Try, try again

The Edinburgh Academical Club’s proposed commercial development on historic Raeburn Place playing field, a key open space with views to inv er lei th Park, has been doggedly opposed by residents and by Stockbridge & Inverleith Community Council since it was first proposed in 2012.

An earlier failed scheme resulted in the “accidental” demolition of the club’s handsome clubhouse and the abandonment of the Raeburn Hotel – now happily restored by new owners – to dereliction. The Accies have repeatedly declined to meet the community council and the people of the area have now had enough.

It is clear that all attempts to raise funds over the last decade have failed and that the proposed 2,500-seat stand, improved pitch, new flood lighting, six changing rooms, a museum of rugby etc, on which planning consent for the enabling development of a parade of shops fronting Comely Bank Road was predicated, will no longer be built.

In the absence of the original justification, commercial development on green space in a densely populated area should be unacceptable.

In any case, Edinburgh Rugby’s proposed development of a new stadium and other facilities at Murrayfield probably makes the original Raeburn Place project redundant. The Accies’ ground has been a disgraceful mess for much of the 42 years in which my family has lived in Raeburn Place. By contrast, the adjacent Grange cricket ground and the hotel are immaculate and are great assets to the community. There are other, much more acceptable, ways in which the future of the Edinburgh Academicals’ Football Club can be secured. Enough is enough.

I understand that the Raeburn Place project is to be on the agenda for the Edinburgh Academicals’ Club AGM on 18 June. One must hope that, before the Accies’ normal reputation for competence and public spirit is further traduced, this project will be cancelled. (DR) JAMES SIMPSON

OBE FRIAS Raeburn Place, Edinburgh