tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63061329202161178772024-02-18T19:22:05.881-08:00Save Brunstane Green BeltLocal Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-1277597665063828522015-05-10T05:46:00.001-07:002015-05-10T05:46:21.091-07:0014th May<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next Planning Committee is being held <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://27" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="27">at </a><b><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://27" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="27">10am on 14 May</a> </b>and it will be dealing with the Local Development Plan – including consideration the proposal to re-designate of the contentious Brunstane site as housing land rather than Green Belt, against which there are now over 800 petition signatures. Please find attached the agenda and link to full papers for the <b>Planning Committee</b> in the <b>Main Council Chamber</b>. Full Meeting Papers can be accessed via the link:- <span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/47053/planning_committee_14_may_2015_full_meeting_papers." target="_blank">Planning Committee 14 May 2015 Full Meeting Papers – Full Meeting Papers, 11.08 MB</a></span></span>Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-64468182451821591722015-05-05T11:26:00.002-07:002015-05-05T11:26:50.016-07:00Martin Kelly: Plan for Brunstane Farm is misguided and illegal<span class="timestamp__date"><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/martin-kelly-plan-for-brunstane-farm-is-misguided-and-illegal-1-3763150" target="_blank">Tuesday 05 May 2015</a></span><br />
<span class="timestamp__date"><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/martin-kelly-plan-for-brunstane-farm-is-misguided-and-illegal-1-3763150" target="_blank">Edinburgh Evening News</a></span><br />
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<span class="timestamp__date">MORE than 200 residents recently attended a public meeting in Brunstane – and over 700 signed a petition – to protest against the 11th-hour inclusion of Brunstane Farm in the draft Local Development Plan (LDP). <br />
The City Council proposes to allow 1330 houses to be built on the last piece of greenbelt that keeps Newcraighall village and Musselburgh distinct from Edinburgh. On any measure, this is the most unsuitable development proposal in the LDP by far. </span><br /><br />
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What are the objections? Firstly, Brunstane Farm is owned by the council’s development subsidiary (EDI) which stands to profit. The chairman of EDI (Cllr Frank Ross) also sits on the planning committee – which, on May 14, will decide whether or not to adopt the LDP.<br />
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The council estimates traffic on key local routes would increase by almost 60 per cent – more than double the projected impact for any other site. And EDI’s plans to provide road access to the site are so deeply flawed that a local resident instructed consultants to write to the council detailing the fundamental errors. <br />
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The proposal would also harm biodiversity (Scottish Badgers is investigating a recent sighting); would seriously damage the setting of historic Brunstane House (and nearby Newhailes); and would require a road to be built over the John Muir Way. It would also undermine efforts to redevelop brownfield sites in Craigmillar.<br />
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For all these reasons (and more) the council’s proposal is a very bad idea. Adopting the proposal would also be illegal. Planning acts require the LDP to be consistent with the South-East Scotland plan (SESPlan) in which Brunstane Farm is clearly designated as greenbelt. This follows the SESPlan-commissioned “Edinburgh Greenbelt Study” which concluded in 2008 that Brunstane Farmland, “plays a key role in maintaining separation between Edinburgh and Musselburgh and, as a result, there is no landscape capacity for development”.<br />
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Also, Brunstane Farm borders East Lothian – and development would, if anything, be worse for Newcraighall and Musselburgh than for Edinburgh. So re-zoning is not a decision that the council could properly take unilaterally. Indeed, the SESPlan exists so that decisions affecting multiple councils are taken collectively. And this decision has already been taken at regional level: the SESPlan clearly indicates that Brunstane Farm must remain as greenbelt. So if the council approves Brunstane Farm for development it would be breaking the law. <br />
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We’re prepared to go to the Court of Session to ensure the council acts lawfully. We recognise the urgent need for housing in Edinburgh – indeed, 600 new homes are already being built at Newcraighall – but there are other, far more suitable, developments sites that would not involve tarmacing over Brunstane Farm, or breaking the law.<br />
