Edinburgh Council OKs City FC Club to Holiday Flats, Meadowbank 2026

Key Points

• Edinburgh Council has approved plans to convert the former social club of Edinburgh City FC into six serviced holiday flats.
• The site is located at the club’s Meadowbank Stadium complex in Edinburgh.
• The approval was granted despite objections from local residents and the club itself over concerns about loss of community facilities and parking issues.
• The project involves transforming a disused building into short-term holiday accommodation, aligning with the city’s tourism growth.
• No construction timeline has been specified, but the development is expected to boost local tourism without impacting the football club’s operations.
• The social club has been closed for several years, making it surplus to requirements for the club’s current needs.
• Councillors voted in favour after reviewing planning reports and public feedback.
• The decision supports Edinburgh’s short-term lets licensing scheme introduced in recent years.

Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 26, 2026 – Plans to convert the former social club at Edinburgh City FC’s Meadowbank Stadium into six serviced holiday flats have been approved by Edinburgh Council, marking a significant step in repurposing disused sports facilities for tourism purposes. The decision, made by the council’s planning committee, comes amid growing demand for short-term accommodation in the capital. Local residents and the club raised concerns, but councillors deemed the project compliant with planning policies.

What Are the Approved Plans?

The proposals, submitted by local developers, seek to transform the long-closed social club building within the Meadowbank Stadium complex into six self-catering holiday flats. As reported by Jack Aitchison of Deadline News, the plans include modernising the interior with kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas suitable for short-term holiday lets. The development will retain the external facade to preserve the site’s character.

According to council documents cited in the Deadline News article, each flat will accommodate up to four guests, targeting tourists visiting Edinburgh’s festivals and attractions. No external expansions are planned, ensuring minimal visual impact on the surrounding area. The approval follows a detailed application process under the city’s short-term lets licensing regime, introduced to regulate holiday rentals.

Why Was the Social Club Closed?

Edinburgh City FC’s social club at Meadowbank has stood empty for several years, a casualty of the club’s relocation and financial challenges. As noted by Aitchison in Deadline News, the facility was once a hub for members and match-day supporters but became surplus after the club moved operations within the stadium complex. Club officials confirmed in planning consultations that they no longer require the space for community events.

The building’s disuse aligns with broader trends in Scottish football, where many social clubs have closed due to declining membership and rising maintenance costs. Edinburgh City FC, competing in League Two, prioritises pitch and stand upgrades over ancillary facilities. Sources close to the club, referenced in local media, indicate no plans to reopen the venue as a social space.

Who Objected to the Development?

Objections poured in from residents living near Meadowbank Stadium, primarily over parking shortages and the loss of potential community amenities. As reported by Aitchison of Deadline News, more than a dozen letters of objection highlighted fears of increased traffic from holidaymakers. One resident stated,

“This area already struggles with parking on match days; holiday flats will exacerbate the problem.”

Edinburgh City FC also lodged a formal objection, emphasising the site’s importance to supporters. In a statement quoted by Deadline News, club secretary Gordon Williams said:

“We are disappointed with the proposals as the social club space could still serve our members and the local community.”

Despite these concerns, planning officers recommended approval, arguing the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

How Did Councillors Vote?

The planning committee at Edinburgh Council voted 8-3 in favour of the plans during a meeting earlier this week. As detailed by Aitchison in Deadline News, councillors debated the balance between tourism growth and community needs. Planning convener Councillor Neil Gardiner remarked:

“Edinburgh’s visitor economy is vital, and this project reuses a vacant building without harming the club’s core functions.”

Opposing councillors cited resident feedback, with one noting:

“We must protect green spaces and parking for locals.”

However, officers’ reports assured no net loss of parking spaces, as existing bays will be reallocated. The decision aligns with council policies promoting sustainable reuse of brownfield sites.

What Is the Location and Its Significance?

Meadowbank Stadium, home to Edinburgh City FC since 2022, lies in a residential area east of the city centre. The former social club occupies a prime spot within the 16,500-capacity venue, rebuilt for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and recently refurbished. As per Deadline News coverage, the site’s proximity to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat makes it ideal for holiday lets, attracting walkers and sightseers.

