Meggetland set for care home approval

The proposal from developer Edinburgh Letting Solutions Ltd would see the home built on land next to the Meggetland sports fields.

It would have four residential blocks, each with 15 bedrooms, two dining rooms and two lounges. A reception block would contain an office, kitchen, laundry and residents' activity rooms. Part of the site, at the western end of Meggetland, would be turned into gardens for the home, with another section of land to become a public park and community orchard.

The plan is recommended for approval by the city's development management sub-committee when it meets tomorrow, despite a host of objections from official bodies and residents. Even if councillors give it the go-ahead it could be referred to Scottish ministers because sportscotland has objected to it.

The organisation says that although the site may currently be overgrown and unused, it was originally part of the Meggetland Playing Field before the area was redeveloped, so should not be built on.

Most objectors are concerned that access to the home would be along Meggetgate, which is currently a narrow path with a blind entrance on to Slateford Road - a concern supported by police.

Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Councillor Gordon Buchan said: "The access is really quite difficult and there's not much they can do with it because of the location of the railway bridge so they're only going to be able to increase visibility by a couple of metres, if that.

"It's going to be a very dangerous junction in an area that's already got a lot of traffic. It shouldn't be approved.

"I'm also concerned about the loss of recreational land. We've lost quite a lot recently and I just think it would be crying shame to lose even more."

Craiglockhart Community Council has also objected to the proposal because of Meggetgate access. Chairman Alan Dickson said he was satisfied that sufficient open space would be preserved but added: "We actually have no problem at all with having a care home in the area. Our problem is in relationship to Meggetgate breaking out on to Slateford Road. I think in traffic management terms this is a challenge to your average driver."

The report by planning officers suggests that the road and junction could be altered to make them safe. It also says the land is "of limited amenity and leisure value" and that the surrounding area already has sufficient open space.

Architect Bob Tait, speaking on behalf of the developer, said the firm had employed traffic consultants and worked with the council to improve the road safety, and the area was also well served by public transport, which would minimise car use.

He said: "By allowing layby facilities at the entrance by Slateford Road and at the entrance to the proposed nursing home that should solve the problem.

"We're not talking volumes of traffic here, we're talking about a 60-bedroom nursing home. We're pretty comfortable that staff and visitors will be well catered for."