…the blog and website of Andy Wightman
I have written a piece in the Guardian Edinburgh blog today about the Taste of Edinburgh food festival taking over Inverleith Park. A huge fence has been erected around the park denying the public access. On Friday, I wrote to
Continue readingThe Issue of the Moment Much gnashing of teeth over the coalition’s proposals to introduce the 55% rule. This is the proposal whereby it would require a vote of 55% of MPs to dissolve Parliament. Parliament is currently dissolved either
Continue readingWe live in interesting times. Here’s my take which reflects a post at the new Scottish politics site, Scotland Quo Vadis! {site no longer exists – Nov 2023] I rather despair of the sentiments being hurled across the floor of
Continue readingFollowing the confirmation by the Treasury Committee that the Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) do not own the seabed around Scotland (Scotland has always owned the seabed though it is “administered” and “managed” by the CEC), a key question arises –
Continue readingInteresting announcement today [broken link – Nov 2023] by the English Housing and Planning Minister, John Healey. He proposes that Parish Councils be given powers to build affordable housing by extending the scope of permitted development rights. Individual planning applications
Continue readingGood coverage of Treasury Committee report in the Herald on Saturday. Front page story Inside feature (please note that paragraphs 4 and 5 should NOT have quotation marks) Editorial 5 April Follow up piece on Herald website (Dated 4 April)
Continue readingThe Scottish Government has just published its consultation paper [broken link – Nov 2023] on legislation to reform long leases and allows for their conversion into full ownership. This follows up the Scottish Law Commission’s Conversion of Long Leases report
Continue readingFor the last few years a growing number of people have been calling for the easing of the complex and restrictive licensing terms imposed by the Ordnance Survey for use of their digital maps. I have had my own horror
Continue readingGood to hear Professor James Lovelock who, at 90, is still making us think. “trying to save the planet is a lot of nonsense” I’ve always thought that.
Continue readingThe Treasury Select Committee today published the report of its inquiry into the management of the Crown Estate. This represents an important stage in the ongoing debate about the future of the Crown Estate Commission and I have prepared a
Continue reading