Leader: 'Changes will hit areas with historic links'

the major restructuring of our armed forces announced by Defence Secretary Liam Fox yesterday will have a far-reaching impact on Edinburgh and the Lothians.

It is too early to tell what the overall effect is likely to be on the region, as the Ministry of Defence has yet to confirm full details of the so-called super barracks planned for West Lothian. The best scenario, though, would see an extra 750 soldiers and their families moving into the Lothians, delivering a significant economic boost.

One thing that is immediately clear is the devastation that these changes will bring to neighbourhoods surrounding Redford and Dreghorn - the city's last barracks.

The severing of historic military ties with Edinburgh stretching back centuries is, of course, extremely sad. But we must recognise the need for the armed forces to modernise and make the most of its assets. And, most importantly, for our soldiers to get the kind of modern housing they deserve.

Rebuilding on one of the existing barrack sites would have been far better for Edinburgh. But accepting that is not possible, our thoughts must turn to the communities that live beside - and rely upon - the barracks.

Of course, new families will eventually move in to replace the 1250 departing soldiers and their relatives, assuming the land is sold to developers. But that will take many years. In the meantime, what will happen, for instance, to the primary schools where the majority of pupils come from military families? Or to the local shops and other services?

Just as these communities have supported the army for generations, the MoD now has a duty now to do whatever it can to minimise the devastating impact on them.

Only sensible option

It might seem a little ghoulish to advertise a house for rent along with a disclaimer that it was once the scene of a gruesome murder in which a body was hidden under the floorboards.

But what else could West Lothian Council sensibly do with Carol Jarvis' former home in Bathgate now that it is no longer officially classed as a crime scene? Demolish it and create a playground for the local children to play in?

Knocking down a perfectly sound home would do little, if anything, to help Mrs Jarvis' grieving relatives and simply deprive another family of somewhere to live.

If someone else is happy to move in, knowing the tragic events which took place there, then they should be given the chance to make it a happy home once more.