Neighbourhood is looking good

The Neighbourhood Improvement Programme, part of the joint housing and environment forum, in Western Edinburgh and Almond works with residents to make small-scale environmental improvements.

Project leader Sam Smith said: “We engage with residents to show what can be achieved. I’ve even visited homes in the area to find out what people want to be improved.”

Projects can be put forward by residents, the community council, local housing staff or external agencies such as environmental groups or registered landlords.

Some completed projects include the setting up of recycling areas, introducing communal bin stores to replace bin shutes, community information boards, child safety barriers and new seating in communal gardens.

One successful project was at Rosebury Court in South Queensferry. “We put in new seating, gave the area a general clean-up and put in planters for residents to use,” said Sam. “Pupils from South Queensferry High School even came to tidy the gardens.”

Sam added: “A new ballpark in Kirkliston has even been constructed, with local youths in mind. The existing ballpark was along a dark path and parents weren’t happy with their children walking along there, especially during the winter.

“It’s been very successful and because young people took ownership of the project, there have been no incidences of vandalism.”

Need to know

If you would like to suggest projects for the Neighbourhood Improvement Programme, phone 0131 529 7440, or e-mail sam.smith@edinburgh.gov.uk