Council officials believe a lottery-rich couple should be allowed to build a £5m mega-mansion in Edinburgh – because it will help protect bus services.
The reason for recommending planning approval is contained in a document which will go before councillors on Wednesday.
Lisa Charters, 33, and her husband Craig, 34, are settling down after travelling the world on the back of her parents’ £33million windfall, half of the £66m won on the UK National Lottery seven years ago.
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The couple, originally from Hawick in Roxburghshire, have infuriated neighbours in plush Morningside over plans to knock down a humble bungalow and replace it with a three-storey ‘Grand Designs’ villa with uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle.
Initial plans were re-drawn after the planning furore last year, reducing the height of the building by 1.5 metres and moving it slightly away from a neighbour’s property.
But some of the 63 objectors are furious that planning officials from City of Edinburgh Council have used public transport reasons as part of their case recommending the new scheme for approval.
The document states: ”Lothian Bus service 15 is an approximate eight-minute walk away onto Pentland Terrace, which provides access into the city centre.
“The local centre on Comiston Road is accessible in a 16-minute walk or 13-minute bus journey via Lothian Service no.11. The continued residential use on-site will help support these local facilities.”
One neighbour raged: ”Are they seriously suggesting lottery winners will be getting the bus into town?
“People with that kind of money will be cruising the city in a Ferrari, not waiting in a draughty bus shelter on Lothian Road.
“To claim that multi millionaires will be supporting local bus services in a joke.”
Local people in Morningside claim their privacy will be invaded, sunlight will be reduced and property prices could be hit by construction work, digging into volcanic rock.
One neighbour wrote to the council: ”The current hillside is a habitat for a lot of wildlife. We get frequent reports of deer, badger, rabbit and fox.
“I do not believe that documents submitted are an accurate reflection of reality. The development will certainly destroy much of the wild habitat on the hillside.”
The Charters – who announced their engagement on a beach in the Bahamas - snapped up a three bed bungalow in Edinburgh in July 2021 by paying £200,000 over the asking price of £670,000.
It’s now their intention to demolish the 1950’s home and replace it with a two-storey and basement pleasure palace on the site, with its own access road around neighbouring suburban properties.
The council planners conclude: ”The proposal is in accordance with the development plan. Residential use is established on-site and is compatible with the character of the area.
“It will continue to help support local facilities and sustainable transport modes nearby. A satisfactory residential environment will be created and there will be no unreasonable impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents.”
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