An Udderbelly circus venue for middle Meadow walk has been approved by Edinburgh Council, despite over 300 complaints against the planning permission.
The proposal for the big top tent, which was approved on June 24 by the council, reads: "To erect a temporary outdoor structure to create a performance venue as part of Underbelly's Circus Hub open air event site for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The venue will host a programme of world class circus performance by Middle Meadow Walk on the North side of the Meadows."
However, an Edinburgh heritage-group launched a public campaign against the structure, encouraging locals to lodge complaints on the planning permission.
The Cockburn Association shared online that 'there are other sites in the city where we would welcome this event', which would not impact the capital's green spaces - citing damage done to the park's grass following previous circus events held by Underbelly.
They added that local businesses need support following Covid, emphasising that no pop-up food stands should be permitted at the circus site, writing: "We strongly advocate that pop-up food and drink facilities should be deleted from the proposals. It is more important in our view that established, permanent year-round neighbouring pubs and restaurants benefit from any trade associated with this type of use."
A total of 332 comments were received on the proposals, with 315 objections and just 16 supporting.
One member of the public wrote: "It is inconceivable that, after a year in which we have seen the importance of outdoor space and Underbelly has received substantial funding, you would deem it acceptable to carve up so much of the green public realm - undoubtedly causing significant, lasting damage to a huge public asset as such large installations have consistently done in recent years."
Another commented: "I am all for the return of normality and supporting the events industry. However, in my opinion, this is completely unneeded and unnecessary. All this will do is dilute money away from the local pubs and such that have clung to existence throughout lockdown as it is.
"That aside, there are plenty of vacant venues in which they can create such a hub, no need to be taking up a fantastic green space in the heart of a city for the creation of space that already exists. It's not Fringe - there are many free venues."
The tent will now open next month.
