Anda di halaman 1dari 3

Dear

[Name of your MSP]

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Phone: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email]

[Current Date]


I am writing with regards to the development proposal of Pentland Film Studios, the
included Power Station and Earth Station on Greenbelt land (grade 2 and 3) at Old
Pentland, Damhead. I wish to highlight my concerns with the proposed film studio
development which includes a hotel and a polluting biomass and gas Power Station
larger than the proposed hotel and a massive 'Earth Station' satellite dish (0.05 Ha
footprint, equating with an approx 22m diameter dish). Neither have been properly
included in the planning application, and there has been no mention of the chimney,
cooling towers, the pollution levels, noise, and the environmental and health impacts
these will have on the local community and wildlife etc.)

It is very clear from the information available from the developers that this is not an
appropriate site for this development and that the loss of agricultural land and the
impact this will have on Scotland's capitol city Edinburgh's Greenbelt would be
devastating. Further the impact this will have on the local community, their sustainable
vision and the biodiversity of Edinburgh's surrounding green space which is enjoyed by
thousands weekly will be very damaging and irreversible.

Over 3,000 people from the film industry have petitioned in support of the Pentland
Film Studio Development effectively signing the eviction notice for the local farmer and
his family on the grounds that a studio like this is too good an opportunity to pass up on
for Scotland. Farmer Telfer will have to leave his privately owned family home, business,
livelihood and way of life of over a century if this development is to go ahead.

Those in favour have dismissed the community's comments on loss of agricultural land
and biodiversity as insignificant - and would see heritage buildings demolished and
green space trapped under 28.6 meter high buildings and concrete. My objection is
aligned with the vision that underpins Damhead's local Neighbourhood Action Plan,
heralded by the Midlothian Community Planning Partnership. The Neighbourhood Plan
supports Scottish Government ambitions for a fairer, greener, healthier, safer and
wealthier Scotland including government policies and climate targets. The same cannot
be true for the Pentland Proposal, those behind the proposal, with no connection to the
local land or the people are pushing forwards at all costs and accusing the community of
being 'loyal' by standing up for their farmers rights.

The Damhead community and more than 2,380 supporters (from our petition) and I
agree, are adamant that there are other sites more appropriate for this development and
with better access and potential for industry use such as being able to accommodate the
long hours that the film industry works, which the current site at Damhead, Straiton
cannot accommodate.

If Scotland wants to continue leading in Climate Targets, sustainability and resilience it
needs to start looking to how it operates on the ground, starting with preserving good
agricultural land. If private developers are enabled by our government to manoeuvre

the little man out of the way then what is the purpose of community resilience,
community planning and empowerment and what has become of planning democracy.

Our government must stop siding with the developers and start preserving and
supporting land based industry, agriculture, green space and our communities.

Opposing this development is bigger than just one man keeping his home and livelihood
as has been branded by those in favour of the development. This is also about a 250
person strong community, this is about Scotland's food security, the dire need for
improved legislation to protect valuable agricultural land and those who work the land.
It is about all of our investments in the land and all of our future. Damhead and the
Pentland area is enjoyed by thousands weekly from Edinburgh and further afield and
this development would have an extremely negative impact on all of this. Sadly this is
not a precedent. It should be a principle that our rights to enjoy our homes and
livelihoods should trump that of the externally driven developers and that our land is
more important than private development. It is again an example of how the planning
process is skewed in favour of the developers, and to those of power and influence.

Whilst this development is obviously a much needed development for Scotland, the
development and the way in which the planning process has progressed has indeed
caused serious concerns. I believe it is of national importance that we start looking after
our very scarce and finite agricultural land. Grade 2 and 3 agricultural land make up less
than 8% of Scotland's food producing land and once these soils are destroyed there is no
going back. I believe it is of national importance to stand up and support community
empowerment and communities actively working towards greener, fairer and more
sustainable futures for Scotland.

The community of Damhead have a history rooted in agricultural practice and its
research and this community have developed a long term vision and strategy to improve
and develop this, working with their local council and aligning themselves with Scottish
Governments targets for food sustainability and climate change. They are very proud of
the incredible network of small holdings in the area currently practicing a mix of
traditional and organic farming. Call these contemporary crofts if you will- but it is
absolutely a way of life in this area and the people of Damhead and neighbouring
communities are committed to it.

That is why I am fighting this development, and this would stand were it a supermarket,
office or shopping center. I am very aware of the encroaching development already
taking place from all sides of Damhead and that makes this pocket unique in its
greenness and activeness.

I am fighting and will continue to fight for Scotland's agricultural land, Scotland's
biodiversity and heritage in order to continue and establish Scotland with land bases
industry and local land based jobs. As I have said Damhead's heritage is that of farming
and Jim Telfer represents the oldest farm stead to the Damhead community.

He is a member of their community and a member of the farming community to Scotland
and plays a huge role in the link between our past and future and we are fighting for his
rights as a member of our community and as a citizen. As a farmer and a citizen he does
have rights and under no circumstances would an eviction be favored by any in our
community. Needless to say we are against any eviction of any member of our
community or society for profit.

The Damhead community stands to loose everything if this development goes ahead.
They will loose valuable agricultural land, which would also be a huge loss for Scotland,
we would loose our heritage, our green spaces and network of farms, our biodiversity
but also the rural atmosphere of Damhead and way of life. This development is out of
proportion in scale to the local landscape and is not an appropriate addition because of
its land use change. They are fighting for all of this, against land use change and for their
neighbour, land steward and friend and I support them in this fight.

Damhead has constructed a cohesive vision contained in their community planning
document (Damhead and District Neighbourhood Plan) demonstrating the potential this
incredible landscape has and the role it will play in a fairer, greener and more
sustainable future.

Should this development go ahead Jim will loose not only his family home, but his
livelihood and way of life. When you farm you do not invest in tomorrow but in the earth
and the next generation and he will loose his entire life's investment.

I am writing to you, my local MSP to support this fight for communities- not just in
Damhead, but communities across Scotland who are tackling sustainability, community
empowerment and developing and improving Scotland's land based industry. I am
seeking your support by lobbying Alex Neil to recognize the seriousness of this situation
and the importance of Scotland's precious agricultural land to our nation. Saving our
agricultural and food production land from concrete is of National Importance and the
proposed site at Old Pentland is not an appropriate site for the proposed development.
Scotland needs a studio but not on grade 2 and 3 agricultural land and not at these costs.

I ask you to consider all of this and for you to lobby Alex Neil as MSP and the Cabinet
Secretary for Social Justice and Communities.

With thanks,

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Anda mungkin juga menyukai