Plans have been approved to build a new Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh.

The new £47 million pound facility will be built on the site of the former Meadowbank, which closed last December.

Council Leader Adam McVey welcomed the progress: "This is great news for the future of sport in the city. The redevelopment is an investment in the future health and wellbeing of our citizens and will see Meadowbank retain its position as the flagship site for sport in Edinburgh.

"When this Council set its budget, we had some tough decisions. We knew that the old venue had reached the end of its lifespan but despite the budget pressures, we agreed that investment in this new facility and the benefits it will bring should be a priority for the city and for the coalition.

-- Advertisement --

“I am pleased to see planning permission granted for the new facility and the decision to approve in principle agreement for development of the wider site will, of course, support our ambitions for the new sports centre."

Depute Council Leader Tammy Day also outlined the plans for further development of the site, which includes the creation of new housing, business opportunities and new jobs.

At a special meeting of the Development Management Sub Committee, 29 June, it was insisted that local members of the community should be closely involved in shaping development in the area before detailed proposals come forward.

Further extensive consultation will take place this year on proposals for the wider site, before more detailed plans are brought back to planning. A procurement process is already underway for the demolition of the existing sports centre, with work expected to begin in the autumn. 

(CM/MH)