Riverbank Homes Stalled by Water Voles | Edinburgh News

Plans to build 101 homes on the River Almond in Mid Calder have been halted after a protected water vole burrow was discovered — turning what seemed like a straightforward development into a wildlife law battle. Developers now face mandatory licensing requirements and must prove no alternative site or design exists to avoid harming the species, a legal hurdle they’ve failed to meet. Community concerns over traffic and services persist, while lawyers warn rushing a decision before a required ecological survey is “disgraceful.” The council has paused its decision for one to three months to gather updated data on water voles and great crested newts — signaling that protecting nature takes precedence over construction. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/91caef1482f7ea8b