Division is not social in Leith

The Leith Ahead initiative is a network of public, private and voluntary sector agencies working together to create "a balanced, healthy and stable community able to benefit from the opportunities arising from new housing and economic developments."

It is halfway through a five-year programme which will see a 21st century version of Dr Joseph Bell’s vision realised by the Dr Bell’s Families and Children’s Centre due to open in 2006 in a newly refurbished building on Great Junction Street.

With regard to the Forthside development by Forth Ports plc for Leith Docks, an active dialogue has been taking place with council officers in the development of their plans.

This has led to the commitment in the framework to make 25 per cent of the housing affordable but also that 30 per cent of all housing be "family housing" something which Mr Fraser felt should be addressed.

Forth Ports have also shown a commitment to the Leith Ahead process and this is shown by the statement in their ‘Completing the picture’ leaflet which states "the vision is to provide an extension of Leith and the city, which integrates the old and the new in a mixed, balanced and inclusive waterfront community".

This is an ambitious aim and one which as a local elected representative I will work to achieve so that the dichotomy between "old and new Leith" is an architectural one, not the social one which Mr Fraser fears.

Councillor Gordon Munro Harbour Ward, Edinburgh City Council City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh