[ACE] letters of concern

[Jamie Heckert]

Heya,

I've sent off me letters! Here's me text, just so's you know.

Love,
Jamie

____________

Re: 	Planning Application 07/02348/FUL
	17 West Montgomery Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HA

Dear Kirsty Hope,

I understand that an application for permission to convert the above
property into a residential flat has been submitted to yourselves. I
am writing to object on the grounds that this would result in the
eviction of an invaluable community resource centre currently housed
by these premises.

ACE, a community group and registered charity is, in my personal and
professional view, a much-needed resource in the neighbourhood
addressing multiple local needs. In response to local poverty, ACE
supports a food cooperative selling wholefoods at significantly lower
than market prices, offers free Internet and computer access, provides
free advice to people suffering from debt and low income. ACE also
specifically aims to support women and ethnic minorities and is used
by local charities and voluntary organisations for training and
workshops, including Womens Health Workshops and the Amina Group for
Muslim women suffering domestic violence.

While I no longer live in the neighbourhood, the years I spent there
were greatly improved by the presence of ACE. Furthermore, I have seen
first-hand how resources and workshops offered at ACE have been
profoundly empowering for disadvantaged individuals. Having worked for
many years in education, for the City of Edinburgh Council, the
University of Edinburgh, Napier University and Y2K Youth Project in
Mayfield, I want to stress how deeply impressed I have been by the
examples of community education in practice I have witnessed at ACE. I
am deeply concerned that the project's capacity to continue to serve
the local community as it has for many years would be ended were this
application for planning permission granted.

I understand from my reading of the Edinburgh City Local Plan that my
concerns are in line with those of the Council and that it is the
Council's policy to protect meeting rooms, community halls and local
shops such as this one. I urge in the strongest possible terms that
this policy be adhered to and that this application for planning
permission be refused.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,




Jamie Heckert