Park proposition was only one idea
Letter to Evening News in response to the Chair of PFANS.

I SUPPORT Sean Watters in his plea, (Your views, April 28), for every candidate to ensure that there is a new high school in Portobello by 2011, but building it on Portobello Park was only one of the options presented when the council carried out its educational consultation.

There is a growing recognition, even amongst the present councillors, that the problems of establishing site ownership (legal opinion published is of the mind that this is Common Good land), gaining planning consent and identifying replacement green space may not be possible or take an inordinate amount of time.

This may mean that the council's option of a rebuild on site becomes more attractive and is the only way that a new school can be provided by 2011 especially if private finance and ownership is not involved.

The backers of private finance schools like green spaces to build on. A rebuild on site is not without its problems but the report quoted by Mr Watters emphasised the positive effect of the new head on the existing weak management structure and I am sure that she will be able to mitigate the effects of a decant whilst construction takes place.

Whatever the outcome of today's election, the replacement of the school is high on the agenda.

I hope that everyone will be able to participate in where the school is sited and how it is going to contribute to the whole community.

Stephen Hawkins, Liberal Democrat candidate for Portobello/Craigmillar