Former councillor slams 'travesty' of listing of Moredun green space for housing development

Investigations into the site were postponed this week.

A former local councillor has lambasted Edinburgh City Council for the ‘unforgivable’ decision to consider green space outside Moredun high rise flats as land for development.

Bill Cook, Labour councillor for Liberton and Gilmerton from 2010 to 2017, said he was ‘dismayed’ by the proposals, which were approved during his tenure.

It comes as site investigations into the possible housing development were postponed by the council on Monday after two weeks of protest from local residents.

Former councillor Bill Cook

Moredunvale Green was listed as a site for development in 2016, despite objections from local councillors and the local residents’ association.

The issue resurfaced in June this year as the council attempted site investigations into whether or not a housing development would be possible.

Locals protested against the investigations, with several camping on the green to prevent work taking place.

After two weeks the council temporarily dropped the investigation plans on Monday, promising to engage with local residents before re-starting the work.

Moredunvale Green

Mr Cook has urged locals not to give up, and to demand a guarantee that the land will not be built on.

“There was a lot of opposition in 2016 and understandably so,” he said.

“There was a public meeting about it and the room was absolutely full of people from around the green, it was one of the best attended public meetings I saw as a councillor.

“The campaigners should keep on the case until they get an assurance that there won’t be housing on the green. I think what I’d like to see is a clear plan from the council as to how they’re going to develop the green to ensure it’s future.

Mr Cook called it a ‘travesty’ that parkland was zoned for housing.

He added: “Good parklands are vital to the health of our communities. It’s particularly important for those that don’t have gardens of their own. The council should positively support residents.

“It would be unforgivable that instead of supporting Inch and Moredun residents, parkland and potential community facilities are lost to present and future generations.”

A council spokesperson said: “As we grapple with population growth, Edinburgh’s unique property market and the economic challenges of Covid-19, we’ll need to do all that we can to increase our stock of good quality, affordable homes for families to live in.

“Now that construction sites and outdoor work can safely take place with the right physical distancing measures in place, we can finally expect to see a number of our housebuilding projects resume or get underway in Edinburgh.

“One area we’re exploring as a possible option for new housing is empty land at Moredun. We think it could provide an ideal area for homes and improved facilities for the existing community, but options are at an early stage.”