Plot thickens in homes bid for army site

Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes have announced that they are to submit new plans for housing on the site, which is recognised by planners as being of "great landscape value".

The new application – expected to be submitted later in the year – comes despite the city council twice rejecting previous plans.

It also ruled out allowing housing on the site as part of its consideration of a new city local plan less than two months ago.

But the firms have sent letters to 4,000 residents telling them of their intentions, and are to hold a public consultation.

They will also make a pre-application presentation to councillors at a meeting later this week.

It is not yet known how many houses the developers will look to build, although a Scottish Government inquiry into Edinburgh's local plan had recommended that up to 75 homes should be allowed – only for councillors to overrule the advice.

News of the latest proposals were today met with dismay by local residents.

Alex Stewart, chairman of the Colinton Amenity Association, said: "Generally speaking, the community are frustrated and extremely annoyed by this. They have already fought for more than ten years to stop development.

"I don't think attitudes have changed one jot since the last application was submitted. The majority of people are still strongly against this."

Plans for housing on the polo fields were first drawn up in 1999, prompting angry residents to raise 50,000 in a failed bid to buy the land from the Ministry of Defence.

Miller and Taylor Woodrow submitted a new planning application in 2004 for 47 houses, eight homes and a new access road. More than 1,100 people signed a petition against it, and another 900 people objected individually.

The developers then appealed against the decision but withdrew before a public inquiry after getting advice on the "best way to get planning consent".

Councillor Jason Rust, Conservative councillor for the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward, said: "There still seems to be a strong sense of feeling in the community against this and I think it will take a lot of persuasion to change that.

"The main community concern is that a housing allocation will completely alter the landscape from rural to urban."

Other concerns include what the impact will be on the capacity of Bonaly Primary School, as well as access worries.

Residents say that there has been 300 years of access through the historic Dreghorn Estate.

Developers are holding a consultation event on the new plans on Friday and Saturday at St Cuthbert's Episcopal Church Hall.

A spokesman for Miller Homes said: "The director of planning said there is no sound planning reason that it shouldn't go ahead. That is our view."