCC will keep pushing for safe, well-maintained homes for all. Full report 📄 livingrent.org/edinburghenforcement

🚦 Road casualties in Edinburgh North & Leith have fallen steadily over the past 2 decades 📉 LCCC’s been part of that progress — pushing for safer streets, fairer transport & better walking & cycling routes. Change is happening — Leith’s moving in the right direction.

📣 LCCC is seeking new members! It’s not all work, work, work — sometimes there’s music too 🎸 But we do get things done: housing, planning, parks and licensing. Join us and help shape Leith’s future 👉 [email protected]

📣 Last weekend to have your say Help shape Leith’s future — the Local Place Plan survey closes soon. 🏘️🚲🌳 Share your views on housing, transport, greenspaces & more: 👉 www.ealaimpacts.co.uk/leith-place-plan Every voice counts.

🚫 No more PBSAs in Leith. Leith Central Community Council has agreed its final position on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). Leith already has 2/3 of all PBSA beds in Edinburgh — 6,332 out of 9,873.

📋✨ LCCC seeks a Minutes Secretary (paid £60/month) to attend monthly meetings (3rd Mon, 7–9pm, not July) & produce minutes. Ideal: strong listening & writing, detail-oriented, interested in local affairs, familiar with Word. Email [email protected]

🎶 Meas Mór – Kabin Crew x Tinderbox Collective Tha seo glè mhath! 🙌 Young musicians from Leith & Cork came together online to co-write Meas Mór — an Irish–Scots Gaelic rap celebrating language, culture & friendship. Big respect tae the Taobh na Pàirce weans in our LCCC area! 🎥 youtu.be/whwQfPVOFjI

🏘️ Affordable Housing at the Red Sandstone Block 2 (market-rent) is complete, but Block 1 – the affordable units – remains vacant. LCCC has asked the developer & planning authority about the phasing plan, Section 75, and compliance with Edinburgh Affordable Housing Guidance. 💬 What’s your view?

The Trust are calling an EROSION EMERGENCY — asking the council @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social to re-bank, re-seed and re-turf CALTON HILL between now and the end of the year. @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edinreporter.bsky.social caltonhilltrust.org/wp-content/u...

🧳 LCCC has adopted a new policy on Short Term Let planning applications. ⛔ We’ll normally object where STLs affect housing supply, shared access, or local amenity, or where they continue without proper consent. 👉 leithccc.wordpress.com/wp-content/u... Your view❓

Reminder: LCCC meeting tonight, 7 PM at Nelson Hall 🕖📍. Updates on policing, planning, transport, parks & more, plus an open forum for residents & businesses. Full agenda 👉 tinyurl.com/7ssjetye . All welcome!

EROSION in 2025 worst for many years — with the loss of whole stretches of top soil. This is our biggest problem. We can pick up litter in a moment, we can move portaloos in a day, we _could_ close road access to motor vehicles whenever we chose — but erosion takes time & careful work to remedy. 1/

🌱💐 Brunswick Street planters are thriving thanks to residents & anonymous donors – true community spirit! But is it sustainable that locals must carry the load (and the water)? What do you think?

Community action in Leith makes a difference! 🛴🚍 A resident reached out to LCCC after their child was refused entry with a scooter at a remote stop. Thanks to our help and their persistence, Lothian Buses has updated their policy ✅ More info & join EBUG: edinburghbususers.group

Next LCCC meeting: Mon 15 Sept, 7pm at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library. Open to all residents & businesses — hear updates on local issues + share your views in the open forum. Agenda/papers 👉 bit.ly/LCCCpapers

🏘️ Short-term lets in Leith Leith Central CC is finalising our policy on short-term lets 🏘️. Join the discussion at our next meeting: Mon 15 Sept, 7pm, McDonald Rd Library. All welcome. #LeithCentral #STL

A late-hours licence application has been lodged for Pepe’s Piri Piri, 38–39 Elm Row. Hours requested: Sun–Thurs: 11pm–1am Fri–Sat: 11pm–2am Deadline for representations: 24 September Write directly to the Council’s Licensing Service, or respond here and we’ll gather community views together.

