Tag: Edinburgh Accies

Raeburn Place development gains charitable status

Raeburn Place sketch

The controversial redevelopment of Edinburgh Accies’ Raeburn Place home has received a boost with news that the project has received charitable status. However campaigners are urging the club to work with the local community to make the project a success.

In a statement,  the organisation set up to progress the development said: ‘We are delighted to announce that The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) was officially registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) on Friday 25 April 2014. This is a major milestone for the Project. The Raeburn Place Foundation will build and operate the new facilities.’

Former Scotland rugby captain David Sole OBE said: “”As the Honorary Life President of the Edinburgh Academical Football Club, I am delighted that The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) has been granted charitable status (OSCR). I hope this will now facilitate the development, thereby helping shape the future of rugby and sport at Raeburn Place”.

The news has also been welcomed by Scottish Rugby. Chief Executive Mark said: “Congratulations to The Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) which has been awarded charitable status by OSCR. This is a major step in securing the much needed upgrade in facilities required at Raeburn Place.

“Scottish Rugby recognises that improved facilities will help increase and attract players of all ages, both male and female, into the game, and indeed sport in general. This will also make for a more enjoyable spectator experience, leading to an increase in match attendance, thereby also helping to sustain the club game.

“It is befitting that the home of the first international will also be the location for a museum celebrating the international game”.

Local campaigners Save Stockbridge opposed the redevelopment and met last week to discuss the next steps in their fight against the scale of the Raeburn Place plans. A spokesperson for the group said: 

“We continue to be well supported with over 80 people in attendance. Supporters were updated on the critical issue of ownership of the 6 foot strip along Comely Bank Road, where the wall currently stands. Until ownership of this strip has been established, CEC will not issue final written planning approval, therefore the development may not move forward.

“Although opponents of this development, Save Stockbridge has always supported the presence of rugby on the Academicals ground. We acknowledge their need for better facilities and a good income stream to support the continued health of this historic club.

“We therefore asked Dr James Simpson to share some alternative proposals that he had been working on with the supporters. We believe there is an opportunity to develop facilities and commercial (not retail), possibly also residential, property along Portgower Place. Those present were really interested and put forward other positive suggestions.

“We would be delighted to work with the developers and share our suggestions. Sadly, this has never been encouraged despite several offers from Dr Simpson in the past.

“Regarding the award of charitable status to the Raeburn Place Development, we are aware that after initial difficulties this has now been granted. Our understanding is that the development had been having difficulty raising the necessary funds, this award will go a long way to helping them raise the necessary finance.

“To that end, it is not good news for Save Stockbridge with regards the current proposed development. However, if (as outlined above) the developers would listen to our alternative proposals and work with us, we would be delighted that they had achieved charitable status to raise funds for the mutually agreed benefit of rugby in Stockbridge.”

 

‘A sporting legacy?’ Council backs Stockbridge development

1316073281[1]City councillors have voted to approve plans by Edinburgh Academicals for a major redevelopment of their Raeburn Place ground. The plans have split Stockbridge – campaigners say councillors have made a ‘huge mistake’ and that the development could destroy the existing community. 

Despite impassioned pleas by objectors, councillors chose to go with officials’ recommendations to grant planning permission for the controversial redevelopment at today’s meeting of the Development Management Sub-Committee of the Planing Committee.

Speaking before the meeting, Accies’ executive chairman Frank Spratt said: “From the outset the only aims we have had have been to keep sport at Raeburn Place, protect the historic home of international rugby and provide high quality facilities in which young people can learn and enjoy rugby.

“All of the council’s and the Scottish Government’s policies support and encourage the improvement of town centres and the provision of high quality sporting facilities.

“Our proposals more than meet the requirements of council’s planning policies, so that north Edinburgh can have a sports hub of which it can be proud. The young people of north Edinburgh, and indeed the city, deserve no less.”

SaveStockbridge1Objectors put forward a compelling case that the character of Stockbridge will be irrevocably changed by the sheer scale of the Accies development. In a statement issued before this morning’s crucial meeting, the Save Stockbridge group argued:

‘The proposed development is totally out of keeping in a mainly residential area, far and away exceeding the actual needs of this amateur sports club, which regularly attracts no more than 200 spectators to its matches. So why does it need such an excessively large stadium for 5,000 spectators?

