Neighbours brace for renewed fight against controversial 'alien invasion' plans for 20 flats in Edinburgh

The plans for 37 Corstorphine Road were rejected by both Edinburgh City Council and a Scottish Government reporter, but have been resubmitted.

Neighbours are set to fight against resubmitted proposals for 37 Corstorphine Road.

Residents on Corstorphine Road are bracing themselves for a second battle against controversial plans to demolish a Victorian villa and replace it with 20 flats.

Plans to develop the house, which backs on to the Water of Leith and is within a short walking distance of Roseburn Park, were initially rejected by Edinburgh City Council in July last year after being labelled an “alien invasion”.

The developers, Square and Crescent, appealed the decision to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) in August who upheld the original refusal by the council.

Issues raised in the reporter’s decision to dismiss the appeal centred around the flood risk for the property and the potential for the new development impacting on the privacy of neighbours.

However, the proposals have since been resubmitted, landing a “huge blow” to neighbours who fought against the initial proposal.

The proposals have only seen minor changes for the new application, with neighbours and local councillors believing the developers have done the bare minimum to respond to concerns raised by the government reporter.

Jim McDonaugh, who lives opposite the planned site, said neighbours opposed to the plans were not surprised the proposals came back, but were shocked by the lack of changes.

He said: “We expected it. We said at the time that if the reporter rejects this at appeal they will come back.

“We thought they might knock a floor off or reduce it in scale or density, but what we were not expecting was for them to come back with something that was in essence exactly the same.”

Speaking on behalf of a group of neighbours on Corstorphine Road who have objected to the plans, Mr McDonaugh added: “Yes they don’t like the height and the scale of it but fundamentally it is just wholly out of keeping with the area.

“People feel that their material objections are not being listened to.”

Conservative councillor Scott Douglas said the developers have “continued to ignore” the views of those who will experience the most impact from the plans.

He said: “This application is a huge blow to the local community who have fought so hard against this proposal.

“The developers have come back with the bare minimum of changes, and many would be hard pushed to find any difference between this application and the one which was rejected.

“They have continued to ignore the views of local residents and the community council in trying to force these plans through.

“It means that we are still left with a proposal that is at odds with other homes in the area, and one which will impinge on the privacy of the neighbouring properties.”

Simon Cook, a director at developers Square and Crescent, said: “Since receipt of the Reporter’s appeal decision in January this year, Square and Crescent has now submitted a second application following a thorough review with our professional team, City of Edinburgh Council and engagement with the local community.

“We believe the new application addresses the Reporter’s only concerns in relation to flooding and overlooking.”