Meadowbank redevelopment moves forward

The regeneration of Edinburgh’s Meadowbank has taken another step forward with planning applications submitted on Friday.

Detailed planning consent for a new £45m sports centre on the existing site of the famous venue, built for Edinburgh’s hosting of the 1970 Commonwealth Games, will be considered by Councillors alongside a masterplan application to develop surplus land adjacent to the new stadium.

The masterplan includes proposals for planning-in-principle for new housing, in support of the Council’s commitment to build 20,000 affordable homes within ten years. There will also be potential for private housing for sale, student accommodation, a community garden, shops, restaurants, and a hotel. The development of the site creates an opportunity to reopen Clockmill Road as an accessible walking and cycling connection between Restalrig, London Road and Holyrood Park.

Money raised from the receipt of developing the surplus land will help finance the construction costs of the new Sports Centre.

Councillor Ian Campbell, Vice Convener of Culture and Communities at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The submission is a significant step towards the delivery of a brand new Meadowbank development fit for the 21st century.

“Investing in Meadowbank is an investment in our city’s sporting infrastructure, and will provide the city with fantastic new facilities. The development will also help to regenerate the local area and provide much-needed new homes. I’m sure many people in Edinburgh will be excited to see the project reach this stage, and to view and feedback on the proposals.”

June Peebles, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “A huge amount of work, involving many interested parties, has taken place on the design and layout of the new Meadowbank to get us to this stage. The submission of the planning applications and the prospect of a brand new Meadowbank in 2020 is a hugely exciting one. The new venue will undoubtedly pick up where the old Meadowbank left off, providing countless opportunities for future generations to participate in physical activity and sport.”

The full set of plans will be considered at a meeting of the Council’s Development Management Sub Committee on Tuesday 15 May following a period of public consultation.

Residents, users, and other interested parties are invited to view and comment on the proposals online (reference codes 18/00181/FUL for the Sports Centre and 18/00154/PPP for the development site) until Friday 23 February 2018.