City Council Protects Meadows for future generations

9.05.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Aug 2009

At the full council meeting today The City of Edinburgh agreed on further reductions in the number and length of events of the Meadows for the year ahead following discussions with residents, events organisers and officials.

Liberal Democrat Councillors, supported by Conservative and SNP Councillors, successfully moved that the maximum length of any event on the Meadows be reduced to 4 weeks, including setting up and dismantling time, from the 6 week proposed by Council officers.

Southside/Newington Liberal Democrat Councillor Gordon Mackenzie said "The Lib Dem led council has reduced the number of events on the Meadows since we took over from Labour in 2007. Our new management plan with the four week limit will help preserve and protect the Meadows for the long term.

"This decision means popular community events like the Meadows Festival and shorter events as part of Edinburgh's festivals will be able to continue but with far more effective protection for the Meadows than was ever the case in the past."