🚮 Overflowing bin in Leith? 🚮 Report it to the Council ⬇️ 👉 edinburgh.gov.uk/communalbin 📞 0131 200 2000 🐦 @edinhelp (with location + photo) Include bin type + exact location. Every report helps keep Leith clean. 💪 #Leith #Edinburgh

📣 Leith Central CC meets tonight, 7pm at Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library. Agenda highlights: policing, planning (incl. PBSA Murano Place & short-term lets), transport, parks 🌳 + open forum for residents. 📂 Papers: bit.ly/LCCCpapers

We’re back from summer recess and ready to get stuck in! Next Leith Central Community Council meeting: 📅 Mon 18 Aug, 7pm 📍 Nelson Hall, McDonald Rd Library Agenda includes: policing, planning, transport, parks & more. Open forum for residents & businesses. Papers: bit.ly/LCCCpapers

Currently blooming in Arthur Street planter: rudbekia, sedum, calendula, a tiny lobelia, nasturtium & the end of the honesty (not a metaphor). Hoverflies and bees, a butterfly. #Leithlife #greensky #gardening #biodiversity @jackrmcaldwell.bsky.social @leithcentralcc.bsky.social

🎨 What should the tram project leave behind for Leith?
At the recent Tram Town Neighbourhoods meeting we raised ideas about lasting community benefits. #LeithCentral #TramsToNewhaven

Proposed #LeithWalk #tourist development: A big box of an APARTHOTEL in back of ex-Crawford's Antiques (now Origano). It's HUGE & will block light to long-suffering residents. Comment / object here citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/a... @spurtle.bsky.social @leithcentralcc.bsky.social

We're working with other local CCs to help shape the Leith Local Place Plan – a blueprint for future development in our area. 📍 Drop by the Leith Walk Police Box (Croall Pl) 🗓️ Sat 12 July, 10am–2pm 🗣️ Share your views 📝 Fill in a short survey Form open all July: form.jotform.com/251403157148...

Who’s really in charge of what gets built in Leith? Right now, loopholes in planning law allow developers to push through Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) — even when it doesn’t meet local needs.

📢 Important Notice: RTS Electricity Meters Being Switched Off – Deadline 30 June 2025 Some homes in Leith use Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters to manage night-time heating. This technology, used in Economy 7/10 tariffs and heat systems, is being switched off.

📣 Join us TONIGHT for the Leith Central Community Council AGM + June meeting
🕖 7pm, Mon 16 June
📍 Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library
All welcome – come hear what’s happening locally & have your say.
🗂️ Agenda: tinyurl.com/yc36mjym

🗣️ Leith Central Community Council will hold its Annual General Meeting and Monthly Meeting on Monday 16 June at 7pm at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library. Everyone is welcome — residents, local businesses, and anyone with an interest in our community.

Could unpaid work benefit your local group? The Council wants ideas for how people on Community Payback Orders can give back. 🧰 Gardening, painting, litter clearing– what could help in Leith? 📣 Share your thoughts
consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/cf/cpo25
🔗 Suggest a project tinyurl.com/482wdu4n

The council should take note that many church buildings across the city are soon going to change hands and may not be available for use as polling places in future, depending on what the future owners have in mind for them. Our Willowbrae building is just one example.

🗳️ Leith's Polling Places have changed to enhance accessibility and reduce reliance on schools as polling venues. Edinburgh Council are inviting residents to provide feedback on the new arrangements. Your views will help ensure that voting facilities meet community needs and are accessible to all.

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation doesn’t meet Leith’s housing needs We’re concerned that sites suitable for much-needed affordable and family housing are being developed into blocks of PBSA. These don’t contribute to housing targets and do little to ease pressure on the private rented sector.