A couple who have lived surrounded by fields for 50 years are facing a “nightmare” – over plans to build nearly 1,000 new homes around them.
Stan and Margot Gowrie, both 73, bought the cottage in the middle of a massive green space half a century ago.
But the fields that were once farming land for crops and gave them views for miles could be about to be covered by 926 new builds.
The proposal for the new development from Barratt Redrow would see the houses built on land south of Mayfield, Scotland – and would take around ten years to be completed.
After being submitted several years ago and later revised the plans were agreed in principle in 2023 – but last week delayed again by planning officials.
Stan said: “We’ll be surrounded to the side, to the back, and to the front. It’s a constant worry.
“The road in front of the house is going to be the access and exit to all the developments.”
When the couple married at 23, they moved into the cottage because they wanted to live in a quiet location.
Stan added: “In those days it was very quiet – the road in front of our house had the odd car going along it.
“All the extra traffic is going to be passing my house. It’s just going to be terrible.
”People say, ‘well, why don’t you just move?’
“But who’s going to buy the house knowing that there’s going to be 1,000 houses built around the building? I don’t think anybody would.”
Margo told Edinburgh Live: “We were horrified when we found out how many houses they wanted to build.
“I don’t know what it’s going to turn into with the heavy traffic, and the noise, and the building work we’ll have for the next 10 years, with all the dirt, dust and mess.”
Following a meeting of Midlothian Council’s planning committee last week, the plans were delayed.
Councillors raised concerns about a number of “unanswered questions” regarding the work which would need to be carried out before building starts.
On social media locals have stand with the couple who said “to feel” for them, adding that the area ‘won’t cope’ with these many houses.
One said: “Every time I drive past your cottages, I think how lucky you are to have that fabulous view. You are right to be angry.”
Another added: “We are also on the same road, just along from this couple, frequently get visited by local deer and other wildlife – the area won’t cope with 1000 houses.”
A third said: “Does not make any difference how many consultations and meetings they have, they have made up their minds and will go ahead.
“It happens all over, don’t know why they bother holding consultations! It is the same with putting objections in it still goes ahead regardless how many they get.”
And a fourth said: “Awwwww I feel terrible for you, you don’t get a choice developing for more and more houses seems endless.
“There is no regard to the area for adequate new infrastructure roads or the extra population. As is always money dictates not farming arable land.”
Midlothian Council said following this week’s meeting: “Planning Committee members decided to defer decisions on the respective application to hold a dedicated workshop, preferably including the developers, to consider the factors of infrastructure, facilities and impact to determine the applications.”
Barratt Redrow told Edinburgh Live they are liaising with the council. Bosses said the developer aims to maintain a constructive dialogue with officers and members.
