A PUBLIC inquiry into how Edinburgh will develop over the next decade got under way today – with house builders launching an attack on the city's greenbelt.
Several organisations, including Miller Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Edinburgh Zoo, are bidding to overturn the council's stand against development on areas of open space.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns the city's zoo, is mountin
g a campaign to win support for the sell-off of part of Corstorphine Hill for housing, which would allow it to fund a world-class visitor attraction.
Opposition to the sale of land at Meadowbank Stadium and plans to build a new high school on Portobello Park are also likely to dominate proceedings.
The "city local plan" lays down the rules governing how the Capital will be allowed to develop between now and 2015.
Two Government reporters have been assigned to hear the arguments over ten weeks at the City Chambers. They will then make public recommendations, although the council is not duty bound to adopt them.
City planing leader Jim Lowrie said today: "How we develop the city in future years is of great interest to many people.
"Given the interest in the process, a public inquiry is the fairest way to ensure that we have taken into account the issues that have been raised and that these have been independently assessed."
At the last count, the objections covered 182 separate issues. Most topics will be covered by written submissions, but more complex issues will be dealt with at "round table" hearing sessions.
The first week will focus on the future of land at Newcraighall and Woodhall Mains, before the controversial future of land at Liberton Drive is revisited next week.
Portobello Park will be discussed in late October, and the Royal Zoological Society's argument will be heard in December.
Chief executive David Windmill said: "The future of Edinburgh Zoo depends upon our providing an exciting and inspiring day out for our visitors.
"This takes money, and lots of it. This is why the society needs to raise substantial sums of money by developing some surplus land along the western boundary of the zoo. If we are not successful, it is a serious matter for the society and, dare I suggest, the city of Edinburgh."
Meadowbank campaigners hope public support to save the stadium will put pressure on the council to scrap its demolition plans. Save Meadowbank spokesman Kevin Connor said campaigners had gathered 1600 objections.
Blair Melville, head of planning strategy at Homes for Scotland – which represents the housebuilding sector – was due to speak at the inquiry today.
"House prices in Edinburgh are a key measure of demand and remain among the highest in Scotland," he said. "Conversely, as the council has stated, there is a serious shortage of affordable housing. The shortage of land for housing has driven up prices, and helped drive low and middle-income households out of Edinburgh."
POTENTIAL HOUSING SITESGreenbelt sites identified by developers for housing include:
• Land at Woodhall Mains. Plans by Boyack Homes to build on a 62-hectare site.
• Plans for a housing scheme on land at Gilmerton Gardens and Liberton Drive by Cruden Homes.
• Plans for housing on land at Burdiehouse, by Hallam Land Management.
• Plans for new housing on land at nos 2-8 and to the south of West Bowling Green Street by Martin & Son.
• Plans for a housing development at Winton Loan, near Juniper Green by Miller.
• New housing on land "immediately to the east of the steadings at Brunstane", near Musselburgh, by South Castle Properties.
• Plans for 650 homes on farmland which is near Edinburgh Airport by West Craigs Ltd.
