It's a homes win at Spartans

A CONTROVERSIAL move to build homes on the ground of Spartans FC has been given the go-ahead after the development was scaled back.

The club is set to move to a new £3.3 million facility at nearby Ainslie Park in September, in a deal which will see housebuilder Miller allowed to build on their historic home at City Park.

But residents and community groups strongly objected to the original blueprint for up to 200 flats on the park.

Council planners have now drawn up a new framework as the basis of an expected planning application from Miller for the site off Ferry Road.

They have stipulated there should be fewer flats, and that the height of the development is restricted to two or three storeys for the blocks next to Ferry Road.

Officials have also agreed to carry out a full traffic impact study after concerns were raised about the affect it will have on nearby roads, which are next to Morrison's supermarket.

Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis, the Labour representative for the Forth ward, said: "I am very pleased the committee has listened to my concerns, as well as the points raised by everyone affected.

"There are still concerns over transport issues in and out of the site, but I think overall we now have a framework in place which the planning applications can work towards. I don't think everyone will be happy, but progress has been made."

Allan Jackson, the local Tory councillor, added: "A lot of people were upset about these plans because they were worried about too many flats being squeezed on to City Park.

"I think the new design statement has taken account of concerns raised in the consultation. There are a lot of developers sitting on planning consents at the moment with the market not being what it was and it may be a while before the site is developed."

The £3.3m complex at Ainslie Park being built for Spartans will include a 500-seat stand, a new floodlit grass pitch, an all-weather pitch and a clubhouse and changing rooms.

Miller agreed to sell the former Telford College site in return for being allowed to build on City Park.

The club expects around 1500 people to use the new facilities every week and has pledged to join forces with Telford College, NHS Lothian, youth groups and schools to maximise use of the complex.

Davie Rutherford, secretary of Royston/Wardieburn Community Council, said residents will welcome the reduction in density, but added: "We will be looking for reassurance that the affordable housing element will be built in the same location as the private housing, so there is a real mix of people on this site."

Mr Rutherford added he would be looking for reassurances that any development will require full environmental assessments given City Park's proximity to the former VA Tech Peebles factory, destroyed by fire in 1999.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, the city's planning convener, said: "We have stated that the site should be less dense, that a full traffic survey should be carried out in response to concerns about traffic impact, and that the proposed cycle route should be re-routed."

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