Edinburgh Social Bite Housing Move Delayed by Councillors

An Edinburgh charity wants to move its housing. Social Bite helps people who are homeless. Councillors delayed a decision about the move. They need more information first.

The council officers suggest denying permission because the new site is on greenbelt land. The charity wants to move a short distance, so their current land can become something else.

Josh Littlejohn founded Social Bite. He hopes the council will support them and wants them to visit the site, noting they have worked with the council for two years. Current residents want a nearby site.

Social Bite’s village is near Granton Castle. The council donated the current land to them, but their lease expires soon. The new site is east of Gipsy Brae grounds.

The council owns this land too. It has great views of the Firth of Forth and is surrounded by trees on two sides. The move would expand the village.

They plan seven new single-bed homes, and the new hub will have showers and laundry. Existing homes will also move there. Sixteen residents could live there.

The village has helped over 100 people. The new site will have allotments for residents, and they have allotments now, too. People use the land as part of the recreation grounds.

Travellers sometimes use it. Social Bite started in 2012 and gives meals to homeless people. Councillors will decide after the visit. They will also hold a hearing, but the dates for the hearing are not set yet.