The character of Leith is a subject of much discussion amongst locals as massive housing developments on Leith Walk are underway and tram works continue to disrupt daily life in the area.
Gentrification is a word that instantly springs to mind for local Carpet Bargain Store owner Graeme Vitch.
“They’re trying to make Leith something it’s not. Gentrification is ruining the area,” said Vitch.
“The affordable housing will hopefully bring back some of the working class culture that Leith has always had. I think it’s the best thing to happen here in a long time.”
For Soran, who works at the Edinburgh Zabka grocery store, the thorny question of trams and parking sprang to mind.
“Before the trams, people used to park on the street and wait out the door to shop here after work. Now, they cannot. Where will all of the residents park? There is nowhere to park anymore,” he said.
An anonymous woman in Leith said she lived just behind the developments, and worried that too much was changing at once.
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“The atmosphere is changing in Leith, possibly for the better. There’s just a lot going on at the moment,” she said.
“I think the council should see projects through one at a time. They’ve got a mess with tram works, and I think they should worry about that first before moving onto the next project.”
Another local resident believed development in line with local character would create a healthy balance in Leith.
“There needs to be a healthy balance between people and businesses,” he said. “As long as they keep the character, I think the development is a good thing.”
Construction is set to begin later this month on 110 new flats at 106-154 Leith Walk.
Previously, there was a community effort to halt the plans to demolish the buildings to develop new flats.
However, plans were revised to refurbish the red sandstone buildings and allow them to remain as shops and businesses. The Stead’s Place site to the rear will now be developed into build-to-rent apartments.
The final phase, set to begin at the end of this year, will create 38 affordable homes, owned and operated by registered social landlord Hillcrest Homes, completing a 'landscaped residential scheme' linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park.
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