Keir: Housing situation ‘pressing on being critical’

‘We desperately need housing but the local planning authority isn’t addressing the basics’ – Colin Keir MSP

Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has called for infrastructure to be put in place to allow sustainable housing development in Edinburgh.

Taking part in the Scottish Government’s debate ‘Ambitious Housebuilding Programme for Scotland’ Mr Keir said: “Edinburgh Western is currently faced with the possibility of being overrun by housing developments without having the infrastructure to cope.

“The area from Newbridge to Maybury/South Gyle and north to Barnton/Cammo is one of the biggest traffic blocks in Scotland. Air quality at St Johns Road and Queensferry Road are some of the most polluted in the UK.

“There is nothing in the second attempt at the Local Development Plan which should have been passed months ago which can mitigate traffic congestion along these, the two most important western road approaches to the city centre of Edinburgh.

“And yet, because the City Council Planning committee failed to provide a precise local development plan for consideration there are areas such as Maybury and Cammo which could be developed.

“Now given that housing developments should be sustainable and create good safe communities, I and many others fail to see how these two communities as an example can be made so without, most importantly, traffic infrastructure being in place.

“I should also say that the community of East Craigs would also be badly affected if infrastructure for Maybury and Cammo was not upgraded to a proper level where Maybury and Cammo to be developed. The problem in Edinburgh is pressing on being critical. We desperately need housing but the local planning authority isn’t addressing the basics.”

Mr Keir praised the Council’s 21st Century Home initiative for providing affordable housing in Pennywell Muirhouse and elsewhere in Edinburgh.

He said: “I’m delighted that in my constituency the 21st Century homes initiative has been moving forward down at Muirhouse/Pennywell with more than 700 new homes.

“According to the City of Edinburgh Council report from the Health, Social Care and Housing committee meeting of 10 November this year there are around thirty households taking advantage of the Scottish Governments ‘Help to Buy’ scheme. Elsewhere in the city we have seen plans for or actual developments at Gracemount, Craigmillar, Leith and Sighthill.”