Plans to host a new weekly Edinburgh farmers' market in a popular capital park are set to be given the go ahead by council planners.
City chiefs have been recommended to grant proposals for St Margaret’s Park to become home for 30 stalls every Saturday or Sunday morning next to the Dower House.
The Roads Authority initially objected to the plans over fears the market may attract unnecessary levels of vehicular traffic with little available parking spaces between 10am and 2pm.
But council bosses are expected to give their backing to the market, which could attract a footfall of between 1,000 and 1,500 people every week.
The market is set to be hosted on the existing car park with traders able to park up at nearby Corstorphine Primary School.
Roads Authority experts stated the potential traffic impact to the market would be “to the detriment of local amenity and road safety,” adding: “Whilst it is anticipated that many of the market visitors will arrive on foot, some will drive and as noted there are no car parking facilities nearby and may result in indiscriminate parking within constrained residential street.”
However, the applicant argued that current markets - located in Leith, the Grassmarket and Stockbridge - attract a generally low level of motoring traffic, with the majority of visitors arriving on foot.
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The report added: “The proposed market will contribute to the role of the park being a central point in the Corstorphine Conservation Area and the duration of the market's operating times/days/hours will enable the park to continue to function in its current role.
“Stalls will be temporary and removable and as such will not dominate the park nor detract from its purpose and role within the conservation area.”
Councillors are to give a final decision on the plans when the development management sub-committee meets on Wednesday, September 22.
