Grubb backs Ratho plan as move blocked by city

Published on Thursday 26 March 2009 08:58

LORD Provost George Grubb has said he hopes a huge housing development on the outskirts of Edinburgh can still go-ahead, despite it being blocked by the council's own planning committee.

Premier Property Group (PPG) – owned by Rangers chairman, Sir David Murray – wanted to effectively double the size of Ratho Station by building 200 new homes, as well as a care home and community centre.

Councillor Grubb, the local councillor for the area, told colleagues at yesterday's planning committee meeting the 40 million development would "complete" the village.

He added: "I thought we had a good case. The Chamber of Commerce, local councillors and residents' association were all in favour. I hope PPG will go back and take the opportunity to perhaps rethink it. I hope the development takes place."

However, worries over setting a precedent for allowing development on green belt land, as well as national planning policy reserving the land for use by the Royal Highland Showground (RHS) if it becomes displaced by the expansion of Edinburgh Airport, saw the planning application refused by seven votes to five.

A seven-acre plot PPG had hoped to build on is already pencilled in as an overspill car park for the showground, but the future development of the airport is uncertain and if RHS does relocate the move will not take place until 2020.

PPG is now looking to have further discussions with the city council to reach a solution, including looking into the option of a two-phase expansion of Ratho Station.

Jestyn Davies, director of PPG, said: "We are most disappointed that the planning committee has chosen not to support this project.

"Without this investment it is almost certain that unless the discussions we now pursue are fruitful, the village will fall further into decline and lose the opportunity for future growth.

"We are particularly surprised at this refusal given it must be one of very few projects local people support that has a chance of being delivered in the current economic crisis."

Residents backed the proposals, which they said would give the village a much-needed boost, and have hit out at the decision to reject the development.

Linda McBurnie, chairman of the Ratho Station Residents' Association, said: "The residents' association feels let down by the planning committee which has chosen to support policies that protect a potential overspill car park for the Royal Highland Showground over the prosperity and future growth of our village.

"We have spent the past 12 months engaging with PPG, helping them shape the proposals and consulting with the whole community here as well as our elected representatives.

"It is a shame that local people appear to have been completely forgotten."

Local councillor Kate MacKenzie criticised the negative report planners brought to committee.

She said: "I was extremely disappointed by the way this was put across."