The site was protected due to the presence of some rare species found on site in the 1990s when a previous application was made to build 36 flats on the site. There were apparently numerous other reasons for rejecting the application when it went to appeal.

The land has never been open to the public, although I'm told that at present it isn't particularly well closed off, but don't tell anybody otherwise people will start dumping stuff.

At the meeting I suggested that building on the site of 116 and 188 would be acceptable to most people, and prices of houses on Canonbie start above £1m. I pointed out that a modern high-spec new build could go on the market for £2m on Perry Vale, so a similar property on Canonbie could be worth a vast amount.

I also suggested that a 'friends' group could be established to improve the amenity value of the reservoir site as has been done on Devonshire Road, Albion Millennium Green, etc

The architect said that the public meeting was to see if there was public interest in building on this site. I suggested that no such interest would be forthcoming in an area of recognised Urban Green Space with recognised ecological value. He implied that houses might be better than flats or a hostel, to which I responded that a school would be better than housing in this particular location, so if it were to be partially developed (in conjunction with Hamilton Lodge possibly) it would be a school that would be more acceptable to local residents.

What was not shown at the exhibition was any suggested elevations of the seven new buildings and underground car park on the reservoir site or projected impacts on views from surrounding properties. They have not had any per-application discussions with the council and do not know if the council would be interested in selling 118 to them, but they were surprised by how much the council had paid for the property - which suggests they would not be willing to make the council an offer they couldn't refuse.

If permission is given to build something then it is likely that eventually permission would be given to build a large number of flats rather than small detatched houses. How many developments of detached houses do you see with communal underground parking?