Leith Central Community Council

We’ll keep working with other community councils, housing organisations and Edinburgh Council to make sure Leith’s voice is heard in the city’s housing strategy.

📄 Read our full position: tinyurl.com/jvntj3cm

🛑 LCCC is calling for a moratorium on new PBSA developments in Leith.

Future projects should focus on affordable, family-friendly and mixed-use housing that supports long-term residents and the local econom

We believe this level of PBSA development is now out of proportion and unsustainable.

Leith remains proud to welcome students as part of our diverse community — but balance matters.

Yet Leith has no university campus — and gains little direct benefit.

Meanwhile, PBSAs take up land that could be used for affordable homes for families and key workers, and they add pressure on local services and transport.

🚫 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 engagement@leithcentralcc.co.uk

YouTube video by The Kabin Studio Meas Mór – Kabin Crew x Tinderbox

🎶 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 on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 9 September 2025

Erosion on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 9 September 2025

Erosion on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, 9 September 2025

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

Can I use this pic on our next post, Tracy?

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.

Report a full or overflowing communal bin Report a full or overflowing communal bin.

🚮 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

Happy to raise it this evening Tracy, if you can't make it. Although just to note that Kirkgate is outside our CC area.

📣 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

Rusty corten planter with mixed flowering plants

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

We believe Leith deserves more than just disruption — it deserves care, character, and creativity in return.
What would you like to see?
Drop us a message or reply with your ideas.

Things like:
💡 Better lighting
🎭 Public art reflecting Leith’s heritage
🌿 Restoring open spaces affected by construction

🎨 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...

PBSA isn’t classed as “housing”, so developers avoid affordable housing rules and other obligations. It’s a system that puts profit ahead of people — and it needs to change.

Read LCCC’s full position: leithcentralcc.co.uk/wp-content/u...

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.