19/05/2009

MSPs slam Midlothian Council’s school playing field plans

Midlothian Council have been slammed by a parliamentary committee after MSPs heard concerns that playing fields at Cuiken primary school had been earmarked for development by the Labour led authority. SNP MSP Christine Grahame joined petitioner Mel Spence as the Public Petitions Committee expressed its staunch opposition to the plans. Ms Grahame said:

“The message from the committee today was very strongly opposed to the plans by Midlothian Council. The committee will now write to the Labour led authority asking how many other school playing fields it intends to build on and asking them to formally respond to the petition MSPs heard today.

“The committee also undertook to investigate which other local authorities have similar plans, so the concerns raised about Cuiken primary school may well have implications across the rest of Scotland.”
Chief petitioner Mel Spence (pictured) is urging the Parliament and Scottish Government to consider additional measures to enforce existing planning policy that would halt attempts by Midlothian Council and others to sell off school playing fields to developers.

SNP It’s time.....