Residents fear updated plans for former Edinburgh RBS site will destroy character local park

Furious residents argue the quality of the King George IV park to locals will be "permanently damaged" by the scale of updated proposals for the New Town Quarter development.

They also claim that plans don't comply with Edinburgh City Council policy on greenspace. However, developers insist they are meeting all requirements for mixed development next to a park.

The initial proposal for the 5.9-acre site submitted at the end of July included 350 new homes, offices and a hotel as well as landscaping and car parking.

But property company Ediston and Orion Capital Managers submitted a new planning application notice for the site to provide 79 new residential units instead of a hotel, bringing the total new homes to 429.

The companies say the updated proposal, lodged in September, is in response to the impact of the coronavirus on the tourism and hospitality sector.

Jennifer Inglis who lives on the South side of the park said: "The scale of this development could increase the population of the area by 5 per cent without any increase in public amenities. They are trying to get away with not providing the required greenspace on the site, without any significant alternative being offered. At a time when people's access to quality greenspace is more important than ever."

"They should be required to adhere to council design and environmental guidance and reduce the number of flats proposed by removing excessive height across the site and expanding not encroaching on the public park. The character of the park will be damaged. A peaceful place will be overcrowded, overlooked and overshadowed."

As part of the plans 6-storey buildings would be erected close to the Park's southern and western boundary. Developers have also applied for planning permission for a footpath link from the site to King George V Park, which borders Eyre Place.

Ms Inglis said: "What they want to do is put tall buildings up against the park. Just linking by path to the park isn't enough. The park itself is under the 2 hectares required as 'good quality' in the Council's Open Space strategy. They are treating the park as a nice green space to serve their development, not with respect."

Resident Alex Hinton said: "I am concerned about the impacts on George V park. I use it everyday. We are lucky to have it on our doorstep. However, the proposed development encroaches on it and compromises it in several ways. I hope local Councillors will step in and ensure that the Developers do the right thing."

There were 131 online objections to the original proposals. The new planning application is open for consultation until October 22.

Ross McNulty, Development Director for Ediston said: “We appreciate that King George V Park is a very special place and as a responsible developer, we have ensured that our proposals are consistent with Council guidance on development beside parks. Our proposals will increase public and open space in the vicinity by more than 25 per cent. We have also committed to make improvements to infrastructure in the park and the trees where possible."

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