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LASSWADE DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY |
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CONTENTS THE PAST THREE MONTHS |
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A number of different issues have come up since the last Newsletter in January and all of them concern the same underlying principle. I could call this the 'conservation of the Green Belt' but I think it is better for us to regard it as the conservation and improvement of the North Esk valley and the countryside on either side it. As you all know, we hope, with the help of Midlothian Council and the Green Belt Trust, to establish a North Esk Way; a walkway beside or near the North Esk, from Penicuik to the sea. Once the North Esk joins the South Esk at Dalkeith, it then of course becomes the River Esk Way. We are also working to keep the areas near the river as rural as possible These areas include (among others) Mavisbank Policies, Lasswade Village itself (also see later section), the riverside at and on either side of Springfield Mill, and the fields north of the river between the stables and the Lasswade viaduct. We visualize in the end a broad sweep of beautiful countryside on either side of the river, with an attractive path through it so that the views and scenery can be enjoyed by all. The Society and many Kevock residents wrote about the attempts to turn the field near the stables into a rubbish dump. This was carefully investigated by Midlothian Council who have decided that this is not to be allowed; good news for all our members. It seems that Midlothian are about to sell Polton Mill and the adjoining land to a developer who will clear the area and build about 25 houses. However, this has not yet happened, it is still only a possibility, and planning permission has not so far been applied for. The Society has written twice, once in about November 1998 and again very recently and at greater length, suggesting that in the new Midlothian plan, this area, right beside the river, should be made part of the Green Belt. When planning permission is finally requested, we will be in touch with the planners again..….unless of course they apply to turn it into a riverside walk and nature reserve!. This is what it should be. |
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As everyone will have noticed, the area of grassed land at the centre of the village about which we were so concerned in our last Newsletter still belongs to Midlothian Council. We understand that no decision has been made about this land so far and that a final decision will not be made until after the elections in May. It is hoped that there will also be a feasibility study for the bridge which will be built from the centre of the village across the river into the park. |
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ACCESS TO YOUR LOCAL COUNTRYSIDE to find out what use you make of paths in this area and what ideas you have for improving access to our local countryside Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th April Come to either or both, drop in or come by for the whole workshop. |
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY 4TH MAY 1999
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ACCESS TO YOUR LOCAL COUNTRYSIDE Further to our plans for a walkway along the River North Esk from the Pentland Hills to the sea at Musselburgh, The Edinburgh Green Belt Trust has arranged for a team of 8 - 10 international trainee facilitators from the University of Edinburgh to visit Bonnyrigg and Lasswade for two days, Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th April 1999. The team will be asking local people for their opinions on walks into and along the river valley; which they use and what they think of them, if they don't walk there - why not? what could be done to make the route more attractive to them and what ideas they have for improving access to the local countryside. The team will be using an approach to community development called Participatory Appraisal (PA) which uses a wide range of techniques for gathering information. It relies on the fact that local people are the experts for their area, and enables them to set the agenda and define the issues. The aim is to make contact with as wide a cross-section of the community as possible, individually and in small groups, to cover school pupils and staff, youth groups, young parents, physical activity members and senior citizens. More informal contact will also be made with people in local venues eg pubs, the leisure centre, the library and cafes. In addition to daytime opinion-seeking two evening OPEN MEETINGS are planned (see page 1 for details) and you are warmly invited to come along to one or both, either for a short spell or the whole two hours. The evenings will centre round discussions in small groups and are intended to be informal and fun. The University’s findings will be reported to the Green Belt Trust who have promised to keep us fully informed. Your views and concerns are most important and this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a worthwhile exercise which will benefit our community. Please come if you can, even if it's only for part of the evening. |
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The Edinburgh Green Belt Trust EGBT is organising a series of evening walks along the North Esk Valley this summer. This Society will act as guides for a river walk in this area and you are warmly invited to join us. TWO-HOUR SUMMER EVENING WALK MEET IN THE LAIRD AND DOG CAR PARK As parking is limited it is suggested that cars are left by the Pavilion in Lasswade Park NB please take care using the Park exit! |
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Here is a quote from the 'Scotsman' Property Weekly as recently as 8th April 1999 - "Green Belt Policy has to be a lot more flexible - just like nature itself, which grows, blooms, withers, dies, and then grows again". I presume it will 'grow again' on a Highland hillside or perhaps between two pretty little modern dwellings! Seriously, this attitude could cause big problems in years to come. It is of course necessary to build more homes for people who need them; but it is also necessary that these people, like ourselves, should have access to wide green open spaces. So far, we are fortunate that our Green Belt has been kept almost untouched by Midlothian Council; we appreciate this, long may it continue. All good wishes to everyone in the months ahead. Margaret Workman |
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