Neighbours demand action on 'wasteland' blighted by vandals

FED-UP neighbours of a plot of land blighted by vandalism and fireraising say it is causing misery and are calling for it to be cleaned up.

Residents of four bungalows on the site in Burdiehouse were moved out several months ago because private developers planned to build 28 flats there.

However, with work still to start, the plot on Burdiehouse Terrace and Burdiehouse Road has become a wasteland. Neighbours say ten separate fires have been started since the homes were vacated, the contents of the buildings and other rubbish have been dumped in the gardens, and vandals have attacked the site.

Neighbours say they have repeatedly requested that Edenlaw Midlothian, the firm awarded planning permission for the site, should clear it up. But with no improvement work carried out, they are now campaigning for the city council to clean up the site and bill the firm for the work.

Retired cleaner Marie Docherty, 72, who lives in Burdiehouse Terrace, has signatures from 77 of her neighbours on a petition to get the site cleaned up.

She said: "They moved out at the end of May. The owner has got planning permission but hasn't developed the site. We've had fires and people are using it as a dump.

"We've had ten fires since the planning permission was granted. It's a health and safety hazard. We've never had any bother before and since they've moved out the vandals have started."

Their campaign is backed by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, who said: "The state of the site is shocking, not only have the gardens been turned into an open rubbish dump, but as the buildings have been subjected to constant arson attacks they are now extremely unsafe.

"Only last week there were about nine or ten young people inside one of the buildings. What happens if it collapses around them? Local residents are rightly very concerned about this as it is becoming a major health hazard."

A spokeswoman for the council said officers would meet with police, the developer and other organisations next Friday to discuss the problem.

She added: "We are aware of local concerns and are working with the private developers and other organisations in finding a solution."

The Evening News was unable to contact Edenlaw Midlothian for comment. David Bell, director of architect Fouin and Bell, which was due to work on the site, said: "The site in question was subject to a recent planning consent which was granted to a developer who undertook to develop the site on behalf of a housing association.

"Subsequent to receipt of planning, the developer has failed to honour his commitments and proceed with the project. We are awaiting feedback from them and from the council with regard to the funding of the affordable housing.".