Edinburgh is a successful, growing city but this brings a huge demand for places where people can live. At our meeting on 19 June 2014, the Planning Committee approved the Second Proposed Local Development Plan which has a clear aim of supporting the growth of the city economy and increasing the number of new homes being built. There will be an opportunity for people to formally comment on the Plan in August and I will ensure that this process is made as easy as possible.
74% of the homes in the Proposed Plan is expected to be built on brownfield land and the Committee has agreed to explore ways to bring these development sites forward and maximise the contribution they make to our housing supply. However, there is not enough brownfield land to meet the city’s housing need and the Plan does propose that some Green Belt land is released for development. There has been considerable objection to these proposals and the concerns of local communities were clearly in the mind of Committee members when coming to the decision. In particular, the potential impact on road junctions and congestion, as well as promoting the use of sustainable transport modes, are issues that we must take into account when moving forward.
Approving the Proposed Plan at the meeting gives the Council the best chance of preventing ad hoc green field developments in locations where we have no control. However, the Committee has asked that further analysis of a potential housing site to the west of Edinburgh Park is also undertaken.
All the Planning Committee reports, including the Capital Coalition motion, are available online.
Councillor Ian Perry
Convener of the Planning Committee
Planning Edinburgh 