And why does it need the proposed function rooms, bar, lounge and corporate boxes, all available for hire, which together have a greater capacity than the Ballroom, Music Hall and Drawing Rooms of the Assembly Rooms in George Street, plus new shops equivalent on average to about 25 present Stockbridge shops?

And why does the main building have to be almost as high as three double-decker buses?

Stockbridge is the third coolest place to live in Britain – if it aint’ broke, why fix it?’

Save Stockbridge said the proposed development flouts the city’s own Local Plan, would increase traffic in an already congested area and added that the retail element of the Accies plan will ‘hammer’ existing local shops.

Club representatives, however, argued that improved facilities at Raeburn Place would bring increased ticket sales and encourage wider participation in sport. Accies’ said that there is no plan to bring a major supermarket onto the site, and said that nine small shop units proposed in the development would not have a negative impact on local existing businesses. They also claimed the redevelopment will bring one hundred jobs to the area.

Following the marathon (over three hours) session, councillors finally voted to grant the application – despite one thousand formal objections and a 3200 signature petition opposing the plans

Construction on the £8 million redevelopment could now start as early as next Spring, but after a long and sometimes bitter planning dispute the community’s wounds may take somewhat longer to heal.

Accies development

Raeburn Place redevelopment

Edinburgh Accie’s plans to redevelop their Raeburn Place home is currently North Edinburgh’s most controversial topic. Yesterday, NEN’s friend and techie whizz Tom Allan kindly set up an online poll on this blog to gauge public opinion on the subject.

To help inform the debate, the planning application and statements from supporters of and objectors to the proposals can be found below:

12/03567/FUL | Erection of stands, clubhouse and facilities, associated commercial, business and retail uses including museum, licensed premises and function space, retail units, alterations to external landscape, car and coach parking, sports pitch realignment, sport floodlighting and alterations to vehicular access points and boundary walls.            |      The Edinburgh Academical Club 11A Portgower Place Edinburgh EH4 1HQ.      

   

THE CASE FOR REDEVELOPMENT

 Exciting plans for historical sports ground 

Raeburn Place is a sports ground with major historical significance. It’s of course the home to our Club, the Edinburgh Academical Football Club (Accies), the oldest rugby club in Scotland, and the second oldest in the entire world. The first ever international rugby match, between Scotland and England, was held here in 1871. It’s a landmark of decades of sport and community, although many wouldn’t know it.

Plans for the sensitive redevelopment of this iconic sports ground and the Club is now in the final stages of the pre-application consultation, following which we will formally lodge for planning. Our main aim is twofold: to provide state of the art sports facilities and, in turn, to add to the vibrant Stockbridge community and benefit neighbouring schools.

The plans comprise two double-tiered buildings:

  • A clubhouse and function suite facing onto Comely Bank Road. These facilities will be located on the top-tier with space for retail units below. Its main entrance will be next to the currently disused Raeburn House Hotel, which has been bought privately to be transformed into a boutique hotel.
  • Changing rooms located along Portgower Place. More excitingly, part of the top-tier will be dedicated to a rugby museum focused principally on the historical      significance of the ground and the Edinburgh Academical Football Club.
  • Players can enjoy a full-sized rugby pitch and two smaller training pitches. The      plans also provide for the relocation of the cricket pitch which has been absent from the ground for the past 5 years.

The perceived benefits of the development:

  • Income from the development will go to supporting sport at junior and youth      levels throughout North Edinburgh.
  • Schools, residents and clubs can enjoy high standard sports facilities.
  • It’ll be one of the few sports facilities not owned by the council or a school and so will enjoy flexibility of use.
  • It will also provide a top quality function space for Stockbridge.
  • The museum will add culturally to the area as well as going towards preserving      the history of the site, brining in new visitors to the area.
  • The trees running along Comely Bank Road will remain.
  • Perhaps most importantly though, the development is required to ensure the long-term survival of our iconic and historic club, not to mention the survival of      sport at this 157 year old sports ground. Although there will be some space (only 5% of the development) allocated for retail units, this is nothing compared to what could materialise should the Club not be able to secure its future as proposed. These retail units will be a modest yet effective addition to Stockbridge business, and will provide the income to the Club to sustain the high standard of the sports facilities for the current and future generations of the community.

