SIR DAVID Murray's plans for a £40 million redevelopment of Ratho Station which would have seen the village double in size are set to be revived.
Planners blocked the original plans for the village's extension because it would infringe upon both the green belt and an area of land earmarked for the redevelopment of the Royal Highland Showground.
But Premier Property Group (PPG) – owned by Ra
ngers chairman Sir David – is now set to return to the scheme after talks with council officials.
PPG is pressing to have the original plans, which included 250 new homes, a care home and community centre, reconsidered.
If this fails the firm has also prepared a two-phased approach to building the new development without having to initially touch the contested seven-acre plot currently being set aside for the Royal Highland Showground.
PPG is hopeful that ongoing reviews of planning legislation and the future of the Royal Highland Showground site will pave the way for its plans to be given the green light.
The first phase would see around 120 new homes built, 25 per cent of which would be affordable or sheltered housing, along with a new care home.
A new traffic light-controlled junction with the M8, cash towards improvements at Hillwood Primary School and a new pedestrian crossing would also be included in this phase.
The second phase would see the rest of the 250 homes built, construction of a new community building and a new eastern access road to the village.
A further contribution would be made to Hillwood Primary as well as £50,000 towards fitting out the new community building.
All of the community benefits package are dependent on the developer getting a minimum of 100 houses per phase, as well as the delivery of the private care home.
PPG today said it was still its preference to have its original plans reexamined, but added it was committed to the community improvements no matter what happened.
Community groups today said villagers were still behind the scheme.
Geoff Allen, of Ratho Station Residents' Association, said: "Most people in the village are still supportive and the impression we got from our meeting with the council is that they seem to be more receptive to the phased approach.
"I personally think doing it in two phases is silly because you drag the whole process out but we are where we are."
PPG's proposals for changes to the approaches to the A8 would give village residents the ability to turn right towards the city centre for the first time in decades.
Local councillor Norman Work said: "I spoke in favour of the development at the last planning meeting because the village does need an injection of new blood.
"But if they are moving to a two-phased approach then I will be seeking reassurances that the developer is still committed to the community elements."
Jestyn Davies, director of PPG, said: "As we see it, in an ideal world we would welcome a reconsideration of our original planning application for Ratho Station in light of the recent announcement that the Royal Highland Showground will not be relocating until at least 2029.
"Notwithstanding a reconsideration of our original application, we believe a two-phased approach is the one which best serves the needs of the community since it means the maximum community benefit can be guaranteed."
