The forgotten Edinburgh scheme where 'proud' locals say they feel 'abandoned'

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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Proud residents of an Edinburgh scheme have complained of being 'forgotten and abandoned' as their community is left in a state of degradation.
Clovenstone locals spoke to Edinburgh Live to express their love for their community, with warm words for their neighbours, but they called on Edinburgh Council to step in and prevent the area becoming tired and worn down.
Litter and items strewn across streets, overgrown green areas, a lack of youth spaces and burned out vehicles are all issues plaguing the community, according to residents.
Exploring the community, we bumped into a gran and a mother playing with their children at a back green on Clovenstone Park, both of them had spent their entire lives in the local area.
Karen Shore, 49, who works as a pupil support officer at a local primary, shared fond memories of growing up in Clovenstone.
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'I've lived in every part of Clovenstone and I'd never leave,' she said 'It was an amazing place to grow up, everyone looked out for each other. It is a great community.
'But there have been massive changes. I'd say the area used to be well respected because we all knew each other and took pride in the community. But over the years it has gone downhill.
'It is dirtier. There are not many bins around the place and a massive problem with littering. When my kids came home they would have litter in their pockets because they were raised like that.
'Flytipping is everywhere and when someone puts it up on Facebook, you will see a comment 'oh it is Wester Hailes, what do you expect?' It puts the area down.
'People rate it to be poor but it is not until you come to live here that you know what the community is about. No matter where you are you get daft people.
'Areas run by Prospect (housing association) are well looked after but there is a feeling the council do not do enough. People feel let down by them, buildings look really tired and areas are overgrown, it could do with getting tidied up but the council always moan about the budget.
'It makes you feel really down seeing how tired everything looks. If something is nice, and the area looks good, you feel pride. We are a disadvantaged area and we do need a bit of help. During my time working in the youth sector I've seen money cut but there is always cash for the wrong things like trams.'
Her daughter Michaela Shore, 26, shared her pride in growing up in Clovenstone but she did not echo her mother's opinion of wanting to remain in the area for the rest of her life.
'I'm looking to buy at the moment but I probably would never buy here,' the Royal Edinburgh Hospital employee said. 'There is nothing for the kids, the parks haven't changed from when I was younger, and some of them have been taken away to stop antisocial behaviour.
'I've nothing against the area but the loss of things for kids to do is noticeable. I'd like to see the area tidied up and more accessible parks, there are a lot of families with disabilities, and there is nothing for kids in wheelchairs.'
Anne Davidson, 45, who works as a receptionist and has lived in Clovenstone for the best part of 20 years, also called for more support while praising her neighbours sense of community.
The Barn Park Crescent resident pointed out many locals are experiencing poverty while others struggle with mobility - making it difficult to maintain overgrown public greenspaces.
'People are disadvantaged and many have multiple health problems which mean they struggle with gardening and keeping on top of things,' she said while pointing to her own overgrown back green which was littered with fly tipped items. 'I think the council should be giving more support, there are kids in these stairs who could benefit from the spaces.
'We feel forgotten. That is what it is in Edinburgh, if you are not touched by tourism then you are forgotten, and Wester Hailes is not the only place.
'Folk have given up with outside spaces because it has become so bad. I know it is not a good mindset but it is where people are, what is the point?
'You see down Harvesters Way - there is a wee corner of communal ground, and a wee garden bit outside the stairs and it is gorgeous. People are keeping it nice. It goes to show if there is a bit of investment, people will look after their area.
'If the council sorts it, then we will be able to maintain it.'
Anne added she moved to the area from Balgreen and enjoyed her time here but added her family have grown tired of the lack of support given to the community.
'My son went to local primary school and never had any bother up here and we have liked it,' she added. 'The place just needs help. It is so run down but I've nothing bad to say about the people.
'There is a real sense of community here. My son went to the local school, went to the community centre where he went camping with them when I was a single mum. It is a community.
'Years ago when my son was small we came out of a shop across the road there and this person came over, drunk, and tried to push us and grab my son, but people who did not even know us rushed over and helped.
'Even if people don't know each other, they will still help. It hurts me when people think it is a bad place, it isn't, there are a lot of good people here.
'I think it is because it looks so bad when driving past, people think it is shabby. It is pretty sad.'
Michelle Hamilton, 51, is a hairdresser by trade and moved to the area from Carrick Knowe seven years ago. She told Edinburgh Live she loves the area but there does seem to be a divide in the cleanliness of areas depending on whether Prospect Housing Association or the council look after the space.
'It is really quiet, I love the area,' she said. 'I just sit with my book on my balcony on my days off.
'It is not what I expected it to be before I moved here as there was a perception of Clovenstone. But it is really nice and my neighbours are lovely.
'I would say I'm in a nice bit next to the up and coming area but you do notice the Prospect areas seem better looked after than the council.'
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Local SNP councillor Neil Gardiner said: "There is a strong community in Clovenstone. With councillor Fiona Glasgow who lives locally, we have been working alongside local people to re-establish the Wester Hailes Community Council.
"I'd encourage anyone with ideas for the area to speak to us or come along to the community council, bringing forward suggestions. Council services need to be focused on local needs.
"Although in opposition, we want to make local services a focus of the current administration."
Edinburgh council were approached for comment.