March 2008
Tram Utility Works
From 31 March 2008, Constitution Street will be closed in sections between the Duke Street and Queen Charlotte Street junctions for 6 months.
Please click here for a map of the road closures, work areas and temporary traffic diversions for Phase 1 of these works.
January / February 2008
Don't Give Fire a Home
The 'Don't Give Fire a Home' campaign is there to help you protect your home from fire.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Services and the Scottish Government have provided help and advice on the 'Don't Give Fire a Home' website.
Click here to visit the 'Don't Give Fire a Home' website and pick up some further tips on fire safety. You can also contact Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue on www.lothian.fire-uk.org or call 0800 169 0320 to organise a free home safety visit.
May / June 2007
On the Development Front
Our new build development at 108 Duke St and Glebe was completed in April. It provides us with a further 22 units for affordable rent.
We celebrated the opening with the United Reformed Church, who occupy the ground floor. Several features of the original 19th Century Church which was previously on the site, including the organ & stained glass window, have been retained. Leslie Morrison, Minister, commented, “ this was a good deal for us, like many Churches we had very little cash and an ageing church much bigger than we needed. We were delighted to be able to sell the land to Port of Leith Housing Association and to get this fantastic space in return.
Our ongoing development programme
The Association has just been advised that it will be able to proceed with its planned future development programme as a result of grant commitments from City of Edinburgh Council worth £5.4m being made for 2007/8.
Willie Drysdale Development Director commented, “Last year we were able to claim £4m in grant funding and acquired several new sites. This years expanded grant commitment will enable us to keep up the momentum with our new build affordable housing. Site starts will take place over the summer at Henderson St and at Bingham Drive. We are presently on site at Albert St and progressing planning approvals for further sites. We are especially excited at the large site we will develop on previously Forth Ports land as we will build over 100 units for affordable rents here”.
About our Development Department
We have been building new housing in Leith for affordable rent since the early 1980’s. We have now built more than 1000 new properties over more than 40 individual contracts, each building having their own unique design.
We are determined to ensure our new properties are well designed and good to live in – a real quality home. We believe our buildings are as good as the best in the Private sector.
Click here to see a slide show of our developments.
(You will need Microsoft Powerpoint or Powerpoint viewer).
Improving Our Older Property
2 Contracts have just been awarded to begin the first of an 8 year programme to upgrade our older properties and ensure all our stock meets the new standards for housing set by the Scottish Executive called “Scottish Housing Quality Standard”. We will be spending around £2m each year ensuring all our properties have modern kitchens, bathrooms and efficient central heating systems.
The first contracts will run from May to end September and tenants affected will be contacted to discuss the details well before the start. Works done will depend on the age and condition of the property.
Everwarm Services Ltd, will work on 129 properties within Pitt Street, Prince Regent Street, Trafalgar Street and Sandport Street. Works will start week commencing 4th June 2007 and will be completed by 30th September 2007.
Carillion P.M.E will work on 80 properties within 21 Elgin Street, 23 Elgin Street, 25, Elgin Street and 29 Elgin Street. Works will start week commencing 14th May 2007 and will be completed by 30th September 2007.
As usual we are also commencing the cyclical maintenance programme to ensure properties are kept in a good state of repair externally.
Cyclical Maintenance includes the external painting of windows, downpipes, gutters, Soffit panels, flat and main doors and railings, also being carried out are minor roof repairs and the internal painting of stairwells where applicable. The areas included in this contract for 2007 are;
Albert Street, Iona Street, 2-20 Buchannan Street, Dickson Street, Spey Terrace and Spey Street.
1 -4 Couperfield, 31 McDonald Road, 9 – 11 Bangor Road, 27 Sandport Street and 32 Morningside Park.
Work will begin week commencing 7th May 2007 and will run through to 30th September 2007.
An Invitation FOR Tenants – to “the Gathering“
Join us at the Thomas Morton Hall Saturday 7th July 2007, 28-30 Ferry Road. Drop in from 11am to 4pm.
It is an opportunity to talk to us about any concerns you have and to have some fun, learn some new things and try out some alternative therapies.
Click here to view the poster
Annual General Meeting
A successful AGM was held on 25th April and members of the Association heard the Chair, Dr Diane Kennedy give a very interesting update on the Associations activities over 2006.
The Accounts were presented and approved by members and the new Committee elected.
John Paul McGroarty gave a fascinating talk on the history of the Leith Festival and how it had evolved into the modern community event of today running over 2 weeks in June. (And remember to diary the Gala day Saturday June 8th !)
Click here to see the Annual report (File size 3Mb)
