Letters: Park protest group should be made to pay if they lose

Portobello Park Action Group have finally put their money where their mouths are and instigated a judicial review petition on the council (News, January 6).

They are attempting to deny Portobello a new high school by blocking building on Portobello Park.

The decision to build on the park was taken after an inclusive and wide consultation, and PPAG were included at every stage of the process, participating fully.

Ultimately the proposal achieved unanimous support from our elected representatives. This effectively means a small, self-interested group are legally challenging the will of the people of the city.

PPAG took years to take action in what could only be a deliberate strategy to delay the school. It will have a significant cost impact for the council and its tax payers.

Not just the additional legal costs of defending the review but increased contract charges and the cost of keeping the current school open.

The council has a duty to deliver maximum value to the people it serves and this must surely include pursuing PPAG for the costs incurred in defending the legal action, should the court find in the council’s favour.

It is neither fair nor just that PPAG be allowed to spend other people’s money trying to defeat a decision that has near unanimous approval. I urge the council to claw back at least some of the unnecessary costs forced upon us.

Stephen McIntyre, Portobello High Street

White elephant is given priority

I RECEIVED a leaflet through my door from Edinburgh Leisure with the title “Relight your fire with our brilliant January offer”.

The leaflet explains all one needs to know about the excellent facilities available for the fantastic price of £22 and no joining fee.

“Great stuff,” I said to myself. “I’ll pop down the road to my local centre at Queensferry High and work off all those extra pounds added on over the festive period.”

There was just one slight flaw in this plan – it was shut.

The EL website stated it was open on January 4. It wasn’t, and the next closest place at Kirkliston has had its hours cut dramatically.

How long are we, the tax payers, going to shrug our shoulders at this organisation as it closes the small centres and pools while keeping open the enormous loss-making white elephant that is the Ratho climbing centre?

Graeme E Pearson, South Queensferry

Bleak housing future awaits

THE year-end was bleak for housing in the city with the decision of Prospect Housing not to proceed with the construction of 150 desperately needed affordable houses at the Harvesters development at Clovenstone (News, December 27).

Given the length of time the site has been vacant and its significance in terms of overall regeneration of this part of south west Edinburgh, as well as the imminent Healthy Living Centre construction start, local residents were hopeful that the council would start working on alternative options to take the development of the site forward as soon as possible.

It is both disappointing and concerning that, with the city’s affordable housing shortage, into the new year we remain in the dark.

Dominic Heslop, Conservative candidate for Pentland Hills ward, Spylaw Street, Edinburgh

Should be a tale of one city only

MARTIN Hannan’s article (News, January 3) is the ramblings of a jealous Glaswegian.

Fact: Edinburgh is Scotland’s only great city – rivalry, what a joke!

He is right on one point – Glasgow’s glory days of the Empire are gone forever, while Edinburgh has adjusted to change and established itself as a true cosmopolitan capital.

Mr Hannan’s last paragraph is nonsense – Edinburgh already leads Scotland, we are the driving force for success, and if independence does happen then the world will see the immense role Edinburgh has to play.

On a final note, I read Glasgow City Council could not find the money to bring in the Bells at New Year – sad but indicative of Scotland’s second city’s future.

Neil Simpson, Swanston Muir, Edinburgh