John Rattray Statue Landscaping, Leith Links

For over two years fencing surrounded the statue of John Rattray and the landscaped mounds on the Links so that the planting of wild flowers selected by Royal Botanic Gardens staff could become established.

We could see the wonderful display of flowers developing each summer and the public, quite rightly asked when would the fencing come down and last September it was removed.

The ecosystem of the coastal planting is developing but is now in danger of being destroyed due to adults and children walking and cycling over the mounds.

The statue and mounds were created to celebrate Leith’s connection with the history of golf when the first recorded rules of the game were written for a competition on the Links in 1744.

The mounds represent the original landscape of the Links when it would have had a similar appearance to Longniddry, St Andrews or Carnoustie.

As we come out of the covid pandemic we hope that the statue will attract many visitors interested in the origins and history of golf.  Hopefully they will also spend more time in Leith discovering the areas historic past and supporting local businesses by spending their money in shops, cafes and restaurants.

The statue and landscaping are a great asset to the Links and Leith but we need you the public to help by respecting and caring for them.

I’ve attached a list of the range of seeds planted on the mounds below which we would hope to see each year.

PDFWildflowers planted on Leith LInks 2019

Best wishes

Jim Scanlon MBE

Chair Leith Links Community Council and member of Leith Rules Golf Society

 

 

 

Controlled Parking Zones Phase 2 Consultation Leith

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Edinburgh Council launched Phase 2 of its consultation yesterday on proposals for Controlled Parking Zones in the Leith area including Bonnington, Easter Road and what is described as ‘West Leith’ but is actually the area between  Lochend Road and Restalrig Road, East Hermitage Place and the colonies.

If you live in these areas please take time to look at the plans for the introduction of permit holder parking, pay and display and other measures. Then make your comments known via the online survey.

You can see the plans here.

The consultation company have also organised two virtual drop in sessions on

Wednesday, 24th February between 6-8pm

Tuesday, 2nd March between 1-3pm

You can sign up to attend these meetings through the link below

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-leith-cpz-drop-in-session-tickets-138733558809

Phase 1 of the consultation on parking took place in late 2019 for other areas of Leith.

This consultation is separate from the other consultation currently running on Leith Connections / Leith Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

 

 

 

 

 

City of Edinburgh Council considers demolition of disused Leith Links building

City of Edinburgh Council have this week announced that they are considering demolishing a disused building on Leith Links. The building which is located next to the tennis courts and bowling greens has been unused for some time.Image

Members of Leith Links Community Council were informed at our meeting of Monday 30 November 2020 that the demolition is being considered due to anti social behaviour at the site and the building being in a poor condition.

We are not aware of the Councils full intentions for the site at this time.

If any citizens have any views as to whether the building should be demolished or not please do share your views (as well as any questions etc) with the three Leith Ward Councillors;

And please do share your views in the comments box below so that we know your views.

 

 

Seafield Update

Information received from Scottish Water:

“We wanted to make you aware that Veolia plans to clean the storm tanks at Seafield between Monday 21st September and Wednesday 23 September, next week.  This is the first available opportunity to complete this maintenance task following the recent heavy rainfall in the catchment area, and whilst weather conditions are forecast to be favourable.

In addition, as part of planned maintenance activities at the site, Primary Settlement Tank 1 (PST1) is to be drained and cleaned. This activity has been scheduled to commence today with work expected to take approximately one week.

Conditions are currently forecast to be favourable and every effort will be made to minimise the odour risk when carrying out these activities.

Both SEPA and the City of Edinburgh Council have been informed.

We will issue a further update once Veolia has completed the work.

Note: A link to this communication will be posted on social media and also on our website  – https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/seafield

As always if you smell any sewage it’s important that you complete our report form.

I can assure you that all public bodies and elected councillors sit up and pay attention to every complaint made. Your MSP Ben MacPherson has also worked hard on your behalf to secure a commitment by the Scottish Government to invest no regrets funding to reduce odour emissions in 2020/21 and a new state of the art sewage works will be built on the same site in 2030 hopefully to end the Seafield Stench.