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Martin KellyLocal Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-60258974461902327062015-04-29T12:50:00.001-07:002015-04-29T12:50:18.840-07:00Brunstane Residents group updates<br />
Councillor David Walker confirmed that the important date for us to work towards is still May 14th (deferred from 26th Feb) when the Council will make their decision on the local development plan (LDP2).<br /><br />We hope to have a deputation of 2 or 3 people from each of the local community/residents groups attend the Council meeting on 14th Feb and present the different aspects of our case. It would be really helpful if people can think through/discuss who is able to come and let David know. We will also be in touch regarding written submissions.<br /><br />Due to the postponement of the decision in Feb there is no local development plan in place right now so developers can go straight to the Scottish Government for permission to build until 14th May. It's therefore important that as many people as possible write to there MSPs to ask for their support. A note telling them that, in the wake of a public meeting in Brunstane there has been a vigorous campaign to save the fields and asking them to confirm their support will suffice.<br /><br />Sean has also been hosting visits from local schools who are supportive.<br /><br />Newhailes have also been in touch with David offering support for the campaign so hopefully they'll become involved too.<br /><br />PETITION<br />We now have over a thousand signatures between the online and hard copy petitions and need volunteers to gather more down in Portobello on Saturday mornings on the run up to May 14th.<br />The plan is also to set up a Scottish Parlaimentary Petition as well.<br /><br />LEGAL CHALLENGE<br />This is in hand and will be progressed should the council agree that the fields should be built on.<br /><br />ACTION POINTS<br />Write to MSPs.<br />Deputations for 14th May..nominees.<br />Set up parliamentary petition.<br />Clarify position with regard to submissions.<br />Volunteers for petition, leaflets etc.<br /><br />We hope this is helpful. <br />L and C, Brunstane Residents Group.Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-83119204377154250072015-04-29T11:35:00.000-07:002015-04-29T11:39:33.966-07:00Evening News article: Brunstane Residents group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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By PARIS GOURTSOYANNIS</h4>
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<a class="byline__contact-link byline__contact-link--email" href="mailto:paris.gourtsoyannis@edinburghnews.com">paris.gourtsoyannis@edinburghnews.com</a> </h5>
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Residents opposing plans to open up greenbelt land between Portobello and Musselburgh for the construction of thousands of homes say they are willing to take their fight to the Court of Session.<br />
An online petition against plans to include land at Brunstane in a key planning blueprint for the city – opening it up for 1700 homes to be built – has gained 684 signatures.<br />
Campaigners say that if the land is built on, it will pave over the last bit of green belt between Edinburgh and Musselburgh, snarl traffic across east Edinburgh, and see the newly-opened John Muir Way walking trail cut by a new main road.<br />
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Lawyer Martin Kelly said he had compiled an objection ahead of a council meeting to discuss the plans in two weeks. <br />
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He said: “The green belt at Brunstane is key to retaining the character of Newcraighall village, which would be completely swallowed up by Edinburgh if the land is built on, and there wouldn’t really be much left to distinguish Edinburgh from Musselburgh.<br />
“We’re certainly prepared to take our case to court if necessary.”<br />
Councillors are set to vote on the controversial second Local Development Plan (LDP2) on May 14, after almost a year of delays that have thrown the city’s planning system in chaos.<br />
Even if councillors accept developers’ concerns and remove the Brunstane area from the plan, the decision could be overruled by the Scottish Government planning reporter if the city is deemed to have allocated insufficient land for housebuilding.<br />
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Edinburgh must build 32,000 new homes by 2024 in order to meet Scottish housing supply requirements, but critics have already warned that its proposed LDP falls thousands of homes short of that goal.<br />
However, Mr Kelly said that if land at Brunstane remains in the LDP after being considered by the planning reporter, he is willing to take a legal challenge to the Court of Session himself.<br />
Councillor David Walker, who represents the Portobello/Craigmillar ward that contains the affected area, said the land was “unsuitable” for development and called for the council to look to the west of the city to meet its housebuilding targets – arguing that development there would also boost the tram line.<br />
