News from around the city in brief

QUEENSFERRY

The new Queensferry High

School is now open to pupils but everyone can get a flavour of what it is like from a virtual tour round the new building. This was set up online to give new pupils a bit of orientation before the term started, but it will be of equal interest to parents and carers of pupils who will not be allowed access to the new school for some time yet.

Kenny Manson, Deputy Head of Queensferry High School said: “The model will provide a really important asset to our school community. We are excited to showcase our fantastic new facility within this digital environment and support our young people and staff in the short and long term.”

The project was led by Scottish Futures Trust. The interactive model is available on their website. scottishfuturestrust.org.uk GRANTON

Edinburgh’s plans to regenerate Granton Waterfront have been shortlisted for the Scottish Design awards. The scheme includes affordable housing, streets which promote active travel and a response to the climate emergency.

Three other projects in the city which the council and other partners are putting in place are also shortlisted: Greendykes with modern energy efficient council homes, Edinburgh Printmakers which overhauled the North

British Rubber Factory and the new arrangements at Calton Hill Observatory. Both of these were part funded by the council. CRAIGMILLAR

The development at Harewood Road was the opportunity to announce the first new affordable homes to be completed since lockdown. These 194 homes, some for social rent and others for mid-market rent, are part of the council’s plans to build 20,000 affordable new homes during its five year term.

The homes are highly energyefficient and have an innovative urban drainage system which collects surface water. There is also a large communal green space and footpaths and cycle paths connecting the homes to Craigmillar Park.

POLICE

Edinburgh’s police officers have taken a greater number of knives off the streets during the first quarter of 2020/21.Police Scotland issued figures for AprilJune 2020 and during this time the division increased their detection rate for offensive and bladed weapons by almost 14 per cent.

This coincides with an additional 22 weapon offences being recorded.