Western Harbour Ponds in North Edinburgh is an area of 'wilded' wetlands and woodlands on four plots originally designated for development. After construction plans stalled with the 2008 financial crash, the plots remained untouched and Mother Nature reclaimed the land. 

The area has since become a much-loved greenspace, a haven for biodiversity and a wonderful example of natural processes in action. However, this oasis is now slated for destruction. In March 2026, the City of Edinburgh Council's Development Management Sub-committee provisionally granted a planning application for housing development on one plot of woodland (A1), with further applications for the other plots (by the same developer) set to follow . 

Who we are and what we're trying to achieve:
For this case, local resident and retired legal professional Pamela Bowman has joined forces with the community group Friends of Western Harbour Ponds, as well as Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council and the TENOA residents association. Advice from the Environmental Rights Centre Scotland (ERCS) indicates that there may be grounds for a Judicial Review (JR). This is the only option available to communities to challenge planning decisions that have gone in favour of developers. 

What is the next step in the case? The first step towards a JR would be for ERCS to instruct an advocate, who will investigate further whether there are reasonable grounds to pursue a JR, and if so, will lodge petition papers with court for permission to proceed to a Judicial Review.  

How much we are raising and why: In order to engage the services of the advocate for this first step, we need to raise the fee of £1,200 (inc VAT) upfront. 

Please support the first step in challenging the planning decision that will turn Western Harbour Ponds from a greenspace into a building site!