4000 sign petition in protest at developer's Leith 'snub'

Published on Thursday 19 February 2009 08:47

A 4000-strong petition has been handed over to the city council as the campaign to "save" the name Leith gathers pace.

Residents, community representatives and politicians delivered piles of signatures to the city council as part of a protest over Forth Ports choosing the name Edinburgh Harbour for a multi-million development in Leith.

Thousands more residents are expected to add their support to the campaign to "Save Leith" as further petitions make their way to the council over the coming weeks.

Resident Ian Lutton, who co-ordinated this stage of the campaign, said: "We have had a fantastic response.

"At first I thought we could aim to get 2000 signatures, but the people of Leith needed no coaxing. We ended up with double that."

Campaigners believe that Forth Ports – the developers behind the waterfront project – is rejecting Leith's heritage by choosing Edinburgh Harbour for the first phase of the scheme.

They have distributed petitions in pubs, shops and businesses and have been out in the area gathering further support.

The development is set to include nine "urban villages" and the first two – near to the Ocean Terminal site – will have the controversial name.

It has been argued by supporters of the name that "Edinburgh" needs to be included in the title of the development if it is to be successful in attracting international visitors, particularly to the enhanced cruise ship terminal planned for the area.

But Malcolm Chisholm, Edinburgh North and Leith MSP, said: "Leith is a well-known place and it is actually historically inaccurate to talk about 'Edinburgh Harbour'. I do not believe that Forth Ports cannot sell the development across the world using the name Leith."

Dressed in "Citizen of Leith" T-shirts and sporting badges with the same branding, protesters handed over their petitions to Leith councillor Gordon Munro outside the City Chambers yesterday.

Although the council has no say over the naming of the waterfront development, Councillor Munro stressed that he would make sure City leader Jenny Dawe personally received the petitions.

He said: "I do think that Forth Ports will listen to this campaign. They have to reach a compromise with the name for the community."

But Forth Ports has continually stressed that it will not move from its stance on "Edinburgh Harbour", believing it plays on the strength of the Capital as a global brand for the whole area.

A spokesman insisted that Leith Docks will continue to be the overall "umbrella" name for the entire development – "Edinburgh Harbour" will only be used for the first project.

He said: "We agree with anyone that says Leith Docks should be retained. The name is not being dropped."