Land earmarked for a £1bn garden district headed up by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray is infested with dangerous weeds, it is claimed.

Greenbelt land at Gogar, Edinburgh, on which Murray Estates plans to build up to 1350 homes, has been infested with giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed "for many years", the local community council said.

Giant hogweed causes severe burns and potentially even blindness if touched, while Japanese knotweed can eat through concrete and tarmac. Both spread rapidly and are very difficult to eradicate.

The community group said the issue has been known about "for many years" but "has not been addressed".

Currie Community Council chairman Allister McKillop 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."

He added: "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."

Murray Estates insisted the weeds did not present "any significant problem", adding they were "common invasive species" throughout Scotland.

Managing director Jestyn Davies said: "Murray Estates takes the management of its land very seriously, and there is an annual inspection and spraying regime carried out to treat any giant hogweed or Japanese knotweed that is found.

"It has to be realised that these are common invasive species on land throughout Edinburgh and Scotland, and that we can't take responsibility for land that is not in our ownership.

"These plants do not present any significant problems that might delay our proposals."

Mr Davies added: "We are of course delighted to have secured the backing of the council for our vision for a new and world class extension to the nation's capital."

Plans for the first phase of the £1bn development were approved by councillors last Thursday.

These include up to 1350 houses, a new primary school, a shopping complex and new community facilities.

The wider project seeks to build 6000 houses and a host of leisure facilities on the 675-acre site, located at Gogar between the city bypass and the RBS headquarters.