State of old school site
I would like to respond to some of the points made by Ian Fraser in his letter published on 12 February.
Mr Fraser rightly points out that the council is taking action as regards the vandalism and state of the former Hermitage Academy site.
These issues have been discussed by local councillors on numerous occasions since the site was vacated and we have asked our officers to act accordingly. It did not require the intervention of Mr Fraser to "flag up" matters that were obvious to all of us.
Unsurprisingly, Mr Fraser refers back to the planning hearing that granted permission for 166 houses, a quarter of which are deemed affordable houses, an application which Mr Fraser objected to. I am pleased to say that, unlike Mr Fraser, I supported these new houses and the integration of the new development into existing housing areas by way of opening up Guy Mannering Road and other road changes.
It seemed much better to create an integrated development within existing residential areas, than one that was an 'island' with barriers to traffic and or pedestrians.
Mr Fraser opposed these much-needed houses and his views on the location of the affordable homes and the opening up of Guy Mannering Road were heard at the day-long discretionary hearing. I listened to his opinions, but ultimately did not agree with his reasoning. Some of the inferences around the issue of affordable homes expressed during the hearing I considered to be somewhat distasteful.
Finally, like most other councillors and political parties, I like to keep in touch with residents whether through newsletters, adverts, surgeries etc. The 'In Touch' was simply a means of keeping constituents in touch with what's happening locally.
