CALA Homes Press Release

Innovative Partnership with CALA Steers Plans for Indoor Riding Arena

An Edinburgh-based charity which encourages disabled people to learn and enjoy horse-riding could be in line for a major redevelopment following the submission of a joint proposal with CALA Homes.

Based in Balerno, Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled (RRDA) has revealed plans to create a new indoor riding arena as part its existing riding and stabling complex.  

First set up in 1986, RRDA lease their land and stables from CALA. The charity’s network of 75 volunteers now works with more than 100 riders each week, providing support for people of all ages and with a wide range of physical disabilities and learning difficulties.

CALA, on behalf of RRDA, has submitted the indoor arena planning application, along with detailed planning application for three detached houses. If the joint submission is successful, CALA will gift the site to RRDA allowing them to build the indoor riding arena.

Barbara Johnstone, the RRDA’s organiser, welcomed the proposals.  “This is what we have been after for years,” she said. “The plans would mean peace of mind for us, all our riders and our volunteers. 

“Our proposed partnership with CALA allows us for the first time to plan for the longer-term, with the security of land ownership driving forward future investment and development. The indoor arena would allow us to provide year-round riding and to extend our already over-subscribed services to many more people across Edinburgh and the wider area.”

Derek Lawson, Land Director at CALA, added: “We realise what a wonderful resource the RRDA is for disabled users, and the wider community, and see this as great opportunity to provide them with the security to allow a state-of-the-art riding arena to be developed”.