£13m retail complex given the go-ahead

A £13 million retail and tourism village on the outskirts of Edinburgh has been given the go-ahead - despite fears it will damage the heart of the capital and nearby shops.

The former boss of the Jenners department store has won permission for a complex he hopes will emulate the likes of the House of Bruar in Perthshire.

Fordel View, which would be built beside the Dalkeith bypass at Fordel Mains, would include a major new tourist information centre for the Lothians, and boast views of Edinburgh, Fife and the southern Highlands.

Up to 300 jobs are promised through the creation of the retail centre, visitor centre, a hotel, shops, restaurants and cafes.

Andrew Douglas-Miller has joined forces with Dalkeith-based Oakridge Property to pursue the scheme.

Edinburgh City Council raised fears last week that the complex could damage trade on Princes Street, while Midlothian Council officials were concerned may harm Dalkeith town centre. But Midlothian's planning committee overturned professional advice and voted for the scheme.

Mr Douglas-Miller, who ran Jenners with his brother Robbie until the pair sold it to House of Fraser in 2005, said: "I believe this to be the perfect location for this exciting new retail concept.

"It is our aim to establish somewhere where high quality, good value products will be available in an interesting and unique retail environment."

The centrepiece of Fordel View will be a glass-walled visitor centre, which will showcase key attractions in Edinburgh and surrounding areas and historic sites. The complex is being designed by Edinburgh-based Michael Laird Architects, which masterminded the plans for the RBS global headquarters at Gogarburn, west Edinburgh.