Proposal

New Homes for
Edinburgh – Making the
Case for More Strategic
Allocations

A Proposal by Playfair Scotland

Donald Anderson
March 2019

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PLANNING POSITION
PLAYFAIR SCOTLAND
STRATEGY
CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
THE PLAYFAIR TEAM
FEES AND ACTIVITY
FOOTNOTE/CSR

INTRODUCTION – Housing in Edinburgh

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The proposals are to seek allocation for a site in South Queensferry for housing. At present
the council is in the process of setting out potential housing sites as part of the City Plan 2030.
The council recently considered the responses to the consultation that ran earlier this year and
has ambitions to receive a further report in December. The Planning Convener Neil Gardiner
welcomed the response from the public to the consultation, saying that it was a ‘fantastic
response’. In total around 1,800 people responded to the public consultation.

The plans propose several areas for greenfield housing development with the highest
concentrations around Gilmerton in South Edinburgh, Kirkliston and some areas of West
Edinburgh. There are also ambitious but highly questionable plans to deliver high levels of
housing on brownfield land including at Seafield.

The council has steered away from suggesting sites near some of Edinburgh’s most affluent
communities at Currie and Balerno and in West Edinburgh. For this reason, the plans have not
been met with as much controversy as might have been expected. Though drawn up by former
East Lothian Council officer Iain McFarlane these look like politically driven options. The blend
of sites around some less prosperous communities appears designed to minimise resistance to
some significant Greenbelt deletions.

On the positive side there has been no attempt to reduce anticipated housing demand numbers
because of the Covid-19 crisis. However, it remains to be seen how deliverable the council’s
proposals are. The issue is likely to lead to significant issues in terms of deliverability and
timescales will not be easily achieved.

PLANNING POSITION

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Planning and Politics

The political position is not as strong as some
other sites in West Edinburgh. Kirkliston has
been allocated significant new housing and it
remains to be seen what impact this will have
on the consideration of the Plan. West
Edinburgh has been fiercely contested
politically in recent years with both the Liberal
Democrats and the SNP in highly active
contention electorally.

That puts planning decisions under a lot of
scrutiny, and it can make even straightforward
decisions in West Edinburgh difficult for the
Council to progress. Local politicians decry the
lack on infrastructure on almost all sites
coming forward and community groups follow
suit. The difference in attitude between
location housing near Kirkliston and South
Queensferry is profound. No doubt the less
affluent nature of Kirkliston makes it a ‘softer
target’ for housing allocations. We need to be
aware of that moving forward, and we need to find ways of building coherent arguments for
this site as an alternative/in addition to others.

The other complexity is the Planning Committee itself. Further Details Below.

PLAYFAIR SCOTLAND

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Playfair Scotland is a communications and public affairs
company founded by Donald Anderson, who was previously

the Director of PPS Scotland. Donald ran the Edinburgh office
of PPS, which was one of the UK’s most successful
communications companies specialising in public consultation,

stakeholder engagement, planning and public affairs. Donald
left PPS to establish his own company when PPS was taken

over by Newgate Communications.

Playfair Scotland is named after one of the key figures of the ‘Scottish Enlightenment’,
mathematician, John Playfair. Playfair took what were for many the indecipherable works of
geologist James Hutton and ‘translated’ them into what has become one of the world’s most
important scientific theories. We always seek to ensure that great ideas are properly,

accurately and appropriately communicated.

Donald recruited former SNP Council Leader, Paul McLennan, from Newgate Communications
soon after establishing Playfair Scotland. Donald and Paul are the core team alongside Siobhan
Bullions, who provides administrative support for the company. Logan Anderson is also
providing part time support to the team.

Edinburgh – It’s What, Not Who You Know

Playfair Scotland has a deep understanding of planning,
housing, economic, strategy, heritage, and political issues in

the nation’s capital. We do not believe that any other
company can provide expertise of the quality on offer from
Playfair Scotland. Our team has worked on some of Edinburgh

and Scotland’s most significant developments including
securing the approval of the Edinburgh St James and Garden
District proposals in the face of recommendations to refuse

and significant opposition on key issues.

More recently we helped turn around negative
recommendations on mixed use proposals at Bernard Hunter
in Gilmerton, New Look on Princes Street and special needs

housing on a greenfield site at Torphin Road (which now looks

likely to be approved).

