City investment

I was interested to read your ‘Between the Lines’ piece by David Watt (Scotsman, July 9) which was complimentary about Edinburgh as a place to invest.

I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Watt that ‘If Edinburgh is to continue to attract high-profile investment, it is important that the planning process and personnel work hand in hand with business’.

Our planning department works with developers and local communities to deliver development on the ground and earlier this year we updated the ‘Edinburgh Planning Concordat’.

This has further improved how developers, community councils and the planning authority work together early at the pre-application stage to achieve principles of good place-making when a major or complex local development is proposed.

A new pre-application service to improve the level of customer service and standardise the offer to customers in terms of development proposals across the city was also introduced this month.

The new pre-application servicewillencourageengagement at an early stage in the development process, providing a resource for larger investments in the city giving greater confidence and support to the development community.

I am very aware that we have the strongest city economy outside London but we have a responsibility to manage that growth so everyone can share in Edinburgh’s success.

CLLR NEIL GARDINER Planning Convener, City of Edinburgh Council