Protestors urge Balerno residents to act as deadline looms for 300 new homes plan

Angry residents in Balerno are stepping up their bid to block plans for up to 350 new houses which they claim would be built on greenbelt land.

The deadline for objections to the Ravelrig Road plans by developer Rapleys is Sunday, December 6 and locals have been urged to protest to City of Edinburgh Council.

Balerno Green Belt (BGB) leaders claim the site is greenbelt as defined by the local development plan and stress that two major sites have been developed in the last four years.

They have added over 300 new homes and objectors claim: “There is no further evidence of further demand for housing in the area.”

BGB said: “The development of mainly family houses could mean an additional 700 cars and would add to the congestion and pollution that already exists on the A70 Lanark Road.”

Protestors also claim that the local primary school and the medical centre do not have the capacity to serve the development.

The spokesman added that parking in the village and the loss of agricultural land should also be considered.

BGB added: “The site falls away steeply to the North making it unattractive for development and furthermore the main entrance to the site appears to be in close proximity to the brow of a hill which could make it a collision hazard.

“There is a narrow bridge at the bottom of the hill leading to rural roads which are unsuitable for increased volumes of traffic.”