Update from the CRAMOND ASSOCIATION
The mediation process between Cramond and Barnton Community Council, the Cramond Association, the Brighouse Owners’ Association, the Friends of Cramond Campus and the Almond Ward councillors, on the one hand, and the developers, AMA (New Town) Ltd, on the other, is under way.
The purpose of the mediation, as specified by the Council’s Development Management Sub-committee, is to try to agree a long term future for the site, with the early delivery of at least some element(s) of it.
The mediator has had three initial meetings: with the community organisations, the councillors, and AMA. As a result of them he has issued a brief update and agreed that we may share it with the local community.
It reads as follows:”I have now met with representatives of the Community Council and residents’ associations, AMA and Avison Young, and ward councillors. All the meetings were friendly and constructive. They did not, however, reveal enough common ground for me to see a basis on which a way forward might be agreed.
“A number of points of agreement did, however, emerge:
• The main use of the vacant land should be some mix of sports facilities and green space
• The sports facilities will require to be set up on a basis that ensures their sustainability
• This is likely to require some financial subsidy
• Any subsidy may need to be generated through some form of commercial development on a small part of the site
• Further unnecessary delay in completing the development should be avoided
• However, there is no agreed and consented scheme that can be started immediately
“The different parties placed differing emphases on the separate points but there is general agreement on the overall position.
“I have asked the planners to check a number of matters on my behalf and anticipate that this might take a fortnight or so. Thereafter, I hope it will be possible to hold a second round of meetings.”