Scotland

Donald and Paul also have considerable experience of working across Scotland on a wide

range of projects, especially when involved with Sainsbury’s Capital Programme in Scotland
for many years, major housing, hotel and office developments, energy and recycling facilities,
and wind farms. Donald and Paul have worked in more than half of all Scottish local authority

areas in the past four years and are uniquely placed to advise on planning and development
related issues in Scotland.

STRATEGY

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Strategy is about ‘the how’, not merely a description
of process or activities. We need to find ways of
making politicians and the council focus on this site
as a better option than other sites. That will mean
analysing all of the key issues for this and other sites
in the area.

Development has become increasing complex in the
nation’s capital despite the fact that new
development actually improves neighbourhoods and people’s perceptions of the impact of new
development is generally positive. City wide 67% of residents think that ‘new buildings and

spaces improve the appearance of their
neighbourhood’.

In the Almond Ward, the figures (which have
not been published) are lower than average,
but with 55% positive about new
development compared to 32% who are not
the figures are still positive. This may reflect
the volume of new housing in West
Edinburgh.

We need to find issues that we can use to
demonstrate not just the viability of the site,
but the desirability of locating houses there
rather than elsewhere, and of using private
development to deliver affordable housing. This council has ambitious targets but is nowhere
near meeting those targets as yet. This will all require an in-depth analysis of issues on a
range of other sites in Queensferry and Kirkliston to determine the best approach. At present
an actual strategy is not clear, and we would advise looking in depth at the other proposed
sites and the public comments on the City Plan on proposed sites in and around these two
communities. Strategically we need to find sites that are less ‘popular’ and use those to make
your case. That will be a high priority for the project team.

Media Management

The Edinburgh Evening News will be the main interested
media and we always advocate taking them the story early
in order to influence an article/articles in the run up to any
promotion of the site. In Edinburgh, negative campaigns
are difficult if the Evening News is supportive, so we would
intend to work that relationship hard. The Edinburgh
Evening News has higher readership than ever before
thanks to the internet, but like most media outlets it has
not been easy to monetise that readership. The whole
Scotsman group is being run by a fraction of the staff it
used to have. Getting editorial attention for the site will be
challenging, but well worth the effort. Developments that
get positive coverage have a much better chance of
gaining approval in Edinburgh than sites that attract
controversy. Developments on the receiving end of major
campaigns in the local press, such as the Stead’s Place by Drum Property can face huge
challenges.

Playfair would advise seeking an Editorial level meeting to make sure that the proposals are
presented in as positive a way as possible ahead of any public launch.

CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL UNSTABLE COALITION IN A
CITY OF POLITICAL CONFLICT

____________________________________________________________________

The City of Edinburgh Council is run by a minority Scottish National Party (SNP) and Labour
coalition. Councillor Adam McVey (SNP) is the City’s youngest ever Leader and Councillor
Frank Ross (SNP) is the Lord Provost.

The Leader’s priorities are more focussed on issues like homelessness and air quality than
economic development. Adam has expressed his desire to tackle the homelessness and care
issues that he inherited on taking office and indeed there has been much discussion of these
in the media and the Council since the elections. Adam has also been a passionate advocate
of extending the Edinburgh Trams and delivering a ‘tourist tax’, which has been successful in
that the Trams project is going ahead, and the ‘tourist tax’ has been warmly received (pre
Covid) by most of the body politic.

Labour Leader Cammy Day (Council Deputy Leader) is also very focussed on dealing with
homelessness and poverty issues in Edinburgh as his public comments show. The whole
administration has been preoccupied with the Covid outbreak as well, and this has meant that
the decision-making process has been streamlined on many issues, but not on planning.

The SNP group has suffered from an array of division and defections. Just recently Councillor
Derek Howie defected from the SNP claiming that it was insufficiently attentive to the needs
of disabled people. He is one of a number who have left a group with more defections than
any administration in the modern history of the city. Relations with the opposition

Conservatives are at rock bottom with feelings running high on all sides. This is an extremely
fractious environment and the only thing keeping the administration in power has been the
support of the council’s Green group. That slender grip on power further complicates politics
in an already complex political environment.

KEY COUNCIL PEOPLE

Council Leader, Councillor Adam McVey (SNP)

Adam (elected leader at 31) is the youngest Leader the City Council has ever
had. He was described by the Evening News as the ‘Accidental Councillor’
because he originally ran for election in partnership with the then SNP
Deputy Lord Provost, Robb Munn, who lost his seat to Councillor McVey
because his name appeared on the ballot paper first – a quirk of the Scottish
proportional voting system used in council elections.

