Wallyford greyhound stadium stand finally taken down

John Gilmour Butchers now intends to build a food processing plant at the now-cleared Barbachlaw Farm site at Wallyford.

Going... work starts on dismantling the greyhound stadium structure. Photo: Angus Bathgate

Initially, the Macmerry firm feared it might have to relocate to Midlothian but the chance to purchase the stadium site – separate to land acquired by Ambassador Living for a nearby development of 94 new houses – emerged.

Proposals for the controversial greyhound racing stadium were officially scrapped last year – 20 years after they were first put forward.

The firm behind the planned 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 transferred the land to John Gilmour Butchers instead.

Going... the demolition work continues. Photo: Angus Bathgate

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 put forward in 2001 and approved four years later as part of a mixed use development – with the council insisting that work had to start on the steel structure of the stadium before any housing could be built.

The framework of a planned spectator stand was erected and a major housing development sprung up to the north-east of the site... but the stadium development then stalled amid pleas that more housing was needed to finance the leisure project.

Gone... the empty site where the greyhound stadium structure stood for 20 years after the demolition operation was completed last week. Photo: Angus Bathgate

Over the years, the prospect of a greyhound racing stadium ignited protests from animal rights activists.

East Lothian Council has still to rule on the food processing plant planning application.