New Portobello High School - PPAG Judicial Review

[Betty Windsor]

[wangi]

The Lady hasn't sung.

[Bob Jefferson]

[Porty]

One would expect what Betty refers to as a fundamental principle to be apparent to anyone taking the trouble to look. Not exclusively to "the man" as appears to be the case here.

Does his mum live in Park Avenue?

[Chas]

[seanie]

[Betty Windsor]

[seanie]

Evidence in the form of legal precedents and previous rulings. The argument that inalienable Common Good cannot be appropriated was entirely inferred. There wasn't a single instance, of a single Judge, in a single case, ever articulating such a 'fundamental principle'. On the contrary, there are legal precedents such as North and South Lanarkshire where the Courts clearly didn't share the view that inalienable Common Good cannot be appropriated.

And legal precedents established by the courts carry more weight than legal opinions.

[Bob Jefferson]

Golf Course not at risk. It's official.

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-eveni ... _1_2107071

[regent]

This year at least!

[Bob Jefferson]

Nothing lasts forever. It's the entropic nature of the universe. However, other questions have to be asked. Does Portobello Golf Course pay for itself or is it subsidised by local rate payers? What level of subsidy is appropriate for a golf course, compared with a swimming pool for example? Does this large area of parkland serve the best interests of the community in its present form? Tough questions, tough times.

[Betty Windsor]

[Bob Jefferson]

While it remains a Golf Course then a golf academy makes perfect sense. I'm sure that Portobello Golf Club would welcome the idea because it would help to enlist new junior members and that in itself may play a big part in safeguarding the future of the club and course.

In the long term, however, you have to ask whether the Council can afford to continue to maintain public courses. Maybe they will follow the route of public bowling greens?

And looking at Portobello Golf Course dispassionately, I'm questioning whether perhaps we could make better leisure and recreational use of what is a very large green space at the heart of our community? Once the school has been built and the dust settled (and PPAG no longer requires the support of the golfing fraternity), I can well imagine that many people will begin to consider the potential that it offers.

[Epykat]

The potential for housing maybe? Why have the Council not thought of that before?

[seanie]

Given that the Common Good status of the land is now recognised, it's difficult to see how that could happen.

[Porty]

I got my scarf back. Called Diana and Stephen brought it round.Most graccious and much appreciated. we discussed a number of issues and i now know the basis for the significant majority claim.

[Bob Jefferson]

OK, let's hear it.

[Epykat]

Yes, let's.........

[Porty]

[Makaveli]

One word - farcical.

You can't make statements like the above and base it on speaking to people of a like minded view!!!

[Bob Jefferson]

Delusions on a Kenny Dalgleish scale. If only PPAG had American owners and shirt sponsors to remind them that there is a real world out there, where people make judgements and decisions based upon things like facts and truth.

[Porty]

There was at least one other gem: "The judge would likely come down heavily in favour of the school". In other words PPAG have not been given a fair hearing.

No consideration that should the court find in our favour, its simply justice at work.

[Bob Jefferson]

Of course. If they win, it's victory against all the odds. If they lose? The outcome was rigged from the outset. It's all part of the Great Conspiracy. What else could they tell their donors?

[Makaveli]

I bumped into a friend of my Mum's the other day who lives near the site of the new school. She had been approached by PPAG to give funds to the school but refused as she is for the school being built on Porty Park as there is no viable alternative. Her children go to private school so she has no hidden adgena for wanting the school there.

She must part of the insignificant minority!!!

[wangi]

[Porty]

Probably happening right now!!

[seanie]

Looks like it could be. Couldn't get hold of anyone at the Council involved in things so maybe they've trooped up to the Court of Session.

[seanie]

Petition refused.

[seanie]

[Chas]

Can they appeal?

[wangi]

For full decision see http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2012CSOH38.html

[seanie]

[Makaveli]

Great news.

Lets hope this is the end of the matter and they can now go ahead and build the school.

[Chas]

[seanie]