He initially had a relatively low profile since being elected to the Council but has become
increasingly high profile in recent months and has seen successes in campaigns on the ‘Bed
Tax’, seeking controls of Airbnb’s in the city and on extending Edinburgh’s Tram scheme. He
is unquestionably the most effective council leader in the city for many years.

Adam is an approachable leader but is unlikely to get directly involved in an issue like this
without prompting.

Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Cammy Day (Labour)

Cammy Day is regarded as a pragmatic Labour figure. He is in the mould of
former Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, in terms of policies but does not
seem to display some of the aggressiveness that often accompanies such
politicians. Importantly, he is much more pragmatic on development issues
than his ‘Corbynista’ colleagues. Cammy has also had a relatively low profile
since elections but is working on being more active now. Cammy tends to
be open and receptive to briefing but is also unlikely to get directly involved. There may be
an opportunity to talk to Cammy about using the development to help meet the council’s
affordable housing targets. However, Cammy cannot directly influence planning decisions.

Planning Convener, Councillor Neil Gardiner (SNP)

Councillor Gardiner was elected as Convener of the planning committee
largely by default. At the SNP AGM in 2018, Councillor Gavin Barrie was
voted out of the position he held as Convener of the Housing and Economy
Committee by Councillor Kate Campbell. The intention had been to ‘push’
Councillor Barrie to accept the planning position, but he resigned from the

SNP instead. With him unavailable, Councillor Gardiner was elected in his

place.

Councillor Gardiner has a very difficult relationship with officers. Despite the fact that he is
more cautious about development issues, there is understood
to be very little empathy for him from planning officers. He is
known to have a particularly troubled relationship with the
Director of Place Paul Lawrence in particular. He complained
formally about a delegated decision by officers to approve the
stadium proposals for Edinburgh Rugby at Murrayfield. That
decision (subsequently found to be contrary to planning
practice) put a lot of strain on his relationship with Paul
Lawrence whom he blamed.

Councillor Gardiner has opposed some very high profile (and
high value) planning applications on the basis of his own
particular views as a practising architect, rather than on the
council’s planning policies. He has been given warnings by
officers for this behaviour, but it seems to have had only limited effect. Worryingly, he is often
supported in his opposition by SNP colleagues.

Councillor Gardiner has sought to have a higher profile of late and has even sought speaking
slots at conferences and had a high profile during the council’s review of policy on Princes
Street. He does appear to be making more of an effort to develop a convincing and credible
profile. He has declared that using the Local Plan to deliver for his constituents in Wester
Hailes is a key priority for him and the council. Quite how that is to be achieved is not clear,
and council policy and thinking on the regeneration of Wester Hailes appears to have been
given less consideration than North Edinburgh in recent times. This despite the council’s major
study on West Edinburgh.

LOCAL WARD MEMBERS

Almond Council Ward

Councillor Graham Hutchison (Conservative)

Graham Hutchison was first elected as the Scottish Conservative and
Unionist Councillor for Almond Ward in May 2017. Graham was born and
brought up in the north of Edinburgh. He is 34 and lives in Kirkliston with his
wife, to whom he has been married since 2012.

Since graduating BA (Hons) in Business Studies from Napier University in 2006 Graham has
built a successful career in the financial services industry and is currently employed as an
Accounting and Valuations Manager for one of the UK’s largest financial institutions. In his
spare time Graham serves as an Elder of the Church of Scotland, he is a keen lawn bowler
and enjoys football and foreign travel.

He has commented on a development at Cammo: “[There is a] failure of this council to make
any attempt to improve infrastructure to accommodate a development of this scale”.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/cammo-labelled-worst-
possible-place-655-new-homes-edinburgh-over-traffic-concerns-546472

Councillor Kevin Lang (Lib Dem)

First elected in 2017. Lib Dem Kevin Lang, elected in Almond, used to
work for Edinburgh West MP John Barrett and stood for Westminster in
Edinburgh North and Leith in 2010. He now works for the Law Society –
just across the road from his sister Louise Young, who works at Scottish
Widows and was also elected in Almond for the party.