Labour member Mr Walker said: “The East Coast Main Line cuts straight through the area, and there’s no road access to that piece of land at the moment. Any road that was put into that piece of land would also have to cut across the John Muir Way.<br />
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“There are other options available, for instance a vast piece of land to the west of the city in the Garden District. The landowners there have indicated there could be up to 3000 houses developed.”</div>
<br />Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-76821779577770270822015-04-29T11:09:00.001-07:002015-04-29T11:09:47.082-07:00Petition to save greenbelt at Brunstane attracts 700 supporters<span class="no-wrap">29 Apr 2015 — </span>Things are really moving apace in the campaign to save southeast Edinburgh’s greenbelt. Not only did our threat of a legal challenge make the press yesterday <a data-pass-thru="true" href="http://t.co/ptzQQfdfm0" target="_blank">http://t.co/ptzQQfdfm0</a> - but our petition against development has now attracted 700 supporters. Please could you publicise the campaign amongst friends, family and colleagues so we can try achieve 800+ supporters of our petition, before the Council’s Planning Committee meets on 14 May!<br /><br />And thanks to all of you who has supported us so far.<br />
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<a href="https://www.change.org/p/city-of-edinburgh-council-planning-committee-save-edinburgh-s-greenbelt-at-brunstane-from-development/u/10656269?tk=AK2OGJPcAAIDFxyL5v6vtNojfzNvo_2hCLqGgkTjEyY&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email">https://www.change.org/p/city-of-edinburgh-council-planning-committee-save-edinburgh-s-greenbelt-at-brunstane-from-development/u/10656269?tk=AK2OGJPcAAIDFxyL5v6vtNojfzNvo_2hCLqGgkTjEyY&utm_source=petition_update&utm_medium=email</a>Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-24399627193458387932015-03-15T02:45:00.003-07:002015-03-15T02:45:30.634-07:00Projection update from the Council<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0.0001pt; text-align: start;">
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">EDINBURGH LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - PROJECT UPDATE<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am writing to update you on the Local Development Plan project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Council is preparing a local development plan which sets out policies and proposals to guide land use and development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Second Proposed Local Development Plan was approved by the Council’s Planning Committee in June 2014. It was published for an engagement period which ran from August to October 2014. A number of representations were received, including many seeking to change the Local Development Plan’s proposals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The project programme intended that, at its meeting on 26 February 2015, the Planning Committee would consider all representations and whether the Plan should be modified before it is submitted to Scottish Ministers for examination. In view of the issues raised and uncertainties caused by current planning appeals in terms of housing land supply matters, the Planning Committee did not consider the Local Development Plan report on 26 February. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is now intended to consider the report at the next scheduled meeting of Planning Committee. That is due to take place <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">on 14 May 2015</a>. Details of that Committee agenda will be available on the Council’s website several working days beforehand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For more information about the Local Development Plan project please see<a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan"><span style="text-decoration: none;">www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan</span></a> or call<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="tel:0131%20529%204692" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors="true">0131 529 4692</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yours sincerely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" height="49" id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D05D91.A67BD9C0" width="156" /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ben Wilson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Team Manager, Local Planning Policy</span></div>
Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-31524807013956072912014-09-29T12:39:00.000-07:002014-09-29T12:39:55.059-07:00Advice from Councillor Maureen Child<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As probably already know, the Council has its Second Proposed Edinburgh Local Development Plan (LDP) out for public consultation. As part of this, a current housing proposal is to take a large area of land, immediately south of the Brunstane Burn and north of Newcraighall, between Brunstane House and Newhailes House, out of the Green Belt. Without the <b>Green Belt</b> designation, it is far more likely that any planning application to build houses on this land would be successful. The Brunstane site, which would possibly accommodate around 1330 housing units, would be accessed from the north by a new road off Milton Road East, beside the cemetery, with new bridges built over the Brunstane Burn and the main East Coast railway line. Residents groups and Community Council representatives from both Portobello and Craigmillar have got together to coordinate objections to the removal of Green Belt designation, which currently is a strong protection against development. Portobello Amenity Society, for one, believe it is vital to protect this part of the Green Belt to avoid coalescence between Edinburgh and Musselburgh. They also believe that the settings of both Brunstane House and Newhailes House – highly important A listed country houses of great architectural and historical importance – would be severely compromised if this proposal goes ahead. We have made similar arguments in resisting current Green Belt development proposals at Edmonstone which provides a similarly effective boundary with Danderhall in Midlothian. This Brunstane proposal will also have a huge impact on the road network in Milton Road East and Newcraighall as well as implications for local schools and public transport. A packed public meeting, attended by at least 200 people, was ably chaired by my colleague Councillor David Walker, at the Kings Manor Hotel, on 25 September, to discuss this proposal. Further information about this proposal and about the Second Proposed LDP, can be found at <a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan" target="_blank">www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan</a>. Copies of the plan can also be seen in Portobello or Craigmillar Libraries. Comments on the proposals have to be lodged <b><u>by <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://10" x-apple-data-detectors-result="10" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">3</a><sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://10" x-apple-data-detectors-result="10" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">rd</a></sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://10" x-apple-data-detectors-result="10" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true"> October at 5pm</a></u></b> on special forms which can be downloaded from the above website or obtained by contacting <a href="mailto:localdevelopmentplan@edinburgh.gov.uk">localdevelopmentplan@edinburgh.gov.uk</a> or by phoning <a href="tel:0131%20529%204692" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors="true">0131 529 4692</a>. <u>Please note that individually composed letters, rather than petitions or signed forms with the same wording, are very much more powerful. And you must use the right forms</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Portobello/Craigmillar Ward has an established <b>Neighbourhood Partnership</b>. Ours is chaired by Councillor Mike Bridgman. Edinburgh’s Neighbourhood Partnerships bring together the community, police, health, fire and rescue, voluntary sector and local Councillors, supported by officers from the Council. Each of Edinburgh’s 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships has a three year local community plan, which identifies local priorities informed by communities. The priorities in the plans cover a range of themes including health, transport, environment, community safety, children and older people. Working with communities and partners, Neighbourhood Partnerships aim to tackle these issues and make neighbourhoods a better place to live. The <b>new local community plans 2014-17 will be published in October</b>. Copies will be available local libraries, neighbourhood offices, at Neighbourhood Partnership events or online at <a href="https://www.edinburghnp.org.uk%20%20/" target="_blank">www.edinburghnp.org.uk </a> For more details of activity across the city, see the Neighbourhood Partnership newsletter by clicking on: <a href="http://t.co/4jB4mP0KXT" target="_blank">bit.ly/1ni8bko</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maureen Child, extract from her newsletter. </span></div>
Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-83439044113213613552014-09-29T12:32:00.000-07:002014-09-29T12:32:05.798-07:00SAVE the GREEN BELT Public meeting 7PM todaySAVE the GREEN BELT Public meeting 7PM 25th September<br />
KINGS MANOR HOTEL<br />
Planners,politicians and objectors<br />
Will come together to thrash out the issues.<br />
A CHANCE to listen, learn or protest<br />
Or just simply to ask for more time to do the above.<br />
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The supporters of the Brunstane Fields<br />
Have brought together developers, planning officials and elected members<br />
To account for their actions in posing a threat to annihilate "the lungs of the City".<br />
Be there to judge for yourself.<br />
ALL WELCOME!!Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-72093854953637942842014-09-29T12:31:00.003-07:002014-09-29T12:31:52.712-07:00Successful Public meeting on 25/09/14<h2>
<b>200 people turned at the meeting, determined to save our Green Belt. </b><b>In addition, we now have 500 people who have signed our petition</b></h2>
Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-61884039168971580592014-09-25T09:04:00.003-07:002014-09-25T09:04:27.764-07:00New song from the Brunstane BardTo the tune of Strawberry Fields:-<br /><br />Let me take you down where I'm going to<br />Brunstane Fields..the danger is real<br />It's something to get worked up about<br />Brunstane fields forever! BRUNSTANE FIELDS FOREVER!!<br /><br />Living is easy by the GREEN BELT<br />We don't have to get uptight<br />But when the planners threaten to sell out<br />Then we just have to stand and fight<br /><br />So<br />Chorus<br /><br />Let me take you down where I'm going to<br />Brunstane fields....the danger is real<br />It's something to get worked up about<br />Brunstane fields forever!<br />BRUNSTANE FIELDS FOREVER!!Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-51900720055243038302014-09-23T13:15:00.000-07:002014-09-23T13:15:26.684-07:00The new Portobello High School will be the biggest secondary state school in Edinburgh with a roll of 1400 pupils.<br />
Imagine the school traffic + 2000 new cars at Brunstane!Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-54739621193145249552014-09-23T13:12:00.001-07:002014-09-23T13:12:31.979-07:00It is vital that all object to Edinburgh Council plans.<br />
All details, including objection form can be found here.: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20164/proposed_local_development_plan/1050/second_local_development_plan<br />
<br />Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-90587682726612872262014-09-18T14:17:00.002-07:002014-09-18T14:17:43.957-07:00Entry point on East Milton Rd for a 1300 home plot and a bus route?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-49598274149095855552014-09-18T13:52:00.002-07:002014-09-18T13:52:45.344-07:00This Saturday 25/9/14<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We will be down at Portobello town hall between 10 and 12 <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Saturday morning</a> with the petition. Please join us if you can spare a bit of time. The campaign is really gathering momentum and we now have hundreds of signatures, lots of public interest, political support and some media interest in the run up to the public meeting<a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">on 25 th September</a> at the Kings Manor,<br /><br />Many thanks<br /><br />Lyn and Colin.</span>Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-41845714414483415672014-09-04T13:43:00.000-07:002014-09-04T13:43:34.172-07:00Petiition70 signatures were gathered at the public meeting at King's Manor Hotel on Monday 1st September.Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-26220379824616241262014-09-04T13:23:00.002-07:002014-09-04T13:27:47.955-07:00Stall at Porty market this Saturday<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Colin has booked a stall at Saturday's farmers market in Brighton Park. He will take the petition. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> It goes <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">from 9.30 to 1.30. </a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true"><br /></a></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Please feel free to drop by, have a chat and get more information on our progress and what you can do to support our opposition to the building plans on Brunstane Green Belt. </a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Thank you. </a></span>Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-23819844122712188692014-09-04T13:18:00.000-07:002014-09-04T13:19:15.979-07:00Two wee songs by Lyn<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To the tune of "What shall we do with the drunken sailor"...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What shall we do with the Brunstane green belt<br />What. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,<br />,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,<br />Give local folk no warning!<br /><br />Put it under concrete and build some houses<br />Put. ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,<br />,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,<br />Give local folk no warning!<br /><br />Oh no you don't cos up we're rising<br />Oh no you don't cos up we're rising<br />Oh no you don't cos up we're rising<br />So take this as fair warning!<br /><br />Just try it and you'll find our response surprising<br />Try it and you'll find our response surprising<br />Try it and you'll find our response surprising<br />So take this as fair warning!<br /><br />To the tune of "Where have all the flowers gone"..<br /><br />Where has the Brunstane green belt gone?<br />We're all asking<br />Where has the Brunstane green belt gone?<br />We want to know<br />Where have all our green fields gone?<br />Sold to E.D.I. every one!<br />They thought our backs were turned<br />Now lessons will be learned!<br /><br />To the tune of "Flower of Scotland"..<br /><br />Oh E.D.I. Housing<br />Ye've never seen our like, ye dinnae ken<br />If ye so much as try for<br />Tae build just one But n Ben<br />On Brunstane farmland<br />We'll stand against ye<br />And send ye hameward<br />Tae think again!<br /><br />These fields are there now<br />With food for mouthes we need to fill<br />Ye think that we've lost now<br />That land so dearly held<br />But we'll stand against ye<br />Rich E.D.I. Housing<br />And send ye hameward tae think again!<br /><br />This threat will pass soon<br />And in the past it must remain<br />But we'll always rise up<br />And be those people again<br />Who stood against them<br />Rich E.D.I. Housing<br />And Sent Them Hameward<br />Tae Think Again!</span>Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-76283486044898346652014-08-31T07:09:00.000-07:002014-08-31T07:09:00.098-07:00Public meeting at Kings Manor Hotel tomorrow There is a Meeting tomorrow Monday 1st September at the Kings Manor Hotel with Council representatives.<br />
