Not good enough

Edinburgh has 58 salaried councillors. Approval has been given on one of the most critical city centre developments in 200 years – surely justifying a full council decision – by a vote of only eight in favour (including the planning leader) with six against (including his deputy) to a South African group for the Caltongate site (your report, 30 January).

It is described as “bland”, “torpid”, “tactless”, “inappropriate” and “ugly” by various well-known citizens, and even the planning leader effectively damned it with faint praise: it was “good enough” to be approved.

And of course, as the council already built its own headquarters there, the plan cannot include a relocated bus station adjacent to Waverley, enabling integrated transport as any self-respecting city enjoys, and despite lip-service by politicians for decades.

But clearly, it’s all “good enough” for the capital for the rest of the 21st century.

John Birkett

Horseleys Park

St Andrews