Councillor Nicolson did a very good job chairing what could have been a very difficult meeting.  There was a decent turnout from Houston despite the short notice and time of day. 

Mactaggart & Mickel gave the residents who have spoken to HALL after the meeting the strong impression that they couldn’t care less about local people, open space or what sort of eyesore they create.  Before the meeting they felt very comfortable with what they thought was a formality.  We think that they may now not be too certain. 

Their presentation was so short and lacking in detail that they needn’t have bothered.  In support of the application they claimed that it was all part of the SNP Government’s plan to build more houses. This from the company whose Charman on the 6 August on Newsnight  was asking the government to buy surplus houses off them.  

The architect for the project appeared to be stuck in the last century by giving the impression that the people who lived in the “big hooses” in Manse Crescent didn’t matter.  We don’t think his approach struck any chords – thankfully none of our councillors are daft enough to think this way.  T

he Head of Planning explained the programme for the future.  The application may be put to the next Board on 2 September.  If it gets past that, consultation will take place again and the Board will have to reconsider its decision at another Board.  If they still decide to grant the application the matter will have to be referred to Scottish Ministers who could call it in.  A long way to go.  To see HALL's presentation [click here] explanatory notes [click here] represenation 16 [click here].