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Calls continue for Caltongate public inquiry



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CAMPAIGNERS fighting the controversial £300 million Caltongate scheme today made fresh calls for a public inquiry, despite changes to the plans.
The Evening News revealed yesterday that developer Mountgrange has abandoned its original plans to demolish some Royal Mile tenements.

The majority of the front and rear elevations of the MacRae buildings will now be retained, containing five affordable housing units, if the plans are approved by councillors next week.

The Old Town Association, which objected to the Caltongate scheme, has lent its support to the revisions, but campaigners from the Save Our Old Town (SOOT) group said the changes amounted to "tinkering".

Campaigner Sally Richardson said: "No one has contacted us further to consult about this latest proposal, which is simply tinkering with a scheme to which many people have objected, not least because of the loss of listed buildings, the over-development of the site, and inappropriate and low-quality architecture.

"We are seeking a public inquiry, in order that all those objections that were ignored by the council and Mountgrange can have their voices heard."





The full article contains 184 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

Buttress,

29/02/2008 11:02:56
See:

www.eh8.org.uk

and of course the daily blog.


2

Think Tank,

29/02/2008 13:23:49

300 objectors. That's all.

Can we now move on and get on with improving Edinburgh.

3

Buttress,

29/02/2008 13:32:23
Rather more if you count the organisations which have objected on behalf of their members.

Can we move on to a better, more appropriate development, which retains historic buildings and is suited to a World Heritage site?

Think Tank seems to have some vested interest in Caltongate.



4

Buttress,

29/02/2008 13:32:43
Today's blog:

http://independentrepublicofthecanongate.blogspot.com/2008/02/questions-that-demand-answers.html
5

Think Tank,

29/02/2008 15:11:18
Good to see the blog carefully framing it's photos...wouldn't want to reveal that actually only around a dozen people turned up to protest.

That's the problem when a significant number of those objecting to the development have somehow been cajoled into doing so from homes in LA, Hong Kong and elsewhere.

This is honestly a TINY protest. It doesn't deserve any attention whatsoever.

6

Buttress,

29/02/2008 15:18:56
Oh dear Think Tank - many more are protesting and in a democracy anyone anywhere can protest against ugly and inappropriate plans.

The pic actually came from another site I think, which shows quite a few protestors. How many were inside? How many couldn't make it?

Then there are the many who have signed petitions etc. - of their own free will.

I suppose the MSP's asking for a call-in are to be discounted too. Well, they haven't been slipped brown envelopes presumably.

But the plans have to be called in - apart from the fact they are mired in all manner of other apparent wrongdoings, they involve flogging off listed buildings for demolition to one chosen developer.

Think Tank is the Mountgrange sump I fear - doesn't really deserve to be heard. but it's a free(ish) country.
7

Think Tank,

29/02/2008 15:45:18
As I've said to many people who post "brown envelope" statements on this site:

GO TO THE POLICE NOW.

Take your proof of this highly litigious claim to the police this instance.

In the event of you not having any evidence (i.e. MAKING IT UP), I suggest you accept the potential of finding yourself in court facing charges of libel.

8

Buttress,

29/02/2008 15:48:51
Ho ho ho - you clearly know not a lot about the law!

I have suggested they HAVEN'T been slipped brown envelopes. Not a lot of libel there is there?

Actually, would the police be interested in libel?

But do get a grip and a sense of humour.
9

Old Town Resident,

edinburgh 29/02/2008 15:50:19
Well Think Tank you obviously don`t know Scottish Law.
Here is a photo showing more than a dozen protestors
http://www.eh8.org.uk/d_day_feb_6th_2008
10

Think Tank,

29/02/2008 16:33:49
Butress, you clearly don't know much about reading do you.

"Actually, would the police be interested in libel?"

No. But they would be interested in corruption and bribery allegations as my post clearly suggests. If you choose to read it.

The implication of your post is a very dodgy one, although I admit that many others have used much 'looser' language on this site that would be entirely actionable should those named wish to do so.

There is now a large volume of case material in both Scottish and English law for libelous statements posted on internet messageboards/fora. Numerous court-imposed demands on internet providers for the release of personal information have been granted...i.e. hiding behind a username isn't protection against libel.

But if as you imply there really is a brown envelope trade involved in this affair, I again urge you to take your proof to the police.

11

Think Tank,

29/02/2008 16:38:46
Oh, and on the photo, the estimate of the caption ("around 50" protesters) is very generous.

And if you think that 50 protesters should be enough to justify delay and the waste of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money, then I fear for the future of our city.

I'm sure with a little effort I could conjure up 50 people to demand just about anything absolutely ridiculous- the banning of all cycling in Edinburgh- it delays people in cars and buses and they always break the rules of the road? Should that receive a thorough looking at requiring thousands of pounds?
12

Buttress,

29/02/2008 17:00:52
Actually Think Tank, I have a higher degree in reading things. And know a smidgin about the law, internet libel, and many other things you seem not to know too much about.

I think I suggested these people were NOT involved with brown envelopes. I would cease trying to conjure up straw men.

I fear for the future of Edinburgh, if Caltongate is considered good planning and development; Milton Keynes perhaps - not the WHS of the Old Town.

I also am thankful that it will have to be decided by Ministers. The council is set to gain from it. So it has to be referred.

You are clearly desperate that this scheme is not given proper scrutiny. Now why can that be?

I suggest you stop trying to make out that the disgust at Caltongate is a little local matter. I can assure you it isn't.







13

cassandra of ithica,

ancient grease 29/02/2008 19:14:10
just to make it interesting, how about running a wee sweep to be won by whoever identifies which PPS mercenary is guising as the septic tank?
14

Buttress,

29/02/2008 20:10:21
Oooh now - who is on the shortlist?

Let's think where to start...

At the top? The bloke in charge? The one the voters didn't care for for some inexplicable reason but who found a safe, and no doubt well-paid, wee joblet batting for Mountgrunge from outside instead of - ooops nearly gave the game away.

Surely not though. You couldn't be suggesting Mountgrunge's spin machine feels the need to manipulate public opinion by hiring a lackey to post on the EN site rubbishing the opposition when it clearly can have its press releases published in full, masquerading as news reportage, and even have Mr Hewitt of the Chamber of Commerce write 'insightful' features on just why we all need Caltongate to make Embra attractive to tourists?

The champagne must be flowing tonight.












 

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Are you pleased that councillors have approved the Caltongate scheme?
Yes, Edinburgh has to change to survive and thrive
Yes, as long as the Royal Mile tenements are preserved
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