The regeneration of Meadowbank will reach another milestone next month when members of the Development Management Sub Committee meet to consider two planning applications for the site.
On Friday 29 June, two hearings will be held. One will consider detailed planning consent for a new £47m sports centre to replace the original venue, which was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
The other hearing will only consider planning in-principle for the redevelopment of the wider site which must take place to finance the new sports centre. This is only the first step in this planning process, and no decisions will be taken on height or density of buildings, the details of the mixed uses or the layout of the site at this stage.
If the applications are successful, extensive engagement on the wider masterplan will take place for the Council to listen to the local community provide opportunities for feedback.
Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “There is no doubt this is one of the most important infrastructure projects taking place in the city today.
“Meadowbank Sports Centre has been at the heart of sport and physical activity in Edinburgh for almost 50 years. It has inspired thousands of people to get fit and get active but it really has reached the end of its lifespan.
“The new facility is set to build on the legacy of the past but create a modern sport and fitness facility for all levels, for future generations of residents to enjoy and live longer and healthier lives. It will be financed by development of the wider site, which also provides us with a unique opportunity to support the Council’s commitment to build 20,000 affordable new homes within ten years.
“I am pleased to see a date set for the designs to be debated, and to confirm extensive engagement will take place on the wider site development if the planning applications are approved.
Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We have listened to community groups and it is clear this is a project people in the city feel passionately about. While we have already consulted on our proposals, there is clearly a lot of public interest in the wider plan and a desire for more community engagement and we will work with the local community to create a development everyone can be proud of.”
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 date being set for planning applications to be considered and the prospect of a brand new sports centre 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 planning hearings have been confirmed to take place following a 12-week consultation on the Council-led proposals, when over 500 responses were gathered during public exhibitions with Edinburgh Leisure users, feedback from community councils, sports clubs and governing bodies and through an online public portal.