Improving Muirhouse/Pennywell Projects Update Date: January 2015 21 Century Homes Muirhouse and Pennywell Phase 1-193 Homes, 108 for affordable rent and 85 for private sales. Site works are progressing despite recent poor weather conditions. The first housing for sale properties across from the sales office are moving forward and the intention is to create a show home in the new year, to assist with the sales. The first affordable housing block is having windows installed and the roof is being progressed. The aim is to have this watertight in the very near future to allow internal works to progress. Works are ongoing with the foundations of the second large affordable block of flats and the timber frame is being erected for the row of 7 rented houses on the site. Foundations are being excavated in the centre of the site for the central block of affordable flats for rent. Sales have been steady with 8 full reservations and 24 reservations on properties not released for sale as yet. Five reservations are seeking to use the Scottish Government Help to Buy Initiative funding for 2015/16 and applications are being processed. The project is on programme with first handovers of the affordable homes expected in early summer 2015 and the first housing for sale homes being available from March 2015. A plan is being developed with the Housing and Regeneration Manager in North on the advertising of both the Mid Market rent properties and the Social rent properties. Anyone interested in the properties due to start completing in the summer should contact the North Neighbourhood office or email northteam@edinburgh.gov.uk for a chat on housing options. This information has been circulated in Council newsletters and is in key buildings in the area. Urban Union have been progressing with the selection of a Factor for Phase 1 who will provide a full service to the purchasing owners and a restricted service for the Council properties. We will be able to provide a more detailed update at the meeting. Health & Safety: Nothing to report
Community Benefits : The delivery of Community Benefits is going well and Urban Union has got off to a good start. Of the targets set for Phase 1, 9 new entrant positions have been achieved, 3 work placement and 4 apprentice positions have been filled to date. We are closely monitoring the delivery of the positions with monthly updates from Urban Union. This phase is due to complete in Dec 2016 and we are on the way to achieving the targets. In the new year there will be a series of placements from Edinburgh Colleague students and the hope is this might link in with future apprentice applications which align with College term times. The Skillsbank is still being developed for Pennywell and Muirhouse and interested parties can go along to the drop in sessions in the Millennium centre on Wed 12-2 pm run by Community Renewal to find out more or contact Joined up for Business on 0131-456-3365, their details will then be held in the Skillsbank. Work is ongoing with a pupil engagement programme for those schools closest to the current site. Project Value: c 36.5m Start Date: 23 June 2014 Estimated Completion Date: Lead Officer: Ann Wilson Contact: The Council houses will be complete by 2020 and the final private houses by 2023. ann.wilson@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 7429 21 Century Homes West Pilton Crescent Residents have settled in to their new homes. Plans are being made to hold an event with the resident to explore potential community co-operative working arrangements. Lead Officer: Mandy Rudden Contact: mandy.rudden@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 5011
North Neighbourhood Environment Environmental improvement works have been identified around Muirhouse Shopping Centre. Some of the tasks identified include new litter bins, weed and graffiti removal, tree planting, clean up of service yards, washing, painting of lamp posts, refreshing parking bays on street, and reinstating paving. Temporary use of site at Muirhouse Avenue consultation to begin in February on options agreed by IMP. Clean up activity to be undertaken to remove litter, dumped items and fire debris from demo sites - will advise on dates for community involvement. Muirhouse Millennium Linear Park pitch improvement is waiting on weather to improve to minimise damage. Lead Officer: Steven Cuthill Contact: steven.cuthill@edinburgh.gov.uk North West Edinburgh Partnership Centre (NWEPC) The contractor will be back on site at the end of March/ start of April. This will be when the main contract to build the partnership centre will commence. This work will also include the demolition of the dentist building, the dentist will be moving in to one of the units within Muirhouse Shopping Centre on Penywell Road. Project Value: You may see some digging within the service yard and alongside Muirhouse Library in March, this work is necessary to move the CCTV camera which currently sits within the proposed partnership site to another permanent location nearby. There will be a competition held in order to pick a name for the new centre later in this year. 12 m Start Date: Spring 2015 Estimated Completion Date: Autumn 2016 Lead Officer: Steven Whitton Contact: NHS Lothian
Muirhouse Housing Association First handovers on the second phase of homes on the former BT site are planned for the 4 th February, then from April to July. MHA will be starting to promote the 36 mid-market units in February. Project Value: 26,025,578 Start Date: April 2013 Estimated Completion Date: October 2016 Lead Officer: Brenda Tonner Contact: Muirhouse Housing Association North Edinburgh Arts 33 artists applied for the NWEPC Artist Residency with 8 shortlisted and invited to give a presentation about their work and ideas. The presentations will take place during the week of the 2 nd February at NEA, times tbc. Any IMP members who are interested in being a part of the selection panel to email Kate, director@northedinburghart.co.uk by the 23 rd January. Lead Officer: Kate Wimpress Contact: North Edinburgh Arts
Total Craigroyston The 2014 annual report for Total Craigroyston is now available from our blog: http://www.totalcraigroyston.co.uk/total-craigroyston-annual-report/. If your group would like an update on the work of Total Craigroyston then please get in touch. All four of the primary schools in the area are working towards the Rights Respecting School Award. This is a UNICEF programme that recognises the progress schools have made in helping children and young people understand and participate in their rights. A programme in primary schools about respect is being delivered which helps young people understand what it means to live respectfully in the community and make the most of the opportunities that are available. A reward card scheme for children aged 5-12 has been launched. This encourages and rewards good behaviour within the community and is being delivered through youth groups and organisations across the area. If awarded recognition for 12 weeks of good behaviour young people and their families can benefit from a free swim at Craigroyston Community High School or Ainsley Park Leisure Centre. Lead Officer: Christine Mackay and Tim Packer Contact: tim.packer@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 529 5056 www.totalcraigroyston.co.uk Community Engagement Project Method Location Date Placemaking Central Area Drop-in North Edinburgh Arts 2 April 2014 NW Edinburgh Partnership Centre Drop-in North Edinburgh Arts 2 April 2014 21 st Century Homes (Muirhouse) Visit Laurieston, Glasgow 16 April 2014 Total Craigroyston Drop-in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre 29 May 2014 21 st Century Homes (Community Benefits) Drop - in Pennywell Shopping Centre 30 May 2014 Opportunity to see inside new council homes Drop-in West Pilton Crescent opposite Craigroytson Community High School 12 September 2014 Regeneration Community Event Conference Edinburgh College Granton campus 27 September 2014