Wester Hailes Local Place Plan Version 1.0 - Interim Report

Local Place Plan: Wester Hailes, Edinburgh Version 1.0: Progress Report May 2020

Endorsed by Local Organisations:

Local Place Plan: Wester Hailes, Edinburgh Version 1.0: Progress Report May 2020 This report has been produced on behalf of the Local Place Plan Focus Group founded by: Prospect Community Housing Wester Hailes Community Trust WHALE Arts Agency

Photography: Photographs throughout this document taken by Craig Stewart Photography, unless referenced otherwise.

Active Links: This digital document contains active, clickable links and buttons throughout.

This report presents the process and outcomes of the first stages in initiating the development of a future Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes.

You can also stay up to date and share your ideas on social media:

@WHPlacePlan Wester Hailes Local Place Plan

Or by contacting WHALE Arts/Wester Hailes Community Trust:

0131 458 3267 westerhailesplaceplan@gmail.com

Contents

Introduction

What?

What is a Local Place Plan Impacts and Support

Background History Wester Hailes Partnership Social History Community Complex 2000 The Gehl Plan Westside Plaza Regeneration

Process Project Timeline Westside Plaza Scotland + Venice Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Current Issues

Developing Ideas Town Centre WHEC and The Union Canal Green Space and The Greenway Wider Connections The Canal and the City

7

8 10 12

14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28

30 32 34 36 38 40

42 44 48 52 56 60

Let’s Plan Wester Hailes

64

The Union Canal Connectivity Greenspace and Nature Health and Well-being Housing Global Impacts Community Economic Opportunities Activity

66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82

Community Conference

84

Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Community Conference Learning from Others Community Discussions The Seven Kingdoms Next Steps

86 88 96 98 100

Introduction In 2019 the Scottish parliament passed into legislation a new Planning (Scotland) Act which introduces a wide range of reforms to Scotland’s planning system. Included in these changes is the opportunity for communities in Scotland to develop ‘Local Place Plans’ Wester Hailes is one of the irst communities in Scotland to develop its own Local Place Plan.

In particular, the Wester Hailes Local Place Plan takes advantage of local knowledge enabling the community to prepare a plan which relects the aspirations of people who live and work in Wester Hailes in order to:•

Make Wester Hailes a better place to live, work and visit

•

Inluence decision making on planning and investment in Wester Hailes

•

Involve young people and all generations to have a say in the future of Wester Hailes

•

Bring together other public bodies, agencies and stakeholders to work co-operatively in Wester Hailes to deliver better outcomes

7 Over the past 6 months the Wester Hailes Local Place Plan have been developed with the support of a number of organisations such as Wester Hailes Community Trust, Prospect Housing Association and WHALE Arts Agency who have formed a Local Place Plan Focus Group to guide the process..

The City of Edinburgh Council have supported the Local Place Plan through the secondment of the Scottish Government’s Chief Architect, Ian Gilzean and Rebecca Foy, an Urban Designer, who have been working in Wester Hailes from September 2019 to May 2020 with a space at WHALE Arts being used as a Local Place Plan hub.

This report provides an overview of the consultation events, meetings, drawings discussions, workshops and a community conference in Wester Hailes which have informed the process to date and provided a foundation for the next stages of the Local Place Plan process.

What?

What is a Local Place Plan?

A Local Place Plan is a new type of plan set out

by Section 14 of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, amending the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. The plan gives people the opportunity to suggest and develop proposals for the development and use of land in the place they live. The plans hope to give local people more inluence over what happens within their community in the future, from small and local initiatives, to larger city-wide strategic plans.

Local Place Plans are intended to encourage debate about the future of place, enabling communities like Wester Hailes to focus on the future as well as existing priorities.

More Information Here

CONTEXT SETTING Evidence Gathering Research Meetings and Conversations

VISIONING

WE ARE HERE

Idea and Proposal Development Site Identiication Collaborative Short Listing Proposal Testing and Consultation Statutory Assessment Prioritisation

ACTION Plan Adoption Delivery Planning Development Ongoing Support

MAY 2020

11

“The spatial expression of a community’s view for it’s future development...”

Section 14 of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019

Impacts and Support Initiatives and proposals within the Local Place Plan are supported by wider policies and movements, from regional plans to national frameworks and global development goals.

With the City of Edinburgh Council recently developing the Draft City Mobility Plan and the Choices for City Plan 2020, the Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes has supporting documentation and legislation from the city to follow through and sustain positive change that will contribute to the everyday in Wester Hailes, wider city improvements and larger global impacts.

01

Regional

Draft City Mobility Plan 2020

Choices for City Plan 2030 National

National Performance Framework Global

Sustainable Development Goals

02

13

“We want to support Local Place Plans being prepared by our communities.”

“City Plan 2030 will set out how Place Plans can help us achieve great places and support community ambitions.”

Choices for City Plan 2030

01

Scottish Government National Performance Framework

02

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Source: https://nationalperformance.gov.scot/

Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/

Background

History

1969 Dumbryden: The ďŹ rst area of Wester Hailes completed

1974 Westside Plaza: Wester Hailes Shopping Centre opens

1977 Sentinel Newspaper launched

1988

1978 Wester Hailes Education Centre (WHEC) opens

Wester Hailes Partnership begins

1989 1997 Wester Hailes Library, Bingo Hall and Cinema opens

2001

18 of the 24 high rises in Wester Hailes are demolished

2000 WHALE Arts Centre opens in Westburn

The Union Canal re-opens through Wester Hailes

2012 2013

Worlds ďŹ rst Digital Totem Pole is launched by the Union Canal

Healthy Living Centre opens

2018 2018

Prospect Community Housing is 30 years old!

Wester Hailes Making Places Re-imagining Westside Plaza is launched

2019 Wester Hailes Local Place Plan development begins

2019

50

Wester Hailes is 50 years old!

