Local Association for Northumberland Street, Nelson Street & Abercromby Place in Edinburgh – As the first New Town neared completion in the 1790s a further extension was planned and laid out by, Robert Reid and William Sibbald, in 1801-2 to the north of Queen Street Gardens. Heriot Row facing onto those gardens is one of Edinburgh’s most exclusive streets and like those later parts of James Craig’s first New Town plans of 1766.
Northumberland Street was built between 1807 and 1819 and was followed by Abercromby Place. The design of those magnificent dwellings and those of Heriot Row were constrained by a contract between the City of Edinburgh, the Governors of George Heriot’s Hospital, the owners of David Stewart’s lands, Maxwell Gordon and John Morison, both Writers to the Signet. That contract also included requirements for other surrounding streets, including Nelson Street. It also contained a first set of regulations for building in Edinburgh.
The aims of the Association are encapsulated in the Constitution as representing and promoting the interests of the residents of the area and membership of the Association, ensuring consultation and on relevant matters working towards improving the quality of life, and promotion of social activities.
The website aims to be the focal point for the provision of information to the residents and for receipt of their points of view as well as promoting the area to the wider world. It is also to provide a means for contacting the Association to make comment, raise queries or contribute to any matters concerning the area.
The purpose of the website is to keep residents informed on anything which may impinge on the local area and in the wider city/region and nationally. The website and newsletters are the main vehicles for disseminating this with hard copy being made available to those without internet access.