Category: Opinion

When I learned that the Coastguard site opposite us had plans submitted earlier last month, I wasn’t exactly surprised, but nevertheless had a sense of foreboding. The site had been marked for development since the 2008 Local Plan, but being tight and coupled to the Assembly Rooms – a building at risk – seemed pretty unlikely to go forward any time soon. I fantasised the ground being planted up as an orchard or pocket park with trees, or perhaps a proportionate private owner occupier development. Yet the likelihood of this being yet more affordable housing was high, and although I would support any sensitive “improvement” of this site, I won’t be supporting this proposal.

Continue reading Room without a view

We are told there is a housing crisis, and I don’t necessarily disagree. It depends on your perspective and the local context. Housing problems differ across the country and indeed the county, and cannot be seen in isolation from other social, environmental and economic problems. If you read the Daily Mail it all is the fault of immigrants taking away our homes or rich people speculating on asset values going up. Well neither of those 2 are going worry us around here, as there’s little work locally to attract immigrants and you can be guaranteed that your home is worth pretty much the same as it was 10 years ago, as property prices continue to stagnate especially in the old town. Migrants, like me, should have known better and heeded the warnings from friends and family.

Continue reading Pressures on Dunbar Conservation Area – where to put new housing