Proceedings at Balerno Community Council’s monthly meeting on 7 May were dominated by debate on preparation of the village’s LOCAL PLACE PLAN (LPP) with one issue in particular dominating discussion, that being the possibility of development by St Mungo’s Church on their field opposite Balerno High School on Bridge Road.
Members of the public joined in the debate which was sometimes passionate despite BCC chairman Richard Henderson reminding all present that no application for planning permission had yet been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council by St Mungo’s.
The meeting was advised that a public meeting would be held when the LPP was sufficiently developed to allow for informed exchanges. At present work was being undertaken by a BCC working group to provide an overview of the local place plan.
The views of local people, he said, would be taken into account and Mark Galloway, who is leading the community council’s LPP team, outlined steps which have already been taken to canvas local opinion. These include a survey to which more than 200 locals have responded, and canvasing at recent Farmers’ Markets in Balerno.
Members of the public said that the issue had come to the fore because of recent articles in the local press and Galloway said that it was important to get feedback from locals as the LPP feeds into the 2040 plan for the City of Edinburgh.
The deadline for final submission of the LPP to the City Council is September and issues raised so far by local people include the preservation of the Green Belt, public transport, schools, the future of the nearby quarry, issues surrounding the Main Street, including parking, speeding, and infrastructure.
All comments have been logged in a spreadsheet which now contains hundreds of suggestions and that information is currently being collated by the working group which meets regularly.
To speed up the process, Galloway has used AI, and he also confirmed that the Community Council would be represented at local events, including the Farmers’ Market and the up-coming Gala Day, so that locals can provide their views on the future of Balerno.
A member of the public stressed the need for transparency in the LPP process and another told the council: “A lot of people are now waking up to the Local Place Plan and their views need to be reflected.”
Galloway said a date for a public meeting would be widely publicised and added: “The public still have an opportunity to feed into the LPP.
COUNCILLORS REPORT: City of Edinburgh Councillor, Graeme Bruce, attended part of the June BCC meeting and two issues were raised by members of the public, the need for double yellow lines on Bridge Road to prevent parking outside Balerno High School, a real concern for parents, and the need for a crossing at Bavelaw Road, once again for the safety of school children.
RATS: Residents attending the meeting reported that rats had been seen as far down the village as the entry to the woods near Cockburn Crescent and chairman, Richard Henderson, said that would be communicated to the City of Edinburgh Council.
TREES AT WILLIOW TREE PLACE: Richard Henderson, chair, said that the issued would once again be raised with the relevant department of the council, but it was up to local people to keep pressing this.
WEEDS: The Council will also raise again with CEC the perennial issue of weed control.
GREEN BRIDGE: Phil Thomas, Chair of Balerno Pathways Limited, updated the Council on the current position in which the a company is in discussion with its consulting engineers about final sign off of the bridge. The company is also undertaking finishing work on the piers and balustrades.
RAVELRIG QUARRY AND TARMAC: Lawyers representing BCC and Tarmac, who operate the Ravelrig Quarry, are in on-going discussions to conclude a Good Neighbour Agreement.
WELCOME STATION: Emma Galloway, chair of the Balerno Village Trust, said work was progressing on completion of refurbishing of the former Police Station, including toilet provision – there will public access – installation of solar panels, drainage, creation of office space, and provision for an after-school club and for public meetings. A space had been found for a coffee machine.
CURRIE CHIEFTAINS: BCC congratulated Currie rugby club on reaching a the Cup Final at Murrayfield, and on a tremendous match in which they lost very narrowly to Ayr.
Members of the public joined in the debate which was sometimes passionate despite BCC chairman Richard Henderson reminding all present that no application for planning permission had yet been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council by St Mungo’s.
The meeting was advised that a public meeting would be held when the LPP was sufficiently developed to allow for informed exchanges. At present work was being undertaken by a BCC working group to provide an overview of the local place plan.
The views of local people, he said, would be taken into account and Mark Galloway, who is leading the community council’s LPP team, outlined steps which have already been taken to canvas local opinion. These include a survey to which more than 200 locals have responded, and canvasing at recent Farmers’ Markets in Balerno.
Members of the public said that the issue had come to the fore because of recent articles in the local press and Galloway said that it was important to get feedback from locals as the LPP feeds into the 2040 plan for the City of Edinburgh.
The deadline for final submission of the LPP to the City Council is September and issues raised so far by local people include the preservation of the Green Belt, public transport, schools, the future of the nearby quarry, issues surrounding the Main Street, including parking, speeding, and infrastructure.
All comments have been logged in a spreadsheet which now contains hundreds of suggestions and that information is currently being collated by the working group which meets regularly.
To speed up the process, Galloway has used AI, and he also confirmed that the Community Council would be represented at local events, including the Farmers’ Market and the up-coming Gala Day, so that locals can provide their views on the future of Balerno.
A member of the public stressed the need for transparency in the LPP process and another told the council: “A lot of people are now waking up to the Local Place Plan and their views need to be reflected.”
Galloway said a date for a public meeting would be widely publicised and added: “The public still have an opportunity to feed into the LPP.
COUNCILLORS REPORT: City of Edinburgh Councillor, Graeme Bruce, attended part of the June BCC meeting and two issues were raised by members of the public, the need for double yellow lines on Bridge Road to prevent parking outside Balerno High School, a real concern for parents, and the need for a crossing at Bavelaw Road, once again for the safety of school children.
RATS: Residents attending the meeting reported that rats had been seen as far down the village as the entry to the woods near Cockburn Crescent and chairman, Richard Henderson, said that would be communicated to the City of Edinburgh Council.
TREES AT WILLIOW TREE PLACE: Richard Henderson, chair, said that the issued would once again be raised with the relevant department of the council, but it was up to local people to keep pressing this.
WEEDS: The Council will also raise again with CEC the perennial issue of weed control.
GREEN BRIDGE: Phil Thomas, Chair of Balerno Pathways Limited, updated the Council on the current position in which the a company is in discussion with its consulting engineers about final sign off of the bridge. The company is also undertaking finishing work on the piers and balustrades.
RAVELRIG QUARRY AND TARMAC: Lawyers representing BCC and Tarmac, who operate the Ravelrig Quarry, are in on-going discussions to conclude a Good Neighbour Agreement.
WELCOME STATION: Emma Galloway, chair of the Balerno Village Trust, said work was progressing on completion of refurbishing of the former Police Station, including toilet provision – there will public access – installation of solar panels, drainage, creation of office space, and provision for an after-school club and for public meetings. A space had been found for a coffee machine.
CURRIE CHIEFTAINS: BCC congratulated Currie rugby club on reaching a the Cup Final at Murrayfield, and on a tremendous match in which they lost very narrowly to Ayr.
