PUBLIC ASKED FOR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Do you plan on living in Edinburgh or south-east Scotland between 2017 and 2037?
If the answer is yes, then here’s something you might want to have a look at.
SESplan is the Strategic Development Planning Authority for the Councils of East, Mid- & West Lothian, Edinburgh, Fife, and the Scottish Borders. They want your help to set priorities over the next 20 or so years.
They’re currently consulting the public about drafting a 'Main Issues Report' – the first stage in finding long-term, joined-up approaches to issues such as housing, economic growth, ‘green networks’ and infrastructure across all six local authorities in the region.
Why should I care?
Some of the issues may seem rather distant or esoteric (or 'dull as dishwater' as we non-planning experts term it), but nearly all of them will eventually have knock-on effects on even the most insular Broughtonians. So the questions are certainly worth thinking about now to avoid two decades of moaning later.
For example:
- How many new houses should be built, and what proportion of them should be affordable?
- How do we keep town centres vibrant? Should we allow more office, leisure and housing uses in addition to retail and commercial ones?
- Which of these transport options would you prioritise: extend the trams; fully dual the A1 to Newcastle; build a strategic walking and cycling network; expand capacity at Waverley station; improve links to and from East Lothian?
How to get involved
These and other issues are summarised in the surprisingly approachable pdf at the foot of this page.
A public meeting for north Edinburgh community groups will be held on Thursday 27 August at Waverley Court, East Market Street, Edinburgh, 6–8pm. If you mean to attend, let them know here.
Consultation will take place from now until 30 September. To send your comments, visit here.