EASC Development Plans

The Club has ambitious plans for the future to ensure it remains at the forefront of Scottish Rugby. With the backing of Festival Inns, who run the clubhouse at the ground and own the adjacent Raeburn House Hotel, EASC set out on a project to bring facilities here at Raeburn Place up to date.

These plans include a new clubhouse and hotel complex, and modernised facilities for both spectators and players of rugby and summer sports.

"Our proposals require no Lottery or public funding," said John White, the Accies secretary. "It’s very much about ensuring we can deliver sport across the ages and for the whole community." Neighbouring state schools already attend rugby courses at the venue. Given the historic nature of the site, it is only right that any redevelopment should be done sensitively. Raeburn Place is in essence a shrine, a memorial to not only that first Calcutta Cup encounter, but also to the origins of the game from the point it diverged from football.

EASC now has the go ahead to build a new clubhouse at Raeburn Place, after the Scottish Executive stepped into a row over planning permission. The £5.5million proposal involves knocking down the current clubhouse, extending the Raeburn House Hotel and building an new clubhouse to the north of the current one. There will be no reduction to the number of rugby pitches or the cricket area.

The joint plan between Festival Inns and Accies, to create a 63-bed hotel and the new clubhouse, is key to the club's survival. It will not only secure our future but we will have new clubhouse, medical, storage and changing facilities.

The plan had been turned down twice by Edinburgh City Council before the Executive intervened. The original plans were submitted three years ago and again last June. They proved to be unpopular with more than 80 objections, mainly from local residents who raised concerns over increased noise, traffic and parking problems. While the original proposal was rejected by councillors, the Executive has approved the revised plan. “The development would enhance the appearance of the conservation area and will have a positive effect on the listed building [the hotel]” said an Executive spokesman.

We hope that the new buildings will greatly enhance the area and that our ability to retain a hugely improved sports facility, open to all, will dispel any lingering doubts some of the neighbours had.

When we have further information about the development we will let you know.

If you're interested in these Planning Applications then please click here and you'll be taken to the City of Edinburgh Council public access portal.