Lib Dems campaign against planning application in Kirkliston

20/2/07


Copy of letter to local residents:

Dear Resident,

North Kirkliston Planning application 06/05149/OUT

You may have heard that a planning application has been submitted for a new development on 30 hectares (approximately 74 acres) of land at the north of the village. The outline application is for 610 houses and a new primary school, with some public open space.

The plans have now been validated and will be available to view in the Council's planning
department at Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG, tel 529 3596. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00–5:00 and Friday 9:00-3:40. Written comments should be sent to the Head of Planning at that address. You can also view the plans and
submit your comments on the Council's Planning Portal website at:
http://citydev- portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/publicaccess/dc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx.

All comments should be submitted by 2nd March. Valid grounds for objection include issues around access, transport links, pressure on local services and impact on the existing village and the environment.

We have serious concerns about the scale of the development. We share the concerns of local residents and the Community Council that a new primary school to serve the proposed new
houses would adversely affect the unity of the village. Margaret Smith MSP has written to the Council raising these concerns over the past year and has welcomed the news that the
Education Department will be exploring the possibility of an extension at the existing school instead. The Council should insist that developers fund the school costs and transport improvements if these proposals do get the go ahead .

Margaret Smith has been pushing for housing to be built at Newbridge so less has to built in
Kirkliston and elsewhere. Margaret Smith said, “We’re now in the ridiculous situation where
hundreds of houses are being imposed on Kirkliston residents who don’t want this level of
over-development and denied to residents in Newbridge who do want new housing to
regenerate the village. The Labour Council just isn’t listening to local people”.

Focus Editor Neil MacLean added, “There must be a full transport assessment of the impact on the village of the proposed addition of more than 600 homes. I hope residents will raise concerns about the need for better bus services, particularly as the Local Plan says there will have to be an increased frequency of bus services if there has been a delay in the construction of the tram to Newbridge.”

If you do respond to the application it would be useful if you could send a copy to Margaret Smith MSP at 3 Drum Brae Avenue, Edinburgh EH12 8TE or e-mail Margaret on margaret.smith.msp@scottish.parliament.uk