Edinburgh residents demand review of inflatable 'great plook' dome planning consent

Residents of a neighbourhood in Edinburgh have demanded a review into a long-standing row over the approval an inflatable indoor tennis court, described as a “great plook”.

The dome was erected at a private sports club in Stockbridge last October, after a Scottish Government planning reporter overruled a Edinburgh City Council decision to reject it.

Councillors rejected the Grange Club’s plan for the covered tennis and padel courts at the end of 2022, but the decision was overturned on appeal, and the inflatable dome was installed in 2024.

Residents have described the structure, which is near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Edinburgh’s Old Town, as a “monstrous blight”.

Members of StRAP (Stockbridge Residents Against the Plook) claim they were not informed about the appeal decision, meaning they were unable to raise further objections or to seek a judicial review within the six weeks allowed after permission was granted in 2023.

Residents have described the structure as a “monstrous blight”. Media House via Supplied

The group has written to Scott Ferrie, the chief reporter in the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), to call for a review of the way the case was handled.

A letter claims there was “insufficient consultation” before and after the appeal.

“Local opposition to the erection of the tennis and padel courts remains significant,” the letter says.

“Residents were not notified of the decision so were unable to submit their objections within the designated time scale.

“We respectfully request a thorough internal review of this decision, particularly considering the strong local opposition, lack of sufficient consultation, and the contrasting conclusions reached by the experienced planning committee.

“We request that consideration is given to a lack of transparency in the process and the subsequent nuisance effects, in terms of noise and light infringement, which have resulted from the erection of the courts.”

Reported issues include excessive light and noise from the padel courts, with residents in nearby Reid Terrace claiming they are being forced to close their shutters and blinds.

Peter Hamilton, who lives in Raeburn Place, said he and fellow neighbours have “stopped looking out their windows” since the dome went up.

“The outlook across a beautiful area has been devastated by these massive structures, not just for surrounding residents but also for passers-by and visitors to this conservation area”, he said.

“Since ‘the Plook’ went up we’ve stopped looking out of our windows. It’s the only way to avoid the lowering of mood that the thing provokes.

“It is unfathomable that one person, the reporter, who overturned our democratically elected council’s decision to reject this theft of peace, quiet and green space, proceeded without anyone who objected even knowing it had gone to appeal.

“For structures with this level of impact on the local amenity there should have been a much wider and more thorough consultation.”

Fellow resident Sarah Hill said doubles matches “are awful” and said the noise is particularly bad when the area is quiet.

She said: “This was a lovely, tranquil neighbourhood until the courts were built, but now I have to endure 14 hours of relentless ball bashing and players’ shouts every day.

“I knew nothing about this latest development until they started to build it, so something is not right about it.”

Nearby neighbour, Keith Hughes, said the noise keeps him awake at night. “The constant hum from the fans is very irritating and it never stops. This used to be a very quiet part of town and now my sleep is constantly interrupted by the noise.”

Mr Hughes has since started a petition to call for alterations to be made so it could be more “in keeping with the area” and this has so far collected over 700 signatures.

“I don’t understand how something like this could be erected in the heart of our community and so few people knew anything about it until it was too late” he said.

STV News has contacted Edinburgh City Council and The Grange Club for comment.

The Scottish Government said the planning appeal decision was reached independently.

A spokesperson said: “The right to appeal certain decisions made by local planning authorities is an important part of the planning system.

“The decision was issued by an independent reporter, who is required to make their decision on the planning merits of the case, taking full account of submissions made by all parties, including those from members of the local community.

“The route to appeal a Reporter’s decision is by means of an application to the Court of Session, on a point of law, within six weeks of the date of the decision. The deadline for such challenge in this case lapsed on 21 August 2023.”