Tattu Edinburgh is thrilled to introduce their “Wisdom of the Dragon” graduation menu, designed to create unforgettable memories for you and your loved ones.
Throughout July, they offer an exclusive menu combining contemporary Chinese cuisine and spectacular drinks, raising a glass to this summer’s graduates.
Complimentary EPC Brut Champagne for the graduate and a Golden Celestial Dragon Sharing cocktail for the table. To find out more head to the link below or call TATTU Edinburgh directly 0131 558 1922.
Graduation – Tattu Restaurant and Bar
Customers at Leith Victoria Swim Centre celebrated the Victorian pool’s 125-year anniversary on Friday, 28th June, with a Bake-Off, which raised over £375 much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme.
Local businesses including Hobz Bakery, Krema Bakehouse, The Babyfaced Baker and The Pastry Section, staff and customers all embraced their inner Mary Berry to create some showstoppers, which were judged by Edinburgh Leisure’s previous Chief Executive, June Peebles, who retired in March 2024 after 38 years’ service with Edinburgh Leisure, along with Jen Holland, their new CEO, and one of Leith Victoria’s regular customers Christine Findlay, 71 years, who attends 19 classes a week at the Leith Viccies. The baking competition was won by Kerry Teakle, Edinburgh Leisure’s PR Officer with her tried and tested Almond, Orange and Whisky cake.
The Bake-Off judging took place following a busy Aqua and yoga class that took place earlier in the building, when participants often congregate for a coffee and a blether after.
Brought up in the Colonies in Lochend Road, Christine Findlay, 71 Years, and one of the Bake-Off judges, has been using the centre since her childhood and continues to use Leith Victoria today. Christine said: “I’ve been using the centre for years. Many people came for the hot baths, but we were lucky as we had a bath in our house, so didn’t need to use those facilities.
Christine, who still works as a carer attends 19 classes, six days a week at Leith Victoria. She used to swim seven days a week but now only swims on Fridays. And Christine explains why people keep coming back: “Viccies is a community. This is my second home, and everyone here is like your second family. I’ve made great friends and even go on holiday with people I’ve met here. I’ve been coming since my childhood and this continued when I had my family and I still come with my grandchildren today. Without this place, I don’t know what I’d do. We support each other through the good times and the bad.”
Louise Bathgate, Manager at Leith Victoria explained: “At 125 years old, Leith Victoria is rich in history, as well as holding a special place in so many people’s hearts locally with generations of families having learnt to swim here.
“The Bake-Off was a good excuse to have a celebration in honour of Viccies’ 125th birthday and to raise much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes, which rely on external funding to make it happen. The funds raised by this event, along with two other events that have been held at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and Meadowbank Sports Centre in the last couple of months, have raised a grand total of over £750 to support disadvantaged people in our communities to improve their health and wellbeing.”
Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities supports 12,500 people annually who face the greatest barriers to get active – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty. As a venue, Leith Victoria Swim Centre holds 23 Active Community classes each week and is one of Edinburgh Leisure’s busiest venues supporting hundreds of people in the local community.
On Monday (1st July), Sally Gray, TV presenter, media trainer, business leader and charity worker, was awarded an honorary degree by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Sally, a QMU graduate who has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the UK media and runs a highly successful media training business, was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa in recognition of her significant contribution to culture and the creative arts. Sally celebrated her success with Dame Prue Leith CBE, Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, and hundreds of new graduates and their families at the first of the QMU’s graduation ceremonies to be held in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall this year.
Sally studied communications and media studies at Queen Margaret College in the 1980s, and it was her dissertation work about children’s television that led her into the BBC’s Blue Peter offices. She landed her first ‘proper’ job as a BBC secretary, which brought her into contact with many highly experienced broadcasters, such as David Dimbleby, who was on the first programme she worked on, and she played a part in bringing the TV politics programme ‘Question Time’ to Scotland for the first time.
Sally’s presenting career kicked off on a BBC Scotland children’s education programme ‘Go45,’ which she co-hosted with Grant Stott. This programme was a fresh take on educational broadcasting and attracted an average audience of up to five million people per episode. Her TV credits range from fronting lifestyle shows such as ITV’s ‘Moving Day’ and ‘Our House’, BBC’s ‘Real Rooms’ and the ‘Really Useful Show’ to ‘live’ roving reporting on GMTV. She has also hosted fun CBBC entertainment shows, as well as presenting ‘Record Breakers’, ‘50/50’ and numerous other children’s programmes.
