News date:
7th Sep 2014Story
Juniper Green Community Council area is directly affected by the new City of Edinburgh Council’s Second Draft Local Development Plan (published on 22nd August 2014) with sites proposed for development at Curriemuirend Park (approximately 165 houses), Riccarton Mains Road (site reference HSG35 with 50 houses), Curriehill Road (site reference HSG36 with 50 houses) and New Mills Road (site reference HSG37 with 250 houses) in Currie. The 3 sites in Currie would cause further traffic flows through the village of Juniper Green and you may wish to comment on that aspect of the plan. The most direct affect on our community would be the loss of green, open space at Curriemuirend Park currently defined by the City of Edinburgh Council as a park in need of upgrade. To compensate for development on this parkland CEC intend to “improve” the facilities at Clovenstone Drive (site reference GS10 and confusingly the site name is quoted as Curriemuirend() though it is not clear what those improvements are so how much of a compensation they would be for Juniper Green and its residents is unclear. If you want to make comments on any of the sites then you can do so by completing the approved application form available on the CEC planning portal or from this website or automatically from the website of the Friends of Curriemuirend Park at www.curriemuirend.co.uk Alternatively, printed representation forms are available from a number of JGCC members and can be obtained by emailing secretary@junipergreencc.org.uk with your contact details and requirements, ie how many forms you need. Representation forms will also be available at the next Juniper Green Farmers Market on Saturday 27th September between 9am-1pm. The period of representation started on 22nd August and ends on 3rd October … so don’t delay. To complete the representation form you need to put your name and address in the appropriate boxes in section 1 and add an email address if you wish though this is not compulsory. Section 2 requires Site reference (HSG31 for Curriemuirend Park) and Site name/Other would be Curriemuirend … note the planners have not referred to it as a park in their document. To Complete section 3 you need to respond yes or no to the question about seeking a change. If you are seeking a change then section 4 wants to know what you want them to change and section 5 asks for some reasons. You may wish to support the plan for building at Curriemuirend Park on the grounds that • The City of Edinburgh requires more houses; • There needs to be more affordable housing in Edinburgh; • Juniper Green would benefit from more residents settling here; and • The area would be enhanced by the provision of allotments On the other hand you may wish to object to the development in which case pointing out that Curriemuirend Park is • Green parkland … and Juniper Green has precious little green space; • Development there requires a narrowing of Wester Hailes Road to a single carriageway leading to traffic chaos; • Then ask Why not look at more appropriate land in the so-called Strategic Development Area in West Edinburgh? and • Why not require more brown field developments before precious green spaces are lost for ever? Juniper Green Community Council has taken a consistent approach since plans became clear in early 2013 and the draft statement which has been framed to reflect the representations made to it by a significant number of local people and is likely to form the basis of our response to the Local Development Plan can be read on this site at the attached file below. This link also provides a template for the completion of a representation form