Homes bid to fill the gap left by furniture factory closure

FEARS that a massive hole left by the closure of Leith's Martin & Frost furniture factory could lie empty for years could soon be allayed with a fresh bid for development.

Plans for a new 83-flat and shops development are currently on display at McDonald Road Library close to the site.

Property experts feared the site would end up derelict indefinitely when controversial plans for a 295-room student residence were thrown out last year in the face of strong local opposition.

However, if the current residential bid is approved, construction could start as early as late next year. Local councillor Angela Blacklock, who was vehemently opposed to the student accommodation plans, welcomed the new plans.

She said: "I think this development will be quite good for the area.

"The fact that this development is going ahead so soon is a sign that the economy is getting better in Edinburgh. Unemployment is not as high as we had feared and many local businesses have told me that their trade is better than last year."

In May, the Evening News reported that an anonymous "cash rich buyer" had bought the site, but was said to be in no hurry to develop it amid last year's dire economic climate.

It has now emerged that the new owners are construction magnates Patrick and Gerald Teague, whose family business Teague Developments was responsible for regenerating the old Whyte & Mackay bottling plant in Salamander Street and Britannia Quay in Leith.

A public exhibition and drop-in consultation session is being held at McDonald Road Library tonightat 6:30pm.