Nowadays, she focuses her energy on nurturing talent, with a particular interest in helping young people build their confidence and find opportunities in the media. She worked with the London Academy of Film and TV as their Head of Production, training young people up as TV presenters and mentoring new talent. She then set up her own media training company, Presenters Inc, where she has helped people with a story – including Olympic champions, Strictly Come Dancing professionals and human rights lawyers – to find their voice and engage with audiences.
In 2003, Sally received an MBE for services to young people through her work as an ambassador for the Millennium Volunteers. This was a youth volunteering award scheme, now re-badged in Scotland as the Saltire Awards. Similarly, through her role as an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, she has supported young people facing disadvantage and adversity to create a better future.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, said: “Sally has created an incredibly successful, exciting and varied media career. She has travelled the world in search of the kookiest inventions, chased after wild alligators, flown a fighter plane, gone head-to-head with Hollywood heavyweights, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pierce Brosnan, and sung a duet with actor and comedian Sir Norman Wisdom. But, Sally has not only entertained us – she has used her wealth of expertise to give voice to others, helping many fulfil their potential. In that, she personifies Queen Margaret University’s values of making the world a better place and allowing individuals to thrive.”
Sir Paul concluded: “Sally Gray is a true inspiration to our creative industry students and the whole of the QMU community, and we are delighted to recognise her impressive achievements with an honorary degree.”
Edinburgh-based 1nhaler has appointed two experts in inhalation and respiratory medicines to the Board as it looks to accelerate the development and market-readiness of its novel single use inhaler device.
Jane Gaddum, formerly Vice President for emerging brands within global marketing for AstraZeneca, has joined 1nhaler as Board Chair and Non-Executive Director (NxD). Gordon Muirhead, formerly Vice President for new product introduction and technical lead for global supply for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has also been appointed to the Board as NxD.
During a successful career at AstraZeneca, Jane Gaddum led commercial input into the early research and development of the global pharmaceutical brand’s emerging respiratory and inflammation portfolio. Her expertise in bringing products and technologies to market within the respiratory sector will help to guide the market readiness strategy for 1nhaler.
Gordon Muirhead has been a strategic advisor to 1nhaler since its inception. His experience in research and development, manufacturing and clinical trials was instrumental to securing early-stage funding for the company. As NxD, Gordon will provide the technical support to take the business forward through to clinical trials.
The company’s founders, Lisa McMyn and Don Smith, together with Joanne Kelley, formerly Vice President, business development for AstraZeneca and 1nhaler NxD, sit on the Board alongside Jane and Gordon.
1nhaler was founded in 2017 to offer a simple, low-cost, low-carbon device for administering single-dose inhalable treatments. The patented membrane mechanism avoids the need for harmful propellants by harnessing advancements in dry powder technology and supports a variety of inhalable drug formulations, contained within a discreet device the size of a credit card.
In November 2023, the company raised £2million in a funding raise led by Archangels and secured an additional R&D grant funding from Scottish Enterprise worth £765,000 to prepare the product for a next early-stage clinical trials phase in 2025.
Lisa McMyn, Chief Executive Officer at 1nhaler, said: “Jane and Gordon’s combined experience in bringing several market-leading inhalation devices to market will be invaluable as we look to accelerate product development and deliver on our ambition to create the industry’s smallest, simplest and most sustainable single-dose inhaler.”
Sarah Hardy, Head of New Investments at Archangels, added: “The latest appointments to the 1nhaler board demonstrate the ambition of the business and the market belief in the product from experts in the respiration and inhalation fields.”
Inhalable medicines are already widely used to treat conditions such as asthma, COPD, influenza, epilepsy, depression and Parkinson’s. It is estimated that almost half a billion people globally suffer with respiratory conditions[1], many of whom lack access to the drugs they need to relieve their suffering. Existing inhalers are typically made from bulky plastic and are expensive to manufacture and distribute. The simplicity of 1nhaler’s design ensures it is cheap to manufacture, easy to use, requires fewer natural resources and is always where you need it.