He has previously commented on a development at Cammo, saying that the approval of it
was a “profoundly disappointing and frustrating decision”, as well as saying that measures to
mitigate more traffic disruption, such as smart traffic lights and pedestrian crossings are
“wholly inadequate”. He has also said “The Barnton Junction and Queensferry Road are
already amongst the most congested parts of Edinburgh. Cammo is the worst possible place
for a major new housing development. Having approved this development, SNP and Labour
councillors now have a responsibility to come forward with a serious plan on how they will
deal with a massive increase in traffic on an already saturated roads network.”

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/council/cammo-labelled-worst-
possible-place-655-new-homes-edinburgh-over-traffic-concerns-546472

Kevin often posts about local developments on the website he shares with his sister, Louise
Young at https://kevinlang.mycouncillor.org.uk/ He does not tend to share his opinions on
developments there, but does often inform residents of how they can lodge a complaint
against developments and encourages them to get in touch with the council regarding their
views.

He did comment on a CALA homes development on a Springfield site on the website, saying
“We believe there are serious questions around how much more can be accommodated
given the existing pressures”

https://kevinlang.mycouncillor.org.uk/2020/01/02/cala-homes-plan-for-springfield-site-in-
queensferry/

Councillor Louise Young (Lib Dem)

Louise Young, who works at Scottish Widows and was also first elected
in Almond for the party in 2017.

She is a professional marketing and project manager, as well as a
celebrant for the Humanist Society of Scotland. Louise was an elected
Councillor in Edinburgh for 5 years between 2007-2012 previously. She
works very closely with her brother, fellow Lib Dem Councillor Kevin Lang

Louise shares a website with her Brother, Kevin Lang, at
https://kevinlang.mycouncillor.org.uk/

She does not appear to take an active role in posting updates to the website.

Councillor Norman Work (SNP)
First elected in 2007. Norman has strong views on restricting access to
alcohol, but he is also a fairly pragmatic politician who tries hard to be
reasonable. Norman is perhaps the most approachable councillor in the
Almond Ward. He is Convener of the Licensing Board and has been
grappling with the combination of a harder line on alcohol licensing
politically on one hand, and the city’s (up until recently) vibrant economy on the other.
Norman does not have a high profile on development but is generally approachable and
pragmatic. We would envisage discussion the options with Norman ahead of other elected
members.

Edinburgh’s Planning Committee

The planning committee is more fractious and divided on
development issues than it has been for many, many years.
Even recommended and relatively straightforward proposals
can face refusal.
Playfair Scotland has recently completed research on planning
committee decisions in Edinburgh during the current council
and the period prior to the last elections in 2017. What that
shows is that for major and controversial applications there
has been a big increase in the number of applications decided
that are contrary to officer’s recommendations.
Prior to the council elections of 2017, just over 8% of applications at committee went
differently to officer recommendations. Since then the proportion of applications that has gone
contrary to the recommendation has nearly doubled to over 15%. This does not include
applications that were withdrawn ahead of committee that were recommended for refusal.
We have worked on several applications that were met with unexpected recommendations to

refuse, not least the New Look application in Princes Street. The committee has also been
more likely to refuse applications than before. It has been getting better, but it can still be
unpredictable.

Planning has never been easy in Edinburgh, nor arguably, should it be. However, what has
happened since the last elections is that the balance of power of the committee has shifted

further away from being supportive of
development, and both the Green and
Liberal Democrat Councillors on the
committee have been more strident in
opposing many applications.

Delivering applications is becoming
increasingly difficult in Edinburgh because of
other political forces. The new campaign
launched by the far left ‘Citizen’ group to
challenge a range of development and
tourism issues may further complicate the
process. Flexibility on how issues are taken
forward may well be impacted by such
political background noise. Positioning a development ahead of any committee decision has
never been more important to ensure the best chances of success.

In addition, officers now know that this is a committee with very different views to the previous
one, and a committee that is much less likely to scrutinise recommendations to refuse
proposals that has been the case in the past. Officers are therefore more willing to follow a
negative policy agenda than was previously the case. The committee has improved in recent
months but is still very conservative (small ‘c’), volatile, complex, and unpredictable.

