New site for Scotland's showground

The decision to move is based on the 2003 government 'Future of Air Transport' white paper and the West Edinburgh Planning Framework, which outlined expansion plans for Edinburgh airport on to RHASS owned land, with the relocation of the RHASS to another site.

The move is scheduled for 2013 subject to funding from the parties driving the move and the new site would be called Norton Park.

Ray Jones, (pictured) chief executive of RHASS, said: "As Scotland's new national showground, Norton Park would provide the people of Scotland with a unique set of facilities, with potential to almost double the economic impact of the RHASS activities to around £450m per annum."

A spokesman for the RHASS said a detailed feasibility study had produced an indicative master plan for the site which also assessed the cost of moving and redeveloping the showground and all its assets on a replacement cost basis to be around £275m.

This figure included build cost, fees and contingencies, the spokesman added.

Jones, said: "We are pleased that we will not have to face the possibility of moving away from this area, which has been our home for nearly 50 years. However the implementation process has to begin immediately to meet the 2013 BAA masterplan deadline."

Stephen Gallagher, director of Global Connections at Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, said the relocation of the site presented considerable opportunities for the RHASS to build on the success of the Royal Highland Show and deliver a year round programme of major shows, concerts and events with significant spin-off economic benefits for the local and national economy.

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