To find out more about 1nhaler, please visit: https://www.1nhaler.co.uk/
To find out more about Archangels please visit: https://archangelsonline.com/
[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00113-X/fulltext
· While over half (56%) of organisations in Scotland continue to struggle with skills gaps, this is lower than UK average of 62%
· Around half of businesses lack the confidence to adopt either AI (56%) or green technologies (47%)
· Martha Lane Fox, Chancellor of The Open University, and President of the British Chambers of Commerce warns organisations need to implement flexible skills plans and inclusive initiatives to build confidence, bridge the skills gap and build a more resilient workforce
New data from this year’s Business Barometer report published by The Open University in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, has found that over half (56%) of Scottish organisations are still reporting worrying skills shortages.
The annual report, monitoring the current UK skills landscape, highlighted more than half of Scottish businesses (56%) are reporting skills shortages. This is lower than the UK average of 62%, but a modest improvement on 2023 UK results, when almost three quarters (73%) reported skills shortages. However, despite this, less than one in four (23%) organisations have implemented a written skills plan for their workforce this year, hindering the ability to strategically address these issues and prepare for future demands. While 56% of organisations reported a lack of confidence in applying new AI and 47% in adopting green technologies, employers agree that these skills are crucial to the growth and sustainability of UK businesses and the wider economy.
Skills shortages and a lack of confidence, continue to have a knock-on effect on staff morale and wellbeing, as 77% of employers say shortages have increased the workload of their employees – a clear indicator that employers need a strategic, inclusive skills plan to develop talent to fill key skills gaps.
Training and development are critical areas of focus for many organisations. The report has revealed that almost two-fifths (38%) of Scottish businesses intend to use mentoring or coaching within the next twelve months, helping to develop skills as well as fostering a supportive learning environment to enhance employee attraction, engagement and retention. A further 32% intend to use apprenticeships over the next year, showing the value many organisations find in this type of training.
But whilst there is a commitment to address the skills shortage from some organisations, the report reveals the majority of businesses (52%) still do not have specific recruitment, training and retention initiatives in place for underrepresented groups, including young people, older workers, those with disabilities and neurodiverse individuals. As a result, organisations may be missing out by not investing in widening their talent pools to mitigate skills shortages.
Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, Chancellor at The Open University and President of the British Chambers of Commerce commented:
“Despite tiny green shoots of improvement, the skills gap remains stubbornly high. This year’s Business Barometer, exposes the impact of this enduring challenge on organisations of all types, including overwork, diminished productivity, and compromised wellbeing.
What’s concerning is the critically low confidence in AI and green technology and the lack of strategic plans or initiatives to engage vital underrepresented groups – both of which are essential to addressing the pivotal challenges of our future.
By fostering innovative strategies and inclusive initiatives, we can bridge the skills gap and build a more resilient workforce.”
David Allen, Senior Partnerships Manager at The Open University in Scotland commented:
“While it’s encouraging that the number of Scottish businesses reporting skills shortages is lower than the UK average, the fact that over half still face these challenges indicates there’s more work ahead.
“The rapid advancements in green innovations and AI are understandably challenging for many organisations. However, it’s promising to see that Scottish businesses are showing more confidence in adopting new technologies compared to their UK counterparts. I urge business leaders to be proactive and leverage the strategic support that organisations like The Open University can provide.
“With over 70% of our 19,500 students working while they study, our flexible, online courses fit seamlessly with business needs. By empowering organisations to upskill in crucial areas like AI and green innovations, we can bridge the skills gap and build a resilient, future-ready workforce driving sustainable growth across Scotland.”
Anna Ashton Scott, Head of Skills at The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and AI, commented:
“Fostering data and AI literacy, as well as providing robust technical education and leadership training, remains crucial for boosting productivity and driving innovation. AI technologies can be transformative for businesses, but bringing employees on the journey is key, as is understanding how to apply these tools in an ethical and inclusive way.
“While it’s encouraging to see Scottish businesses showing more confidence in applying AI technologies compared to their UK counterparts, more needs to be done to support the 56% of organisations lacking confidence.
“In a time of rapid technological advancement and widening skills gaps, upskilling across all areas of the business and not just within technical teams can help to empower people and organisations to navigate the evolving data and AI landscape. As part of Scotland’s Innovation Infrastructure, The Data Lab works with partners, stakeholders, and the community to help drive this change.”