Planning Committee Membership (11 Members)

Councillor Neil Gardiner (Convener) (SNP)
Councillor Maureen Child (Vice Convener) (Labour)
Councillor Chas Booth (Green)
Councillor Mary Campbell (Green)
Councillor George Gordon (SNP)
Councillor Joan Griffiths (Labour)
Councillor Max Mitchell (Conservative)
Councillor Joanna Mowat (Conservative)
Councillor Rob Munn (SNP)
Councillor Hal Osler (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor Cameron Rose (Conservative)

Many committee members are passive in planning debates, but recent decisions on
Gleneagles, Bernard Hunter and the former ‘Sick Kids’ hospital do at least show a willingness
to approve some applications in spite of objections – not least from the Convener, Councillor

Gardiner. Be aware also that substitution is allowed at the Planning Committee in Edinburgh,
and Playfair Scotland strongly advises sending any briefing material for elected members to
all councillors in the city to ensure that the key messages reach everyone who might be
involved in a decision.

KEY OFFICERS

The Savills team will lead on direct contact with officers but should lobbying prove necessary
we can advise in liaison and consultation with the team.

Paul Lawrence, Director of Place

Paul Lawrence is an extremely bright and able officer. He understands cities and city economies
in a way that very few officers or elected members do. However, with a very wide remit, Paul
can at times struggle to cover all the areas he has responsibility for. Paul covers the service
areas where there is most contact with residents, such as cleansing, parks etc. and some of
the key strategic services like planning, development, and licensing.

Paul very often does not give direction to planning officers.

Michael Thain

Michael Thain is the Head of Place Development in the council and oversees the planning
service. Michael is a good and bright officer. Though he is often not considered particularly
dynamic he is positive and supportive of development.

Michael has worked in housing in Edinburgh for many years, ‘learning his trade’ under previous
department director Mark Turley, with whom he worked closely. Michael is less experienced
and confident on planning and other issues, but he could perhaps provide helpful feedback.

David Leslie

As Head of Planning David has a low profile and generally a ‘hands-off approach’. You have
very capable planners on board. We would not envisage any contact by us with David.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive
Andrew does not take any great interest in development matters. He leaves such issues to
Paul. We do not think there is any merit in seeking input from Andrew during the campaign.

THE PLAYFAIR TEAM

______________________________________________________________________

Donald Anderson, Director, Playfair Scotland

Donald is director and owner of Playfair Scotland. Prior to
setting up the company he worked for many years for
Newgate Communications as the Scottish ‘Partner’, but
mostly he worked as Director of the PPS Scotland Office for
nine and a half years. Donald was also previously Council
Leader in Edinburgh and Convener of Economic
Development. As a person with specific expertise in local
government and public service issues, Donald has worked
on many very significant inward investment projects. This
has included working on projects with an investment value of more than £3 billion in recent
years (not including Edinburgh St James).

His experience has included:

Retail – Supporting Sainsbury’s property
investment programme in Scotland during
the entire period when he worked at PPS,
including extensive work on planning and
alcohol licensing issues.

Housing – Supporting major housing
development throughout Scotland,
including securing council support for
Edinburgh’s largest new housing proposal
approved by the council for many years at
‘The Garden District’ and other major
developments including Airthrey Kerse in
Stirling.

Energy – Support for the energy sector, including advising major players such as EDF
Energy Renewables, E.On, Hargreaves and Centrica.

Tourism - Donald has worked on major
schemes including Edinburgh St James (W),
Exchange 2 (Delata), India Buildings (Virgin),
SoCo (Accor), Premier Inn at the former BHS
building and New Look in Princes Street
(LaSalle Investment Management) and also
has unique experience as a former Chair of
Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board and as a
Board Member of VisitScotland. Donald
conceived and created Edinburgh’s Christmas
Festival.

Donald contributes regularly as a guest columnist to The Scotsman and Evening News
newspapers.

Paul McLennan, Senior Account Director

Paul is highly experienced with 20 years in the financial
sector and nine years in the public sector in leadership
positions. He worked for four years in the Scottish
Parliament alongside senior government members and
external stakeholders.

Paul was also Leader of East Lothian Council from 2010-
2012 and has been a serving councillor for 10 years. His
experience includes working on the Local Community Planning Board and chairing the Audit
Committee on Lothian Health Board.

Paul worked at PPS Scotland (latterly Newgate Communications) prior to joining Donald at
Playfair Scotland; Newgate’s office closed shortly after Donald left. Paul is working on a variety
of economic and development projects ranging from tourism and housing, through to
development and communications.

