Despite what Councillor Nicolson claimed when he wrote to Douglas Kirkwood, Mr McIlwraith tells us that the Council have only held one event which could be called a Public Hearing.  But it was in connection with an application as part of the Cart Corridor Regeneration Strategy.  And there was also consultation with local community groups throughout the development of the plan for this special area. 

Late last year Councillor Nicolson also wrote to a HALL member telling him that the Local Plan was being reviewed.  He expressed a view that the current plan was ambiguous.  He also implied that there was only a definite need for “some sort of social or affordable housing to take place”.  But in his more recent letter, which is referring to Mactaggart & Mickel’s proposal, he is saying that the proposal is not contrary to the development plan.   

At the end of October last year HALL submitted an 11,500 word complaint to the Council’s Chief Executive on what HALL saw as being systemic failings.  David Martin defended the complaint on the basis that we would be bringing into question the integrity of individual officers if it was upheld.  We see that as being an issue for the Council not HALL.  And, we are content to accept his defence as an assurance that these matters will be dealt with with integrity. 

This issue is about more than just objecting to an application – it’s also about the integrity of the planning system when applied to land owned by the planning authority.  We are comforted that David Martin's recognises that.