Balerno is pro-improvement and the local residents want better schools, healthcare, facilities, affordable and appropriate housing, and environmental enhancement. Balerno is not anti-change but clearly anti-expansion. 

That is the overriding finding of a recent survey conducted as a working group prepares a Local Place Plan (PPP) to submit to the City of Edinburgh Council by September.

Residents firmly oppose Green Belt development, large-scale housing growth and infrastructure lagging behind development.

Locals want preservation over expansion, better basics (roads, access, healthcare) before new development and a more inclusive, accessible, and community-focused village .

The responses on the Main Street point clearly toward physical prevention and consistent enforcement, a real change, as without both, rules are ignored and safety concerns persist

The feedback for Balerno High School is unusually consistent and this is not a “minor upgrade” situation.

The community expects either a new school or a transformational overhaul, combined with safer transport and stronger community integration.

Physical infrastructure in Dean Park School is lagging behind population growth, traffic is the most urgent day-to-day problem and people want a modern, community-focused, future-proof school.

The biggest opportunities are youth provision, upgrading of existing assets (parks, school, library) and the creation a true community hub. 

On the potential proposal for a church being built opposite Balerno High School, residents want any future proposal to demonstrate careful consideration of alternative sites, robust mitigation of traffic and parking impacts and clear justification for development on greenfield land, in the context of strong community resistance. Failure to address these issues is likely to result in continued and significant local opposition.

The Pentlands are highly-valued, but visitor pressure is now exceeding what current management can handle. People are not asking for major development, they are asking for stronger protection, better basic infrastructure, clear rules with real enforcement and careful balance between access and preservation

Ravelrig Quarry, operated by Tarmac, produced a layered opinion. The community isn’t divided and everyone wants green/nature, most want access, some want activities, almost none want housing or landfill. 

The safest and most supported direction is a rewilded, accessible country park with carefully integrated recreation.

Overall, residents are saying: “We like Balerno, but the infrastructure hasn’t kept up, and what we have needs modernising.”

Residents are not asking for major transformation, they overwhelmingly want protection of what exists, better maintenance, targeted improvements (paths, play, trees, amenities) and any strategy should therefore focus on “protect, maintain, enhance” rather than “develop.”

THE NEXT STEP: BCC want to thank everyone who responded to the consultation and a working group has been tasked with reviewing all responses. They will put forward draft proposals based on comments submitted. 

BCC aim to have these available for viewing on our website and at the Gala Day on May 23 and also at Balerno Farmers’ Market in June.