Leithers still facing major challenges
The Leith Blueprint found “overwhelming” praise for the community spirit of the area, its diversity, its historic environment and parks, and the cultural events that are staged there.
However,there search found the area is facing a number of major challenges over the next few years. n Affordability :“Overwhelmingly the research illustrated that affordability was an area of concern, both in terms of housing and business accommo - dation. House prices and rent sin Leith have risen steeply in the last decade.
This has the effect of pricing individuals and businesses out of the area, particularly those whorelyon private rented accommodation or other insecure tenures.
“Community members expressed dismay at new developmentso fun afford- able, luxury or student flats and were concerned about the impact of short- term letting, particularly Airbnb, contributing to rising prices and the lack of availability.” n Public assets :“Afford ability is coupled with perceived threats to character and identity, the loss of assets and the proliferation of homogenised development.
“Lei th has experienced a continuous and substantive lossof public assets which have not been replaced. This includes buildings, environmental facilities, amenities and public art.” n Environment: “Leith’s seafront and the Water of Leith were identified as underused assets with respondents com- men tingthat the quality of spaceis poor, water bodies polluted and the waterfront inaccessible.” n Culture: “Community events like Leith Festival, Leithlate and t he Mela and buildings like Leith Theatre were seen to be supporting local culture and encouraging community connectedness. However, the lack of investment or support from the local authority and other funders was perceived to be a threat.” n Local democracy: “Across the board there is a feeling that the community are not in control of the choices that affect the area and there is often little transparency surrounding decision- making. This has led to disempowerment.”