Cammo developers appeal to government ahead of Edinburgh council decision

West Craigs is hoping to build 500 homes on greenbelt land close to a greenbelt nature reserveA property developer has appealed to the Scottish Government ahead of a decision by local councillors, who are expected to refuse permission for new houses on greenbelt land to the West of Edinburgh.West Craigs is hoping to build 500 homes near the Cammo nature reserve, as part of a 1,700-home scheme covering an area of land from Cammo to Edinburgh Airport.City of Edinburgh Council was recommended by city planners to throw out the proposal, which would fill the last remaining open area skirting the Barton and Maybury Junctions, in-between the Taylor Wimpey, Miller Homes and Cala developments – but which is home to a variety of wildlife, as well as being popular with walkers and cyclists.The West Craigs masterplan includes a health centre, cafe, nursery and a new primary school, but the site is not included in the council’s Local Development Plan.It is seeking planning permission in principle for an active travel route along Cammo Walk, which is part of sustainable transport plans. The proposed housing includes the delivery of 50% affordable provision to be developed by Dunedin Canmore Housing Association.Cammo Walk also claims to include cycle and pedestrian access, providing a key ‘active travel’ route for all users, while vehicular access to the site comes from Craigs Road and Maybury Road, via the Bughtlin roundabout.The site plan includes woodland planting and open space totalling 9.64 hectares – 40% of site area – with a park about half a hectare in the southern area of the site, containing a local area of play with 2.65 hectares of woodland along the site’s western and southern boundaries.However, more than 150 locals objected to the development and potential loss of natural assets.West Craigs argued that the development was created to complement the eighteenth century landscape and will use the existing water tower as an architectural feature.It also argued that City of Edinburgh Council had failed to meet housing land requirements during the period from 2009 to 2021, stating a “clear evidence of under delivery” and noting that the local authority was expected to build 25,185 home by this time, but had only built 23,651.