Tuesday 22 May 2007
Next residents association meeting
The next meeting will be help at the Slateford Green Community Centre on Monday the 4th of June, 7.30pm. Please come along and see! It's a great way to meet some of you neighbours and others part of your local community.
Slateford Green – 2007/08 Landscaping Upgrading
The residents association received the following breakdown on what will be happening over the next year to improve our general landscape:
The format is in following order:
Internal
The format is in following order:
- Action
- Completed by date
- Remove chespale fencing at entrance barrier.
- End of April ‘07
- Replant railway fenced area with laurel and dogwood shrubs to provide additional cover
- Oct / Nov ‘07
- Prepare and apply fertilizer to grasscrete areas throughout Slateford Green.
- May
- Maintain and replant Community Centre planted areas.
- May
- Beech hedging - Remedy by infilling where appropriate with Escallonia and transplanting beech hedging to provide uniformity of appearance
- Spring planting followed by autumn replanting
- Remove chespale fencing from front gardens at 4,5,6 & 7.
- May ‘07
- Grasscrete opposite stairs 8 – 9 apply top soil and reseed.
- May
- Wooded area adjacent to allotments. Apply top soil, grass seed .
- May
- Banked are adjacent to pump chamber – remove upper chespale fencing – plant area with dogwood & laurel
- May
- Stairs 13 -16 remove chespale fencing on road side
- June
- Develop plan or improvement of visitors parking spaces.
- July
Internal
- Ensure hedging is trimmed to fence height throughout internal garden area
- May
- Island bed – remove jaggy shrubs and replace with specimen tree
- July
Residents Meeting results
The main subject covered was the election of new office bearers for the residents association. Alan Barnett, from Gorgie Park Close, was elected chairman, Stephen Stormonth as secretary and David Metzger remains on as treasurer, both are Slateford Green residents.
In the coming meetings the new committee will discuss what projects and subjects should be looked at. Please let us know if there's anything you would like us to consider.
We'd like to thank Harry Woodward from Dunedin Canmore for coming along and chairing the meeting.
In the coming meetings the new committee will discuss what projects and subjects should be looked at. Please let us know if there's anything you would like us to consider.
We'd like to thank Harry Woodward from Dunedin Canmore for coming along and chairing the meeting.
Thursday 10 May 2007
A little history about the Slateford Green housing development
Most of the following text is taken from www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk.
This car-free 'urban village' for the Canmore Housing Association sits on six hectares of former railway goods yard in the suburb of Gorgie. The traditional Scottish enclosed tenement is wrapped round a tear-shaped green space like 1930's German schemes by May or Taut. Inspired by the shapes of Skara Brae in Orkney and the Aran Isles of Eire the competition design was by Bryan Thomas and Andrew Lee, both of Hackland & Dore Architects.
The Slateford Green project is one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient schemes in Edinburgh of the last few decades, and the district heating system uses waste heat from the local distillery. There are 120 flats, of which 25 are shared ownership, 60 for social rental by the Canmore Housing Association including 17 for those with hearing difficulties and 4 for wheelchair users.
Ironically the Slateford Green design was almost refused planning permission by the City Council due to lack of car spaces despite being fully supported from the start by the City Council as the first of seven sites for housing to reduce car usage. Following acquisition by the Canmore Housing Association parking was reduced from 150% to 10%, influenced by the GWL Terrein masterplan in Amsterdam. Other influences included Ralph Erskine's Byker Wall social housing scheme in Newcastle, Japanese Edo frame techonology and Fumihiko Maki's YKK guest house in Kurabe.
The District heating system borders the Slateford Green site and each flat is connected using stairwell ducts. This is complemented by rainwater collection, reed beds, wintergardens and passivent ventilation by stack effect.
This car-free 'urban village' for the Canmore Housing Association sits on six hectares of former railway goods yard in the suburb of Gorgie. The traditional Scottish enclosed tenement is wrapped round a tear-shaped green space like 1930's German schemes by May or Taut. Inspired by the shapes of Skara Brae in Orkney and the Aran Isles of Eire the competition design was by Bryan Thomas and Andrew Lee, both of Hackland & Dore Architects.
The Slateford Green project is one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient schemes in Edinburgh of the last few decades, and the district heating system uses waste heat from the local distillery. There are 120 flats, of which 25 are shared ownership, 60 for social rental by the Canmore Housing Association including 17 for those with hearing difficulties and 4 for wheelchair users.
