New Pentland developers quick to allay any fears over proposals

The developers behind a proposed new retail park project next to Straiton have responded to local concerns about their plans.

The proposals for New Pentland by Pentland Park Marine Ltd include a hotel, food retail, housing, elderly accommodation and commercial premises on the site next to Straiton.

The proposals for New Pentland by Pentland Park Marine Ltd include a hotel, food retail, housing, elderly accommodation and commercial premises on the site which adjoins the junction of the A701 and Pentland Road. Developers say the project, which is set to go to a public consultation, will create 145 permanent jobs and a further 172 during construction.

However, the proposals, currently at the early pre-planning application stage, have raised questions.

Loanhead Community Council chairman Pat Kenny said: "It’s huge plans, and we want to know how it will affect Loanhead and what kind of community will it be for the people who will be living in these houses. And how will it affect the people living at the caravan site.

"We also want to know what community development contributions will there be for Loanhead?”

Midlothian MP Owen Thompson (SNP) said: "People are fed up seeing developments going up with an eye on the profit but not on the needs of the people who live here and the protection of the environment that makes it such a great place to live. I hope this will not be the case with this new project.

“I hope there will be a genuine and widely accessible consultation. I will certainly be keen to hear what my constituents think and I'll be happy to take their questions to the developers. "

Ian Burrell, one of the landowners behind the proposals, said: "The proposals will create much needed jobs for the area, as well as providing amenity areas such as a children's play park, well lit footpaths and a community use building.

"Our plans also seek to include a small number of affordable homes and homes for assisted living.

"We are at the earliest stage of consulting the local community and will engage and consult widely with them going forward.

"We have already received some very positive feedback from several people who live in the residential park and look forward to hearing more views in due course.

"We have a long family association with this area and protecting the environment is a key priority for us."