A couple who have lived in an isolated cottage for decades face being surrounded on all sides by 1,000 new-build homes after 'nightmare' plans were lodged with the council. 

Stan and Margot Gowrie, both 73, bought their cottage in a patch of open countryside in Mayfield, near Edinburgh, Scotland, half a century ago.

But the fields that were once used for growing crops and gave them views for miles around could be about to be covered by 926 new builds.

The couple fear the development, which has been proposed by construction company Barratt Redrow, will cause them years of noise, traffic and disruption. 

They are also concerned they will not be able to find a buyer for their home due to the building work, which is expected to take around ten years to complete.

The plans were first submitted several years ago but were later revised and agreed in principle in 2023. However, last week they were delayed again by planning officials.

Mr Gowrie said: 'We will be surrounded to the side, to the back, and to the front. It's a constant worry.

'The road in front of the house is going to be the access and exit to all the developments.'

The couple said when they got married at the age of 23, they moved into their cottage because they wanted to live in a quiet location.

'In those days it was very quiet - the road in front of our house had the odd car going along it,' Mr Gowrie added. 

'All the extra traffic is going to be passing my house. It's just going to be terrible.

'People say, "well, why don't you just move?"

'But who's going to buy the house knowing that there's going to be 1,000 houses built around the building? I don't think anybody would.'

The plans for the 926 houses were delayed following a meeting of Midlothian Council's planning committee last week

Councillors raised concerns about a number of 'unanswered questions' regarding work that would need to be carried out before building work starts.

Neighbours have sided with the Gowries on social media, saying the area 'won't be able to cope' with the large number of houses.

One said: 'Every time I drive past your cottages, I think how lucky you are to have that fabulous view. You are right to be angry.'

Another added: 'We are also on the same road, just along from this couple, frequently get visited by local deer and other wildlife - the area won't cope with 1000 houses.'

A third said: 'Does not make any difference how many consultations and meetings they have, they have made up their minds and will go ahead.

'It happens all over, don't know why they bother holding consultations! It is the same with putting objections in it still goes ahead regardless how many they get.'

A spokesperson for Midlothian Council said following this week's meeting: 'Planning Committee members decided to defer decisions on the respective application to hold a dedicated workshop, preferably including the developers, to consider the factors of infrastructure, facilities and impact to determine the applications.'

Barratt Redrow told Edinburgh Live they are liaising with the council. 

Bosses said the developer aims to maintain a constructive dialogue with officers and members.