MSP airs his green belt concerns

EDINBURGH Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald has made a plea in the Scottish Parliament for the protection of the city's green belt.

He highlighted the masterplan for the 650-acre Murray Estates site to the west of the Capital, which includes 3500 family homes and a sports complex.

Mr MacDonald said: "Constituents from the surrounding areas have raised concerns about the potential development, which they reckon would be detrimental to the communities of Baberton, Hermiston and Juniper Green."

He said the green belt enhanced the quality, character, landscape setting and identity of towns and villages and should be protected.

Planning minister Aileen Campbell said there were no plans to revise planning policy on green belts, but she was aware of the Murray Estates proposals.