Highland Centre aims to be best in show after overhaul

A MAJOR redevelopment of the Royal Highland Centre, which would feature a new exhibition hall, two hotels and a "centre of excellence" promoting Scottish produce, is set to be given the go-ahead.

The 20-year masterplan for Ingliston, which also includes an agricultural hub designed to attract new businesses and office, conference and leisure facilities, will boost the economy and create jobs, according to applicants.

City planners are recommending that the initial 30 million application submitted by the Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) is granted, with councillors set discuss the proposals next week.

The application consists of plans for a new exhibition hall within the showground area to allow the RHASS to cater for more events and concerts on top of the 200 already staged every year.

It is also seeking permission to create a Scottish Centre of Excellence, which will promote the sale of Scottish produce as well as training, education, cookery school and restaurant.

An "agribusiness hub" is also proposed in the plans to attract new business, as well as proposals for new two and three-storey buildings for office, conference and leisure facilities.

The first phase of the masterplan will be building two new hotels on the eastern section of the Ingliston site.

Plans for an 18-bedroom hotel have already been granted, with the developer hoping to get it up and running by summer 2012.

An application for a 75-bedroom Holiday Inn Express, which is an extension of the existing Quality Hotel, is currently being considered.

Allan Murray, project director for RHASS, said: "The exhibition hall will go alongside Lowland Hall on the east side of the current showground.

"We feel we will be able to cater for more events and want to be able to encourage different types of events to come to Edinburgh.

"We are the gateway to Scotland, being next to the airport, and we will be able to welcome many more events to Edinburgh and Scotland, and we hope to be able to host more exhibitions and conferences.

"The real impact we want to create is to stimulate the economy of Edinburgh and Scotland, because we are a major contributor.

"We believe with this new development we can provide a new variety of event space and employment to create a viable and sustainable economy."

Mr Murray added: "We are hoping that the masterplan gets the go-ahead next week and then we can start making decisions about when we can start."

The masterplan has been scaled back considerably from the initial 75m proposals, which would have seen the RHASS relocate to nearby Norton Park.

The UK Government prepared a White Paper in 2003 on "The Future of Air Transport", which details the expansion plans of Edinburgh Airport on to land owned by the RHASS.However, the airport has indicated that it will not need as much of the showground site until 2030 and relocation to Norton Park to the south of the A8 will no longer be required.

The RHASS currently contributes more than 250m to the Scottish economy each year.

John Bury, head of planning, said: "It is concluded that the principle of the masterplan for the showground is welcomed and accords with the requirements of the Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan.

"The applicant contends that developing on this site will not prejudice the future expansion of BAA Edinburgh Airport"