‘This scheme would unnecessarily chew up yet more of our precious greenbelt when we should be protecting it’ – Alison Johnstone MSP.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, has urged Edinburgh city council to reject proposals for 1,320 homes on greenbelt land between the City Bypass and Gogar Station Road on the western outskirts of the city
Councillors on the planning committee – except the Greens – yesterday signalled their approval of the proposal by Murray Estates, going against the officials’ recommended refusal. It will now go before the full council next month and then to the Scottish Government for final approval.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, said: “As the council’s own report made clear, there is plenty of land within Edinburgh that can be developed for housing. This scheme would unnecessarily chew up yet more of our precious greenbelt when we should be protecting it.
“I would urge the full council to see sense and overturn the planning committee’s decision, which smacks of desperation. The city council’s energies should be going into transforming existing brownfield sites that have good infrastructure connections and bringing empty properties back into use.”
Murray Estates’ plans would see up to 6000 new houses and a ‘garden district’ park built on green belt land.