Edinburgh Chesser World of Football: Plans to demolish indoor football and build flats delayed

Plans to demolish Edinburgh’s World of Football are delayed
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A decision on plans to demolish a huge Edinburgh indoor football complex and bowling alley for flats, student halls and a new public square has been delayed. The application for the major redevelopment at Chesser, including proposals to knock down former auction marts behind the Corn Exchange which the World of Football and World of Bowling currently occupy, was withdrawn from the council’s planning sub-committee on Wednesday (October 26).

It was lodged last year with owners claiming it was no longer financially viable to keep the five-a-side pitches open due to the condition of the early 1900s structures. Paul Demarco from Marco’s Leisure, which owns the site, said it was “proving near impossible” to continue maintaining the facilities. With officials backing the bid, and urging councillors to grant permission, plans looked set for approval this week.

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However at the meeting this week, councillors were told more time was needed to “consider correspondence that’s been received” and allow neighbours of the development site to comment on “updated noise information”. Developers Watkin Jones Group will retain sections of the historic cow sheds if there is overall support for the proposals, as the London-based firm plans to dismantle a part of the larger shed’s original frame and reassemble it at a new public square just off New Market Road.

Plans to demolish Edinburgh’s World of Football have been delayedPlans to demolish Edinburgh’s World of Football have been delayed
Plans to demolish Edinburgh’s World of Football have been delayed

Proposed in place of the old ‘New Markets’ is 393 build to rent flats across three seven-storey blocks with a mix of one, two and three-bed properties, 100 of which will be affordable. Meanwhile the bowling alley and pool hall next door will be partially demolished as part of construction of a 406-bedroom student development, community space, gym, cafés and a yoga studio. The proposed development will be “car free”.

Planners assured councillors the timescale for determination of the application had been extended so it can return to committee for a decision in the near future. The main old Chesser auction mart has been home to the World of Football for over 20 years. World of Football currently runs another facility in the city, at Marine Drive, Granton.

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