Green light for new rugby venue next to BT Murrayfield

Councillors have backed plans which will see four 8.6 metres high covered spectator stands erected around a new artificial pitch on a section of land currently used as training pitches.

The existing six 18m high floodlights at the back pitches will be replaced with four 25m high floodlights. Food stalls will be placed around the stadium on match days while portakabin toilet blocks will be located on either side of the east and west stands and one block beside the east stand will be accessible.

Intended to be the new home of Edinburgh Rugby, it is hoped the facility would be ready for the 2019-20 rugby season.

Scottish Rugby said it has designed the project using flexible infrastructure and is open to making the space available to other users from the wider rugby community in Scotland, and the possibility of other sports as well.

Chief operating officer, Dominic McKay, said: “Our ambition is to create a new home for Edinburgh Rugby and enable us to provide the city’s only professional club with a fit-for-purpose venue that will serve to further enhance performance.

“Edinburgh Rugby has spent many years working with the council and other partners to establish a home of its own and has explored and exhausted the city’s viable options. Scottish Rugby is keen to take the initiative and solve this ongoing problem by its application to utilise its own land at BT Murrayfield.”

Cllr Donald Wilson, the council’s culture and communities convener, added: “After 20 years of searching for a permanent base, I hope this gives Edinburgh Rugby the relevant planning permission it needs for its own purpose-built home.

“The move should also allow the team to build on its own local identity, next to all of the action and atmosphere of a national Murrayfield game and with the same extensive transport links.

“I’m also excited to see the team incorporate the city crest into their badge – it’s great to see the club celebrate its place in the capital’s heart.”