Edinburgh City Council has approved plans to build a new country park to the west of Edinburgh.

The major project will be located on the site of a disused quarry in the village of Ratho.

The 26-hectare site will be reshaped to create a lakeside setting with woodland walks, and will feature a small loch as its centrepiece.

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A second, smaller body of water is also included in the plans and this will be connected to the Union Canal to create a 75-berth marina.

More than 100 homes are also to be built in the derelict property, including townhouses, apartments and detached homes. These will be accessible from Wilkieston Road.

Once the development is completed, the park will be linked to the canal and to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena to create a major leisure area.

The quarry is one of the largest vacant brownfield sites in the Edinburgh area.

Original consent was given for the site back in 2005. The project is expected to be completed by late 1015.

(JP)