City leaders kill off plans for campsite at Meadows

Published on Thursday 15 December 2011 12:02

Plans for a campsite for festival-goers in the Meadows have been killed off by city leaders.

The proposal to create a cheap camping alternative to pricey hotels for people that flock to Edinburgh’s festivals was among the winning ideas presented at an “Ideas Challenge” organised by the Capital’s festivals and the city council.

Among the judges that selected the idea as a winner was council chief executive Sue Bruce, and it was expected to be investigated by city chiefs.

But council leader Jenny Dawe has confirmed that the proposal will not win the support of the council. She has not ruled out a festival campsite being set up somewhere in the city, but has said it cannot be on the Meadows and would have to be outside of the city centre, such as Hunters Hall Park in Niddrie.

Residents that use the Meadows have welcomed the news, amid concerns that thousands of revellers would turn the park into a “quagmire”.

Cllr Dawe said: “It has been an issue that has been raised many times over the years and now we have a plan to protect the Meadows because it is boggy ground that gets easily damaged, so we have to have a strict regime for events on there.

“The Ideas Challenge was a good idea and I’m not against a campsite per se, but I really do not think the Meadows is a starter for that.”

Cllr Dawe is to present a motion to a meeting of the full council next Thursday asking the council to agree that it “would not support the creation of a campsite on the Meadows”.

Festival promoters have argued that Niddrie would be unsuitable as any campsite would have to be in the city centre.

But Cllr Dawe said: “There are good bus services in Edinburgh and you have to balance the cost of staying in the city cheaply with the additional cost of travel. The Hunters Hall campsite worked very well during G8 events.”

Ann Wigglesworth, secretary of Tollcross Community Council, said: “We are very pleased it has been totally denied.

“There might be room for another [campsite], but I certainly do not think the Meadows should be used.”

Comments

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15

Hector the Lessor

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 11:43 PM

Ingliston would be the way to go. I do not know if the open air market is still on the go, but to climb off a plane, a short trip to pitch your tent, and a couple of years down the track a trip into Edinburgh on a nice new shiny tram at reduced student fares, it cannae be bad.

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14

Irritatingly Intelligent Chauvinist

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 08:19 PM

This large open area of green space is a shocking waste. It should all be tarmac`d over and used as for free parking for all.

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13

Mario Antoinette

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 05:21 PM

Brian at 1 is of course correct, also its earmarked for the Rhona Cameron International Lesbianic airport.

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12

Thomas the Tank

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 03:55 PM

"Among the judges that selected the idea as a winner was council chief executive Sue Bruce . . . . But council leader Jenny Dawe has confirmed that the proposal will not win the support of the council" - Ooh - prospect of a wee Handbags at Dawn spat between SuBru and the Bag-Lady ? On the Meadows, where else?? I'm sure people would pay good money to watch that!

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11

Beelzebub's amanuensis

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 02:45 PM

I can't understand why the festival thought the campsite would have to be in the city centre. Very few festival goers take their prams to events.

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10

broomman

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 02:30 PM

Any chance my family and friends can bring our caravans to the meadows,thank you,the mad gypsy fiddler,from somewhere in Ireland.

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9

wee dennis

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 01:17 PM

Its bad enough trying to get a decent game of footy in the summer without having to negociate even more alcohol and drug fuelled layabouts.

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8

claymore's edge

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 01:15 PM

That of course was "Ingliston"

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7

claymore's edge

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 01:12 PM

What about all that spare land down Ingleston? there is a mass of land around Ingleston that could be used as a camp site during the ringeFestival. and the main road has transport links. Problem solved.

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6

Curious Yellow

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:52 PM

"Residents that use the Meadows have welcomed the news, amid concerns that thousands of revellers would turn the park into a “quagmire” - every Festival time it's a quagmire, thanks to the thousands attending the circus....

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5

americanbob

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM

At least this will solve the Meadows problem of people loitering with intent!

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4

harlequin

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:50 PM

For once a sensible decision

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3

Afredo Garcia

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:26 PM

Plenty of room still at St Andrews Square....

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2

mahatmacoat

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Leith Links would be ideal. Excellent location...

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1

Brian Waspsnest

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Just as well, because the werewolf would get them.

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