Leith Central Community Council

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.

This is happening across the UK – all suppliers must replace RTS meters before the switch‑off to ensure your heating continues uninterrupted

📞 Spread the word. This affects vulnerable households most—let’s look out for neighbours, especially older residents or those without online access.

* Your heating or hot water could stop working properly.
* You may miss out on off‑peak rates, risking higher energy bills

1. Check if you have an RTS (or DTS) meter:
2. If unsure, contact your electricity supplier now to arrange a free smart meter upgrade.

📢 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.

We also have vacancies for new Community Councillors – if interested, come along or get in touch.
📂 Past papers: tinyurl.com/yc8x63t4
#Leith #CommunityCouncil

🧱 Key topics:
• Student housing & planning updates
• Trams & local transport issues
• Parks & biodiversity (Pilrig + Montgomery Street)
• Annual report + elections
• Clean streets, local priorities, and more

📣 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

At the AGM we’ll present our Annual Report, accounts, and appoint office bearers.
The monthly meeting follows — with updates on planning, transport, green spaces, and a chance for the public to speak.
📄 Papers to come here: bit.ly/LCCCpapers

🗣️ 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.

📅 Consultation Period: 5 June – 18 July 2025
🔗 Have Your Say: consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/polling/

🗳️ 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.

📢 LCCC is calling for planning policy that protects land for genuinely affordable, permanent housing — not more PBSA.

As a result, Leith is seeing less provision of the types of homes needed to support a diverse, long-term resident population. This risks undermining the stability and future of our community.

We need homes people can actually live in — not more luxury rooms behind keycard gates.

📢

🏘️ In 2024, Edinburgh Council estimated a need for over 11,000 new affordable homes by 2027. But PBSA doesn’t count. It’s not affordable. It’s not flexible. And it’s not available to the families, workers, or residents on waiting lists today.

According to City Plan 2030, the council aims to prioritise brownfield sites for housing that serves local people — but too often, PBSA is being approved on these sites instead.

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.

The world’s 20 best cities for green space and nature, according to locals Where accessing nature is a walk in the park

Edinburgh’s just been named one of the world’s top cities for green space 🌿 Here in Leith, we’re proud of local gems like Montgomery Street Park, Pilrig Park & all the green spaces our community helps care for. Big thanks to everyone keeping them thriving 💚

🔗 www.timeout.com/news/the-wor...

Where have we made that claim?

This isn’t about students — it’s about balance. Leith has always welcomed students as neighbours, but PBSAs don’t build community. We need housing that supports long-term living, not short-term letting.

📣 Leith Central Community Council is speaking up - share your views.

* No Council Tax: Most PBSA tenants are exempt, and some operators pay reduced or no business rates. Yet they still rely on local services — while contributing little to local revenue.

* Public services are stretched — buses, bins, GP surgeries, and pavements feel the pressure of seasonal spikes in student population.

* PBSAs increase transient populations, shifting Leith away from the stable, diverse neighbourhood it’s long been. Families and key workers are pushed out, and social cohesion is eroded.