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Currie and Balerno News 348

1 July 2009

Every year I receive thousands of letters and emails covering a wide range of subjects. From constituents with individual problems that need sorting out to wider issues both home and abroad.

And that gives me an insight into what concerns people and their views and opinions – it's an essential part of the political process.

What's striking looking at the correspondence from Currie and Balerno is just how many letters I receive on planning matters.

That's not surprising given the delightful surroundings which make builders keen to put up as many houses as they can.

The Water of Leith is a natural green artery but as readers know the builders have been keen to get in wherever they can. And when a big house with big gardens comes on the market the temptation is there to subdivide or build more houses. Now we need to get the balance right. We all know that in the country as a whole more people want houses than there are houses to buy.

Despite recent house price falls, people here worry whether or not their children will be able to afford a house so we do need more houses. But I wonder whether we can't improve the planning process. Too often people feel that they didn't have their say.

All of us who represent the area are ready to take up peoples concerns but I'm sure we could improve the process so that people can understand what's happening and why.

And it's very irritating that builders can keep coming back again and again and objectors find it hard to mount a campaign each and every time.

There aren't easy answers but it strikes me that we could improve the system.

In the meantime I look forward to continuing to receive letters and emails on this and any other subject.