Springfield Road, Penicuik, EH2 8PR

Site with potential for uses appropriate to a rural area subject to statutory consent
Grazing Land - 2.725 Ha (6.73 Acres), Springfield Road, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 8PR

*Closing date - 12 noon, Wednesday 25 November 2015*

Location
The site is located close to the southern boundary of Penicuik, Midlothian. The site is situated one mile (1.5 km) north east of Leadburn and 2 miles (4 km) south of Penicuik. Penicuik is located 10 miles (14 km) south of Edinburgh on the A701 Peebles Road. The site is situated in a rural setting off the main A701 Edinburgh to Peebles Road.

Description
The site consists of a grazing field which runs parallel to Springfield Road. Springfield Road is a non adopted access to the site. A servitude right of access is available over this road. The site is currently leased to a local farmer on a yearly basis. The site is bordered to the north by a row of ten houses which front Springfield Road and back onto the site

Area
Site Area: 27,254 sq m - 2.725 Hectares (6.73 acres)

Planning
Midlothian Local Plan Policy: RP1 Protection of the Countryside states that development in the countryside will only be permitted if: it is required for the furtherance of agriculture, including farm related diversification, horticulture, forestry, countryside recreation, tourism, or waste disposal (where this is shown to be essential as a method of site restoration); it is within a designated nonconforming use in the Green Belt; or it accords with policy DP1; DP1 Development in the Countryside is divided into sections entitled New Housing, Design of New Housing, House Extensions, Replacement Houses and Appearance of all Buildings. The section on New Housing is divided into four subsections: Single Houses (not related to Housing Groups/Farm Steadings); Housing Groups; Redundant Farm Steadings and Other Redundant Non-Residential Buildings in the Countryside; and Rural Buildings of Value. These sections give guidance on acceptable housing proposals in the countryside; RP7 Landscape Character which advises that development will not be permitted where it may adversely affect the quality of the local landscape. Provision should be made to maintain local diversity and distinctiveness of landscape character and enhance landscape characteristics where improvement is required; ECON7 Tourist Accommodation states that proposals for self-catering accommodation will be permitted subject to: the proposal being in keeping with the character and scale of the surrounding area and the rural setting; the proposal being sited and designed to enhance its setting; the proposal being well located in terms of the strategic road network and maximising public transport access; and the proposal being located in an unobtrusive manner within the rural landscape.  For further information Contact:  Midlothian Council Planning Department on 0131 271 3302 development.management@midlothian.gov.uk

Services/Ground Conditions
The site is served with existing water, drainage, telephone and electricity. There is an existing low level overhead electricity line crossing the site. An existing drain serving the houses crosses the north east corner of the site. The property is not served by mains gas. No investigation have been carried out in relation to the availability of statutory services, ground condition etc. Details of the existing services affecting the site is available on request.

Access
This site is accessed from Springfield Road which is a narrow, unclassified road. The route is unable to accommodate two-way traffic flow and drivers rely on the use of mainly informal vehicle passing places. The route serves as access to a number of dwellings and rural businesses. There are no dedicated pedestrian facilities with walkers being required to use the narrow grass verge or roadway. The site is also poorly served by public transport with a limited service being available on the A701.

Terms
The Council are inviting offers for their heritable interest in the property. The property will be sold by way of disposition and associated deed of conditions containing such reservations, burdens and conditions as the Council Solicitor may consider necessary to protect the Council’s interest. These may include reservations regarding minerals, services, etc and provisions regarding maintenance, insurance, uses, etc

Fees
The purchaser will be expected to pay the Council’s reasonably incurred legal costs plus Corporate Property costs of 2.5% of the purchase price subject a minimum of £1,000 plus vat, if applicable.

Offer Guidance
Offers should include the following:
• Headline Price
• Schedule of abnormal costs, if abnormal costs are to be deducted from the purchase price the offer should contain a
• Proposed timescale for acquisition / development
• Conditions of purchase
• Confirmation of funding
• If any development / renovation proposals are proposed indicative layout drawings are required.

Contact/Viewing
For more information or to arrange a viewing of the premises please contact: Chris Jayne – 0131 529 6528 chris.jayne@edinburgh.gov.uk or Frances Maddicott - 0131 529 5828 - frances.maddicott@edinburgh.gov.uk