Jim Scanlon

Chair, Leith Links Community Council

Free benefit and debt advice for Edinburgh residents

Free benefit and debt advice for Edinburgh residents

As the coronavirus pandemic hits the economy harder, more people are now dependent on benefits due to job loss and reduced income. Many people aren’t able to pay for essential things like rent and mortgage costs while others struggle with fuel and food costs.

Four of the city’s advice services are still busy working to support residents to maximise their income and support through these difficult times – whether it is helping people to get the benefits they are entitled to, helping manage debt or rent arrears, giving advice on housing problems or budgeting or help with food and bills. All services are currently providing assistance remotely though some are starting to offer limited face to face appointments.

Contact us if you or any of your clients/residents/community/members need help through these difficult times:

John Rattray site works update

It was with great fanfare that the Leith Rules Golf Society unveiled their statue of John Rattray on Leith Links, click here to view our blog post from the time. Alongside the statue there are three stone plinths with bronze plaques and sculptured mounds of marram grass which mimic the appearance of the greenspace as it would have appeared in the 1700s when Rattray played golf on the Links.

John Rattray and his golf rules are an important part of Leiths rich history. It is with thanks to the perseverance of the Leith Rules Golf Society, their supporters and their financial donors that their ambition has been realised on behalf of our whole community.

Since the unveiling in Autumn 2019 the site has remained fenced off, much to the frustration and concern of many members of our community who are wondering what is happening with the site.

» Read more

Dangerous motorbike riding over Leith Links

Earlier this month we let you know that concerns were being raised about dangerous motorbike riding in the Leith Links area, you can view the original post here.

Sadly this evening two motorbikes were seen being rode through a packed Leith Links. One of the motorbike riders even doing a wheelie as they traversed the Links between park users at around 9pm this evening.

[evp_embed_video url="http://www.leithlinkscc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/img_8645.mov" autoplay="true"
width="500"]

Leith Links Community Council encourages members of our community to report any incidents to Police Scotland by calling 101 (non emergency) or 999 (emergency). You should do this whilst the incident is in progress, or as soon as possible afterwards. You should also report every incident to the Police. If possible please give the Police a description of the riders such as what they are wearing, what they look like, how old they appear to be, and any registration plates that can be seen.

 

 

 

 

Community encouraged to make views known regarding proposed redevelopment of Leith Links pavilion

 

The Leith community croft at the north-western edge of the Links has submitted a planning application 19/06154/FUL – to carry out repair, refurbishment and extension to vacant dilapidated former tennis pavilion for community use, at 1 John’s Place, EH6 7EL.

You can view the application here and comment directly via the city council’s planning portal by the deadline of 14/02/20.An artist's impression of the plans for the Leith Links pavilion (Photo: Simpson and Brown)

Leith Links Community Council (LLCC) has been granted an extension of one week, at our request, until 21/02/20, to give us more time to consult with the community. As well as, or instead of, commenting directly on the portal you can comment by email to LLCC or below on this LLCC website, whether your view is positive, neutral, or negative. And we would respect any wish to remain anonymous, should it be requested.

In January 2020 we posted about plans by Leith Community Crops in Pots to transform a pavilion on Leith Links, view the original article by clicking here


 

Leith Links event application: Circus Extreme July 2020

Earlier today City of Edinburgh Council made us aware that they are considering a new application for an event to be held on Leith Links this summer.

Great Russian Circus Limited wish to bring their Circus Extreme show to the links. Their plan seeks to allow up to 1400 per performance with up to thirty vehicles on the site.

 

Unfortunately, the Council provides a very short window to consider & respond to applications, with the Community Council response to be submitted by 13 February 2020.

Leith Links Community Council would ask our community to submit their views, concerns and / or suggestions in relation to this current application to us by noon on 10 February 2020, this will allow us to take them into account & include them in our formal response to the application.

To submit your views, concerns and / or suggestions please use the form at the end of this post.


Please select a valid form.

Leith Links event application decision: Lady Boys of Bangkok

On 27 September 2019 we made you aware that City of Edinburgh Council were considering an application to allow the Lady Boys of Bangkok to use Leith Links as an event site in 2020.

Our original post can be found here.

We have today been informed by City of Edinburgh Council that they have secured an alternative location, no further information has been provided to us.

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