 Edinburgh Academicals RFC website

  

THE CASE AGAINST REDEVELOPMENT

Save Stockbridge is, first and foremost, most definitely not an anti-Accies body. Save Stockbridge fully respect that the Accies are our neighbours and it goes without saying that they need a stand and changing facilities. We believe we speak for all when we say that no-one would object to an appropriately sized development in the right location. The problem is simply that this proposal is wholly inappropriate in terms of usage and scale.

It is worth noting that permission for the current redevelopment of the Raeburn House Hotel under its new ownership was achieved with the support of the local community. So it would be unfair to portray us as a group that are opposed to change or adopting a knee jerk ‘not on my doorstep’ mentality. The reason why the community got behind the Raeburn House development was because that developer made considerable efforts to engaged local people. In contrast, the Developer in this case has barely engaged the community at all. There has been little transparency and locals have been left with a stark “take it as it is or it’s going to be a car park” proposition.

The sheer scale and nature of what is being proposed here and its consequences for many aspects of life amongst the wider community is what has brought the community together. The development features 19,000 square feet of retail space along Comely Bank Road. To put this into perspective, that is the equivalent of 5 Scotmids or 20 small to average sized Stockbridge shops.

Furthermore, this development would obliterate the current open views to Inverleith Park with a real loss of amenity to the residents. And with regard to the retail aspect of Stockbridge, it would unquestionably put pressure on many of the existing businesses at a time of retail difficulty.

In the weeks running up to the planning application being submitted, we took to the streets of Stockbridge to draw local people’s attention to the existence of the project and make sure they could see the developer’s own drawings. But we were surprised at just how many people were only finding out about this development for the first time as a result of our efforts, again pointing to the Developers lack of sufficient transparency and engagement.

It is no exaggeration to say that there were gasps of horror from many who were seeing the plans for the first time. Many find it hard to understand why a club that currently attracts crowds in the low hundreds at best to its first XV matches (14 times per year) requires a ground with capacity for 5,000 spectators (2,500 seated, 2,500 standing). The stand itself, which would sit on top of the retail development, is almost the height of 3 double-decker buses, stretching along the length of Comely Bank Road and Portgower Place. It bears all the hallmarks of a white elephant in the making. Not the type of legacy either the club or the village requires.

It is clearly not a rugby development – it is a retail development, which is being built primarily for the benefit of the Developer. If this is not the case, why does the development actually reduce the playing footprint and have its stands absolutely against all norms e.g. behind the goal and not at the half way line?

Save Stockbridge are also concerned about factors such as traffic considerations (with only 50 car parking spaces being planned) along what is already a busy road, a principle route for emergency services and schoolchildren amongst others. Fears also exist surrounding the future viability of the trees that form the hallmark avenue effect along Comely Bank Road if the current publicly owned wall (which contrary to some reports is believed to have many years of life ahead of it if properly maintained) is removed and the proposed concourse is built.

People literally queued to sign our petition to express their concern and within a very short space of time we amassed some 2,500 signatures (all from local people physically present at our stand or participating shops, a far better measure of local opinion than internet based petitions and surveys). It is fair to say that no more than a handful out of the thousands that stopped to talk to us and look at the developers own pictures expressed any degree of support for the proposals as presented.

We therefore conclude that claims that the community is divided regarding this development are nonsense. The community as evident by the petitions is vehemently against this development, a point which Save Stockbridge has stressed to both local councillors and MSP’s alike in the last 2 weeks.

Regardless of what justification, financial or otherwise, has been put forward for this development, it is important not to overlook the fact that the developer is seeking to build this in a conservation area. Strict rules apply to protect these important historic aspects of our city for benefit of all both now and for generations to come. It is these same rules that prevent ordinary people living directly across the road from this development from installing something as simple as double glazing, an amenity that many of us take for granted. If this development is allowed to go ahead, it would establish a dangerous precedent that says that these important planning principles can simply be cast aside simply to suit the business needs of a private body pleading poverty. This cannot be right.

Save Stockbridge would appreciate the opportunity to work with the Accies to find a mutually agreeable solution but, despite repeated requests, have not been afforded this opportunity. Whilst we have genuine sympathy for the Accies current situation and agree that solution needs to be found, this proposal has to be rejected.

