Curlers on target for world-class academy on green-belt land

Published on Friday 22 July 2005 12:46

A WORLD-CLASS curling academy is set to be created on the outskirts of Edinburgh, after planning chiefs granted permission for the development on green-belt land.

Members of the city council's planning committee went against official advice and granted outline planning permission to the Gogar Park Curling Club.

It means the club can now progress with detailed plans for the 1.7 million academy at Whitemoss Farm, Kirknewton, which would replace the old building at Gogar Park which was sold in 2003 to make way for the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn.

The club will be able to provide more modern facilities at the Kirknewton site and while detailed plans are still to be created for the academy it is likely to have six world-class curling rinks for players to use.

The club already has more than 600 members and it is hoped more will join up at the new venue, which will be open to the public.

Colin Grahamslaw, chief executive of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the sport's governing body, said: "Obviously we are delighted the committee have decided not to refuse the application. Kirknewton is a growing community and it is an ideal location, as it will hopefully be well used by the local community and allow the club to take on more members.

"One of the most important elements is youth development and we will be able to carry on the Curling Schools, helping kids to learn the skills they need to compete at a professional level.

"We will be hosting major Scottish championships and international tournaments could certainly be a possibility, although there is a lot of competition from venues all over the world.

"The main aim is to create a top-class facility for the club's members and that is what they will be focusing on."

The planning committee was recommended to refuse the application, as it was not thought to be suitable for the rural site.

Lawrence Marshall, vice-convener of the planning committee, said: "The planning committee felt there were exceptional circumstances in this case. The Royal Bank of Scotland were given an exception to the rules in getting permission to develop on green-belt land and that is what forced the club to move.

"There are similar buildings to what they are proposing nearby and it was felt the opportunities for them to find a new home within the city would be very limited.

"We will look closely at the detailed plans when they come in to ensure they are acceptable, but it was a unanimous decision to grant outline permission."

The curling rink would be one of only two venues for the sport in Edinburgh, the other being at Murrayfield Ice Rink.

The club's previous home at Gogar Park was used by members of the 2002 Olympic gold-winning women's team and was considered to be one of the best in the country.

The venue at Gogar Park was built in 1979 but owner John Gumley sold the premises to the Royal Bank of Scotland in 2003.