WORK has started to dismantle the greyhound stadium structure, which has stood as an "eyesore" for about 20 years at Wallyford.
The demolition of the steel frame at Victory Lane comes in the wake of a planning application submitted by John Gilmour Butchers for a food processing plant for the Barbachlaw Farm site.
READ MORE: Butchers lodge plans for food processing plant at site previously earmarked for greyhound stadium
At first, they thought they might have to relocate to Midlothian but the chance to purchase the stadium site came up – separate from land acquired by Ambassador Living for a nearby development of 94 new houses called Wallace Park.
Proposals for the controversial greyhound racing stadium were officially scrapped last year – 20 years after they were first put forward.
The firm behind the stadium, Sirius Sport and Leisure, had asked East Lothian Council to release it from its obligation to provide the stadium, saying it was no longer viable, and transferring the land to John Gilmour Butchers instead.
Sirius Sports and Leisure director Howard Wallace, who had been the driving force behind the partially built stadium, said that changing attitudes towards greyhound racing in society and among politicians, along with the closure of a number of UK stadiums, had led to his decision.
He said: “I regret that, against this evolving background, I have not been able to proceed with the stadium any further.
“My company Sirius Sports & Leisure has written off stadium costs of £2.53million in its accounts.”
The butchers' firm said it planned to create a new butchery, as well as a processing facility for a new range of plant-based foods, a deli and food hall at the site, creating 40 new jobs.
Proposals for the greyhound stadium at Wallyford were first put forward in 2001 and finally approved four years later as part of a mixed use development, including business and housing.
Development of the stadium stalled after a steel stand frame was put up – with a major housing development subsequently built north-east of the site – and developers saying they needed to build more housing to finance the leisure project.
Over the years, the stadium has faced ongoing protests from animal rights activists opposed to greyhound racing, with one online petition against the Wallyford racetrack gathering nearly 13,000 signatures.
Alister Hadden, chairman of Wallyford Community Council, said: "It appears as though the Wallyford greyhound stadium at Victory Lane has run its last race, with the steel structural framework presently being dismantled from the horizon, which is the first signs of making way for the new meat processing facility owned by the Gilmour family.
"We hope this will be a good investment for Wallyford, with the prospects of more jobs and an apprentice scheme, along with a small retail outlet."
Councillor Gordon Mackett, ward member, said: "I am absolutely delighted to finally have this structure starting to disappear.
"It’s been a long time coming and I would like to thank Mr Howard Wallace for his work in resolving this.
"I am sure the residents will be over the moon that this is finally happening – a fantastic start to 2022."
Fellow ward councillor Kenny McLeod commented: "I am delighted to see it progressing, as it has been an eyesore for years.
"I am delighted things are moving and it's not stalemate again."
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