Fred Mackintosh and Mike Pringle MSP campaign to oppose building on greenbelt farmland at Burdiehouse

10.00.00am GMT Fri 19th Feb 2010

On Monday 15 February 2010 the Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat team of Mike Pringle MSP, prospective MP Fred Mackintosh and local Councillor Conor Snowden visited Hallam Land Management's exhibition of their preliminary proposals for around 100 new homes at Burdiehouse. Over the previous weekend Fred and the Lib Dem team had delivered thousands of letters to local residents to ensure they knew of the exhibition proposals.

Fred Mackintosh said, "Visiting the developers exhibition answers some of our questions, but does not deal with the fact that Hallam want to build homes on a very narrow part of the greenbelt. I am strongly of the view that the green gap between Burdiehouse and the bypass is too important to the landscape to allow development at this site. I want to see new homes built on brown field sites across the city - not on agricultural land. For example the Liberal Democrat led Council is building 220 new homes - including Council Houses - on the site of the three tower blocks at Gracemount. "

Last year hundreds of local people signed Fred Mackintosh's petition against such development in the Greenbelt and in October 2009 the City Planning Committee threw out plans amend the local plan and allow houses to be built on the field between the Burdiehouse Kilns and the A701. On 28 January the local plan - with this site defined as greenbelt - was unanimously approved by Councillors at the Full Council Meeting.

Despite this news developers Hallam Land Management have submitted a fresh proposal to build a residential development on the site at Burdiehouse. This would involve removing 19.2 hectares from the City's green belt.

Edinburgh South MSP Mike Pringle said, "I worked hard to oppose the last greenbelt land grab at Liberton Drive and I am determined that local people have their voice heard on this proposals even at this preliminary stage. We can expect a full planning application in May and the Lib Dem team will keep local residents informed"

Under new planning rules the developers have to hold a consultation. The only public exhibition was at St Catherine's Church Hall, Gracemount Drive on 15 February. Objectors - and those who support the scheme can write with their views to Jet Cameron, Halcrow Group Ltd, 16 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6LB or email cameronje@halcrow.com. The Liberal Democrat team would be grateful if anyone who comments could send a copy of their comments by email to fred@edinburghsouthlibdems.org