Save Stockbridge press statement

 So there you have it, both sides of the argument – what do you think?

Stars out in support of Stockbridge stadium redevelopment

A squad of Scottish rugby stars has spoken out in favour of controversial plans to redevelop Edinburgh Accies ground at Raeburn Place. The players – including former Scotland captains Andy Irvine, David Sole, Jim Calder and Ross Ford – have written to The Scotsman to pledge their support for the £8 million redevelopment in Stockbridge, and follows the submission of a full planning application by Edinburgh Accies on Tuesday.

The letter says:

‘We are writing specifically as supporters of Scottish rugby, but more generally as ordinary people who passionately support lifelong participation in sport.

We wish to place on record our belief in the ­importance of preserving and improving the Edinburgh Academical Football Club (Accies) home and 
facilities at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge in Edinburgh. Over the years Accies has contributed more than 10 per cent of all Scottish international caps since hosting the first international match between Scotland and England in 1871.

The club is the home of and operates the Edinburgh BATS rugby club, which delivers to and supports rugby at four high schools and 16 primary schools in north Edinburgh. Last year BATS delivered 750 hours of rugby to 1,560 young people. With recent research showing that inactivity causes as many premature deaths as smoking, surely this youth work is something we should cherish rather than discard.

Through little fault of the club itself, the facilities at Raeburn Place consist of temporary units, hired at an onerous cost now met by Accies. This is simply not sustainable. The plans drawn up bring in rent from a maximum of nine shops, and will give 
Accies the best facilities in 
Scotland, run on a sustainable basis, in addition to ensuring the preservation of a valuable 
greenfield space.

With the inclusion of a rugby museum it will make Raeburn Place an attractive destination for families and others to visit. The retail element will enhance and complement Stockbridge’s existing offering. These are carefully drawn-up, high quality proposals. We hope that Edinburgh 
Accies will be encouraged to 
stay in their historic home,
and that Scotland can begin to close the gap with England in terms of rugby facilities and funding.’

David Sole, Andy Irvine, Scott Hastings, Roger Baird, Rob 
Wainwright, David 
Callam, Cameron 
Glasgow, David Milne, 
Stuart Moffat, John Frame, Jim Calder, Marcus Di Rollo, John Allan, Greig Laidlaw, Allan Jacobsen, Nick Deluca, Geoff Cross, David Denton, Ross Ford, Tom Brown, Tim Visser, Ben Cairns, Ross Rennie

However local opinion is divided over the proposed redevelopment. Campaign group Save Stockbridge organised a packed public meeting last month and have now attracted over 2500 signatures on petitions opposing the plans. The group says that it is ‘not anti-development, rather anti this development’ which they feel is too large for the area with a disproportionately large retail element that will have a detrimental effect on existing local traders.

In a statement on their website, Save Stockbridge said: “Our initial review of the submitted plans suggests that there is little, if any, substantial deviation from the proposal originally outlined during the pre-application consultation. We currently have a team urgently working through the fine details of the application so that we can provide a fuller analysis – as soon as this is completed, we will update our website with our findings and our recommendations of what to do next.”

The planning application can be found online on the city council’s planning portal – application reference number is 12/03567/FUL and the plans are also on display at Stockbridge Library. Comments on the proposals should be received by 9 November.

 

SOS supporters hit Stockbridge streets seeking Sunday signatures!

Stockbridge was a busy place today: as well as Stockbridge Market’s first birthday celebrations (see previous post) SOS (Save our Stockbridge) members were out on the streets to lobby support for their campaign against Edinburgh Accies’ redevelopment proposals.

Armed with petitions, the SoS campaigners were joined by a BBC film unit yesterday – the BBC plans to screen a documentary about the campaign next Spring.

Locals not converted by Accies plans

Stockbridge traders and residents have vowed to fight Edinburgh Academicals’ latest plans to upgrade their Raeburn Place home. The rugby club wants to build a new 5000 spectator venue – but it’s their plans to add up to nine retail units as part of the redevelopment that’s causing consternation in Stockbridge. 

The club has been tried unsuccessfully to upgrade it’s situation for ten years now. Edinburgh Accies and Festival Inns finally got planning permission in 2005 following a three year planning impasse but that development fell through. Then in 2010 new plans were tabled for a clubhouse and 52 bed hotel but these also came to nothing.