17

01

02 01

1983 Wester Hailes Community Map

02

1992 Wester Hailes Community Map

Source: hailesmatters.wordpress.com

Source: hailesmatters.wordpress.com

03

1997 Wester Hailes Community Map Source: hailesmatters.wordpress.com

From Here...To Here Social History Blog 03

Wester Hailes Partnership Oicially launched in 1989, the Wester Hailes Partnership was initially a government-led initiative intended to implement a strategy for the long-term regeneration of Wester Hailes.

It brought together representatives from the community and the public and private sectors to plan for and carry out these changes.

After it’s initial launch, under the strategy name: “Wester Hailes - Full of Potential,” the Partnership made much play of the enormous potential of the area: like the fact that it was located next to the large established industrial estate at Bankhead; close to “the fastest growing development area in Edinburgh” – i.e. the Gyle and Edinburgh Park; and that its communication links were very good – a railway station, an adjacent motorway bypass and an airport only a short drive away.

It was the intention that the Wester Hailes Partnership would have a lifespan of 10 years.

However, in 1997 the Partnership report recognised that there was a “considerable regeneration tasks remaining,” and work continued until 2010.

The extended 1999–2002 programme was to be driven forward under the aegis of a new development strategy entitled “Maintaining the Momentum”. This was published in September 1998 and talked rather grandly of “enhancing and entrenching…the development of innovative, community owned and managed service delivery

Read More Here

agencies” while its vision statement identiied “economic vibrancy” and “an empowered, active” local community as key objectives.

The report spoke of the Wester Hailes Rep Council as being “one of the most sophisticated local democratic structures in Britain - from neighbourhood through to estate-wide management.”

The Partnership celebrated it’s 25th anniversary in 2007, but in 2010 voluntarily dissolved itself following funding withdrawals. As a direct consequence, most of the Neighbourhood Councils who made up the grassroots structure of the Rep Council also went out of existence.

Huge amounts of money were poured into Wester Hailes during the 1990s – to the extent that it got the nickname “Treasure Island” – and the underlying issues of poverty and deprivation have remained, more or less unchanged, up to the present. Most of the initiatives designed to tackle these problems had little real impact and quickly faded away along with the vision statements, high ambitions and bold promises that characterised the rhetoric which surrounded the Partnership. Wester Hailes is still, as the Partnership proclaimed at the outset, “full of potential” but, sadly, insuicient momentum was generated and maintained...until now.

Information and images: From There...To Here

19

Social History As a new town in Edinburgh, being developed in the late 1960’s, Wester Hailes has a complex yet fascinating history. It is a place of social historical signiicance both in terms of its physical transformation but also through the emergence of a strong community that developed what was once regarded as one of the most sophisticated forms of community involvement in the UK. Due to the lack of amenities developed as part of the housing estate, the community came together to implement their own, with initiatives like ‘The Huts’ and ‘The Venchie.’ The strong community spirit was documented throughout the Sentinel Newspaper which played a key role in reporting and recording local community activities, issues and concerns in Wester Hailes.

The Sentinel today is now digital and still runs successfully as the community news platform for the area.

01

High Rises Wester Hailes

02

Wester Hailes Gala Day 1979

03

Westburn Gardens

04

Wester Hailes Sentinel Hut

05

The Huts Article for The Sentinel

06

‘The Venchie’

01

Source: hailesmatters.wordpress.com Source: https://www.hmfckickback.co.uk/ Source: https://www.hmfckickback.co.uk/ Source: digitalsentinel.net Source: digitalsentinel.net

02

Source: hailesmatters.wordpress.com

03

21

The Huts Documentary

04

05

“There was a strong sense of community...there was a very strong sense of people saying they wanted to make this work...�

Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP for Edinburgh Pentlands 1974

06

Community The community in Wester Hailes today is strong and vibrant, with numerous groups, activities and initiatives that are inspiring change throughout the area. The Digital Sentinel is used as a community platform to communicate events, news and discussions, reaching a wide audience across Wester Hailes. From community gardens to lighting workshops, Wester Hailes is a melting pot of great initiatives, ideas and people that are key to developing and driving both positive physical and social change for all.

01

Calders Green Shoots Source: edibleestates.co.uk

Digital Sentinel

23

Let’s Meet at the Underpass

01

Complex 2000 In the mid 1990’s, a scheme for a new canal side community hub, combining arts, heritage and technology was proposed to provide a central premises for community organisations in Wester Hailes. It was at this time the Union Canal was being reopened and the existing community premises were coming to an end of their suitable lifespan.

The Complex 2000 project was proposed by a local resident and driven forward by a series of residents working groups, each supported by local staf. The project was inancially supported by the Wester Hailes Partnership working collaboratively with an architect, appointed project development worker and local residents.

The proposal became Edinburgh City’s oicial Millennium Application, getting through to join several hundred other community applications in the UK. However, the project was refused after the overall budget was allocated to the Millennium Dome after 1997.

25

Complex 2000 proposed:

a new, inclusive community hub by the Union Canal for all...

The Gehl Plan In November 2009 Prospect Community Housing commissioned Gehl Architects to facilitate a place-making exercise to guide and inform the thinking of various clients and design consultants involved in the redevelopment of land at Harvesters Way in Wester Hailes. The supporting report documents spatial ideas and visions for the area in and around the town centre.

Although the plan was not delivered in full, it has made a lasting impact on Wester Hailes town centre, with the underpass connection from the Healthy Living Centre to Westside Plaza being improved and marking the beginnings of what is now known as ‘The Gehl Corridor.’ Many of the concepts that the report suggests are still relevant today with proposals to improve connectivity between the Town Centre, Union Canal and the Greenway.

To achieve Wester Hailes potential...

Capitalise on assets ...linked by key routes...

Spread Beneit into the Community

Workshop summary...

Key Principles for Havesters Way Public Realm

Landmark Building

Controlled Private Parking surrounded by buildings

Apartments

Townhouses

Sheltered housing

Active frontages

Main route

27 Union Canal

Westside Plaza

h

burg

Edin

ay enw Gre

w sgo

r te

es W

Gla

il Ha es d

a Ro

The

City

of Ed

inb

urg

hB

ypas

s

The Gehl Plan, 2009 proposed:

a people irst approach to connect the Town Centre the Union Canal and the Greenway The Community now needs a visionary plan to capitalize on it’s potential...

Provide direct and safe access to Wester Hailes station to create mobility hub for people.

Integrate the Healthy Living Centre within the town centre and embed a sense of wellness in the community.

Provide people with the opportunity to spend quality time and a unique retail mix.

Provide direct and safe access to the canal for all users.

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Westside Plaza Regeneration

▪

▪ Following Wester Hailes Community Trust’s ▪ successful application for Scottish Government ▪ Making▪ Places funding HarrisonStevens were appointed, in April 2018, to facilitate a ▪ ▪ community led design process for improvement ▪ proposals to Westside Plaza Civic Square.

Together, the Wester Hailes Community Trust, residents and locals of the area and HarrisonStevens developed the accepted proposal. The works include the delivery of a community green and educational garden containing semi-mature seasonal trees and planting, children’s play facilities, street furniture, improved lighting, resolution of change in levels across the site, revamping of existing columns with art and signage.

The proposal is currently out for tender and is due to start on site Spring/Summer 2020.

All images and diagrams by HarrisonStevens.

Quality Tender

Price

Site Work

Completion

Enjoy

Appoint

Jan/Feb 2020

March 2020

35-40 weeks

Oct 2020

Winter 2020 Contractors are not to scale dimensions from this drawing

Legend 1.

1.

Strong link to Westerhailes Canal Park, relocated crossing point

2. Bus stops, moved west

2.

3. Automatic bollard system 4. Seating/Cafe

26.

5a. New seasonal trees 5b. Existing retained trees 6. Play area

26.

3.

Edinburgh Council

7.

Playstructure, vertical maze

8. Benches 9. Shared surface delineated 10. Ramp access 5a.

5a.

5b.

6.

9.

12. Playstructure “Hide and seek”

5a.

8.

7.

Job Centre & Church

26.

11. Existing columns used for Art works and community news- 5 number

10.

4.

10. 6.

13. “Timeline” paving 14. Flexible civic square can accomodate market and seasonal festivals

11.

5a.

12.

18.

20.

24.

8.

19.

Library

13.

17. Library access stairs reduced to fire exit only

14.

19.

25.

16. 17.

8.

10.

22.

24.

15. Performance space 16. Garden, utilising existing steps

15.

18. Softening of the service road with reinforced grass surface 19. Seating - vehicle restricted

27.

23.

5b.

20. Community garden 21. New paved surfaces

5b.

22. History panels inlaid into the paving 21.

21.

23. Existing Bench - features retained - reclad 24. Planting beds 25. Raised community planting beds 26. Multi use games court with fences

Lounge & Bar

Cinema

27. Self bound gravel, boundary to E01 garden

Plaza Shopping Centre

Bingo

29

Full Project Report

Process

Project Timeline 2019-2020 SEPTEMBER •

Introductions

OCTOBER •

Project launch and networking

NOVEMBER • •

Westside Plaza: 2 day Place Standard consultation in shopping centre Launch of Commonplace Digital Tool

DECEMBER • •

Place Based Approaches Workshop Focus Group Meeting

JANUARY • • •

Focus Group Meeting SCOREScotland Burns Evening Preperation for upcoming workshops and events

FEBRUARY • • • •

The 7 Kingdoms project launch 1 day Scotland+Venice event - How will we live together?

2 day Design Workshop Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Community Conference

MARCH-MAY •

Preparing and documenting outcomes of the process so far

WE ARE HERE

33

a Local Place Plan residency at WHALE Arts Oct’19 - Mar’20

Westside Plaza A 2-day consultation was held in a vacant shop unit in the Westside Plaza shopping centre in November 2019. The consultation used a variety of methods to allow the community to communicate their thoughts and wishes for the future of Wester Hailes. The Place Standard Tool indicated existing issues and successes in the area, whilst the My 3 Wishes for Wester Hailes allowed the community to express their future ambitions and visions. The Commonplace digital tool was also launched and is a live platform for residents and locals alike to comment on speciic areas throughout Wester Hailes.

PLACE STANDARD TOOL

Commonplace Digital Tool

HIGHEST RATINGS

LOWEST RATINGS

Public Transport Moving Around Natural Space Identity and Belonging

Social Contact Play and Recreation Work and Local Economy Care and Maintenance

35

Shopping Centre Consultation Nov’19

Scotland + Venice As part of the 2020 Scotland submission to the Venice Biennale of Architecture, Wester Hailes was 1 of 5 areas across Scotland to take part in the exhibition; How will we Live Together. The one day workshop carried out by 7N Architects saw a number of residents develop ideas and visions for the future of Wester Hailes, one to one with a facilitating designer. The outcomes from the workshop are currently being developed by the designers and will be exhibited in Venice, Italy later this year.

37

La Biennale Di Venezia

Let’s Plan Wester Hailes The Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Design Workshop ran as a 2-day event in February that facilitated and encouraged the beginnings of spatially developed ideas for the future Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes. Throughout the 2-day workshop, numerous residents, stakeholders and professionals came together to discuss the priorities for change in the area as well as the potential, opportunities and logistics for various sites, developments and initiatives.

The workshop also presented a number of thematic boards that encouraged comments and thoughts on speciic points of interest for change throughout the area. ‘The Bank of Ideas’ allowed numerous concepts and themes to be discussed and added, that are developing continuously throughout the Local Place Plan process.

“we need to get young people on board with this”

39

“making a wish at the totem pole”

“redefining the town centre”

“health and well-being must be central to all proposals”

“co-existing and integrating with wide industrial parks”

Current Issues Throughout numerous consultations and discussions with the community, there are many reoccurring concerns and issues, both physically and socially to be addressed in Wester Hailes.

Many of these issues revolve around safety, whether this be personal safety from anti-social behaviour on the streets, the lack of lighting and surveillance throughout the area, the safety of the road network that has few safe pedestrian crossings or the high crime rate and perception of crime in Wester Hailes.

People living and working in the area value green-space, yet it is reported as a common occurrence that green space within Wester Hailes is being tarmacked to avoid maintenance eforts.

This is unacceptable from both a health and wellbeing and sustainability perspective. Green-space in Wester Hailes is often poorly maintained with a

lack of human scale and amenity. It is clear there is a need for well-maintained, functional and attractive green space in Wester Hailes.

The area has been recorded in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 as one of Scotland’s most deprived areas to live - taking into account employability, quality of life and health.

There is also a need for a large, multi-functional community facility in Wester Hailes, that is visible, accessible and open to all.

01

Tarmacked Greenspace

02

Tarmacked Greenspace

03

Tarmacked Greenspace

Source: twitter.com/edibleestates Source: twitter.com/edibleestates Source: twitter.com/edibleestates

safety

“

maintenance we must look to solve

the

crime

existing problems and address why they are happening, before we introduce new developments

�

hate crime alcoholism drugs nothing to do lighting

41

Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent, right now, on tarmacing and resin bond gravelling of green-space and placing bow top fencing everywhere. What Council policy does this consist with locally? #climateemergency

01

02

03

Developing Ideas

Town Centre The town centre of Wester Hailes consists of the Westside Plaza Shopping Centre, Healthy Living Centre, train station, cinema, Council oices the Wester Hailes Library and more. With many local amenities and facilities the town centre has the potential to be a hive of activity and an attractive and functionally distinctive local centre for Wester Hailes and the wider South West Edinburgh.

01

Westside Plaza

02

Westside Plaza Proposal

03

BIGyard - Zanderroth Architecten

04

Altrincham Town Centre

05

Community Space North Charlotte

Source: westerhailesct.org.uk Source: harrisonstevens.co.uk Source: archdaily.com

Source: retail-week.com Source: wfae.org

Existing

01

45 There are many opportunities throughout the town centre. With an old garage site located by the canal, this gives potential to be secured to be developed as a canal-facing community centre.

As a result, encouraging improved connections between the town centre and the Union Canal.

With the current bus stop being positioned between the canal and the plaza, this has the potential to be relocated to become part of the West Edinburgh Link on Wester Hailes Road to allow for traic reduction and improved pedestrian connectivity across Murrayburn Road.

The large car-park and other vacant sites behind the shopping centre provide potential for development to integrate mixeduse facilities and town centre living.

Potential

T

AN S P URB

EVEN

OR

WHEC

T

PLAY RES

T

M

TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

CO Li

br

ar

Westside Plaza

NITY HUB U M

y

MA Cinema

MIXED USE PRIVATE

UPPER FLOORS

ACTIVE

GROUND FLOOR

Healthy Living Centre

Vision

ART IN THE TOWN CENTRE

RKE TS

E AR QU

Shopping Centre

47

TS 02

03

E HOUSING IN THE TOWN CENTRE

04

LIGHTING

05

WHEC and The Union Canal

Bridge 8

Claders Community Garden

WHEC

Lib

ra

Westside Plaza

WHALE Arts

ry

Shopping Centre

Cinema

The Courtyard

Healthy Living Centre

Existing The Union Canal is a distinctive feature to Wester Hailes.

However, at present it is relatively inaccessible to local people and is mainly used by commuters as a through route to Edinburgh City Centre.

The canal is an asset to be built upon in Wester Hailes, bringing opportunities for living on water, sport and recreation, health and well-being and community initiatives and events.

The potential to upgrade and/ or redevelop the WHEC, to face the canal, provides opportunity to enhance and improve connections and movement between waterside activity, the school and the town centre.

01

Wester Hailes Education Centre (WHEC)

02

The Union Canal

03

Calders Green Shoots

Source: whec.edin.sch.uk Source: geograph.org.uk Source: edibleestates.co.uk

01

49

Bridge 8

Claders Community Garden

The Calders

The Marina

WHEC

The

Prom

enad

e

Lib

ra

Westside Plaza

WHALE Arts

ry

Shopping Centre

Cinema

The Courtyard

Healthy Living Centre

Potential

02

03

r s p orts for all

ate

50

W

Active Waterfront

G nity Commu

ard

e

ns The Marina

Lif e

o n the canal

fur n

lighting!!!

A Gateway to Wester Hailes Improved and attractive towpath

Vision

it u r

e

bins

Landscaped Promenade Sp

orts Hub The

Prom

enad

e

Li

br

Westside Plaza

ar

y

Shopping Centre

Cinema

The Courtyard

Healthy Living Centre

acti ve l ifes tyle for a ll

Green Space and The Greenway

The Marina

Hailes Quarry Park

Kingsknowe Golf Course

Potential

Greenspace in Wester Hailes is valued highly by residents and locals. Many areas have been taken over by community initiatives such as Edible Estates, to create community gardens and safe outdoor space for all.

Whilst there are a number of these locations, the connectivity between green-space in Wester Hailes is poor. The Greenway is a pedestrian route and provides opportunity to develop safe, attractive and healthy green spaces and outdoor recreational facilities and features that are well connected and accessible to all.

53

54

The Marina

reen ng

art i

underpass improvements

spa c

safety - lighting - maintenance

e

An Attractive and Safe Greenway for All

Vision

Hailes Quarry Park

Kingsknowe Golf Course

Wider Connections

To Airport

To City

Edinburgh College

Edinburgh Napier University

WHEC

Heriot Watt University

WHALE Arts

TOWN CENTRE

Existing

Wester Hailes is located on the edge of the West Edinburgh by the City Bypass. It’s position between multiple education and transport hubs gives the potential for it to become a local centre that serves and connects citywide institutional and recreational facilities.

01

Wester Hailes Road

02

Edinburgh Park Tram

03

Heriot Watt Sports Centre

Source: digitalsentinel.net Source: alamy.com Source: hw.ac.uk

01

57

To Airport

To City

Edinburgh College

Edinburgh Napier University

WHEC

Heriot Watt University

Potential Transport Link TOWN CENTRE

WHALE Arts

Potential

02

03

To Airport

Employment

Education

WHEC

Heriot Watt University

Potential Transport Link WHALE Arts

Mixed-Use Living

59

To City

Edinburgh College

Edinburgh Napier University

A Distinctively Local Centre

Vision

The Canal and The City

Firth of Forth

Falkirk River Clyde

Dumbarton Bowling Kirkintilloch

& rth Fo

al an eC Clyd

Grangemouth

Union Cana l Linlithgow

Broxburn

Auchinstarry

Edinburgh Fountainbridge

Ratho

Glasgow

Wester Hailes

Context

The Union Canal positions Wester Hailes within a larger network of places throughout the central belt of Scotland. The canal is an asset and gives Wester Hailes the potential to become a water destination within the Scottish canal network.

Inspiration can be taken from many other canal-side towns in Scotland that have transformed to utilise their assets and develop an attractive, aspirational and liveable area for all, whether that be for housing, tourism or sport and recreation.

The Bridge 8 Hub in Wester Hailes is an excellent water sports facility with a vision to grow and increase canal activity in the area.

01

Kelpies Marina

02

Bridge 8 Hub Proposal

Source: geograph.net Source: twitter.com/bridge8hub

03

Ratho Marina

04

The Union Canal

Source: livingonwater.co.uk Source: scottishcanals.co.uk

02

61

01

03

04

Stirling

South Alloa

Kincardine

Valleyfield

The Kelpies Bo’ness

Cly d

Falkirk

FALKIRK F o rth WHEEL

Grangemouth

anal eC

a nd

Allandale Linlithgow

TO GLASGOW

Croy

A Canal Destination

Vision

63 P

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Wester Hailes

Boat Tours N.Queensferry

Rosyth

Firth of Forth

Blackness

S.Queensferry

CANAL LINKS

Swimmable Water

Leith

Granton

fL

Portobello

Wa

Edinburgh Airport The Gyle

eith

Mussellburgh

ro te

Fountainbridge Craigmillar

Wavegarden Scotland Ratho

l a na U n i on C

Bridge8 Hub

CONNECTED TO THE CITY

Wester Hailes

Dalkeith

GREEN BELT

Pentland Hills Regional Park Gorebirdge Penicuik

Let’s Plan We s t e rHai le s

Let’s Plan for

The Union Canal

P

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Wester Hailes

A Wate r De s tin ation A safe place to stop and spend time, ofering sport, leisure and recreational attractions.

A c t i v e an d L ive ly Making space for water, wellness, leisure, events, and transport for all.

V iews Enhancing and opening up views to the water.

Wat e r Se n s itive Integrating water cycle management to support climate adaptation and provide health and ecological beneits.

N ature and B iodiv er sity A space for nature, protecting and promoting biodiversity.

67

“at the moment, the canal seems like a motorway through the middle of the community. “canal housing and boats” “water features throughout Wester Hailes to connect back to the canal” “the canal tow-path should be made wider” “there should be a cafe where people can have a break and relect” “the canal should not only be for tourists and people passing through, but for residents as well”

an active and lively canal for all...

68

“proper, dedicated cycle lanes are needed, that are well connected and do not stop suddenly” “improved walking route between healthy living centre and canal” “safer pedestrian crossing points, more often and visible” “improved maintenance of paths and ground works damaged paving is slippy and dangerous” “street lighting that works” “cleaner streets and safer environments”

a safe, well

connected and accessible town for the future...

Let’s Plan for

Connectivity Highest Priority

5 minutes

Lowest Priority

5 m in ute s walk or less to public transport stops with direct and frequent services.

Re -establish hier ar chy of streets to prioritise safe walkability, active travel and public transport links.

WH

A c t i v e Trave l links to green-space and green corridors, to improve connections to nature and health activity.

Airport

Position Wester Hailes at the centre of West Edinburgh with ease of movement to the city and beyond.

City

Green Links

City Centre

Green Links

C on n e c t Wester Hailes to the existing city-wide tram network.

Gateway Wester Hailes as a gateway to the City Centre and Green Links. Re-establishing connections either side of the City Bypass.

Let’s Plan for

Greenspace and Nature

Dive rs e network of living landscapes, to improve connections to nature, biodiversity and social interactions.

Green Links

Owner ship Encourage and support green community-driven and individual projects to increase sense of ownership

City Centre

C o n n e c tion s Connect green-space in Wester Hailes to the existing city-wide green network and surrounding green belt.

Su ppor t Lear ning Support and encourage learning through green-space, nature and community activity.

I n t e grate nature into the streets and buildings to enhance ecology and well-being and town character.

Maintenance Develop and implement suicient, high-quality maintenance routines for greenspace.

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“fruit and vegetable gardens that are accessible to all” “more good and green social spaces” “plant fruit trees so people can connect with each other through sharing locally grown produce” “tarmacing of green space must stop!” “improve maintenance of parks to keep clean, safe and attractive for all to use”

an integrated network of attractive,

maintained

and

diverse landscapes...

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“healthy cafe and food to promote healthy eating and lifestyles” “integration of a “zen” garden with water features for relaxing, yoga, meditation and well-being exercises” “there should be a farmers market in Wester Hailes, open daily with ZERO plastics and afordable for all!” “promote interesting and fun walking and cycling routes... maybe walking trails and games throughout!” “more support for peoples mental health and for people with disabilities”

a supportive community that inspires a

healthy lifestyle for all...

Let’s Plan for

Health and Well-being

En c ourage and support increased access to community involvement to help instil a sense of belonging and community worth.

C lean and Tidy “Having nearby clean park access has been associated with healthier weights and greater life satisfaction” Project for Public Spaces

Fre s h Food Support and encourage existing and new community gardens, food-based events and local markets to increase access to fresh, healthy and afordable food.

Inclu siv e Wester Hailes as an inclusive place that provides opportunity for personal and community growth - fulilling potential and supporting success.

S u p p ort Increase support, both specialised care and local support groups to provide easy access to help and avoid isolation.

Saf ety Address safety within Wester Hailes and implement action plans and facilities to reduce crime.

Let’s Plan for

Housing

3

L i f e l o n g L ifes ty le New and refurbished housing should be of high quality and designed to address lifelong need and changing lifestyles.

2

1

Pr ior ity An appropriate strategy to identify priorities of refurbishments, demolitions and new builds.

QUALITY Q ua l i t y a n d M ain ten an ce High quality materials, maintenance and constructions to ensure longevity, best value and durability.

Aspir ational Wester Hailes provides aspirational living, high quality, well connected and ease of access to amenities.

A f f ord ab le New and existing homes for sale and rent should be located and designed to promote afordable and healthy lifestyles.

Density increase, to allow sustainable population growth.

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“increase in maintained communal and shared spaces between houses - encourage interaction between neighbours and increase density” “increase building maintenance!!” “all new developments should have safe, free and covered cycle storage.” “more help with accessing better quality housing” “good quality housing that create nicer places to live”

aspirational living that is well maintained, of high quality and afordable...

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“position Wester Hailes at the centre of energy eiciency and climate impacts” “introduce district heating” “increase awareness of how recycling works and we can all recycle at home -education on what happens to household waste” “new plants and fruit trees should be planted all over Wester Hailes”

a sustainable neighbourhood for the future...

Let’s Plan for

Global Impacts

C a rb o n Footp rin t Meeting targets to support Scottish Government targets for a low carbon economy.

Tr av el Reconigure use of transport to prioritise low carbon modes of travel.

Ed u cation Encourage and introduce visible education on global issues, climate change and the impact of local actions.

Recycle Support, increase and implement signiicant waste and recycling facilities throughout Wester Hailes.

Ec ologic al support of new trees, green spaces and SUDS to connect habitats, provide climate resilience and create distinct places.

Zer o Car bon “Requirement of all new buildings and refurbishments to meet the zero carbon/ platinum standards set out in Scottish building regulations.”

Edinburgh City Plan 2030

Let’s Plan for

Community

C o mmun ity Vis ib ility Providing existing and new organisation with physical presence in the town centre.

Par tner ships Celebrating and utilising existing partnerships for now and the future.

L o c a l l y In s p ire d Wester Hailes Local Place Plan inspired and informed by local people and existing landscapes.

Oppor tu nities Wester Hailes as a place that encourages networking, connections and opportunities for everyone.

Tr a ns p are n cy Wester Hailes Local Place Plan developed together through open, honest, transparent and enjoyable engagement.

Facilities Delivery of relevant and appropriate, high quality, community facilities that are well connected.

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“there is currently no community space big enough to hold our communities - the recent multi-cultural event we had to have in the Corn Exchange to it people in” “inter-cultural and faith events” “some people don’t feel part of the community - we must devise ways of getting everyone involved“ “our community needs to feel safe” “a community hall/facility/Mosque to allow for pray, celebrations and gatherings eg: Eid”

an inclusive and supportive community with

opportunities for everyone...

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“improved links with wider West Edinburgh for employment and education opportunities” “improved facilities and education opportunities at WHEC” “longer opening times - there is nothing to do when the centre is closes at 6pm” “activities in the shopping centre” “a unique space with café’s, culture and nature” “more places to eat and socialise” “small business opportunities - a community store that allows for enterprise groups to have a shop front”

a diverse and distinctively local centre...

Let’s Plan for

Economic Opportunities

20 minute neighbourhood

We s te r Hailes as a S us tain ab le N e ighbou r hood providing residents with everything they need to live within a 20 minute round trip.

WH

LOCAL

Varie ty A busy town centre with a variety of shopping and hospitality options.

Su ccess “A city where everyone shares in its economic success” Edinburgh City Plan 2030

Shopping

WH

Dining

Recreation

A L o cal Ce n tre Wester Hailes as a ‘Local Centre’ for shopping, dining and recreation.

(Surrounded by commercial retail parks)

Local B u siness Support space in the town centre for local start-up and enterprise businesses.

Let’s Plan for

Activity

May

January

October

Lively streets and vibrant town centre that prioritises that people stay safe and support activity.

Spor t Develop and support free/afordable yearround, maintained sporting facilities.

7:00pm

Yo ung Pe op le Support existing and encourage new night time activities for young people.

Play A high quality and diverse network of safe play spaces for children and young people.

P l a ce m akin g Encouragement of community ‘placemaking’ initiatives to create fun and vibrant hot-spots across Wester Hailes.

Cu ltu r e Introduce cultural spaces and destinations to provide opportunity to create free/ afordable activities.

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“playgrounds and open spaces for children and young people” “more health and leisure activities for women” “spaces for sport” “colour!!” “more resources for young people” “afordable activities for children and young people eg: soft play and game stations” “a community centre that is inclusive and has a range of services”

a dynamic and vibrant town with activities

accessible to everyone...

Community Confere 29th February 2020

ence

85

Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Community Conference Saturday 29th February 2020 WHALE Arts Centre The Let’s Plan Wester Hailes Community Conference was a collaborative learning event to discuss the potential vision and progress to date of the Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes the community.

Alongside residents, visitors to the event included professionals from many sectors across Scotland, including Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council, Scotland’s Towns Partnership, Sustrans, Scottish Canals and many more. As a result, raising the proile for action of the Local Place Plan in Wester Hailes, yet, fundamentally highlighting that this must be community-driven and delivered with the support of professional knowledge.

The conference covered initial visioning, ideas and relevant case studies, with the intention to inspire the potential future development of Wester Hailes, both socially and spatially. The following pages revisit the presentations, conversations and ideas that were discussed throughout the event.

“we must now actually have plans implemented”

27% visiting

40% residents

“great atmosphere and very engaging!”

33% working

“inspiring!”

“keep the momentum going!”

“good to hear what has been done in Craigmiller and Leith in relation to what can be done in Wester Hailes”

100+ attendees throughout the day

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DIGI-MAPPING with Clovenstone Primary

DIGI-MAPPING Tanis Grandison - Edinburgh Napier University Digi-Mapping was a collaborative project with WHALE Arts to explore local, meaningful places with primary school children in Wester Hailes. The project used varied technology to create interactive talking maps.