Balfour Beatty has featured in Wiltshire Times discussing how the company will be removing 13 pylons from the North Wessex Downs landscape, to restore an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in Devizes, as part of National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP).
In the article, Matthew Taylor, Balfour Beatty’s Power and Transmission Distribution Senior Project Manager and National Grid’s Project Manager, Amardheep Malhi, explore the progress made to date on the project and the complex construction works experts are undertaking.
Discussing the works, Matthew said: “We will be doing the trenching, the laying of the ducts, and then the cable pulling which will run into the winter months… We’re making sure we maintain a positive relationship with the existing landowners, we span a lot of different tenants and farmers with their own businesses.”
Read the full article here.
An Edinburgh bakery famed for its spectacular stuffed cookies is building on a series of recent wins and returning to Bonnie & Wild in the St James Quarter for an extended 10-week residency for the summer.
After selling almost a tonne of cookies during a pop-up at Bonnie & Wild in February, Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies will be taking a top spot at the Edinburgh Food Hall from this Friday, June 28, just in time for the school holidays.
Co-owner Jordan Rankin said: “February’s pop-up at bonnie & Wild was a brilliant success. We sold almost a tonne of cookies in just ten days, and we’ve been looking forward to coming back ever since. Our summer residency at Bonnie & Wild is a really exciting opportunity.”
Chulo’s, which employs 20 staff and has premises in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, will be joining a host of foodie favourites at Bonnie & Wild including Gary Maclean’s Creel Caught, Jimmy Lee’s Salt & Chilli Oriental, El Perro Negro, east PIZZAS, Kochchi, Stack & Still, and artisanal gelateria Joelato.
As well as the Chulo’s pop-up, Bonnie & Wild said the summer promises a series of other events and meet the makers, including its White Heather Club Fringe Ceilidh on August 15th and a new café from next month.
Mr Rankin added: “Since the last time we were at Bonnie & Wild our shops have seen a big boost and are thriving. We’ve also been doing lots of events and festivals, and our cookies have crossed the border for the first time for events in Newcastle and Manchester, where the response has also been really positive. We’re excited about being back at Bonnie & Wild and having a presence in the St James Quarter for the summer holidays.”
Bonnie & Wild’s Managing Director Ryan Barrie said: “Jordan’s a brilliant young entrepreneur and we’re delighted to welcome him and the Chulo’s team back to Bonnie & Wild for a longer-term pop-up this July and August.
“It’s fantastic to have the Chulo’s offer back at Bonnie & Wild, especially for our sweet-toothed guests who are already well catered for thanks for the pastries and cakes in our café, pancakes from Stack & Still and the amazing gelato from Joelato. It’s another great addition to our family-friendly offer.”
Mr Barrie said that Bonnie & Wild has repurposed one of its bars to house the Chulo’s pop-up bakery, which he said was sure to be a hit with families flocking to the Edinburgh food hall over the holidays.
Ryan added: “Chulo’s wonderfully complements our amazing and diverse family-friendly offer within the Marketplace that includes pancakes, pizzas and burgers, as well as Asian cuisine, fried chicken, fresh seafood, and some traditional Scottish fare and deli items. There’s something for everyone at Bonnie & Wild.
“These pop-ups and meet the makers beautifully complement our existing offer, while we’re also looking forward to our White Heather Club Fringe ceilidh on August 15th, and next month will be changing over our café. It’s really important to us that Bonnie & Wild is always vibrant and fresh, and we can always offer our guests something new and exciting.”
The Chulos pop-up is the latest in a programme of meet the makers, pop-ups and brand activations at Bonnie & Wild, which aims to showcase Scottish food and drink brands and provide a platform within the busy St James Quarter for local producers.
Chulo’s is taking over the space from Glasgow craft distillery Wester, which ran cocktail masterclasses showcasing their varieties of Scotland-made rum, with Kilted Donuts holding a pop-up previously. Gary Maclean, the National Chef of Scotland, hosted an oyster and champagne bar in collaboration with venerable fishmonger Bernard Corrigan and Champagne Piaff, while other other activations included Ruby Flowers, Okanda and Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye distilleries.
Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has expanded its footprint in Edinburgh after taking additional space to accommodate its growing team.
