‘Key’ day in Hearts’ plans for £12 million main stand as Edinburgh Council decide whether to grant planning permission

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

HEARTS are set to find out on Wednesday if they have been granted planning permission for their new £12 Main Stand at Tynecastle Stadium at a “key” public hearing in Edinburgh.

The Jambos will be represented by owner Ann Budge and chief operating officer Scot Gardiner at the capital’s City Chambers as councillors rule on whether to give the go-ahead for the state-of-the-art 7,290-capacity enclosure.

The City of Edinburgh Council Planning Department last week released their report on the proposals and recommended that Hearts are given consent to begin the work.

The new stand, which will replace the existing structure which dates back to 1919, is to boast a spectacular glass facade and will house UEFA-standard player and media facilities, new hospitality areas, additional office space and a roof terrace looking out towards Edinburgh city centre.

It will also see the capacity of Tynecastle rise to 20,099 from its current maximum of 17,529.

Proceedings at the City Chambers are due to get under way at 10 a.m., with Hearts hopeful of a positive outcome by the close of business.

Owner Ann Budge recently stated: “We remain cautiously optimistic that our plans for the new stand will soon be approved; we have a key meeting on the 12th October with planners and I hope to be making some significant announcements shortly thereafter.”

Budge has also confirmed that the club already have more that half of the funding in place, partly due to prospective owners the Foundation of Hearts agreeing to direct £3 million of supporters’ cash to the project.

Hearts are likely to play several games away from home at the start of next season whilst the renovation of Tynecastle is completed, with the works scheduled to begin no later than November this year and be completed by the end of September 2017.