The latest plans for a ‘sensitive redevelopment’ would see a modern sports centre with boutique-style outlets fronting on to Comely Bank Road, with a series of clubhouse suites and function rooms as well as tiers of seats constructed above the units to face on to the pitches. A new rugby museum would also be created in adjacent Portgower Place. 

At a packed public meeting organised by Stockbridge Inverleith Community Council to discuss the plans on 18 July, Edinburgh Accies insisted their latest proposals are necessary to secure the club’s future, but assurances that the club will work with the local community were dismissed by some participants as ‘pure spin’ The packed meeting in LifeCare House was clearly divided on the club’s plans – many are in favour but just as many seem implacably opposed.

Frank Spratt, executive chairman of Accies, said the development should be seen as an opportunity for the local area and will bring benefits to both the club and the wider community. He said: “Edinburgh Accies is as proud of being part of Stockbridge as we are of our role in the history of Scottish rugby. Our proposals are one are be one of the most ambitious proposals made by any community enterprise in Edinburgh. They will secure the future for EAFC in Stockbridge; creating jobs as well as enhancing Stockbridge as a tourist destination with a new museum of rugby. We are delighted to work with the local community to deliver the highest quality proposals possible for enhancing the area.”

However Ann McLeod, a founding member of Save our Stockbridge, a group created to fight the proposals, said: ’Our group is for everyone who is against a 5000 seater stadium being built in Stockbridge in the centre of Edinburgh. The stadium is to be built over the historic rugby grounds at Raeburn Place. These are the oldest rugby grounds in Scotland and the site of the first ever international rugby match. The area is surrounded by beautiful Victorian and Georgian buildings. It has a unique skyline across to Inverleith Park and beyond to Botanic gardens. I fear that a monstrosity of glass and steel would destroy this skyline and blight this historic area.”

She continued: ‘The current pitches are well used and well-loved by the community. The proposed stadium will require thousands of parking spaces and room for the structure itself, so one of the two historic rugby pitches would almost certainly be lost. Retail outlets are planned as part of the stadium. The Stockbridge area already has empty shops. I believe this massive development would destroy the character of the area. I believe this would adversely affect local businesses and reduce property prices. The chaos generated on the main road by the thousands of cars coming out of the stadium does not appear to have been considered. The drunken hospitality nights would also be unpleasant; there is already a problem with this. There is also concern about the historic walls and protected trees around this ground. This development is madness and totally out of proportion – Edinburgh Accies need to think again.’

Following public consultation, a planning application will be submitted. If this is approved by the city council’s planning committee, Edinburgh Accies hopes to complete the project by summer 2014.

The controversial proposals were on the agenda at Stockbridge Inverleith Community Council meeting on 15 August, but no decision could be made. Community Council chairman Steven Brennan explained: “Frank (Spratt) stated that the Accies application will be another three weeks, so we need to see the final proposal before we take a view on it. We will let you know when the application is submitted so people can form their own opinions.”

Edinburgh Accies is Scotland’s oldest rugby club and their Raeburn Place home was the venue for the first ever Scotland v England rugby international in 1871. It seems that hard-fought battles will continue for some time to come – and perhaps in committee rooms as well as on the pitch.

Public meeting to discuss Edinburgh Accies plans

Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council is to hold a public meeting to discuss Edinburgh Accies’ controversial plans to develop their Raeburn Place home. Campaigners have vowed to fight plans for the commercial development of the site which hosted the first ever rugby international, and the public meeting offers an opportunity to hear what exactly is being proposed for the site.

The meeting will take place in LifeCare House in Cheyne Street next Wednesday 18 July at 7pm – all welcome.

Local campaign group SoS Save our Stockbridge was established when the development plans were made public and now has almost 100 members. Explaining the reasons for the campaign on the group’s Facebook site, Ann Mcleod said: ‘This Group is for everyone who is against a 5000 seater stadium being built in Stockbridge in the centre of Edinburgh. The Stadium is to be built over the historic rugby grounds at Raeburn Place. These are the oldest rugby grounds in Scotland and the site of the first ever international rugby match. The area is surrounded by beautiful Victorian and Georgian buildings. It has a unique skyline across to Inverleith Park and beyond to Botanic gardens. I fear that a monstrosity of glass and steel would destroy this skyline and blight this historic area.”

