The irresponsibility of this proposed development is without question.
Nevertheless the Council and the Scottish Executive have granted permission subject to certain minimal conditions. It looks bad at present. But until a legally binding agreement is signed it is worth objecting. The Council and Scottish Parliament elections are in May. -
The campaign has gone live this weekend with the circulation of the following message from the canal towpath.
Help is needed to produce and distribute as many leaflets as possible. If you have access to a photocopier and/or can distribute door to door in your street please let me know at meggetland2003@yahoo.com
Let me know (a)how many leaflets you have produced/need from me and (b)what street you can deliver to. This way the maximum effect can be produced without wasted effort.
Meggetland Latest
14 February 2003
After a half year wait the Report of the Public inquiry into the Meggetland development was finally made public by the Scottish Executive, as I expect you have heard through the media. The report makes no concessions to the local protest. It endorses the City of Edinburgh Council decision to allow the building of 6 storey high blocks along the side of the playingfields nearest the canal! The enquiry concerned itself with the legal obstructions to the development, and amazingly cleared each one in turn, or declared it invalid. While this may have addressed the legal problems it totally ignored the sheer weight of local public opinion against the development. As such the process represents a real blow to local democracy across the whole country. All that remains before building can commence is the signing of a legal agreement between the developer, Applecross, and the Council. To help stave off this day here is what you can do: sign the pledge below, detatch it and post it to the address indicated.
No need to give your full name an address just sign and give the beginning of your postcode. (Note.You do not have to be a Labour voter to do this)
As the politicians are finalising their campaign strategies now is the time to act.
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To: The Scottish Labour Party,
John Smith House
145 West Regent Street
Glasgow
The Labour controlled City of Edinburgh Council, and Scottish Executive have been deaf to the local objections to the building of 6 storey blocks on the playingfield at Meggetland. Many agencies and individuals objected including the following:
Craiglockhart Community Council
Morningside Community Council
Merchiston Community Council
Longstone Community Council
Their protests were ignored. In the face of this callous disregard for local democracy I give the following pledge
PLEDGE
If the City of Edinburgh signs a legal agreement with Applecross allowing 6 storey buildings in Meggetland Playingfields by the Union Canal I will not vote Labour at the elections in May
Signed _________________
Postal Area E H __ __
