Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, described today’s decision by Edinburgh city councillors to reject proposals to demolish a house at Allan Park Crescent at Meggetland in the south-west of the city as a victory for the local community’s campaign.
After addressing today’s planning hearing, Alison said:
“I’m pleased that this application has been refused unanimously. The committee were not convinced that there was a case for demolishing a perfectly sound family home. The proposal would have worsened congestion and air pollution on already busy roads, and it would have compromised a popular cycleway and footpath which gives safe access to the canal and caused a greater loss of open space.
“It’s incredible that demolishing a perfectly good house in a long established residential area was even considered, and the concern now is that the developer will try to appeal. That would fly in the face of the 1,693 objections this application received. Bear in mind that the developer has had planning permission to build a 63 bedroom care home on this site. Reluctance to do so suggest perhaps that this latest in a string of proposals is more about increasing land values than wishing to provide accommodation for older people.
“Over more than a decade open space in this area has been gradually eroded, an issue that prompted me to first get involved in politics. I will continue to support local residents to prevent further development creep.”