A new 6,000-10,000 seat concert arena to pull in big name bands and performers to the Scottish capital could be built on land close to Edinburgh Airport under plans being considered by the city council.

Some 97 hectares of land west of the gateway owned by Edinburgh-based developer New Ingliston Limited is one option on the table for the arena which if built would rival Glasgow's Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) as Scotland's premier entertainment venue.

Councillor Tom Buchanan, the city's economic development leader, said the council did not favour any of the proposed sites, but added that the Ingliston site was well served with local road, rail and air links.

"We are interested in land west of the airport as it gives the best connectivity links, world class performers and visitors can come through the airport and be at the venue in 15 minutes which is a definite plus," he said.

He said that the council was "actively progressing" with the Ingliston proposal and was also considering a Leith Docks site north of the city.

By Oliver Clark