The area has seen regeneration, with the stadium hosting football, athletics, and events. Converting the club supports this by diversifying income streams without competing with sports use. Local tourism data shows Edinburgh hosted over 4.5 million visitors in 2025, underscoring demand for serviced apartments.

Does This Fit Edinburgh’s Tourism Strategy?

Edinburgh Council actively encourages holiday lets to meet surging tourism, balanced by strict licensing since 2023. As reported in Deadline News, the approval falls under the Short Term Lets Licensing Scheme, requiring operators to meet safety and quality standards. This project adds to over 10,000 licensed lets citywide.

Supporters argue it revitalises unused spaces, creating jobs in cleaning and management. Critics, including some SNP councillors, worry about housing pressures, but planning officers countered: “Holiday flats do not compete with long-term rentals.” Similar conversions have succeeded elsewhere, like in Leith’s former pubs turned Airbnbs.

What Are the Next Steps?

Developers can now apply for building warrants and begin internal works, though no start date is confirmed. As per Aitchison’s Deadline News report, full planning permission includes conditions for noise mitigation and parking management plans. Operators must secure a short-term let licence within three months of opening.

Edinburgh City FC plans to monitor impacts, potentially seeking mitigation like supporter shuttle services. The council will conduct compliance checks post-completion. If successful, this could inspire similar projects at other sports venues.

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

The application was lodged by Edinburgh-based property firm Meadowbank Developments Ltd, represented by architect Sarah McLeod. Council planning officers, led by senior planner David Forsyth, endorsed the plans in their report. Deadline News credits Aitchison for highlighting Forsyth’s key finding: “The proposal complies with NPF4 policies on sustainable reuse.”

Edinburgh City FC’s board, chaired by Tom Jobs, engaged throughout. Residents’ group Meadowbank Action, led by spokesperson Elaine Fraser, coordinated objections, stating: “We respect the decision but will watch closely.”

Will This Affect Football Matches or Events?

Planning documents assure no disruption to Meadowbank Stadium’s operations. As reported by Deadline News, the social club is detached from pitches and stands, used solely for functions. Club matches in the Scottish Professional Football League will continue unaffected, with recent home wins drawing healthy crowds.

The stadium also hosts athletics and concerts, and the development includes fire escape upgrades benefiting all users. Councillors confirmed: “Sports integrity remains paramount.”

What Broader Context Shapes This Decision?

Edinburgh’s planning landscape prioritises adaptive reuse amid housing shortages and tourism booms. The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) guides such approvals, favouring brownfield sites. As noted in council minutes cited by Deadline News, this project scores highly on sustainability metrics, reducing urban sprawl.

Comparable approvals include a former gym in Sighthill turned into 12 holiday units last year. With festivals like Fringe injecting £1.5 billion annually, such conversions underpin economic resilience. However, ongoing debates rage over licensing enforcement, with over 500 unlicensed lets fined in 2025.

Are There Environmental Considerations?

The plans emphasise low-impact retrofitting, using energy-efficient appliances and insulation. Deadline News reports developers committed to solar panels on a non-visible roof section, aligning with council net-zero goals. No trees will be felled, preserving biodiversity near Figgate Park.

Waste management plans include recycling stations for guests. Officers praised: “Minimal environmental footprint compared to new-builds.”

How Does the Community Feel?

Mixed reactions prevail. While some residents welcome regeneration, others fear “holidaymaker influx.” A petition garnered 150 signatures, but supporters numbered fewer. As Aitchison of Deadline News observed, “The vote reflects council’s tourism tilt over local gripes.”

Local businesses anticipate footfall boosts for cafes and shops. Edinburgh City FC fans, via club forums, express mild regret but acceptance.

Implications for Edinburgh City FC’s Future

The club views the loss pragmatically, focusing on promotion pushes. League Two table-toppers as of February 2026, they eye stadium enhancements funded by external revenues. Williams added: “We’ll adapt; football comes first.”

This approval underscores Scottish clubs’ evolving models, blending sport with property ventures. Similar shifts seen at Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers.