It has been a busy first month back in parliament after the December general election, with updates on climate change and Brexit. Locally there are some major planning developments as well as some well deserved good news for the Liberton High School community.

You may have also noticed I am running to be Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. I try to keep this newsletter as politics free as I can so if you would like more information on my campaign please visit my campaign website, here.

Email: ian.murray.mp@parliament.uk

Telephone: 0131 662 4520

Facebook: Ian Murray for Edinburgh South

Twitter: IanMurrayMP

Website: ianmurraymp.com

Casework

A breakdown of the casework my office has taken on in January.

Policy

A breakdown of the policy issues I have been contacted on in January.

Edinburgh South

Westminster

Planning

Cameron Toll Cinema 19/06001/FUL 

An application has been submitted to build a ten-screen cinema on land which is currently a car park, serving Cameron Toll shopping centre.

I know many local organisations have concerns about the cinema and I have written to residents to encourage comments. You have until 7th February to comment using the above reference.

Fernieside ‘Highfield’ 19/04823/PAN

Developers are looking at the possibility of building on the land south of Ferniehill Drive, known as ‘Highfield’. This is currently protected as it is part of the Green Belt but the Council’s City Plan (currently being consulted on) shows this bit of land as potentially suitable for development.

There is the risk that the new development plan ‘City Plan 2030’ could remove the Green Belt protections on the land, thus enabling development to go ahead in the future.

I will continue to assist all residents objecting to these proposals on account of the already failing infrastructure and congestion in the area. I would encourage all residents to take part in the City Plan 2030 consultation process as well

Liberton Green Belt

The publication of the City Plan 2030 draft is good news for campaigners who have been fighting to retain the Green Belt at Liberton. The land was analysed by Council planners and deemed not suitable for development. Nothing has yet been decided and I would recommend all those interested in preserving the Green Belt to attend the consultation events.

More information on the City Plan and the land at Liberton can be viewed in the Housing Study document, here.

House of Commons

Media

Noticeboard

EVOC is hosting a Funding Fair on Wed, 11 March 2020 from 2 – 6pm. Free and open to organisations of all sizes, the half-day will include:

– Stalls from funding providers across Scotland and the UK providing information and advice on their opportunities

– 10 minute Funding surgeries with a select number of funders – perfect if you have a specific project in mind as you’ll have the opportunity for a more in-depth chat.

– Free Training session from The Robertson Trust on writing grant applications.

– Free Training session from The Charity Bank on social investment – if you want to know more about how loans to charities and social enterprises work, this is for you!

– Get to know your local Third Sector Interface: EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Social Enterprise will be there to let you know what support is available to your organisation

– An opportunity to network and meet other trustees and voluntary sector colleagues from across Edinburgh!

Book here.

Funders confirmed so far:

– Bank of Scotland Foundation

– BBC Children in Need

– Cattanach Trust – stand and surgeries

– Charity Bank – Stand and free training session

– Community Shares Scotland – stand and surgeries

– Corra Foundation

– Edinburgh University: Edinburgh Local grants

– Firstport

– Funding Scotland

– National Lottery Community Fund – stand and surgeries

– Paths for All

– RBS Social & Community Capital

– Robertson Trust – Free training session

Please note: Sign up for training and funding surgeries will be on the day on a first come basis. Spaces are limited so please arrive on time if you wish to guarantee a place!

Getting here:

525 Ferry Rd

Ground Floor Meeting Space

525 Ferry Road

Edinburgh

EH5 2FF

There are excellent bus links to the office and we would encourage you to use these or cycle. For those who need to bring a car, there are some spaces available in the car park outside the building.

For bus details see our website.