Lottery winners abandon £5million mega mansion overlooking Edinburgh after 60 complaints from locals who hated plans

A FAMILY of Lottery winners have abandoned their dream of a £5million Hollywood-style mansion with ‘jaw dropping’ views over Scotland’s capital city.

Lisa Charters, 34, and her husband Craig, 35, outraged neighbours in Edinburgh's plush Morningside last year by seeking planning permission to knock down a humble 1950’s hilltop bungalow.

They wanted to replace it with what one councillor called an ‘uncompromisingly modern’ construction, with zinc cladding, white brick and a sweeping paved driveway.

But, almost a year after their planning victory, the couple are walking away from their Grand Design and have placed the house on the market for £95,000 less than they paid for it.

Lisa’s parents, from Hawick in Roxburghshire, landed a £33 million windfall eight years ago, half of the £66 million won on the UK National Lottery.

The Charters – who announced their engagement on a beach in the Bahamas - snapped up the three bed bungalow in Edinburgh in July 2021 by paying £200,000 over the asking price of £670,000.

Award-winning architect Richard Murphy was brought in to imagine a three-storey, five-bedroom, property which would not look out of place in the Hollywood Hills, capitalising on the remarkable vista over Auld Reekie.

But almost a year after their controversial scheme was approved by councillors, the unoccupied property has now been offered up for sale.

One neighbour said: "None of us was best pleased with the proposed mansion – there were 63 letters of objection sent to the council.

“But we certainly expected work to have started before now.

“It’s such a shame because it is a perfectly-good home being left empty. Local people now call it The Little House on the Prairie.”

Capital estate agents Revere say the planning permission could be transferred to new owners, who may still want to go ahead with the dramatic project.

The bungalow’s views have been described as ‘jaw dropping’ in the new sales brochure.

It adds: "This expansive 1,507 sq. ft bungalow showcases a spectacular 270-degree panoramic view of Edinburgh, stretching from the iconic Arthur’s Seat to the magnificent Pentland Hills and presents a rare opportunity for discerning buyers."

During the planning process, council officials upset neighbours by claiming that the retention of housing on the site would produce a public transport benefit.

Their document stated: “The continued residential use on-site will help support these local facilities.”

One neighbour raged: "Are they seriously suggesting lottery winners will be getting the bus into town?

“People with that kind of money will be cruising the city in a Ferrari, not waiting in a draughty bus shelter on Lothian Road.”

The Charters were approached for comment.