Ironically the Slateford Green design was almost refused planning permission by the City Council due to lack of car spaces despite being fully supported from the start by the City Council as the first of seven sites for housing to reduce car usage. Following acquisition by the Canmore Housing Association parking was reduced from 150% to 10%, influenced by the GWL Terrein masterplan in Amsterdam. Other influences included Ralph Erskine's Byker Wall social housing scheme in Newcastle, Japanese Edo frame techonology and Fumihiko Maki's YKK guest house in Kurabe.
The District heating system borders the Slateford Green site and each flat is connected using stairwell ducts. This is complemented by rainwater collection, reed beds, wintergardens and passivent ventilation by stack effect.
Gorgie Park Close Newsletter
Dunedin Canmore recently delivered the following newsletter to all Gorgie Park Close households.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GORGIE PARK CLOSE?
Residents in Gorgie Park Close have been attending meetings of the Slateford Green & Gorgie Park Close Residents Association over the past few weeks to try and raise the profile of Gorgie Park Close within the Committee, and with Dunedin Canmore.
Five residents met with Dunedin Canmore’s Tenant Participation Officer Harry Woodward last week to discuss some of the issues in the area, and talk about improving things in Gorgie Park Close for residents.
One of the decisions made was to produce this Newsletter, to highlight some of the concerns that people have within the area, and also to encourage more people to take part in what is going on in Gorgie Park Close.
The Slateford Green & Gorgie Park Close Residents Association Committee has tended to have more Slateford Green residents on it than Gorgie Park Close residents, and some people felt that this makes Gorgie Park Close people feel that they don’t have as much a say as the ’Green’ residents. This looks like changing, as the five people are all willing to speak up for Gorgie Park Close and help bring improvements to the area. They will keep you posted on their progress over the coming months, but if you’d like to get involved, you can contact Alan Barnett at 16/1 Gorgie Park Close, or Harry Woodward at Dunedin Canmore on 0131 624 5629 (e-mail tenant.view@dunedincanmore.org.uk)
RESULT OF THE MINI WALKABOUT IN GORGIE PARK CLOSE
One of the first things the ‘Famous Five’ wanted to do after the meeting on 17 April was to have a short walkabout around part of Gorgie Park Close – this followed up the recent walkabout by Dunedin Canmore staff, which some people felt didn’t look at all the area. The small group of residents highlighted things needing fixed at the bottom or far end (north) of GPC, at Stairs 17, 18 and 19 and these have been passed to Dunedin Canmore to deal with. Main points raised in the visit:
INTERESTED IN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE?
One of the issues discussed at the meeting last week was the need for play facilities for young people in the area – it’s felt that maybe having more facilities and opportunities for young people to meet and play and take part in activities would stop some of the behaviour like playing football (and golf!) in the street and drying areas.
Dunedin Canmore staff have been in conversation with a range of local organisations to look at the possibility of providing some activities for young people throughout the year – some of this may take place in the Slateford Green Community Centre, and some at places like Fountain Park, the Corn Exchange and other venues where excellent facilities are available for children and young people can play, dance and do what they like doing. If you would like to be involved in discussions to look at developing a programme that may start before the next school holidays in June, contact Harry Woodward on the contact number or e-mail address below.
N.B. see the Slateford Green community centre noticeboard for details on the new Drop in Club for 13 to 17 year olds.
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE PICKING UP DOG POOP WHEN YOU’RE GARDENING
We’ve been asked to highlight the problems for our Gardening Team when they are cutting grass in Gorgie Park Close. You will be aware that there have been occasions when some dog owners have not picked up their dog’s ‘poop’ after letting their pet ‘do its business.’
We’d like to mention this as we enter the ‘cutting season’ – do keep this in mind for the future as the grass can also become affected by this – grass gets spoilt and ‘scorched,’ and the poop can also affect people who touch it (usually kids) and it can get on shoes and be trailed indoors, where anyone (again, especially kids) can be affected.
The Gardening Team also have to wear protective goggles and masks for their own safety, which causes delays when they are working in hot weather, having to change and cover up clothing when it’s hot is not pleasant work – thanks in anticipation of your cooperation.
AND FINALLY… DON’T DUMP RUBBISH AND YOUR OLD HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Some people have been dumping old fridges, washing machines, etc in the area recently, and we’d like to remind you to contact the Council’s Services for Communities Department (0131 529 3030) to arrange a free ‘Special Uplift.’ If you see anything being dumped, it can be removed by calling 0808 100 3366, when the Council’s Rapid Response Team will call to lift it as soon as possible.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR LOCAL ISSUES TO BE REPORTED, & FOR NEWSLETTER ITEMS
Repairs- Maintenance Department, Dunedin Canmore, Telephone 0131 478 8888
Other issues & News, etc - Harry Woodward, Dunedin Canmore
Call 0131 624 5629 or e-mail tenant.view@dunedincanmore.org.uk
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GORGIE PARK CLOSE?
