Forth Ports agrees to drop 'Edinburgh Harbour' name

Published on Tuesday 3 March 2009 09:06

CAMPAIGNING Leithers have hailed a victory for "common sense" after developer Forth Ports bowed to public pressure and ditched plans to name a section of Leith Docks "Edinburgh Harbour".

Company bosses said they felt it was right to listen to the protests of the thousands of Leithers who criticised the multi-million-pound waterfront proposals.

Charles Hammond, group chief executive, said: "We have listened very carefully to the views expressed in the last couple of weeks and, working closely with the city council, we have taken these on board in arriving at the final decision to name this part of the overall development, 'The Harbour, Leith Docks'."

Forth Ports repeatedly said its choice of name for the first section of the project, at Ocean Terminal, would not be changed, insisting the public had misunderstood its position. The company said the umbrella name for the entire waterfront development would remain as "Leith Docks" but that each section would be given its own title.

But the name for the first of these sections was deeply unpopular in the area and more than 4000 people signed a "Save Leith" petition in just one week last month.

Campaigners argued that the plans were essentially a rebranding of Leith Docks, with politicians from across the spectrum, traders, residents and business leaders coming out against the "Edinburgh Harbour" name.

Last night, campaigners across Leith celebrated the news, insisting that Forth Ports had underestimated the strength of feeling among residents.

Campaigner Ian Lutton said: "This is great news and all very positive for Leith. There is no need to rub anyone's nose in this – this is simply a commonsense decision."

Edinburgh North and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm said: "I am glad Forth Ports listened to the overwhelming voice of Leith. I do not think they anticipated the reaction they got."

Forth Ports last night said it had consulted widely on the name for the development and believed that "inaccurate reports" were responsible for raising feelings in the community.

Mr Hammond said: "For the record, it has always been our intention to preserve the name of Leith Docks. It is at the heart of Forth Ports' operations and we are rightly proud of our roots in Leith and what we have achieved here.

"In recent years, our company has spent over 150 million redeveloping Leith, with major successes such as Commercial Quay and the Malmaison Hotel. Our detailed plans for Leith in the coming years will bring much more in terms of jobs, prosperity and economic development to this vital area."

But local councillor Gordon Munro rejected his claims that the people of Leith had misunderstood how the branding of the area would work, insisting that "4000 people disagreed" with developers.