Portobello High School – Edinburgh Jobs – Andy Murray – Castlebrae – Leith Library
A decision is imminent in the appeal lodged by Portobello Park Action Group against a decision by Lady Dorrian deliverd in the Court of Session earlier in the year in the Judicial Review about a new Portobello High School. It is believed that the decision will be delivered to the school at 9 am and that it might be made public during this morning.
The Council approved the planning permission for the new school building in February 2011, but it was not possible to go ahead with awarding the building contract until the threat from the judicial review instigated by PPAG was dealt with. PPAG objected to the loss of a quarter of the park for the new school, and they had also obtained a legal opinion which stated that the council needed court permission to build on the land which is known as Common Good land. Despite Lady Dorrian’s decision which said they were too late to raise such an action, the campaign group pressed ahead with an appeal, and everyone has waited over the summer while the decision was deliberated over and written down. It should be available on the Scottish Courts website later today.
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The Council is holding a seminar this morning at the Assembly Rooms to talk about ways they can interact with other major agencies in the city to deliver the 20,000 new jobs needed in the capital.
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The Greens have lodged a motion for discussion at the council meeting next week requesting a name change for the Craiglockhart Tennis Centre to the Andy Murray Tennis Centre at Craiglockhart.
Gavin Corbett, Green councillor for Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart said:
“Andy Murray’s victory in the US Open puts him up there with the greatest sporting achievements of 2012. I know that people in Craiglockhart are proud that he and his family have an association with Craiglockhart Tennis Centre that goes back to the days when he was training there as a primary-aged child.
“While Andy’s home connection is with the Dunblane area I think it would add a little spark to the facilities at Craiglockhart to have his connection with the centre recognised in the name. If it helps a few more children to take up sport – any sport – then it will have been well worth it. The long term legacy of any athlete at the pinnacle of his or her career is the number of people that seek to follow in the wake.”
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Sheila Gilmore, MP for Edinburgh East, has responded to the announcement that The City of Edinburgh Council is due to consult on the Closure of Castlebrae Community High School.
Ms Gilmore has called on the Council administration to ensure that plans to build a new school, and complete regeneration in Craigmillar, are treated as a priority.
She said:-‘Over the last ten years residents, pupils and employees in Craigmillar have fully engaged with the local transformation. This shocking news has come as a real blow to local people, and will be a major worry for local families whose children attend the school.
‘I am extremely disappointed that the decision to consult on the closure of Castlebrae has been taken in isolation from the wider regeneration scheme.
‘The strength of the Craigmillar community has carried residents through the transition so far – but their faith in the project is undoubtedly wearing thin. The message from Craigmillar is clear; the Council cannot proceed with these plans unless clear commitments on the next phases of the regeneration process are set out.’
Ms Gilmore has written to the City of Edinburgh Council requesting that revenue savings from the potential closure of the school are retained by the local community. In the event that a decision is taken to close the school, Ms Gilmore has called on the Council to commit to reinvesting the savings into educational and sporting opportunities in Craigmillar.
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Leith Library has a new reader in residence. Emily Dodd has been appointed to do many things but one of them is to set up the Leith Library Blog. Well done to her and the others appointed across Scotland!
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
