New drive to bring international flavour to world trade centre plan

The airport, the Royal Highland Showground and 240 acres of land between the airport and the headquarters of RBS have been rebranded "Edinburgh International" under a new initiative designed to progress the proposals.

Council chiefs are working with developers on a new masterplan for the area, which will highlight the types of uses that are wanted on the site.

They are also drawing up an "implementation plan" that will include details of the cost of the infrastructure and utilities work required to unlock development, as well as looking at how the work will be funded.

An "Edinburgh International Development Partnership" board has been set up by Scottish Enterprise to draw up plans and costings for the development area, which is seen as one of Edinburgh's most important regeneration zones.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said: "This is ongoing work to see how we can unlock development. West Edinburgh is a hugely important area and we need to make sure we have a reasonably structured development plan to allow us to move forward.

"We have had companies come forward that are keen to build a 6000-10,000-seat venue there and we have got to see how that fits in."

Dave Anderson, director of the council's city development department, has been chosen to chair the new board, which includes representatives from Edinburgh Airport, the Royal Highland Showground and the main private landowners in the area, including New Ingliston Limited and Murray Estates.

Part of the proposals for the site includes setting up a world trade centre (WTC) in Edinburgh, which could employ more than 1000 people.

Waterfront Edinburgh has held a licence to create a WTC since 2000 but council chiefs say the slow pace of development at the waterfront has made it "unlikely" that it could be created there.

In a report for councillors, Mr Anderson said: "It is, however, recognised that there could be a significant benefit to the city from the establishment of a WTC, both as a catalyst for development and as a tool for attracting investment from key international markets.

"The (council's] physical development team is seeking to activate the WTC licence and is working with the investor support team to outline the services that an Edinburgh world trade centre should offer."A temporary location is also being investigated.

"A longer-term ambition is to develop a purpose-built WTC in west Edinburgh."

A council spokesman said: "Later this summer, Scottish Enterprise will present an implementation plan to the Scottish Government on behalf of the Edinburgh International Development Partnership. This will set out the proposed next steps, and funding requirements, identified as being crucial to kick-starting development in the west of the city."