New Portobello High School - planning application granted

[wangi]

[Bob Jefferson]

Fantastic news. Congratulations to everyone involved and a special thanks to our very own seanie for everything he has contributed over the last few years. A victory for commonsense and justice for our children.

[Doris]

A fantastic effort. Well done everyone.

[seanie]

Unanimous-ish

[Maria]

Brilliant news. Now let's get it built!

[Bob Jefferson]

[wangi]

The Green Councillor, Steve Burgess, wanted a continuation to re-consider the choice of site, but nobody would second his amendment. So I don't think he supported it, but I'm not sure he opposed it. Everyone else supported it.

admin: Cllr Burgess's dissent noted in the minutes; attached.

[Bob Jefferson]

[seanie]

Wished I'd taken a photo of the PPAG "demonstration".

Five, maybe six people with placards. Lasted about three and a half minutes then they gave up and went in out the rain.

[wangi]

[wangi]

Some other articles on the decision:

Edinburgh Evening News:
Guardian Edinburgh:
STV Edinburgh South-East:
The Edinburgh Reporter:
Forth 1:

L/

[rmolehusband]

That's great news. If Marilyne MacLaren gives me a call I could be up there first thing on Saturday morning with my shovel. Does heavily compacted dog sh*t make for a good foundation?

As for the meeting, how was the PCC's submission, did 'our' representative manage to keep it balanced? If not, should be following the examples of Libya, Egypt, et al, and stage a peaceful protest for democratic change, at least until the PCC send the tanks in.

[wangi]

[seanie]

I'd agree.

[Porty]

Me too.

[Pal of Porty]

Akin to building on the meadows - what a total pile of piss.

[Porty]

I was impressed by the number and quality of questions that came from the councillors. It seemed that they were always going to grant the application but it didn't stop them asking some searching questions.

This is a great day for Portobello and will be followed by many great days for generations of our young people. Well done to all who helped get us here and a special gratitude to Jackie Brock and Sean Watters who steered us through some choppy waters. Splendid effort.

[Makaveli]

Well chuffed with this. Our little girl should be one of the first pupils in to the new school if all goes to plan!!!

[Porty]

[seanie]

[Dadaist]

All the aces.

Well done everyone who lobbied hard to get this done.

[Bob Jefferson]

[Porty]

[joeshmoe]

[wangi]

[seanie]

STV NEWS- nice interview with pupils about the new High School...

...then PPAG launching a campaign to raise £80,000 for a legal challenge.

[wangi]

[Porty]

It is far from certain that Portobello Park is Common Good land . As things stand it is no more than a PPAG construct. Moving an asset from one council account to another means nothing more than moving that asset from one account to another. It could have been moved purely for political reasons? I can't be sure, lawyers can't be sure and PPAG can't be sure. it simply suits them to believe it is true. PPAG became unwitting council puppets the day the park "became" Common Good. The main focus of their campaign became the apparently illegal building of schools on Common Good land- total hogwash. Schools have been built on common good land all over Scotland and when challenged the courts have fully endorsed.

As for raising £80,000?
PPAG are a tiny minority group in Portobello, they ceased having fundraising events around two years ago because they couldn't find venues that were prepared to accommodate their anti-school cause. PPAG have no currency here in Portobello- we are best rid- it really is as simple as that.

[wangi]

[seanie]

The letter strikes me as well intentioned but it perhaps could've been more carefully worded.

[Bob Jefferson]

I don't think we should be surprised that they objected, given that two of the more vocal members of the board are Diana Cairns and Stephen Hawkins.

[Porty]

[Makaveli]

Are these Diana Cairns and Stephen Hawkins on every board going in Porty? Everywhere I look I seem to see their names objecting to stuff in Porty!!!

What is there problem? Do they have too much time on their hands or do they not have the best interests of the people of Porty in their minds when they make their stance be know on issues?

[Bob Jefferson]

Hilariously, PPAG are now removing posts from their own Comments section that they don't like, including comments made by their own supporters. Same old story - they are happy to dish it out but they can't take it.

[Porty]

Are they really? When did they start allowing comments. Up until now it was a closed shop, had to be really, if all you have to offer is untruths, half truths, "myths" that are facts and "facts" that are myths, you really don't want outsiders commenting. It could never be like Talkporty where there is freedom of speech and outrageous, false claims are challenged.

At the planning meeting Councillor Hawkins mentioned "bullying on the local online forum" and gave himself a pat on the back for "calming the near hysteria about the dangerous condition of the school" 5 years ago. I can't see him coming on here and claiming that to be true, can you? And in their book that makes us the bullies.