Protesters obstruct council investigations into Moredun housing development

Local residents have labelled a protest against possible housing development on Moredunvale Green yesterday a ‘victory’ after council contractors were obstructed in their investigations into the site.

“It’s a day one victory, the contractors have given up,” said secretary of the Moredun Multis and Maisonettes Residents’ Association Neil Hansen.

“We had a really really good turnout, and we maintained a big presence, and after about five house the contractors told us they had no more plans to dig today. It was a big morale boost.”

The contracted land surveyors will return to the area tomorrow, and the council has said they have no plans to abandon the project.

The area, which lies beside six blocks of high rise flats in Moredun, was listed by the council as a site for development in 2016.

The council announced on Monday June 29 that site investigations into the possibility of building housing on the site would take place three days later.

After backlash from locals and several local politicians including Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron and MP Ian Murray, the drilling plans were postponed until Thursday July 2.

However several local residents have set up tents on the green in an effort to prevent the drilling works.

“We plan to be out there again tomorrow and as long as it takes, the tents aren’t going anywhere,” said Mr Hansen.

“I think the determination is hardening as campers realise how much support there is.”

Yvonne MacGregor, 56, camped on the green last night with her grandson Ryan, 14.

She will stay in her tent ‘as long as it takes', she said, despite not getting any sleep on the first night.

“We’ve got to stand our ground," she said.

“It’s something we believe in and we want to save it.”

Local Councillors Lezley Marion Cameron and Stephanie Smith have supported the protest, along with MP for Edinburgh South Ian Murray.

Labour, Conservative and Green party MSPs have also thrown their support behind the campaign.

Green MSP ANdy Wightman said: “I very much support the protesters. The importance of green space in these areas, especially in high rise areas, cannot be overstated. No one should be contemplating development on it.”

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack also supported the campaign.

She said: “People must have a place to walk and enjoy the outdoors, and children need spaces to play. Given that this proposed development is set close to high rise flats that have no garden access, this is more crucial than ever to the wellbeing of local residents.”

Conversative MSP Miles Briggs said: “Labour and SNP Councillors running Edinburgh Council are rapidly losing the confidence of local residents with growing anger that the views of the local community are being side-lined. Edinburgh Council needs to listen to the concerns of local residents and make sure communities are at the heart of shaping planning decisions.”