Locals 'outraged' after barriers erected at Moredun park ahead of housing development

Local residents in Liberton have spoken out against the appearance of metal barriers in community park ahead of a possible housing development.

The metal fences were erected on the green space in the Craigour and Moredun area on Thursday 24 June, with locals informed of the plans the Monday before.

Several residents said they were ‘outraged’ that the barriers had been put up with so little warning, and at a time when children are on holiday from school and local green spaces have become particularly important due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Many also object to the possible loss of a significant area of the park to housing.

Local councillor Lezley Cameron said she was ‘shocked and concerned’ by the appearance of the barriers, and met with locals including representatives from the residents’ association on Friday.

She said in a statement: “To the shock, deep dismay and concern of my constituents in Moredun, fencing was erected today around the much loved, much used green space, for the purpose of housing development feasibility ‘site investigations’.

“Please know that I share this shock, dismay and concern and I immediately made this known to Council officers and to Cllr Cammy Day, Deputy Council Leader.”

Local resident Jemma Brannigan, an artist and photographer, said: “This is a long-standing, well established, well-maintained community park and open green space.

“It’s a well used and treasured area that serves an extended local community of children, teens, adults, and dog owners from surrounding areas. It’s the only park serving this densely populated area.

“I run local allotments and walk my dog there. It’s the only thing people in the local area have got to lift our spirits. This isn’t right at all.”

Another resident, Linda Stark, 38, regularly visits the park with her children Callum, 14 and Ryan, 10.

“I was very angry to see the barriers,” she said.

“I’ve got arthritis so I wouldn’t be able to walk easily to a park which was further away.

“I’ve got children and they use the space to play. It’s good to have them local where you can keep an eye on them, and somewhere they don’t have to cross any roads to get to.”

Secretary of the local residents’ association Neil Hansen said: “It’s outrageous the way this has been done.

“This is the only green space in the nearby area, it provides somewhere for people to gather.”

Mr Hansen said he was due to attend several public consultations about the proposed development, but that they were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re fuming that these have been scrapped, we were playing by the rules and prepared to attend the meetings by they’ve gone ahead without the consultations,” he said.