Plans for 81 homes on eyesore site

The site was put on the market for an estimated 10 million - understood to be a fraction of what Ailsa Investments paid for the former 1970s NHS office complex - and was purchased by Cala Homes, which has now submitted a detailed planning application.

This would see a far smaller development of 81 homes, including a mixture of family homes and smaller flats.

It is hoped work to fill in the site could begin later this year, although the developer has warned it will take specialist teams to properly shore up the ground excavated to make way for a previously planned underground car-park.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead, Cala has said it hopes to have the first homes available to buy in spring 2012.

It is understood the plans have the broad support of the community. The earlier proposals attracted dozens of objections, mainly due to the scale and the height of the buildings.

Allan Jackson, councillor for the Forth ward which includes Trinity, said: "People in the area are keen for something to be done with the site, as the large hole there is a bit of an eyesore and fills up with water every time it rains.

"The only concern will be the potential to increase traffic at a very busy junction, although this is something which can be managed."

Richard Scott, treasurer of Trinity Community Council, said: "The big concern for that area is the increase in traffic, so we would like to know more about what effect this will have."

"The site itself is obviously an eyesore, and with all the rain and snow over the winter the hole now looks like a lake, so it will be good if something could be done about that."

Kevin Whitaker, managing director of Cala East, said: "Opportunities like Trinity Park House do not come along too often in Edinburgh, and it is further proof that the city can continue to be an attractive and desirable location despite the housing downturn.

"The proposals reflect the need for high-quality family homes in the area."