'Thousands will object to homes' at Meadowbank

CAMPAIGNERS today warned the city council to expect thousands of public objections to plans to build homes on the site of Meadowbank Stadium.

Fears were raised that an influx of new residents to the area will lead to traffic congestion and put pressure on local schools.

Green councillors opposed to the sale of land at Meadowbank say there will be calls for a public inquiry – echoing the level of objection to the Caltongate scheme.

But development experts say the land – which the city council expects to sell for around £17 million – will attract interest from across the UK, with scope for hundreds of flats and family homes.

Last week, councillors voted to demolish the existing Meadowbank Stadium, sell off a third of the land and build new – but fewer – facilities at a cost of £25m.

But Green councillor Alison Johnstone, a former athlete, said: "There will be hundreds, if not thousands, of objections to a housing development, and we would back calls for a public inquiry.

"There are concerns about increased traffic congestion and the impact on local schools."

Cllr Johnstone says she hopes for a "real focus" on better maintenance of Edinburgh's sports facilities . "These are public assets and I hope this will be the last time we are looking at this kind of scenario," she said.

Athletics coach Bill Walker, a leading figure in the Save Meadowbank Campaign, added: "They are building a town the size of Falkirk (at the Waterfront), and there are lots of other areas close by earmarked for housing.

"There's already a huge amount of housing planned, but this means we are going to lose sports facilities. That would be a disaster."

But Jason Hogg, director of development land at property firm Jones Lang LaSalle, said: "Despite a slowdown in the housing market, sites in traditionally good parts of Edinburgh such as Meadowbank would continue to do well.

"I expect several hundred homes could be built on the site," he said.

A city council spokesman said: "Councillors agreed that any funds raised from land sold should be reinvested in new sports facilities at Meadowbank. The retention of the whole site wouldn't allow us to build the quality facilities that Edinburgh needs. The approach agreed at Thursday's meeting will allow us to develop a top quality sports centre."

• www.savemeadowbank.com