EDINBURGH Zoo's failed efforts to sell off green belt land for housing are to be revisited after bosses decided to fight the council's ruling.
Last year councillors overturned the authority's previous support for plans to build housing on part of Corstorphine Hill. The move was a major setback for the zoo, which wanted to sell off the land to raise up to £20 million to help fund its 20-year
masterplan to create a world-class visitor attraction.
But zoo chiefs today confirmed they are now mounting a challenge, which will be heard at a local inquiry into Edinburgh's future development.
The local plan lays down the rules governing how the Capital will be allowed to develop over the coming years, and the inquiry will get under way later this month.
Independent reporters are expected to hear the argument from The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs Edinburgh Zoo, in December. They will then make a recommendation to the council – although this can ultimately be ignored.
But Eddie Price, chairman of the Friends of Corstorphine Hill group which opposed the zoo's plans, said he was "concerned".
He said: "The scheme is crazy. It's a beautiful piece of land, and the views are phenomenal."
At last year's committee meeting, council officials recommended backing the zoo and re-zoning greenbelt land off Kaimes Road for housing.
But councillors voted seven to six in favour of a motion to accept the objections of protesters.
They were supported by local Lib Dem councillor Paul Edie, who today said one of the main sticking points was the proposed loss of a local nature reserve. "I still have grave reservations about the zoo's proposals," he said.
However, former Lord Provost Eric Milligan – an ardent supporter of the zoo – disagreed, saying: "It was a disgraceful decision, taken after years of detailed consideration by planning officers (who recommended approval]."
A council spokeswoman said: "We have been in discussions with Edinburgh Zoo regarding its expansion proposals. The zoo is a key asset for Edinburgh and we would encourage the zoo to continue discussions with us regarding options for its future development in the city.
"It would be inappropriate to comment further until (the local] inquiry is complete."
A spokeswoman for Edinburgh Zoo confirmed where the organisation will put its case to "reverse the decision".
The full article contains 396 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
