Granton & District CC to host Planning event

Monday 27 November at 7pm

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Involving Communities in the Planning System

Speaker: Clare Symonds, Founder and Chair, Planning Democracy

Monday, 27 November 2017 , Time: 7.00pm

Venue: Royston Wardieburn Community Centre , 11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh 

Planning has been a key issue for Granton residents over recent years. GDCC is hosting this talk to raise awareness and increase engagement of local residents in the planning system. Please join and know your rights in the Planning System.

Please find this event on: www.facebook.com/events/1878312945516737/

All are invited to this talk. Would you please spread the word to community activists/ campaigners who might be interested in this.  For more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Mizan Rahman

Secretary, Granton and District Community Council 

E-mail: secretary@grantoncc.scot | Tel: 07930 183352 | www.grantoncc.scot

Like us: www.facebook.com/grantoncc | Follow us www.twitter.com/GrantonCC

 

Still time to have your say on Stockbridge ‘town centre’

The city council is responsible for managing the mix of shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and other uses in its town centres.  It is preparing new supplementary guidance for Stockbridge Town Centre. This will set out where uses can change and how we plan for a mix of uses to support the town centres as a place to shop, visit, live and work. Continue reading Still time to have your say on Stockbridge ‘town centre’

‘Empowering communities’: help transform the planning system

Views sought for planning modernisation

Plans for major changes to the Scottish planning system have been published. Planning Minister Kevin Stewart launched the consultation during a visit to the Pennywell regeneration development yesterday.

The Scottish Government has set out 20 proposals for revamping the system, which will support economic growth, delivery of houses and increase community involvement in planning decisions. They form a consultation which will pave the way for a planning bill to be brought forward this year.

The proposals build on recommendations of an independent review carried out by a panel of experts last year. Key changes include zoning more land for housing, promoting self-build and removing the need to apply for planning permission for more types of development. The consultation also seeks views on new rights for communities to produce their own plans for their local area.

The Pennywell project will deliver 719 new energy efficient homes for the area with 356 properties for affordable rent and 363 for private sale, and has been a catalyst for wider regeneration through providing infrastructure improvements, local investment, local jobs, training opportunities and community engagement.

Speaking during his visit to the development , Mr Stewart said: “Planning affects everyone’s lives, from making sure we have the right types of homes to driving forward regeneration.

“We need a strong and efficient system to support these aims and for long-term economic growth. I believe these proposals will mean we are better placed to make high quality development happen sooner and in the right places.

“I firmly believe that Scotland’s planners can lead the delivery of great places, empower communities and provide a stable environment for investment through the uncertain times we live in. I would encourage everyone with an interest in planning – developers and businesses, professionals and local authorities, communities and members of the public – to tell us what they think of our proposals for change.”

The consultation, “Places, people and planning” runs until Tuesday 4 April, and can be accessed at https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/planning-architecture/a-consultation-on-the-future-of-planning 

 

 

 

Better by design: Charrette cash for Leith project

Communities across Scotland have the opportunity to map out the future of their areas alongside design experts following the awarding of Charrette grants from the Scottish Government. Among the beneficiaries is Citizen Curator and Leith Creative, who will receive £19,400 to support an initiative to look at planning and social issues. Continue reading Better by design: Charrette cash for Leith project

Muirhouse Shopping Centre transformation moves to next stage

proposed-dev

A proposal to redevelop Muirhouse Shopping Centre and surrounding area to create a new civic centre in Pennywell and Muirhouse will be considered by the Council next week as the latest stage of the ongoing regeneration of the wider area. Continue reading Muirhouse Shopping Centre transformation moves to next stage

Green support for tenant farmer in Old Pentland campaign

Greens say Damhead is wrong location for new film studio

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Scottish Green MSPs joined campaigners who handed in a petition to the Scottish Parliament in protest at the imminent eviction of a farmer from his family’s home of 100 years.

82-year-old tenant farmer Jim Telfer faces from eviction from Old Pentland Farm near Straiton in Midlothian as the landowners want to sell to developers behind a proposed film studio. Planning permission rests with the Scottish Government after Midlothian Council failed to make a ruling on the application within a 16-week deadline.

Midlothian Green councillor Ian Baxter has previously proposed Shawfair as a better location for such a development.

Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman, Green MSPs for Lothian, were joined at Thursday’s protest by Green co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP.

Andy Wightman MSP said: “The film studio may be a good idea but it’s the wrong location, and the stress this is placing on Jim, his family and the wider community is simply unacceptable. The site is good-quality farmland and should be protected, especially when there are other locations more appropriate for commercial developments.

“The residents of Damhead and Old Pentland are due credit for galvanising support in this campaign, and the Green MSPs were delighted to welcome them to Parliament today. Let’s hope Scottish Ministers heed the strength of local feeling on this issue.”