Making a difference, together

Welcome to the first issue of ForthRight, the new Forth Estuary Forum newsletter, which we will be delivering to you once a month.

The Forum was founded to bring together every organisation that supports a sustainable future for the Firth of Forth, with membership also open to interested individuals. Whether you’re focused primarily on nature & the environment, business, communities or recreation, we’re keen to to help you play an active role in working constructively with other stakeholders in the interests of the Forth.

Activity on and around these beautiful coastal waters is accelerating, interests are overlapping and challenges becoming more complex but, by sharing knowledge and supporting positive initiatives, we can make a valuable difference together.

Key to that is good communications, which is why, with my background in journalism and marketing, I’ve recently begun working with the Forum. And this newsletter is just the beginning of a new communications plan. In the months to come we will be sharing more knowledge across a variety of media, including deeper dives into key topics.

Meanwhile, for this first issue, we hear from three members of the Forum’s management group, as well as previewing some of the stakeholders we’ve been speaking to for the next issue. I hope you will find this a useful resource as we rebuild activities across the Forum, and welcome any comments or suggestions that you would like to email to me.

Fraser Allen
Communications Lead, Forth Estuary Forum
[email protected]

“Interesting things happen on the edge of the sea”

Combining a passion for sailing with expertise in ecology and marine planning, Graham Russell of the Royal Yachting Association Scotland wants to see stronger connections between everyone who supports a sustainable Forth. “I don’t know if it’s something to do with harking back to old times and memories, but people really do like to see boats on the water.” Full story here.

Less planning, more delivery

“The Firth of Forth is a wonderful place and people are drawn to living and congregating on the coastal edge,” says Frazer McNaughton of NatureScot. “However, that edge is changing and, collectively, we need to learn more about what future paths we might face under various climate change scenarios. Full story here.

Eyes fixed on the horizon

RSPB Conservation Officer Toby Wilson explains his current priorities on the Forth, ranging from the damage caused by rising sea levels, to the recreational disturbance of nesting sites, and the impact of warmer sea temperatures on sand eels and puffins. Full story here.

In case you missed it…

The Sunday Times has named North Berwick as the best place to live in the UK. It’s annual survey acclaimed the East Lothian resort for its seaside location on the Firth of Forth, its scenery and its recreational activities. The quality of its independent shops, restaurants, schools and transport links were also factors. Edinburgh’s Leith also featured in the list of the top eight places to live in Scotland, as well as two other small towns in the Forth catchment – Falkland (Fife) and East Linton (East Lothian).
Sunday Times

Forth Ports has submitted an application for Planning Permission in Principle to The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for Harbour 31 – a housing, commercial and retail development on a 4.7 acre waterfront site at The Port of Leith. The proposed redevelopment of the site, close to the new FirstStage film studio, will provide 337 new homes in line with the CEC’s approved affordable housing policy, and approximately 244sqm of commercial space.
Forth Ports

Following agreement between the UK and Scottish governments, tax relief for the UK’s green freeports is to be extended for a further five years. As well as the Forth Green Freeport, the extension applies in Scotland to the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, and prospective investment zones in Glasgow City Region and north-east Scotland.
Insider

Next issue

Lyndsey Dodds & Naomi Arnold from WWF on the work of Restoration Forth, and Andy Carnduff & Anne Shedden on the Forth Yachts Club Association.

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