A Midlothian restaurant’s bid to expand its car park has been rejected despite claims it might have to relocate without the additional space.
Local residents signed a petition objecting to the proposal from Gigi’s in Bonnyrigg, which would see open public space used as a walkway by locals turned into 12 car park spaces.
The restaurant operators had already won the right to create a nine space car park on the site after Midlothian councillors overturned a decision to reject it at an appeal last year.
However their revised application included an additional three spaces for cars, and the removal of cycle spaces and electricity chargers.
The applicants told planners that the introduction of additional parking restrictions on the street outside the restaurant meant more spaces were needed for customers.
A report by planning officers said the applicants agent had said that “the lack of parking is prohibiting growth of the business to the extent that the owner is considering locating elsewhere which could impact on employment”.
Objectors had warned anger over the loss of the land which was used by locals to walk through the town would spill over if there is an accident pointing to its use as ‘safe passage’ for people to avoid traffic.
They said: “The corner lot allows people (many of which are children), to avoid traffic and remain safe. This is very much a community space, where neighbours convalesce, elderly people take their daily walk, school children meet up, small children learn to ride their bikes, and people walk their dogs. It is a safe space for people, which is why it is such a shame that it will soon be turned into a car park.
“We fail to see how the removal of a walkway on which children, the elderly, and the disabled use for safe passage, is compatible to the local street scene, and not detrimental to the amenity of the local area.”
Yesterday campaigners welcomed the decision by planners to refuse permission for the extended car park but they remained ‘troubled’ by the council’s apparent lack of concern over safety issues raised.
They said: “The main issue with the car park, is the danger the walkway’s removal would present to the children, elderly, and disabled residents who use it daily.
“I is simply incomprehensible how the local review board was willing to approve the previous plan on appeal, after the entire community had collectively objected.
“This plan only brings negatives to the locals, and entirely benefits Gigi’s. The people of Bonnyrigg are very worried for the safety of our children. Within only 3 days, the local residents were able to collect 51 signatures on a petition against this redevelopment. The signatures represented the collective voice of the community, a community which has said “NO” to turning the space which was given to the people of Bonnyrigg , into a car park.”
Planning officers refused permission for the revised car park saying was a “significant and unacceptable variation to the previously approved scheme and would result in the further loss of an attractive area of landscaped open space providing an amenity for both residents and passers-by. ”
They added the removal of cycle spaces and electric chargers also went against council policy.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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