Developers bring forth hope of reviving housing scheme

The multi-million-pound ten-acre site at Ferrymuir Gait, South Queensferry, is being sold off by owner Corus Hotels.

It was previously the subject of a proposal by Miller Homes to develop more than 120 flats, up to seven storeys high, but has lain empty since the collapse of those proposals in 2004 following a campaign by local residents.

Now it is hoped the plot will be used to create a smaller housing development, while a hotel and care home are also among potential uses.

Rettie, which is handling the sale, said there had already been several notes of interest and offers for the site.

Although the land could be bought outright it is likely any sale will be subject to planning permission being approved for potential developments.

Local residents may be happy to see something developed on the plot, which had become an eyesore after being used for fly-tipping in recent years.

Property sources suggested it was a very different market now to the one in which the Miller Homes application was drawn up in 2003, and said developers were more likely to go for a smaller development of detached and semi-detatched homes

Officials at the council have also provided a letter outlining their consent, in principle, to using the land for a mixed-use development, and it is understood that the site has already attracted offers from developers considering building a care home and a hotel.

Local councillor Kate MacKenzie said she would support the community council in working to ensure whatever was developed on the site was in the best interests of the community.

"It is a site which has been vacant a long time and so I think to have something developed there would be welcomed, but we need to make sure any development has the approval of local people and meets the needs of local people," she said.

"There is a real demand in this area for affordable housing and also for assisted housing, so we would make a big push for that to be at least part of any development there."

Local councillor and Lord Provost George Grubb said any developer would need to be sympathetic to the local community, and admitted he was still hopeful the site could be home to a landmark building.

"This is a key site and it is one of the first things you see when you come across the Forth Bridge, so it would be fitting to have an iconic building there to mark the entrance," he said.

"Whatever goes there however will need to meet with the approval of local residents, and certainly we do not want high-rise flats."