The law firm, which has an established heritage across England, launched in Glasgow in 2020 with the appointment of dual-qualified real estate partner Amal Kaur. Since then, the firm has laid Scottish roots within a permanent space in Queen Street, Edinburgh, and taken on a further nine legal professionals.
Now a team of 10, the Scottish practice grew in revenue by 142% in the last financial year, and local service lines now include corporate, banking, litigation, commercial and data protection, and real estate. The firm is also the only Scottish practice to be part of Multilaw, a global network of law firms.
Head of the Scottish practice Amal Kaur said: “We originally set up the practice in response to growing client demand and it’s grown 10-fold because our clients benefit from on-the-ground experts, who are backed by a 1,200-strong team of professionals across 10 other hubs in the UK.
“Our dual-qualified team members are proving incredibly useful to clients working both North and South the border, and for those wanting to expand across countries; even we were surprised by how quickly our client base grew when we first set up.”
Recent appointments include dispute resolution partner Fiona Pask, triple-qualified commercial and corporate partner Trevor Fenton, dual-qualified real estate legal director Nicky Grant, and Grant Docherty to lead the firm’s banking practice in Scotland. The firm also recently welcomed commercial property and real estate finance solicitor Myeda Aarif, and in 2022, welcomed its first Scottish trainee.
The firm became a B-Corporation in 2023 and was named a best law firm to work for in 2022.
Grant said: “Despite the pandemic and cost-of-doing business crisis, we are growing, and we are continually open to conversations with lateral hires who want to work with a firm that’s genuinely different. We’re invested in Edinburgh and Scotland and can service clients nationally. It’s a really exciting time to be part of such a rapidly-growing team.”
Wendy Helliwell, a self-taught, visual artist from Edinburgh, has been announced as Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s latest Artist in Residence, taking up the highly sought-after position from August until October.
The Artist in Residence initiative supports local creatives with free workspaces and showcasing opportunities, with applications now open for future artists to take the remaining vacancy for the year.
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has named local creative, Wendy Helliwell, as its new Artist in Residence, taking up the position from August until October.
The Artist in Residence programme is dedicated to supporting the city’s creative community, offering artists a three-month residency with access to a purpose built art studio, nestled within the old India Buildings’ turret of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh – The Unicorn Room.
The hotel issued an open call for artists earlier this year to apply for the rare opportunity to have a free workspace and showcasing opportunities within the iconic Old Town property. After a rigorous selection process, Wendy Helliwell was awarded the latest Artist in Residence position, with applications now open for creatives to apply for the final vacancy this year.
As a visual artist, Wendy takes inspiration from fashion and pop culture in her work. Primarily self-taught, Wendy incorporates multiple materials, such as fashion magazines and clothing, in a sustainable and innovative way, to create unique, three dimensional art forms. Wendy’s passion for creativity and pushing the boundaries is synonymous with the iconic interior design elements of the hotel.
The position will commence in August, during The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where Wendy will be giving discarded Festival materials, such as promotional flyers, a new lease of life to create never before seen art pieces. These creations will eventually be on sale and displayed on the staircase leading up to the hotel’s stunning Oculus Lounge. This forms part of the valuable offering of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Artist in Residence initiative – providing artists with a free gallery space within the hotel and the chance to sell their artwork, with all proceeds going directly to the artist.
While Wendy is working on her latest creations in The Unicorn Room, the hotel will be showcasing her work inspired by the music industry, tying in effortlessly to the heritage of the wider Virgin brand. Work on display will include Wendy’s punk-themed “No Lip” piece which has been created using an upcycled 80’s punk leather jacket and Sex Pistols vinyl.
Wendy was first introduced to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh upon the hotel’s opening, when she was selected by bespoke art consultancy, Visto Artwork, to create artwork for the hotel. Pieces previously commissioned include the iconic “Virgin Lips” which was constructed from one pair of jeans and magazine cuttings, located beside the hotel’s concierge.
Mafalda Albuquerque, General Manager at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said: “This is a really exciting time for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh as we announce Wendy as our new Artist in Residence. Wendy is unbelievably talented, and we’ve already had the privilege of hosting some of her artwork in the hotel.
“Commencing in August, just in time for Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe, this residency will provide Wendy with a special opportunity to capture Edinburgh at its very best. Guests and visitors can book in to meet Wendy and go on an exclusive tour of her studio, to see where the magic unfolds.
