Greener Leith has recently learnt that Forth Ports have submitted a revised Outline Planning Application for the redevelopment of the docks area and that the planning department is accepting public comments once again. Neither Forth Ports nor the City of Edinburgh Council seem to have publicised this at all, and indeed the council web portal wrongly states that comments are not being accepted. Remarkably, it is an important Tern colony that has forced a rethink on Forth Ports proposals. More details, in this Scotsman article and here.

Greener Leith got involved in this issue too late to submit comments to the first application. However, now that we all have a chance to comment on the Forth Ports regeneration proposals we have expanded on what we wrote previously, and put in many hours of volunteer time to put together a more detailed submission for the planning department. 

Greener Leith is asking the Council and Forth Ports to:

• Increase the amount of play, sports and allotment provision in the Forth Ports redevelopment area, to meet national standards.
• Adopt alternative proposals for a larger seaward extension to Leith Links, that will provide the amount of green space needed by a development of this scale. 
• Ensure developers pay to upgrade the facilities on Leith Links, paying attention to the outcomes of our consultation - the Leith Links Ask
  
• Ensure active travel modes are prioritised throughout the development, and linked to public transport.
• Not to allow any buildings taller than 10 storeys.
• Incorporate the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in the development.
• Ensure that affordable housing is distributed throughout the redevelopment, and not clustered on the least desirable areas.
  

Read the on-line version of our submission in full here. 

If you agree with what we say, then this is your chance to support our campaign. We'd strongly encourage you to write or email to the planning department in support of our campaign, and possibly your local councillor too. Whilst you are welcome to use this draft letter that we've put together for you - we'd recommend that you edit it and use your own words, as this may carry more weight with the planning committee. The person to send your emails to is kevin.ryan@edinburgh.gov.uk. Comments need to be in by the 15th of July, 2008.

Find out more about E-Day at http://e-day.org.uk/