Council approves plans for Edinburgh Arena

The council has granted permission for owners of London’s O2 Arena, AEG Europe, to build a new 8,500 seat arena at Edinburgh Park.

The plans were recommended for approval by planners after consultation which gained a great deal of support for the project which will involve AEG and the site owners Parabola.

The developers believe the investment will introduce an estimated £520 million per annum in gross value to the Edinburgh economy through concerts held there. The venue – billed as the most sustainable in the UK – is expected to attract more than 700,000 visitors each year and will create around 1,000 jobs.

Alex Hill, President and CEO of AEG Europe said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning consent for a cutting-edge new venue for Edinburgh. Having worked closely with City of Edinburgh Council, we strongly believe the arena will deliver huge benefits to the city throughout every stage of the building’s life cycle – from development to completion, for years to come when we’re bringing the world’s best artists to the Scottish stage.”

Alistair Wood, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Development, AEG Europe added: “We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their forward-thinking and proactive approach and for their shared vision of a new best-in-class arena for Edinburgh.  We now turn our attention to expanding on these plans through the appointment of an external contractor, as well as seeking naming rights partners and finalising funding partners.”

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Edinburgh already boasts a great set of venues in the shape of Murrayfield, the Usher Hall, and our theatres. Increasingly, the world’s biggest stars are choosing the Capital. From Beyonce and Harry Styles to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking run, not forgetting our annual world-famous festivals, Edinburgh has more than proved itself as a top destination for international acts.

“We’ve been concentrating on developing our cultural offering and transport links in recent years to better connect the city, and the moment is right now to build on that. We’ve been crying out for a mid-size indoor arena, but we have to make sure the infrastructure is in place for that and it has to be the right site. This arena at Edinburgh Park offers the answer and the planning application received unanimous support from Councillors.

“There is no doubt this site has some of the best transport links in Scotland and it easy to picture audiences travelling from home or the airport by tram, train or bus to West Edinburgh for a show.At the other end of the tram line to the North we have another great asset in the Leith Theatre and in the city centre the Ross Bandstand. Smaller music venues like these are also important to the fabric of Edinburgh’s live music scene and I remain committed to championing for their investment and development. These are two prime examples of projects which I believe should benefit from Edinburgh’s visitor levy when it is in place.”

Edinburgh Park Arena will be privately funded. AEG Europe are finalising funding partners to bring their vision for a new home for life music in Edinburgh to life. Once an external contractor has been appointed and financed raised, construction is proposed to begin in 2025 and will continue over the course of two years, with the aim of delivering the first event in 2027.