Talks held over plans for housing

A HEARING is set to take place into controversial plans for housing on former army polo fields at Dreghorn.

City planners rejected the plans to build 75 homes - a quarter of which would be affordable housing - on the site for a third time in June 2010.

It initially appeared that developer Taylor Wimpey and Miller Homes would call for a public inquiry, but last month it emerged that the Scottish Government reporter would hold a less formal hearing, which does not include witness statements or cross-examination but rather more examination from the reporter himself.

Despite a major public consultation exercise, almost 400 letters of objection were lodged against the housing plans.

The hearing will take place at Fairmilehead Parish Church on March 23 at 10am.

Colinton/Fairmilehead councillor Jason Rust said: "I am certain, given the number of objections to development on this site, that there will be a full public gallery, and I know that the council and community will be geared up to present their case to the reporter."

The hearing is expected to last one or two days.