Learning from Others Helena Hews Waterside Regeneration Helena Hews is the Head of Destination Development for Scottish Canals. The body who look after the Scottish canals and aim to conserve them as part of our heritage and transform them to play a vital role in our towns, cities and Scotland.

01

Scottish Canals Illustration

02

Pinkston Watersports

03

Bridge 8 Hub Watersports

04

Winchburgh Marina Proposal

05

Union Canal Towpath Study

Source: scottishcanals.co.uk Source: scottishcanals.co.uk Source: itison.com

01

Source: dailybusinessgroup.co.uk Source: harrisonstevens.co.uk

The Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy

02

04

“Wester Hailes has lots of amazing assets.

Emphasize and support them...they are the start of something very exciting and

03

transformational...�

05

89 Philip Prentice Town Centre Regeneration Scotland’s Towns Partnership is Scotland’s national towns’ collective, that represent and promote the diversity of our towns and places, supporting organisation and groups that have an interest in driving positive change throughout their place.

Accessible Public Services Living in Town

Proactive Planning

Town Centre First Principle Your Town Audit - Understanding Scottish Places

Enterprising Communities

Digital Towns Vibrant Local Economies

Scotland’s Towns Partnership

National Media Platform

Scotland’s Improvement Districts

National Media Platform

“If Falkirk can do it...

so can Wester Hailes!”

Learning from Others Tierney Lovell and Caro Kemp Places for Everyone Sustrans Scotland provides advice, support and funding that makes it easier for people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys.

Key notes: •

• •

“Creating safer, more attractive, healthier places by increasing the number of trips made by walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday journeys.”

Empowering and giving space back to people.

Projects are context speciic and evidence led.

01

West Edinburgh Link

02

Walking, Cycling and Wheeling

Source: westedinburghlink.info

DESIGN PRINCIPLES 1.

2.

3.

Source: sustrans.org.uk

4.

5.

6.

Develop ideas collaboratively and in partnership with communities.

Facilitate independent walking, cycling and wheeling for everyone.

Design places for people, that provide enjoyment, comfort and protection.

Ensure access for all and equality of opportunity in public space.

Ensure all proposals are developed in a way that is context-speciic & evidence-led.

Reallocate road space, and restrict motor traic permeability to prioritise people walking, cycling and wheeling over private motor vehicles.

02

02

Walking, Cycling & Wheeling for Everyone!

01

WEST EDINBURGH LINK • £16 million project.

• Infrastructure and behaviour change interventions.

• Community engagement and designs development ongoing.

• Construction 2021/2022

02

91 Jude Barber Granton Waterfront Jude Barber is the Director of architecture practice Collective Architecture, who were established to pursue themes of participation and sustainability in architecture. Their output is highly varied, ranging from intimate community installations to large scale urban regenerations.

Over the last few years, Collective Architecture have been working with the community to develop and deliver a framework and plan for the development of Granton, Edinburgh.

Key notes: • •

• •

“Housing” not houses!

A place with identity, being instantly recognisable.

Turning problems into opportunities.

Putting emphasis on the assets.

Prioritising people and developing a place that is of beneit for everyone.

A sustainable, resilient, ecological landscape.

A connected and vibrant place.

01

Participation for Granton

02

A Vibrant and Sustainable Coastline Proposal

03

A Place to Live, Work and Visit Proposal

04

A Place that Stands the Test of Time Proposal

• • •

A vibrant and sustainable coastline

Source: collectivearchitecture.com

02

Source: collectivearchitecture.com Source: collectivearchitecture.com Source: collectivearchitecture.com

A place to live, work and visit PARTICITPATION

03

A place that stands the test of time

01

04

Learning from Others Stephen Willacy Estate Regeneration in Aarhus City Architect, Aarhus, Denmark As City Architect, Stephen’s focus is ensuring the city develops and contributes towards continued innovation in relation to city planning, urban design and architectural quality.

Key notes: • • • • • • • • • • •

Striving to create a “good city for everyone.”

Developing a sustainable strategy for a compact city.

Encouraging a city of social balance.

3 areas in Aarhus that were ‘functionally designed’ in 1970’s became known as the ‘ghetto’s.’

Space for everyone.

Designated entrepreneurship.

Provide ‘melting pots’ for citizens.

Instant projects and relevance now!

Multi-functional areas rather than just housing.

We are all a team!

Fun for all!!

01

Gellerup Park

02

Deprived Housing Estates, Aarhus

Source: voresbrabrand.dk

Source: Stephen Willacy

03

The Polycentric City

04

Structural Changes

05

Changes in Gellerup Before

06

Changes in Gellerup

07

People First

Source: Rob Krier

Source: Stephen Willacy Source: Stephen Willacy Source: Stephen Willacy Source: Stephen Willacy

“...there is now a waiting list for the Ghetto” 01

STATUSIN IN AARHUS - Deprived Housing Estates STATUS AARHUS – DEPRIVED HOUSING ESTATES

BISPEHAVEN

Three residential areas on the "ghetto list": • Gellerup / Toveshøj - hard ghetto • Bispehaven - hard ghetto • Skovgårdsparken ghetto After five years on the list, the area is defined as a "hard ghetto".

Risks Areas: • Skovgårdsparken and Langkærparken risk becoming ”hard ghettos” • Viby South (Kjærslund, Rosenhøj and Søndervangen) risks becoming a "ghetto area” • The craft park, Herredsvang, Vejlby West and Trigeparken risk becoming "exposed residential areas"

GELLERUP

SKOVGÅRDSPARKEN

02

BEFORE

93 The Polycentric City - Rob Krier

AFTER

05

03

Structural Changes are Imperative BEFORE

AFTER No structural physical changes

With structural physical changes

06

EFFECTS ON CITIZEN STATUS IN GELLERUP 1.

2.

3.

04

Adults outside the labour market have fallen from 46.1% in 2011 to 40% in 2017.

Number of people aged 24 who have no completed education has dropped from 20.7% in 2012 to 12.3% in 2017.

