New Portobello High School - Private Bill consultation

[Makaveli]

From todays papers:-

Around £170,000 of public money has been spent defending a legal challenge from a campaign group opposed to a new Portobello High School being built on a community park.

Billy MacIntyre, head of resources for the council’s children and families department, revealed the figure to more than 300 residents at a packed public meeting at Portobello Town Hall when questioned by a member of the audience.

He also said the council had spent in excess of

£2 million to maintain the current Portobello High building over the last three years while the fight over the site rumbles on.

“Having undertaken a survey, we are going to have to spend another significant amount on maintenance and repair work until we can provide the new school,” he said.

[Sceptic]

So roughly £666,000 per annum of OUR money is being spent on maintaining a school building that would have been replaced by now, if not for PPAG. probably, a similar sum will be spent every year we wait on the new school to be completed. That is money that could have been spent on resources to improve education, more teachers, up to date equipment etc. All because some people objected to the school being built on a disused dogs' toilett, sorry, playing field. All PPAG's bluster has come down to hard cash. Expenditure in maintaining an old building, costs on legal representation. If, or more likely, when the new Portobello High School is opened, perhaps we should ask, under FOI, how much addition expenditure has PPAG's actions cost the council and, by proxy, US?

[Makaveli]

Disgusting isn't it?

They can argue the toss about common good land and all that other shite they come out with all the time but at the end of the day it is all about them not wanting it build outside their houses.

This is costing us an absolute fortune and as Sceptic has rightly pointed out this money could be better used elsewhere. They should be ashamed of themselves instead they go on Twitter (and get banned by the site admin!!!) and Facebook and crow on about where they think it should be built instead - which as we all know is anywhere but their front door!!! Selfish in the extreme.

[fresian]

Just have to hope Mouchel are not involved in any school projects in Edinburgh

[Mark Cameron]

Was at the Meadowbank consultation yesterday and am encouraged that the public are engaging in unprecedented numbers and would like to thank the council and Sean, Emma and Rosemary for doing a fantastic job in trying to get the children of the Portobello High catchment the best possible school plus an increased amenity for the rest of the city to boot.

I left raging and sick to my stomach by the continued PPAG line that even if democracy prevails and the significant majority is shown to support the build on the park they will do all they can to bock this as it's their 'democratic right' (something isn't quite right there!)

Their claims that they are worried about kids being knocked down as the traffic on Milton Road will significantly worsen is a joke. Kids are crossing that road every day as it is - perhaps more traffic will actually mean it's moving slower and less of a risk to the kids! But taking their alternative suggestion of a build on Baileyfield (right at the farthest edge of the catchment) surely this will encourage more parents to drive their kids than if the school was situated on the park at the heart of the catchment?. Oh ......and the kids from Magdalene would still have to cross Milton Road and them and others will have the added dangers of negotiating Sir Harry Lauder Road or Portobello High street.

Seriously how many parents with kids at or due to go to a new high school on the park would drive them? I for one wouldn't - mine will be walking or cycling.

[wangi]

And I done another storify of live tweets from Meadowbank last night...

[Sceptic]

Do you get the feeling of deja - vu, when the cry is "No Surrender"?

How do they expect to oppose in Parliament when they do not have, as far as I know, any support?

When building starts, will they blockade the site?

How many times will they be back into court before then?

How much public money will they continue to waste?

[Pal of Porty]

It will be of no consequence to PPAG if there were 100,000 'Yes' votes to only 5 or 6 'No' votes. They are the ultra definition of the word NIMBY and will do everything in their power to prevent the school going on the Park.

[Porty]

I'm genuinely scunnered with Avril Scott and Gillian Dunn . BIOB continue to broadcast lies, defend lies and all for what? Delay the replacement of a school which was 5 years ago identified as being in the worst condition in Edinburgh. Not the ladies fault obviously and they are entitled to oppose the school. As mothers you might think they would stop short of peddling lies to thwart the new school,no. They have embraced, amplified and broadcast those lies. It is very disappointing.

[Sceptic]

The plan to build on the park is nothing new.

According to todays "Scotland on Sunday" it was planned over 60 years ago.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-n ... -1-2747564

[wangi]

Build our school, make sure you complete the consultation by 31 Jan: http://bit.ly/WDFIYE

[Sceptic]

Got to admit it, it does look good.

[wangi]

Build our school, make sure you complete the consultation by 31 Jan: http://bit.ly/WDFIYE

[wangi]

Lots of hectare figures have been thrown about... But what's a hectare? This graphic should help you visualise the green space within the PHS catchment and what the Council's proposals mean for it. With the new park on the existing PHS site we're talking about a new PHS for less than 1/2 a football pitch of green space (0.5% of the open space)...

(Porty Park 6.4Ha, school 2.6Ha, pitches 1.6Ha, 2.2Ha still park + new 2.2Ha park, loss of public space 0.4 Ha)

Areas in the graphic are: Meadowfield, Portobello Golf Course, Figgate Burn, Jewel, Portobello Park, Bingham Park Joppa Quarry, Baronscourt Park, Rosefield Park, Northfield & Willowbrae Community Centre pitches, Brighton, Abercorn and Straiton + the new park on the existing PHS site. And the beach is NOT included in this open space...

0.4 ha is 0.5% of the accessible open space and Common Good land within the PHS catchment.

[David Robertson]

Thank you for posting that graphic, it puts perspective on the issue and PPAG !

[Makaveli]

Mystery petition? Can't say I have seen it myself wonder what is on it?

http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/ ... -1-2766483

[Sceptic]

Why the surprise? PPAG, from the start have come across a bunch who will distort and twist everything, as long as a PHS will not be built on their doorsteps. It just might not be their intention, but that is how they come across.

[PortySeahawks]

Just noticed the strong responses of support from local politicians to the consultation!

http://www.keziadugdale.com/2013/02/01/ ... -response/

http://www.sheilagilmore.co.uk/portobel ... -the-park/

GET IT BUILT ON THE PARK!

[Mark Cameron]

12000 responses to the consulation. That's astounding!



Would PPAG and PFANS be willing to allow an independent auditor to undertake a review of a random sample of Yes and No responses to determine whether the pros and cons were known/understood by the respondent and if not whether there was information available to explain both?

[Makaveli]

Like checking to see if all the students at Edinburgh Uni, the punters at Waitrose.....oh and of course the pensioners that are in sheltered accommodation were FULLY aware of what they were signing?

[Mark Cameron]

Yeah that sort of thing but on both sides of course

[wangi]

[wangi]

[wangi]

Of interest:

[Makaveli]

What's up with the people of Comley Bank?

Have we upset them or do PPAG/BYOB have contacts over there?

[Chas]

One step forward…

[Franck]

[Bob Jefferson]

The Comely Bank anomaly is purely down to PPAG canvassing in Waitrose. They realised, too late, that their best chance of gaining support was to canvass outwith the catchment area, the further away the better in fact, where people were unlikely to be aware of the facts and were therefore more susceptible to their propaganda.

[Sceptic]

There is a development at Comely Bank that has attracted similar opposition. This may have prejudiced some. However, we have not heard a quote from DC & co yet.

[wangi]

I've produced the maps below to better visualise the consultation responses (green: support; red: do not support) - click on the image to view larger

[David Robertson]

[David Robertson]

[Pal of Porty]

70% is brilliant news and a powerful mandate. Very happy.

[Makaveli]

The council have agreed to go forward with a Private Bill for PHS.

[David Robertson]