Residents in Gorgie Park Close have been attending meetings of the Slateford Green & Gorgie Park Close Residents Association over the past few weeks to try and raise the profile of Gorgie Park Close within the Committee, and with Dunedin Canmore.
Five residents met with Dunedin Canmore’s Tenant Participation Officer Harry Woodward last week to discuss some of the issues in the area, and talk about improving things in Gorgie Park Close for residents.
One of the decisions made was to produce this Newsletter, to highlight some of the concerns that people have within the area, and also to encourage more people to take part in what is going on in Gorgie Park Close.
The Slateford Green & Gorgie Park Close Residents Association Committee has tended to have more Slateford Green residents on it than Gorgie Park Close residents, and some people felt that this makes Gorgie Park Close people feel that they don’t have as much a say as the ’Green’ residents. This looks like changing, as the five people are all willing to speak up for Gorgie Park Close and help bring improvements to the area. They will keep you posted on their progress over the coming months, but if you’d like to get involved, you can contact Alan Barnett at 16/1 Gorgie Park Close, or Harry Woodward at Dunedin Canmore on 0131 624 5629 (e-mail tenant.view@dunedincanmore.org.uk)
RESULT OF THE MINI WALKABOUT IN GORGIE PARK CLOSE
One of the first things the ‘Famous Five’ wanted to do after the meeting on 17 April was to have a short walkabout around part of Gorgie Park Close – this followed up the recent walkabout by Dunedin Canmore staff, which some people felt didn’t look at all the area. The small group of residents highlighted things needing fixed at the bottom or far end (north) of GPC, at Stairs 17, 18 and 19 and these have been passed to Dunedin Canmore to deal with. Main points raised in the visit:
- Bushes needing cut back in drying areas, and more clothes poles needed in drying greens, some overflow pipes are causing moss to gather on gable end walls, some ‘chespale’ (boundary) fencing needing repaired
- Dumped items (fridges, etc) and rubbish dumped by passers-by needs uplifted regularly, and a notice to all residents about dumping rubbish needs put in the Newsletter (see over the page)
- Some of the planted areas need more shrubs and the brickwork around some of the areas needs repaired or reinstated
- Some people are throwing out bread for birds into drying green areas and also leaving washing on clothes lines for days – please don’t do this!
INTERESTED IN ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE?
One of the issues discussed at the meeting last week was the need for play facilities for young people in the area – it’s felt that maybe having more facilities and opportunities for young people to meet and play and take part in activities would stop some of the behaviour like playing football (and golf!) in the street and drying areas.
Dunedin Canmore staff have been in conversation with a range of local organisations to look at the possibility of providing some activities for young people throughout the year – some of this may take place in the Slateford Green Community Centre, and some at places like Fountain Park, the Corn Exchange and other venues where excellent facilities are available for children and young people can play, dance and do what they like doing. If you would like to be involved in discussions to look at developing a programme that may start before the next school holidays in June, contact Harry Woodward on the contact number or e-mail address below.
N.B. see the Slateford Green community centre noticeboard for details on the new Drop in Club for 13 to 17 year olds.
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE PICKING UP DOG POOP WHEN YOU’RE GARDENING
We’ve been asked to highlight the problems for our Gardening Team when they are cutting grass in Gorgie Park Close. You will be aware that there have been occasions when some dog owners have not picked up their dog’s ‘poop’ after letting their pet ‘do its business.’
We’d like to mention this as we enter the ‘cutting season’ – do keep this in mind for the future as the grass can also become affected by this – grass gets spoilt and ‘scorched,’ and the poop can also affect people who touch it (usually kids) and it can get on shoes and be trailed indoors, where anyone (again, especially kids) can be affected.
The Gardening Team also have to wear protective goggles and masks for their own safety, which causes delays when they are working in hot weather, having to change and cover up clothing when it’s hot is not pleasant work – thanks in anticipation of your cooperation.
AND FINALLY… DON’T DUMP RUBBISH AND YOUR OLD HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Some people have been dumping old fridges, washing machines, etc in the area recently, and we’d like to remind you to contact the Council’s Services for Communities Department (0131 529 3030) to arrange a free ‘Special Uplift.’ If you see anything being dumped, it can be removed by calling 0808 100 3366, when the Council’s Rapid Response Team will call to lift it as soon as possible.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR LOCAL ISSUES TO BE REPORTED, & FOR NEWSLETTER ITEMS
Repairs- Maintenance Department, Dunedin Canmore, Telephone 0131 478 8888
Other issues & News, etc - Harry Woodward, Dunedin Canmore
Call 0131 624 5629 or e-mail tenant.view@dunedincanmore.org.uk
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