A NEW footpath running through a farm field in Currie, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is set to the constructed after a planning application was approved by the council.
The proposed site of the path, the Muir Wood Field Path, has for years been used, informally, as a link between Muir Wood Road at one end of the field, and the Bloomiehall Public Park in Juniper Green on the other end.
The path will now be resurfaced and made permanent at a width of up to 2.5 metres, with uplighters delineating the route, a new lighting arrangement, benches providing rest stops, and drainage installed.
The path received objections and letters of support from the local community, while local MSPs backed the plans earlier last year.
A NEW footpath running through a farm field in the village of Currie, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is set to the constructed (C) Bridley Associates
The plans are described as an “upgrade” to an informal path in planning documents, as the path, which cuts through a farm field and is bordered to the north by a thick treeline, has been used informally for many years now.
There have, for some time, however, been complaints about dangers entailed by the muddiness of the path after rainfall and the lack of lighting.
The new development, which does not yet have an official timeline for construction, hopes to address these fears.
New lighting will be installed, with uplighters delineating the path and the length of the route will be paved over with a new, solid walkway.
Benches will also be installed along the route to provide rest points, guardrails will be installed along points of the path, and “low-level” planting to the south of the path will separate the path from the field.
Drainage plans have been detailed, and five trees along the paths have been outlined for removal to facilitate the path’s installation.
Planning documents indicate that the 2-2.5m wide path will accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.
Plans were submitted by consultancy firm Pell Frischmann on behalf of Currie Community Council.
No major issues were raised by ecological, heritage, and flooding assessments of the site, and the City of Edinburgh Council gave its greenlight to plans just before the new year.
In its reasons for approving the development, the council said: “The proposal is acceptable in principle, resulting in the provision of an appropriately designed active travel route, that will contribute to the connectivity of the local area.
“The proposal is positive for the climate crisis and, subject to conditions, results in an enhancement to biodiversity, no negative impact to protected species, and an acceptable impact to trees at the site.
“No negative heritage or flooding impacts are identified. The proposal complies with the development plan.
“There are no material considerations which indicate that the proposals should be refused. Therefore, the proposals are acceptable.”
One member of the public, Mrs Elaine McLernon, who lives in nearby Juniper Green, however, objected to the proposals.
In a letter of objection, she wrote: “I have mixed feelings about this.
“Yes, it’s good for walkers but for years it has never put people off crossing the field because it’s bumpy or muddy.
“As someone who stays adjacent to Bloomiehall Park my concern is at night it becomes a racing track for bikes, with engines, that then continue racing around the park.
“And why the need for lights? Lights or no lights, as a woman who is told continually to think safe, I certainly would not be crossing a field at night.
“It has been suggested that Edinburgh Council may in turn light Bloomiehall Park.
“Does nobody think of the residents in the close proximity [sic]? [There are] Already bouts of anti-social behaviour, why are we encouraging more?”
Plans for greenery at either side of the path have been detailed (C) Pell Frischmann
Two locals, however, made their voices heard in support of the proposals.
Colin McLeod, who lives in Currie, said that the changes will make the path “safer, less muddy, and encourage more active travel”.
Dave Crow, who also lives in Currie, called the proposals for a guardrail “absolutely essential,” but asked that better lighting and a speedbump on a nearby road be installed.
Early last year, the plans gained the support of local luminaries Scott Arthur MP, Gordon MacDonald MSP, Sue Webber MSP, and council’s transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson.
Prior to that, funding was secured for the project by by the Juniper Green and Baberton Mains and Currie Community Councils, through Paths for All’s Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF).
Consultants Pell Frischmann were then appointed to put together designs for the proposed path improvement.
The land is owned by construction firm Taylor Wimpey and currently used as arable land.
Currie Community Council has been approached for comment.
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