Scotland's charity regulator has defended its decision to grant charity status to the £8m redevelopment of Scotland's oldest rugby club ground
Scotland’s charity regulator has defended its decision to grant charitable status to a body that will fund a controversial £8 million development in Edinburgh.
The Raeburn Place Development will see the renovation of the grounds of Scotland’s oldest rugby club, Edinburgh Academical Football Club (Edinburgh Accies) and include a 5,000-seat stadium, retail units, bar and function centre.
There are still people in the community concerned about it but despite all the objections is was approved by the council and now it’s got charitable status, so clearly it’s got some very persuasive people - James McLean, Save Stockbridge
Edinburgh City Council gave it planning permission last year despite objections from the community council, local heritage body the Cockburn Association and campaign group Save Stockbridge.
The campaigners argued that the size and scope of the development was out of keeping with the historical area and the retail outlets would put pressure on struggling local businesses.
This week the campaigners expressed concern about the decision of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to grant the Raeburn Place Foundation (RPF) charity status.
James McLean from Save Stockbridge said: “It is strange that they’ve managed to persuade OSCR that it’s not a commercial development because it does look like a commercial development.
“There are still people in the community concerned about it but despite all the objections it was approved by the council and now it’s got charitable status, so clearly it’s got some very persuasive people.”
The foundation, which is set to fund the development, said it expects to receive a six-figure sum back each year.
These funds will support a rugby museum, Edinburgh BATS rugby club for 12 to 18-year-olds, Edinburgh Academical Football Club, Edinburgh Accies Centre of Excellence and the maintenance of the grounds.
OSCR staff met with the proposed charity trustees and their lawyers Maclay, Murray and Spens before making a decision.
It highlighted concerns that charitable funds would be invested into the development without any guarantee of return. OSCR also raised questions about whether the facilities and services were open to the public or reserved for the use of Edinburgh Accies.
This week it released a detailed report explaining its decision, admitting there was “likely to be considerable public interest in our recent decision to award charitable status to Raeburn Place Foundation.”
A spokesman said: “The charity provided us with detailed financial projections as part of their application and we have based our decision on the intention to provide public benefit based on this evidence.
“We have also taken into account RPF’s statement that there have been in excess of 60 expressions of interest in the retail units and that higher rental profits may be received than initially anticipated.”
