Edinburgh: ‘there is sufficient land to deliver the housing the city needs’

The City of Edinburgh Council has received feedback from the Scottish Government on the proposed Local Development Plan for Edinburgh.

The report, which was prepared by reporters appointed by the Scottish Government, considered unresolved representations from individuals and organisations that were seeking changes to the Plan.

The key recommendations of the report are:

• the Plan should not be modified to include further housing land release at a strategic level
• all identified housing sites in the proposed plan should be retained
• a limited number of additional housing allocations have been identified at Edmonstone, the Wisp, North of Lang Loan, Gilmerton Station Road and Ravelrig Road in Balerno, all of which already have planning permission following appeals to the Scottish Government
• the Plan should be reviewed to ensure a continuing five year housing supply is achievable.

Cllr Ian Perry, Convener of the Planning Committee said ‘This report on Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan from the Scottish Government is generally supportive of our proposals.

“One of the key issues for Edinburgh is a shortage of housing and I am pleased that, while there is short term pressure on supply, the report states that overall there is sufficient land to deliver the housing the city needs.

“The Council will work closely with landowners and developers to identify ways in which building programmes can be accelerated to address this short term issue.

“The Council will now consider the recommendations contained in the report at the Planning Committee on 5 September with a view to fully adopting the Plan by the end of this year.”