Children without day care have fallen from 4.4% in 2011 to 3.0% in 2017

07

PEOPLE FIRST

CITY LIFE

URBAN REALM

BUILDING DESIGN

W hich new qualities does your project give back to the city?

Learning from Others Alistair Scott Changing Craigmillar - Progress Update Smith Scott Mullan Associates are an architectural practice that have been involved with the regeneration of Craigmillar. Alistair and his team have been delivering a review of regeneration in Craigmillar over the last 15 years and the impact is it having on people living there. He shares, lessons, concepts and ideas that have been implemented in the area and what has been successful and not as successful.

01

Key notes: • •

• • • • •

‘Place-making Cafés’ - more approachable than ‘charrettes’ Large issues can be improved by small and local initiatives. Small and early wins make a diference.

Try not to dwell on the past, what can we still achieve,.

We must not develop an average place, it should be a great place.

Strong leadership = success and consistency!

Big city commitments can be used as catalyst projects.

Maintenance and governance are as important as development.

•

Wester Hailes has the resilience for change!

01

Connecting Communities

02

Attractive New Development

03

Quick Wins

04

Friendly Spaces

Connecting Communities...

02

Attractive New Developments...

03

Source: Changing Craigmillar Source: Alistair Scott Source: Alistair Scott Source: Alistair Scott

5 KEY THEMES: Part of a Growing City Connecting Communities The Heart of Craigmillar People Friendly Spaces Responsibility for the Future

Quick Wins - Simple & Efective...

04

Craigmillar has been many things over the years - but what will it be tomorrow?

Friendly Spaces...

95 Duncan Bremner Leith Creative / Citizen Curator Duncan has been working as part of Leith Creative since 2015, collecting data and cultural mapping to better understand Leith’s cultural resources and creative industries. As well as, bringing the community together to talk about the future of the area and using data to drive and develop lasting successful change. Duncan shares his methods, ideas and concepts as ways to engage and drive best results as well as presenting lessons from Leith.

Key notes: •

•

• •

01

Leith Creative Bruncheon

02

Leith Creative Bruncheon

03

Leith Kitchen

04

Leith Kitchen

Source: leithcreative.org Source: leithcreative.org

Source: biomorphis.com Source: biomorphis.com

Leith Creative Bruncheon

A community project shouldn’t always be what they need to do, it should be what we can to do.

History is key to future development - why have previous plans not worked and learn from them.

Young people are key to successful projects.

Have qualitative conversations!

03

LESSONS FROM LEITH:

01

02

There are multiple views on any one place.

Speak to people - go to where they are and them what they think.

Know your history.

Use information.

Work with existing networks.

Involve Young Adults in the conversation.

04

Community Discussions The community discussions covered a wide range of topics for change in Wester Hailes. It was a concern that through continuously developing plans for the area without delivery reduces interest and moral in the area, whilst ignoring the social issues around health, employment and behaviour. Meanwhile, it became clear throughout many discussions that there is a lack of community facilities that can host the amount of people in the community, with a lack of space and amenity for multi-faith, shared community space and adequate sports facilities. Wider issues around safety, maintenance, ownership, opportunities, education and employment should also be addressed.

It is important to people in the community that small, local and low-cost measures of physical change are of most value to people’s everyday lives. Small change makes big impact.

Wester Hailes has the potential to become a distinctively local centre, with aspirational living and attractive green-space and nature.

It is connected but can be much better for active and sustainable travel opportunities...

It has green space but they are unmaintained, unsafe and unattractive...

It has a town centre but has nothing to do after 6pm...

It has civic space but has become the centre for anti-social behaviour...

It has a canal but it is underutilised...

...

Main Discussion Points: • • • • • • •

Alcohol on the streets.

What are the constraints of the Local Place Plan?

Explanations to why projects and plans can or can’t be implemented.

Start small/local!

Help people improve their everyday.

Empowerment and ownership is key.

Stop tarmac-ing green-space!

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...it has a vibrant community that are ready for change!

The Seven Kingdoms Following the work of the Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes to date, The Seven Kingdoms project aims to bring more local voices into the conversation. During the next three months, we are therefore asking residents to join in developing the Local Place Plan by gathering knowledge about the challenged and potentials of Wester Hailes and to help develop a Place Vision.

Based on conversations with resident and other local stakeholders, seven themes are being explored further.

The themes will be developed in collaboration with researchers from Edinburgh Napier University.

If you would like to be part of these place-making projects and help decide how these can shape Wester Hailes in the future, visit The Seven Kingdoms team at WHALE Arts or email at: westerhailesplaceplan@gmail.com

7 Kingdoms - Wester Hailes

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Next Steps | May 2020 3 – 6 months • • • • • • •

Membership of the Focus Group to be reviewed and expanded in agreement with Wester Hailes Community Trust and other partner organisations Focus Group agree a series of meetings over the coming months Focus Group to meet with City of Edinburgh Council Governance structure inalised for the Local Place Plan - to be discussed with and approved by the Wester Hailes Community Trust Continuation of Seven Kingdoms Project with Edinburgh Napier University Secure funding for the Wester Hailes Community Trust to pay for professional input into the development of the Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes Increase membership of the Wester Hailes Community Trust, by intentionally approaching those from the local community who have been involved to date in the Place Plan events. This will increase the capacity of the Community Trust to take a leading role in the completion and implementation of the Local Place Plan

7 – 12 months • •

•

Completion of Seven Kingdoms Place-Based Research Project with Edinburgh Napier University Recruit appropriate professional team to support the Wester Hailes Community Trust and other local organisations and residents in the development of the Local Place Plan – workshops, events, pop-ups Local Place Plan development underway

12 – 18 months • •

Local Place Plan completed and approved by the Wester Hailes Community Trust Local Place Plan submitted to City of Edinburgh Council by the Wester Hailes Community Trust

1.5 – 3 years • •

Work with local and city-wide partners to deliver on the Place Plan outcomes Governance group continue to meet regularly to review progress on outcomes

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