Edinburgh City Council planners are backing a major new housing development in North Merchiston, despite a wave of local objections over its impact on parking in one of the city’s most congested areas.
The proposal would see the former Caledonian Brewery site on Slateford Road transformed into 168 new flats with just two on-site parking spaces. The developer claims it will be a “car-free” development, yet there are no legal restrictions on residents owning vehicles, nor any way to enforce these.
The developer’s own application shows that the area averages 0.6 cars per household, meaning at least 100 additional vehicles could soon flood nearby streets. Local parking is already maxed out, and while there’s a residents’ permit zone nearby, it doesn’t apply in the evenings or weekends, when demand for parking by residents is highest, so offers no protection for existing residents.
To make matters worse, the development will cut existing parking in the area by creating 4 new City Car Club bays on public streets, at the expense of residential parking spaces, and a new pelican crossing removing a further 10 parking spaces.
Despite overwhelming concern from residents (more than 150 objections – equivalent to 67% of households notified during the planning process) and Merchiston Community Council, Edinburgh Council officers are recommending approval.
Local residents support new housing – but not at the expense of making life impossible for existing communities.
We ask you for your support in urging Councillors to reconsider and demand adequate on-site parking before giving this development the green light.
The application is to be decided at Council committee meeting on May 21. Full details and planning report here (ref: 24/02048/FUL): https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SCR5F0EWJVO00