02/04/2008 08:13:00
Officials in Edinburgh have finally seen what the new Royal Highland Show centre will look like.
The National Showground will be placed in a new £275 million home, according to the Scotsman, which is based in Ingliston, near Edinburgh Airport.
The development will include a new outdoor arena for the well-known agricultural show and a 10, 000 seater indoor arena, suitable for business conferences and rock concerts. The overall capacity of the showground will increase from 50, 000 to 75, 000.
The centre has been dubbed "Scotland's answer to the O2 Arena" in London, and Edinburgh architects Make are at the helm of drawing up new designs for the venue.
Ewan Anderson, a partner at the firm, told the Scotsman: "It's a project of national significance as it will create a world-class events venue for Scotland at a principal arrival point to the country and its capital city.
"The showground will also provide a national focus for the country's rural industries, building on the traditions of the society and showcasing its future."
Building is expected to begin in 2010 and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) plans to open its new headquarters in the centre in 2013.
However, the Scottish Government has yet to approve development plans for the area, as the proposed venue site currently resides on green-belt land.