Craigmillar residents blast plan to build on only park

FURIOUS Craigmillar residents have blasted a proposal to turn the only park in the area into offices and houses, calling on developers to use the many derelict areas surrounding the green space instead.

More than 80 residents and local councillors Maureen Child and Ewan Aitken have so far signed a petition to ask the landowner, Parc, not to build 145 homes on the popular Cairntows Park, on Niddrie Mains Road.

Last night at a public meeting at Hays Business Centre, disgruntled local residents also criticised Parc, which is a development venture headed by property developer The EDI Group Limited and the city council, for failing to notify several residents of their plans.

Cllr Child also called it "crazy" to consider getting rid of the park, given that the council recently spent 15,000 refurbishing the area and Parc bosses previously said they intended to create green spaces.

The community campaign, spearheaded by Lesley Mackenzie and Robert Bell, has attracted lots of support, with Mr Bell claiming that he has not yet met one resident who agrees with the proposal.

He said: "We only found out about the planning application on Friday when leaflets were pushed through a few doors. The whole community was not informed. It's only at the pre-application stage but we will be objecting if this goes any further. This is another act of urban degeneration by EDI under the name of Parc - the irony of their name is not lost. We cannot afford to lose Craigmillar's only park to provide commercial properties and flats when there is already an abundance of both. I have not met anyone in favour of this.

"Parc talk about creating green space, but all they've done so far is put trees along the pavement. There will be nowhere for children to play or adults to walk. There are so many areas that Parc (and other companies] have demolished and they haven't even built on those areas yet."

Cllr Child said she believed the proposal was a "very bad idea".

She said: "A few years ago development in the park area was a possibility, but that died away. Now it looks like a green space land grab to make money. But if you just point eastwards there is loads of derelict land. I'd like to see them build a park as they promised.

"The park recently had 15,000 investment. If they build on the park it will be a big waste of money, especially as they'll have to build another park."

Councillor Ewan Aitken, who is also opposed to the plan, added: "There is a shortage of houses, but there are many brownfield sites that could be used for this sort of thing."

Eric Adair, operations and finance director at Parc, which has so far built 200 houses out of a proposed 2200 in the area, said: "We recognise the concerns of Councillor Child and members of the Craigmillar community in relation to Cairntows Park, and will work to ensure that any development will recreate or improve the existing facilities. Parc would like to reassure members of the community that this matter will be addressed as part of the planning process going forward."

Parc has created around 2000 new homes, a secondary school, three primary schools and other developments.