Indoor White-water Rafting (Edinburgh Waterfront)

Scottish Executive Question Time — Finance and Sustainable Growth – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:15 pm on 7 October 2010.

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Photo of Margo MacDonald Margo MacDonald Independent 2:15, 7 October 2010

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to its decision to support tax increment financing for developments on Edinburgh's waterfront, whether it is aware of the plan by XStream Scotland to build the world's first indoor white-water rafting facility there. (S3O-11575)

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government is aware of plans by XStream Scotland to build an indoor white-water facility within the Edinburgh waterfront area.

Scottish ministers gave provisional approval last week to the City of Edinburgh Council to progress its tax increment financing proposal for Edinburgh waterfront, subject to Parliament being content. The council will use the TIF model to fund £84 million of public infrastructure that it believes is vital to kick-start the necessary commercial development. The infrastructure planned by the council includes a new link road, pier and esplanade, which could deliver £660 million of private investment.

Photo of Margo MacDonald Margo MacDonald Independent

I thank the cabinet secretary for his reply, but he did not talk about the white-water rafting facility and its direct relationship to the money that has been promised. However, I simply seek an assurance that the business plan for that world-class water sports facility will be considered on its merits, in relation to several Government policies around health and outdoor sport. Will the cabinet secretary investigate whether his department, or whichever department is more appropriate, can arrange a meeting with all interested parties—Forth Ports, the City of Edinburgh Council, sportscotland and so on—to ensure that this national, state-of-the-art facility does not slip through our fingers?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

I mentioned my knowledge of the white-water facility in my original answer. I have some detailed knowledge of white-water rafting, based on the level of activity that is undertaken in my constituency—outdoors, I might add—by the white-water rafting fraternity. If Margo MacDonald wants to suggest a group day out white-water rafting on the River Tay or the River Tummel, she need only lodge a parliamentary question to me.

It is clear that there are many opportunities for development on the Edinburgh waterfront, and I hope that the Government's provisional approval of the TIF proposal will open up a new flexibility for the city council to maximise the economic opportunities that exist.

I would be happy to discuss with Margo MacDonald some of her questions regarding XStream Scotland. I understand that the facility has been suggested as a private development, and we will consider any relevant issues that arise in that regard. I stress, however, that the TIF model opens up new opportunities for the city of Edinburgh to further realise its economic potential, and I am delighted that it has taken such an opportunity to develop new ways to move forward.

Photo of Malcolm Chisholm Malcolm Chisholm Labour

Does the cabinet secretary recognise that the completion of the tram project is vital for developments on Edinburgh's waterfront, and in west Edinburgh as Tesco Bank acknowledged in a statement last week? Will he consider the use of TIF as an important tool for plugging any funding shortfall that may arise in completing the route to Newhaven?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

As I said in my previous answer, the TIF proposal that the council presented to me focuses on the development of new public infrastructure, which will undoubtedly assist in the development of the waterfront.

Mr Chisholm is familiar with my perspective on the tram project. I have at all stages encouraged the resolution of the disputes that present an obstacle to the project's completion, and I hope that all parties will take that approach in resolving those questions.

Photo of Brian Adam Brian Adam Scottish National Party

Will the cabinet secretary give us an idea of which other councils have approached him about the use of TIF schemes? What progress has been made in Aberdeen on the city's TIF plans?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

I will not give an exhaustive list of the authorities with which I have discussed TIF as there have been quite a number. However, I can confirm that Aberdeen City Council has expressed a desire to progress that approach, and we will ensure that its proposal is given due consideration.