backlash to homes plan

Darius Namdarran(centre) and locals at the planned site for 300 homes in Bonnnyrigg

Walker Homes’ plans for the land north of Dalhousie Dairy come as Dalhousie Medical Practice became the third in the town to shut its list to new patients.

Speaking at last week’s Bonnyrigg Community Council special meeting to discuss the housing plans, its chairman Darius Namdaran encouraged residents who object to the plans to come together “to fight it now rather than at the formal planning permission stage.”

A group of residents formed a short term action group to inform their neighbours and arrange a public meeting with local councillors. The new group will focus primarily with the issue of access to the site.

The community council agreed to pay for the group’s leaflets to be printed.

Community council chairman Darius Namdaran summed up the meeting: “We can confidently say the majority view is that it’s too soon to develop this land because facilities are still racing to catch up on the recent extraordinary growth.

“For example, GP’s are now closed to new patients and morning traffic takes 30 minutes to cross the town.

“We call on councillors to insist that all GP practices need to be open to the 800 new people.

“Second, a proper new entrance needs to be formed with a bridge from Distributor Road (B6392), rather than the builders’ blatant cost cutting exercise of trailing through the neighbouring estate.

“Third, the green strip of land beside the new development is protected as common good land for dog walking, community woodland, and allotments.”

The pre-application was also discussed at last week’s planning meeting, where councillors were invited to make comment on the plans.

Council leader Councillor Catherine Johnstone (SNP), said: “My thoughts on this are we have got a shortage in some infrastructure.

“Things like GP surgeries, Lasswade High School etc.

“I think we should take stock of what we have before moving forward on this.”

Labour group leader Councillor Derek Milligan, said: “We don’t have school provision at the moment without having major changes to primary schools.

“I have also made the point about doctors’ surgeries in the area.