Developer set to surround couple’s rural home with over 900 new builds | UK | News
A couple whose home has been surrounded by idyllic countryside for 50 years is facing a “nightmare” as a developer wants to surround their home. property with almost 1000 new buildings. Stan and Margot Gowrie, both 73, bought their country house near Mayfield, Scotland, half a century ago.
But the fields that once were farming It could be broken up and covered with 926 new properties for crops and giving them views of the surrounding area for miles. Stan said: “We will be surrounded on our sides, behind and in front. This is a constant concern. The road in front of the house will be the entrance and exit to all developments.”
Barratt Redrow’s proposal for the new development calls for the homes to be built on land south of Mayfield and take around 10 years to complete; This leaves the couple surrounded by a construction site for the better part of a decade.
An agreement in principle was reached in 2023 after the plans were submitted several years ago and subsequently revised. It was delayed again by planning officials last week.
When Stan and Margot got married at 23, they moved into the country house because they wanted to live somewhere quiet. Stan said: “It was very quiet in those days – there was a strange car driving by on the road in front of our house.
“All the extra traffic will pass by my house. That’s going to be terrible.
“People say, ‘So why don’t you move?’ he says. So who would buy a house knowing that 1000 houses will be built around the building? “I don’t think anyone would do that.”
Margo said Edinburgh Live: “We were horrified when we found out how many houses they wanted to build.
“I don’t know what this will turn into, with the heavy traffic, the noise, the construction we’ll be doing for the next 10 years, the dirt, dust and grime.”
The plans were postponed at a meeting of Midlothian Council’s planning committee last week.
Councilors raised concerns about a number of “unanswered questions” about the work that needs to be carried out before construction begins.
Midlothian Council said Planning Committee members decided to postpone decisions on the relevant application in order to hold a special workshop on the issue.
He said this would preferably involve developers and would consider infrastructure, facilities and local impact to determine the outcome of the application.
Barratt Redrow told Edinburgh Live they were in contact with the council. Bosses said the developer aims to maintain a constructive dialogue with officers and members.