“The Artist in Residence programme marks our commitment to supporting the vibrant creative community in Edinburgh. Applications are open for creatives to apply to be our final Artist in Residence of the year and we’re looking forward to seeing the submissions. There has been some incredible talent so far”.
Wendy Helliwell, said: “I couldn’t contain my excitement when I spotted the open-call for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Artist in Residence. It has come at such an opportune time and I feel so inspired to create some exciting, new pieces.
“I don’t come from a traditional art background and so to have this opportunity to share my art with the world is truly amazing. I’m looking forward to meeting guests and visitors and taking them on a tour of my new studio space. I can’t wait to get started”.
Applications are now open for aspiring artists who would like to be considered for the next Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Artist in Residence spot. For more information please email: artist.inresidence@virginhotels.com.
Guests booked in for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Afternoon Tea experience in The Oculus Lounge will have the opportunity to not only view Wendy’s masterpieces but also go on a private tour of her studio space.
For reservations for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s exquisite Afternoon Tea in the stunning Oculus lounge, please email: afternoontea@virginhotels.com
Follow along with Virgin Hotels Edinburgh on social media here: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Scotland’s housing system is at a critical juncture. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the nation’s housing emergency and announced its intention to recognise housing as a national outcome. This is a vital first step, but the real challenge is translating this intention into effective action. As Managing Director of Cruden Homes, I’m acutely aware of the many, complex issues facing house builders today, particularly under the constraints of current planning regulations such as the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
Recently, we hosted Housing Minister, Paul McLennan at our Longniddry Village development, a fantastic example of sympathetically extending this East Lothian village with affordable and private new homes. This multi-award-winning development really captures the vision for community-oriented housing, featuring amenities such as a play park, sports pitch, restored mill pond, and a wildflower meadow, with the new homes designed to be perfectly in keeping with the traditional properties of coastal East Lothian. Yet despite being acknowledged as ‘one of the best examples of new housing ever seen’, Longniddry Village is the antithesis of what NPF4 calls for – which is primarily urban and brownfield regeneration. It’s clear to see there is a massive disconnect between planning policy and the homes that people want, aspire and need to live in across all tenures.
At the heart the problem is the severe shortage of suitable developable land. This scarcity is compounded by recent legal rulings, such as the Court of Session’s decision on the Miller Homes appeal in Mossend in West Calder. The court upheld the Scottish Ministers’ refusal to permit a 250-home development, citing incompatibility with a policy within NPF4, which restricts the development of new homes on land not allocated for housing unless specific conditions are met. The ruling removes the requirement to maintain a five-year effective housing land supply, with many industry experts citing this as another major setback in tackling the housing crisis.
The Local Development Plans (LDPs), which guide housing developments, have recently moved from a five-year to a ten-year cycle which is likely to significantly reduce opportunities for allocating sites. The emphasis on urban regeneration of brownfield sites, while sound in theory, often fails in practice. Many brownfield sites are occupied by businesses that do not want to relocate or find it impractical or expensive to do so, and the costs associated with redeveloping these sites, such as infrastructure upgrades and site remediation, are prohibitively high. They are generally complex to design and require specialist skills to deliver, with finance costs and capital tie up for SMEs rendering many projects simply unviable. It is also questionable whether high density urban living is compatible with the needs of many households.
While SMEs play a crucial role in developing challenging brownfield, urban and more remote rural sites, they are often hindered by excessive red tape and slow decision-making processes. The current ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to planning is inadequate. We need to streamline these processes and provide targeted support to unlock the potential of these vital house builders.
Equally, there is an urgent need for more resources in local authority planning departments. The current planning application process is notoriously slow, often taking four times longer than the government’s target. This inefficiency not only hampers developers but also impacts the broader community by delaying much-needed housing.
The Scottish housing crisis is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted response. While NPF4 aims to create a more sustainable and inclusive planning system, its current implementation falls short of addressing the immediate needs of the housing market. By adopting a more flexible, innovative, and resource-efficient approach, we can begin to bridge the gap between policy and reality, ultimately ensuring that every Scot has access to a home that meets their needs. The time for action is now, and it is imperative that we work together, Government, developers, and communities, to overcome these challenges and build a better future for all.
Fraser Lynes is Managing Director of Cruden Homes
