Heritage: 'We need to raise our eyes to the icons around us'

THE balance between protecting the environment – both built and natural – and allowing development which can help an area grow and prosper is always a difficult one to strike.

Nowhere is that balancing act more precarious than Edinburgh, which is both Scotland's most historically and architecturally important city, and also its economic engine room.

That is why any major development has to come under close scrutiny – and why groups of protesters are quick to cry foul at any changes to the landscape of the Capital.

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Caltongate, the 17-storey Hay- market hotel and the Quartermile project have all caused storms in recent years. Before that, the plans for the EICC worried many, yet that has become a magnet for conferences and brought money to the city.

Doubtless on 5 October 1832 there were objectors, too, at the public meeting which decided to build the Scott Monument on Princes Street.

But it is right that any development – big or small – which can impact on our shared environment is open to scrutiny and complaint. And we should be glad that groups like the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and the Cockburn Association keep an eye on our structures when most of us have neither the time nor the expertise to do so.

They have not prevented ten listed buildings from being earmarked for demolition in the last two years – two of which have gone already.

But when the head of the Cockburn Association suggests landmarks like the Tron Kirk could be at risk then we all need to raise our eyes to the icons around us – and, when necessary, raise our voices to protect them.

Parcels welcome

YOU might be forgiven for thinking the city council had missed the boat with its plan to hand out food parcels to the needy.

The first of an initial batch of 500 boxes of groceries is going out today in direct response to the snow which has kept so many people stuck at home.

More will follow – despite prevalent hopes that the worst of the bad weather was behind us.

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Wrong, says the council, whose forecast suggests the big freeze will bite again soon. In which case, pensioners, the infirm and other vulnerable residents will be glad to hear a knock at the door and see the food parcels arrive.

And the message once again to the rest of us is to keep an eye out for such neighbours when the authorities can't be there – and make sure they get their parcels if they need them.