Siobhan Bullions

Playfair Scotland will also be supported by Siobhan Bullions.
Siobhan has extensive experience in working for MacKay Hannah,
a conference and events organising company. Siobhan is mainly
involved in providing support through administrative, finance and
accounting functions, but her role varies with the demands of
projects.

Logan Anderson

Logan is currently providing administrative and research support for the team following
studies at Edinburgh University. It is not expected that Logan will perform any public facing
role, rather will help provide back up support to the team in analysis, lobbying and
influencing any debate about proposals.

Current and Recent Clients

Current and recent clients for Playfair Scotland include.

The Ardent Group; Artisan; Bellair; Bernard Hunter; Burger King UK Limited; Cala Homes
(East); Carphin House; Centuff; City Cabs (Edinburgh); Drum Property Group; Duddingston
House Properties; Dumbarton Football Club; Flemyn; Gleneagles; Gold Brothers; Graham’s
Dairy; Hydracat; Inverdunning; LaSalle Investment Management; Legal and General; Malones
Bars; Murray Estates; Portobello Sands Limited; The Ross Development Trust; Sirius Sport
and Leisure Limited; Stewart Milne Homes; Stone Acre Projects Ltd; Talking Canvas; Taylor
Wimpey; TH Real Estate/Nuveen; Tiphereth; Underbelly; Unite Integrated Solutions; Virgin
Hotels; Vita Ventures Limited.

FEES AND ACTIVITY PROPOSED AT THIS STAGE

___________________________________________________________

Playfair Scotland fees are at the same level as our other
projects and the hourly rate is £140 per hour plus expenses
at 15% and based on a seven-and-a-half-hour day. This
project will be led at Director level by Donald and he will lead on all
meetings and lobbying directly. For a development on this scale we
would charge 2 days of activity per month, which includes
attendance at and support for all PR and lobbying meetings.

Fees would include the costs of any publications and briefing
materials we produce for elected members and all travel and subsistence.

All fees are subject to VAT and are billed monthly with a standard 30-day payment
period.

Small Print

Third Party Payments – If we are required to purchase any
services from any third party such as exhibition or printed
lobbying material, there is a 20% handling charge added to the
amount paid. This is only done with the written permission of the
client. We intend to produce the lobbying material ourselves, but
should commercial production be necessary the charge can
easily be avoided by clients directly commissioning any work
themselves. We do not envisage any third-party fees on this
project.

Footnote – Corporate Social Responsibility

__________________________________________________________________________________

Playfair Scotland takes Corporate Social Responsibility very
seriously.
Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park.
It supports the Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park in
Edinburgh, which is a local park and nature reserve in South
Edinburgh. Playfair Scotland has already supported this
group through more than £2,000 in support since the
company’s inception and carried out a public consultation
exercise on a pro bono basis for the Friends Group. This involved carrying out a major
consultation on what is Edinburgh’s first Community Asset Transfer in which the Friends is
taking over and refurbishing a council building as a base for the group and as an educational
resource for the local community. The council approved the proposal in November 2017 and
ownership transferred to the Friends in January. Playfair Scotland also sponsors the Friends
regular newsletter and is paying for its staff to volunteer in the park on a regular basis.

Fly Open Air

Earlier this year, Playfair Scotland was approached by
Fly Open Air about the possible cancellation of its
event in Princes Street Gardens. Because Playfair was
already working for the Ross Development Trust on
Princes Street Gardens, we felt unable to take a paid
commission due to the risk of provoking allegations
of conflict of interest. We therefore decided to carry
out the work on a pro bono basis. Working with the
Edinburgh Evening News, Councillor Gavin Barrie, and
the Council Leader and Deputy Leader we were able
to help secure the future of this important music
festival for young people. The event ran successfully
in September and we have agreed to support the
event for another year on a pro bono basis.

Tom Ketley, of Fly Events said, 'Working with
Donald and Playfair saved our business.
Without their help we would not have been able to negotiate with the council as
the whole process was alien to us. It would be alien to anyone. But having someone
to guide you on how to approach, liaise, present and successfully deliver the
outcome that you want was fantastic. They also did this work pro bono as they
believed in the project and we cannot recommend them enough.'

Other CSR Activities

Playfair Scotland has also supported the Edinburgh Lord Provost’s Charity Burns Supper for the
past three years, which has raised over £50,000 for social inclusion projects in Edinburgh.
Playfair Scotland also works with the Grassmarket Community Project, which works very
positively with people working to overcome some very challenging issues.