A huge new development proposal for the Ravelrig Road area of Balerno is to be submitted, featuring 300 homes and new facilities including a brand new doctors surgery.
The plans for the Edinburgh suburb will be submitted by Rapleys, who have acknowledged the already over-stretched healthcare facilities in Balerno and the surrounding area.
The land that has been proposed to be built on sits next to the recently constructed Ravelrig Heights luxury home development by CALA Homes. However Rapleys proposals have stated that they will provide 30% of the homes built as affordable housing.
Other features mentioned in the plans include a community hub, public allotments and open green spaces.
The developer will be holding a public consultation for local residents at the Balerno community centre on Monday 23rd March from 2-8pm.
The Balerno Community Council published information about the consultation, stating:
"We recommend and encourage as many people attend as possible, noting comments to the developers."
Rapleys have described the plans as a contribution to Balerno, by providing a scheme which will provide housing, but also delivering much needed community facilities to support the growing population of the community.
In a statement, they said:
"The proposal at Land Beside Ravelrig Road showcases an exciting opportunity to provide a sensitively designed development of 300 dwellings, which will support the wider community through additional healthcare facilities, affordable housing, extensive public amenity space and allotments.
"It is recognised that healthcare facilities in Balerno and the wider area are already over stretched. This proposal would address this issue though providing a contemporary community hub and doctors surgery central to the development.
"These facilities would be served by an extension to the existing bus route in Balerno, allowing sustainable travel within and around the development.
"Edinburgh City Council have reported that all allotments in the area currently have a waiting list.
"The Masterplan includes extensive multifunctional public amenity space which includes areas for community allotments and children’s play which can be enjoyed by the wider Balerno community.
"It has been reported that pupil numbers in Edinburgh will increase by 7.5% by 2020/21 and in response to this, these amenity spaces can also be used by local schools as offsite playing fields, to provide additional space on school sites for classrooms.
"The proposal would provide 30% affordable homes which is higher than current 25% required by Edinburgh City Council.
"These homes would be fully integrated into the layout of the scheme and would significantly contribute towards Edinburgh’s affordable housing need.
"Overall, this proposal seeks to contribute to Balerno by providing a scheme which will deliver much needed community facilities to support the development and wider community."