We are hoping as many people as possible, including families with children, will turn up between 4 and 7 pm to show an interest/ concerns about these local plans.<br />
<br />Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6306132920216117877.post-16474946705740815642014-08-31T06:08:00.000-07:002014-08-31T06:08:05.202-07:00An example of a letter to your Councillor. Dear Councillor____________________<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> We are writing to you to inform you that we wish to oppose in the strongest possible terms the plans to allow housing to be built on the Brunstane section of the City of Edinburgh 's Green Belt. This letter is, furthermore a request for you, as our elected representative to act on our behalf as a matter of urgency to prevent this part of the plan from being progressed.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> To remove the green belt in it's entirety from this part of East Edinburgh would impact hugely, not only locally but city wide and the lack of notification and tight time scales for consultation which have been imposed on us are unfair, undemocratic and unacceptable.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Some of the reasons for our objections fall into the following categories:-<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> The green belt is at it's narrowest here and to build on the 2 large Brunstane fields as the plan proposes would leave no green space whatsoever between Edinburgh and East Lothian.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> The addition of this number of houses would cause traffic chaos which would have a knock on effect a cross the city.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> The infrastructure does not exist in the Brunstane area to support the development as it does in the west of the City.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> The fields and their location are of critical environmental importance and adjoin important heritage<br clear="none" /> sites.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Beneath the fields lies a vast network of old mining tunnels which would most probably necessitate landfill at huge public expense.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Existing services such as sewage works would not extend to support the project.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Furthermore we believe the proposals to be unlawful and are in the process of a detailed exploration of the legal aspects of this part of the plan.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Local residents, associations and communities were not notified and were, therefore unaware of these plans prior to the council's decision of 19th July. The criterior for notification used by officials was, (shockingly) the same as for plans to build one domestic house i.e. residents within 25 metres. Many people are, even now unaware that this huge threat to their quality of living and that of their children even exists. We therefore need time to raise public awareness, to gather detailed and expert information and to frame our objections in legitimate and reasonable terms.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> We therefore call on you as an elected member of the Council to ensure that<br clear="none" /> Planning officials are instructed to :- <br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> 1) Significantly extend the timescales for consultation.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> 2) Produce a transparent and realistic consultation plan which disseminates vital, specific and comprehensible information to local citizens, communities and their representatives.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> 3) Investigate alternative sites which could be used for housing development such as the land to the east of the Millburn Tower or similar which would allow the Brunstane fields to be retained for the production of food (which they are now ) and to maintain this narrow thread of green space between Edinburgh and East Lothian.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> Yours Sincerely,<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" /> _______________________________________<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" />Local Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13897125121485298910noreply@blogger.com0