25/11/2008

Petition raised to save Cuiken primary school playing fields

Local campaigners are to petition the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to block proposals by Labour Councillors at Midlothian from “concreting over” playing fields at Cuiken Primary school as part of plans to sell the land for private development. At the launch of the petition on Saturday (23rd November) the campaigners were joined by SNP MSP Christine Grahame who also happens to be Convener of the Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee. She warned that the proposals ran contrary to Scottish Government policy guidance and would impact on the health of local children.
“This is typical of New Labour priorities in Penicuik,” Ms Grahame said.

“Not content with under investing in our schools for the past 10 years and failing to support free school meals, they are now set on trying to concrete over playing fields that are vital for children’s health and well being.

“There is already a presumption against such development, and there are other sites which could be used for much needed social housing development"

“The campaigners are right to feel aggrieved and angry at the proposals and I would urge the local community to get behind the petition.”

Ms Grahame has also lodged a parliamentary motion which she hopes will attract cross-party support at Holyrood.
Copies of the petition will be available in shops throughout the town.
END

Note to editors:
A photograph of Christine Grahame MSP with Mel Spence, chief petitioner and local residents at the playing fields will be sent to picture desks separately.
The text of the petition reads:

S3M-02935 Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): Cuiken Primary and its School Playing Field— That the Parliament notes with alarm that yet another primary school playing field, at Cuiken Primary in Penicuik, is under threat of development despite Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11 and the presumption against building on school playing fields; notes the objection of the Penicuik and District Community Council to this proposal, and believes that there should be centralised data on the current provision of school playing fields, including location and acreage, and that sportscotland would add benefit as a mandatory consultee in any development plans that impinge on school playing fields and public open spaces.

SNP It’s time.....