June 2026 news from Councillor Kevin McKay
It's a looking like being a summer of sport. Not only will a certain football tournament be starting shortly, but the tennis Season is underway....yes Craiglockhart Tennis Centre will host a couple of major tennis events at the end of June: Junior International Info here and the Scottish Junior Open Info here . Remember the Junior (18yrs and under) doesn't mean sub standard play. So if you want to see the next Andy Murray... go grab a seat.
Also, next month, the Commonwealth Games start in Glasgow for information and to get tickets Click here.
But now news from the Chamber and around the Ward:
In The Chamber
There was a full council meeting on Thursday 21st of May. Summary below:
The City of Edinburgh Council, 21 May
Considered the report on the Tram enquiry and agreed to settle its multi-million pound damages claim against DLA Piper law firm who advised it over the first tram project.
- There was a range of motions on topics including ‘Screen Time in Early Years Settings’.
Policy and Sustainability, 26 May
- Discussed papers on Edinburgh Visitor Levy - Proposed Penalty Framework and an update on the Third Sector Grants Programme.
Consultations launched:
In addition there will be two by-elections in September due to Simta Kumar and Kate Campbell being elected to the Scottish Parliament.
All public meetings are available as a webcast either live or archived. Click Here
The next full council is on 25th June and this will be the last before the council recess for the summer. Incidentally I am moving to the Finance and Resources (F&R) Committee leaving Policy and Sustainability committee.
Around the Ward
Harrison Road Bridge(s)
The existing brick jack arches have been successfully demolished from below, and the cast iron beams have been removed from site, with the help of a 110t crane. This marks a major milestone in the project and allows the contractor to progress to the next phase of works.
Current activities are focused on preparing the existing abutment shelves and bearing locations to ensure that they are level and cleaned out prior to arrival of the new precast concrete beams which have been cast and are ready for transportation. Delivery of the beams is scheduled to arrive on site within the next two weeks,
In parallel, progress continues on the Canal Bridge. Since it was strengthening on the underside, the topside design works have been completed which includes the addition of trief kerbs, and new weight restriction signage. These measures will help prevent vehicles over 7.5t crossing the bridge, and also protect the footways from accidental wheel loading.
September still seems to be the date when the road will be reopened.
Kayak Club Meggetland
The Edinburgh School's Kayak club has submitted an application to erect a single storey building to accommodate equipment storage and changing facilities, plus workshop space with hard standing for boat trailer at their current site in Meggetland.
Check out the guide to commenting on planning applications; You can access to the application directly clicking here; then options available at “make a comment”. The comment window is open until this Friday 12th June.
Myreside Road Sports Pitches
George Watson's College has been granted permission for the installation of 2x artificial sports pitches, associated warm up area, floodlighting, fencing, areas of hardstanding and infrastructure.
For reference the application Number is 25/03979/FUL.
Meggetland Rugby Pitch
The conversion of the existing main rugby field from natural grass to synthetic turf with installation of 1.2m high spectator rail around it's perimeter as well as the resurfacing of the existing synthetic turf football pitch has been granted.
Firework Control Zones for 2026
Fourteen Firework control zones Click here (FCZs) in total will be in place across Edinburgh this autumn as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the negative impacts of fireworks around Bonfire Night.
Bridgeview Apartments
There has been movement on the Bridgeview apartments (corner Craiglockhart Ave/Slateford Road)
Application submitted 26/02152/OBL (https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TFABR1EW0XE00).
I have extracted some relevant paragraphs below.
- The Merchant Company Endowments Trust ((MCET) (SC002002) has agreed terms with Abbotswell Developments Ltd to acquire 38 residential units which are contained in three self -contained Stairs and which form the main part of the 50 -unit development known as Bridgeview at 1-5 Lanark Road. Working in partnership with Lar Housing Trust, the intention is to let the properties to means tested tenants as affordable housing. It is envisaged that all 38 units would be let at or below Local Housing Allowance (LHA) mid-market rents (MMR).
- Furthermore, MCET agree to a binding S75a requirement that the 12 “official” Affordable Housing units (of the 38) remain in this tenure for a minimum of 25 years. MCET are willing to extend the 25-year restriction for up to 24 of the 38 units. All 38 MMR homes would therefore be let at or below LHA (Local Housing Allowance) mid-market rent and would be managed for MCET by LAR Housing Trust on a means-tested basis.
On the whole I feel this is a positive step forward.
Parking
Lockharton and other Roads Permit Parking Zone.
Signs are up and lines have been painted. The new parking restrictions will come into force from Monday 22nd June.
New Reserves
Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserves: Congratulations to the Friends of Wester Craiglockhart Hill and the Friends of Easter Craiglockhart Hill! Last month, the Council agreed to designate Wester Craiglockhart Hill and the Greenbank Community Woodland as a Local Nature Reserve, covering 10 hectares and including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It also agreed to extend Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve by a further 10 hectares. These designations provide protection for biodiversity and wildlife, as well as open, greenspaces. More details are in report 7.6 to the Council’s Culture & Communities Committee here.
Across the City
Meadow's Festival
The Meadows Festival on the 6th & 7th June was a great success from dog shows through to Kate Bush's wuthering heights mass synchronised dance! Check out it out here.
Edinburgh Lib Dems had a busy stall too.