EASC Development Plans

These plans include a new clubhouse and hotel complex, and modernised facilities for both spectators and players of cricket and winter sports. 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. For a downloadable copy of the plans (.pdf format) please click here.

The plan had been turned down twice by Edinburgh City Council before the Executive intervened. The original plans were submitted over 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 have had.

On the 26th April EACS were pleased to announce that the Scottish Executive Reporter has upheld the appeal against the City’s planning Committee to refuse planning permission for the proposed development of Raeburn Place. The Reporter has now granted Planning permission for the development of the Raeburn House Hotel and the building of a new clubhouse for the Sports Club. Included in this are all the necessary permissions covering the demolition of the Squash Courts and the existing Clubhouse, plus the necessary listed building consents required for the work to be carried out on the Raeburn House itself.

The Club is indebted to all those who have been working on the project for over five years and particularly to Festival inns without whose support, both financial & practical, matters would not have proceeded to this conclusion.

EACC Club President Tony Ostrowski welcomed the news enthusiastically. “There has been” he said “a long period of gestation, and there were times we thought the reward for all our hard work would be still-born. With the passing of the first 150 years the club now enters a new and exciting era, with the promise of a re-development of the pavilion and associated facilities at Raeburn Place that will take us well and truly into the 21st century. Our aim is to restore Raeburn Place to a venue that people will want to come to play and to watch cricket of the highest standard. As one of the oldest cricket clubs in Scotland, it is appropriate that this anniversary season sees the realisation of plans to ensure the tradition of Edinburgh Academical cricket will be sustained for the foreseeable future.”