A land development spearheaded by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray is infested with giant hogweed.

Large areas of land earmarked for 1,320 new homes as part of the controversial new project on greenbelt land at Gogar, Edinburgh, are covered with giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed.

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Giant hogweed can cause severe burns and even blindness if touched, while Japanese knotweed eats through tarmac and concrete and destroys property.

Both spread rapidly and are incredibly difficult to eradicate.

Murray Estates have won council approval for the huge housing project, but it still needs the final go-ahead from the Scottish Government after locals expressed fierce opposition.

And the frim insisted the plants would not cause any delays to the scheme.

A spokesman said their presence was "an inconvenience, not a gamechanger".

READ MORE: Former Rangers Chairman Sir David Murray given green light to build hundreds of homes
He added: "These are problems encountered all over Scotland; they can be treated."

Allister McKillop, chair of Currie Community Council, said the problem had been known for at least 20 years, but it had never been properly addressed.

He said: "The kids used to get warnings and they know not to go near it, but it is a continuing concern.

"It has been pushed under the carpet in the hope people won't recognise what a big issue it is."

"This has been a known issue for many years and it has not been addressed.

"There is a law about this and why the situation has been allowed just to meander along is beyond me. People know about it, it is a dangerous weed and action has to be taken before anything else."

Neighbours said they had been trying to get Murray Estates to get rid of the weeds for the past five years.

And they revealed it had now polluted the Gogarburn and was affecting wildflower habitat on the Union Canal.

Steve Burgess, leader of the Green group on Edinburgh city council, said: "This is a major developer who should be taking responsibility for care of the site while it is undeveloped.

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"Even if the public is not likely to come into direct contact with it, giant hogweed spreads very rapidly and the council should be using its powers to enforce control if necessary.

"If what the developer has done is not effective that is not satisfactory and I would be looking to the council to enforce action."

Jestyn Davies, managing director of Murray Estates, said the weeds were an issue on land throughout Edinburgh, central Scotland and the UK.

He said: "We regularly liaise with the council and other landowners on this issue, and we have an ongoing programme of spraying being carried out.

"The issue is not a significant one in term of future development, but we will take further specific action in the run-up to construction activities should it prove to be necessary."

READ MORE: Former Rangers Chairman Sir David Murray given green light to build hundreds of homes