Tuesday 6th February 2018, 10:16am
A bid to create an outdoor activity centre in the Pentlands, to which Mountaineering Scotland had objected, has been withdrawn.
The application was for a change of use from agricultural land to outdoor activity centre; formation of car parking and siting of three containers and two portaloos, at Spittal Farm, Penicuik. Activities at the proposed centre, which was within the Pentland Hills Regional Park, were to have included archery and 4X4 driving.
The site was between the A702 road out of Edinburgh and the hills, near the hamlet of Nine Mile Burn.
Objecting to the proposal, David Gibson, Mountaineering Scotland Chief Executive Officer, said that the Pentland Hills serve an important function to those in Edinburgh and wider afield and the Pentland Hills Regional Park was established in recognition of that fact.
He said the proposals would take away from the essential character of the hills as a place for the peaceful enjoyment of the countryside, and added that the habitat would be neither protected nor enhanced.
Following Mountaineering Scotland’s objection notice has been received from Midlothian Council that the planning application has been withdrawn and will no longer be considered.