Letter: Housing need

I write in response to Forth Ports' renewed vision for Leith (your report, 4 July).

While it now looks likely that Leith Docks will remain as an operating port providing a welcome and much-needed source of employment in the area, the aim of creating new mixed-use communities in Western Harbour and in Granton remains.

There is a need to develop new high quality and affordable housing in these areas as well as creating leisure facilities for local residents and for tourists around Ocean Terminal.

The acute shortage of affordable housing in the city must be addressed and is necessary for future sustainable development. We will, with our partners, continue to press for high- quality, affordable housing in these areas in the short and medium term.

Since it is also likely to take 15 to 20 years to complete development in Western Harbour and Granton waterfront this will coincide with reviewing the future of Leith Docks and deciding then whether the alternative mixed-use plan is still appropriate for the development of the city.

In the meantime, while presenting a challenge to the city planner to identify where the long-term supply of land for new housing will come from, it should reinforce the determination to continue the development of what is needed, including affordable housing in Western Harbour and Granton.

Keith Anderson

Port of Leith Housing Association

Constitution Street

Edinburgh