Campaigners in bid to block big park events

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a restriction on large-scale events in Inverleith Park, saying they block access for local people.

Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council say that major events, such as the Taste of Edinburgh festival, are "not appropriate" for the area. They are also concerned that very little of the rent charged is given back to the local area.

The move follows a high-profile campaign to restrict events in the Meadows, which has suffered considerable damage in recent years. Last year, both the food festival and the Moonwalk were moved to Inverleith Park, to give the Meadows a rest.

According to the city council's new "parks manifesto", Inverleith Park is suitable for a maximum of four events per year, lasting up to 15 days each, but community councillors have written to the city council, saying this is unacceptable. Three events were held in the park last year, but they are concerned that this could increase.

Nigel Bagshaw, chairman of the community council said: "We're not happy with having four events a year. Taste of Edinburgh took over a large area of the park, and local people didn't really benefit. The Moonwalk was fantastic, but access was restricted. If the council are making money out of these events, then some of it should go into improving the park."

In the letter to the council, he wrote: "We believe that such extensive use is incompatible with public recreation as it would monopolise large areas of the park during key summer months when demand from public users is at its highest.

"In particular, commercial events such as Taste of Edinburgh are not an appropriate use of public green space and could easily be accommodated in more suitable venues such as at Ingliston where there are already purpose-built facilities.

"Even the Moonwalk, though charitable, is a large commercial operation. We fail to see the necessity of blocking access to a large area of the park for 15 days to erect and dismantle a large tent to be used for 24 hours."

He said other venues, such as Meadowbank, would be better suited to sheltering walkers during the Moonwalk.

The Taste of Edinburgh paid only 3,150 in rent, which he has called a "trifling sum" compared to the cost of entrance and number of visitors.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "We recognise that Inverleith Park, along with Edinburgh's other major parks and green spaces, such as Princes Street Gardens, the Meadows, Saughton Park and Leith Links, play a vital role in supporting the city's first-class reputation for festivals and events. "This has to be balanced against the need to protect the park, and the needs of park users."