LASSWADE DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER JANUARY 1998

The new Midlothian Local Plan became available in August. It is at present still in draft and all Midlothian residents are invited to give their opinions concerning it. It includes plans for the building of new houses, road and rail development, preservation of areas of special landscape value and a number of other matters.

It is possible to see this Plan at Bonnyrigg Library from 27th October until 4th November. Very importantly, there is to be a special opportunity for local residents to see all the plans and discuss any concerns or matters of interest to them on Wednesday, 4th November 1998 in Lasswade High School from 7 pm - 9 pm. We very much hope that as many people as possible will try to attend this ‘Planning Workshop’ (as the planners call it). Midlothian Council is genuinely anxious to know what as many residents as possible think; and it is in our own interests to make our views known. All comments are to be sent to the Council by

As I wrote in the July Newsletter, Midlothian has produced a document on access to the countryside. It includes the statement, ‘the objective of the Midlothian Countryside Access Strategy is to create a web of sustainable countryside path networks throughout Midlothian .......... Local path networks will be developed in the countryside around towns to create a well managed environment to meet demands for leisure, health, tourism and local commuting’. It proposes among other things to give priority ‘to investigating (Right of Way) routes which are -

a) targeted for local path networks, strategic and long distance routes. b) at risk from obstruction and where considerable evidence exists or can be found that the Right of Way has been or can be established. c) already asserted as a Right of Way and whose status is threatened by obstruction’.

A small group of Civic Society members is now surveying all the paths in this area which are suitable for enjoyable walks for everyone. Unfortunately, some of these paths, although Rights of Way, are not available for use due to the unwillingness of landlords to give access. Other routes are physically blocked and therefore difficult or impossible to use. There are others which we would like to be able to use when we have collected the evidence which enables them to be recognise as a Right of Way. Finally, there are routes we hope we will be allowed to use if the landlords agree.

This involves a lot of work and exploration and we would be very pleased to hear any ideas and other comments which members may have concerning our paths, or to have offers of help.

We are about to contact the Local Authority very soon with the basis of our plans and feel confident that their new Strategy will help us to get a proper path network in the Lasswade area rather than a series of 'bits and pieces'. Among other things, we hope to get a route from the Bilston Glen Viaduct (soon to be re-opened) to Lasswade, a circular route from Lasswade Bridge up to Polton and back on the south side of the North Esk, (a route many of us have walked in the past), a circular route going through Haveral Wood and then north to Straiton Pond, returning via the Loanhead Hospital. One day, we hope for a walk beside the North Esk all the way to Musselburgh ..... One day!

FUTURE EVENTS

Wednesday 4^th November 1998
at
Lasswade High School
from 7 pm - 9 pm

Monday 8^th February 1999
at the Lasswade Park Pavilion
at 8 pm

Speaker: Ian J. Young

Permission was not granted for this to go ahead, which is good news for us all and certainly made our efforts in July worth while.

The clearing of the Braehead Path was a great success. About 35 people turned up and did a really good job. The barbecue afterwards was good fun and gave us all the chance to meet and exchange ideas. Thank you very much, everyone who came, for all your help.

If you have any ideas or suggestions about the Local Plan or the Access Strategy plans or any other matters, please phone one of us on the numbers below:

Debbie Kong  663 9907                     Anna Dobson  663 8103

Please remember to find out about the Local Plan and send your comments to the Local Authority; or, if you prefer, tell us what you think should be included in our Society's report. Remember, you cannot really complain about something that happens if you have done nothing to prevent it when you were given the opportunity.

Our next Newsletter will not be until next year, so I would like to wish everyone a really Happy Christmas and a successful New Year, although it seems much too early to do so!

Yours sincerely

Margaret Workman
Chairman