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Campaign gets ready to fight zoo land sale



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CAMPAIGNERS fighting Edinburgh Zoo's controversial plans to sell off land for homes are gearing up for the public inquiry.
The zoo's £72 million expansion plans were thrown into doubt last year after councillors voted to oppose the development of houses off Kaimes Road.

The plans are a key part of the zoo's masterplan and will be one of the main focuses at the local public inquiry in September.

The Friends of Corstorphine Trust has enlisted the help of planning experts from community councils to prepare a case ahead of the inquiry.

Eddie Price, chairman of the Trust, said he expects the zoo to challenge the council's ruling at the inquiry.

"Rather than going to appeal, this is the other way for them to do it," he said.

"We will be making it known to the inquiry reporters that the zoo should not be building on greenbelt land. It will all depend on which way the reporters go."

The zoo had hoped to sell off the land to raise up to £20m to help fund its 20-year masterplan to create a world-class visitor attraction.





The full article contains 193 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 10 May 2008 11:49 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Edinburgh Zoo
 
1

GLAS RM,

Glasgow 10/05/2008 13:08:21
Lets state some facts that most people 'tend to forget' about this subject:

- more than 50% of land proposed for sale is currently built on plus remaining area is overgrown and NONE of this land is currently accessible to general public, its within the zoos grounds

- access to new development would be from Corstorphine Road via the current ZOO delivery access road, access WILL NOT BE FROM KAIMES ROAD as has been pointed out several times

- again this land is ALL within zoo grounds - the rest and be thankful is NOT within zoo grounds so therefore is not affected by this

- current side door ZOO access from Kaimes Road (which has limited use) will no longer be there

- the RZSS is not publicly funded, all monies are raised by visitors, sponsorship, adopters, members and fundraising

- museums, castles, old houses can apply for Lottery or Heritage Funding for millions of pounds redevelopment - RZSS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY TYPE OF LOTTERY FUNDING

- RZSS receives no financial support from the Scottish or UK Governments - the Royal Botanical Gardens however are given in excess of £2 million a year...

600,000 visitors a year to the Zoo bring money to the Edinburgh and Scottish economies, bus companies, hotels, bars, restaurants, shops, cafes, petrol stations, local jobs, suppliers jobs in the area, millions of tourists flock to the Capital yearly, a worldwide reputation for the city

£75 million redevelopment of the Zoo to secure the future of conservation and keep tourism increasing, provide the best care and research for endangered animals around the world.....

....and less than 300 people with houses worth over £300,000 each complain about a few cars....

if the zoo shuts then the whole 80 + acres will be sold for 'affordable' housing

which would you rather?


2

Moscow Central 42,

10/05/2008 13:29:55
Well said GLAS RM. The case for the Zoo' initiative in a nutshell. The behaviour of the Liberal Democrat Administration on this issue has been nothing short of disgraceful. Councillor Jenny Dawe, the Leader, would actually prefer to listen to two hundered of her precious constituents than consider the interests of the City as a whole. It beggars belief that she was actually sitting on the Board of the Royal Zoological Society when she first made her objections known. Apparently, however, Councillor Jim Lowri the Liberal Democrat Planning Convenor is on record as saying that he supports the Zoo's proposals. Unfortunately, he happened to be on holiday when the crucial decison was taken by his committee. Rather bad planning on his part. Now the good citizens of Edinburgh are going to have to bear the considerable costs of a Public Enquiry.
3

Jams,

Edinburgh 10/05/2008 13:33:36
Well said that man (or woman) - I am glad to see someone giving the facts rather than the EEN reporting only Mr Price's version of things. He has made this something of a personal crusade of this and like all politicians doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good campaign.

If the zoo does decide to relocate, and wouldnt Glasgow just love to find a nice spot for it, no doubt Mr Price will claim the residential development of the whole site as a personal victory.
4

GLAS RM,

Glasgow 10/05/2008 13:40:32
#2 - RZSS worked for over 2 years with the folks from EDI group, who represent Edinburgh Council, to develop the housing plan - for 'their boss' to then allow the vote to reject the plans

#3 - Glasgow councillors have already stated they would love RZSS to open a conservation park and several sights have already been looked at.

I for one am open to people voicing opinions when it is based on facts, not 'selective facts' which is what several people use when talking about RZSS and Edinburgh Zoo.

5

Moscow Central 42,

10/05/2008 15:44:55

4 GLAS RM

The City Development Department, which includes Planning, fully supported the Zoo's case, as did the previous Labour Administration. In fact the Labour lead Planning Committee actually appoved the change of use for this land. It is the new Liberal Democrat Administration which has rejected the actual planning application, against the wishes, it would appear, of their own Planning Convenor. You just could not make this stuff up.
6

Strathmore,

Angus 10/05/2008 19:07:13
Eddie you should stick at it otherwise I will lose some potential material!!
7

Buttress,

12/05/2008 14:18:37
However - the 'wishes' of the Planning Convenor is not, surely, the only view which counts? Is that not only one vote on a committee?

Coun Lowrie also voted for Caltongate - yet he is on the Board of Directors of the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, which has objected throughout to this ghastly development, which also has the sale by the council and demolition of listed buildings as part of it.

The latter may prove to be unlawful of course.

www.eh8.org.uk

See also the linked blog.


 

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