CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new high school within the grounds of a city park have been given the go-ahead, sparking claims that all good common land in Scotland is under threat.
The move will see Edinburgh Council build a new school within Portobello Park to replace the current ageing 1960s tower block which houses Portobello High School.
MSPs yesterday voted in favour of the proposals, which saw the city council forced to take a private bill through Parliament after legal challenges from protesters.
Last night the campaign group set up to oppose the plans said the decision "should worry people across Scotland".
But MSPs said the ruling did not change the legal status of other land in Scotland and that any other case would have to go through the same process.
Edinburgh's education leader, Councillor Paul Godzik, said: "We know there is overwhelming support in the local community for our plans.
"The young people of Portobello deserve high quality education facilities and I am confident not only that the school community will benefit from our plans but also that the wider local community will."
Stephen Hawkins, of Portobello Park Action Group, said: "This is a bleak day for democracy in Scotland. Sadly, today's decision comes as no surprise.
"Edinburgh Council is short of cash because of its own maladministration and been reduced to selling its citizens' assets."
The new school is expected to open by August 2016.
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