She continued: ‘The current pitches are well used and well-loved by the community.  The proposed stadium will require thousands of parking spaces and room for the structure itself, so one of the two historic rugby pitches would almost certainly be lost.  Retail outlets are planned as part of the stadium. The Stockbridge area already has empty shops. I believe this massive development would destroy the character of the area. I believe this would adversely affect local businesses and reduce property prices. The chaos generated on the main road by the thousands of cars coming out of the stadium does not appear to have been considered. The drunken hospitality nights would also be unpleasant, there is already a problem with this. There is also concern about the historic walls and protected trees around this ground. This development is madness and totally out of proportion – Edinburgh Accies need to think again.’

However the rugby club believes that it must now ‘sensitively redevelop’ it’s existing facilities and that plans will bring benefits to both the club and the wider community. In an article posted on the club’s website before two pre-application consultation events held at the end of June, Edinburgh Accies said:

‘Raeburn Place is a sports ground with major historical significance. It’s home to the Edinburgh Academical Football Club, the oldest rugby club in Scotland, and the second oldest in the entire world. The first ever international rugby match between Scotland and England was held here in 1871. It’s a landmark of decades of sport and community, although in its current state you wouldn’t know it.

Finally the time has come to begin the sensitive redevelopment of this iconic sports ground and the Club is now in the final stages of the pre-application consultation, following which they will formally lodge for planning. Their main aim is twofold: to provide state of the art sports facilities and, in turn, to add to the vibrant Stockbridge community and benefit neighbouring schools.

The plans comprise two elegant double tiered buildings:

–  A clubhouse and function suite facing onto Comely Bank Road. These facilities will be located on the top tier with space for retail units below. Its main entrance will be next to the currently disused Raeburn House Hotel, which has been bought privately to be transformed into a boutique hotel.

– Changing rooms located along Portgower Place. More excitingly, part of the top tier will be dedicated to a rugby museum focused principally on the historical significance of the ground and the Edinburgh Academical Football Club.

– Players can enjoy a full-sized rugby pitch and two smaller training pitches. The plans also provide for the relocation of the cricket pitch which has been absent from the ground for the past 5 years.

The benefits of the development are numerous:

– Income from the development will go to supporting sport at junior and youth levels throughout North Edinburgh.

– Schools, residents and clubs can enjoy high standard sports facilities.

– It’ll be one of the few sports facilities not owned by the council or a school and so will enjoy flexibility of use.

– It will also provide a top quality function space for Stockbridge.

– The museum will add culturally to the area as well as going towards preserving the history of the site, brining in new visitors to the area.

– The trees running along Comely Bank Road will remain.

– Perhaps most importantly though, the development is required to ensure the longterm survival of this iconic and historic club, not to mention the survival of sport at this 157 year old sports ground. Although there will be some space (only 5% of the development) allocated for retail units, this is nothing compared to what could materialise should the Club not be able to secure its future as proposed. These retail units will be a modest yet effective addition to Stockbridge business, and will provide the income to the Club to sustain the high standard of the sports facilities.’

Representatives of the club have been invited to attend next week’s meeting, and members of the SOS Save our Stockbridge group have confirmed their attendance. For more information about the meeting email: contact@stockbridgeandinverleithcc.org.uk

Stockbridge hosts rugby festival on Saturday

If you’re a fan of the oval ball game – or just enjoy a sociable day out – Stockbridge is the place to be this Saturday when Edinburgh Accies’ Raeburn Place ground hosts the Edinburgh 10s Rugby Festival.

Tens rugby is very popular and this years’ event sees ten local teams being joined by two international sides for the first time – Stockholm Exiles from Sweden and Les Kebabs from France!  Rugby aside, there will be lots of entertainment on offer for all the family and the event, sponsored by Hunters Residential, promises to be a lot of fun and a great day out.

Former British Lion and 61 times Scotland cap Dodie Weir said: “I’m pleased to support the Edinburgh Rugby 10s Festival at Raeburn Place this year – whether you are a rugby enthusiast or just looking for an entertaining day out it promises to be a fantastic spectacle”.