The new site of the Royal Highland Show and plans for an expanded Edinburgh Airport were confirmed by the Scottish Government.

Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson yesterday unveiled a framework to develop business and transport links in the east of Scotland.

The key aspect of the West Edinburgh Planning Framework is the relocation of the showground to allow the growth of the airport.

The framework allocates land to both the north and south of the airport to enable it to handle as many as 23 million passengers by 2030.

The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland will move a few hundred yards across the A8 to its new £300m home on nearby farmland at Ingliston.

To be called Norton Park, the site will be home to a new outdoor arena for the annual agricultural show and a 10,000-seat indoor arena.

The RHASS is planning to be in its new HQ by 2013. Ray Jones, RHASS chief executive, said: "The framework is critical for the city's future economic development, for Scotland's business growth and our plans for delivering Scotland's national showground."

The paper also reserves land for an international business gateway for global, European or UK headquarters or "high-value accommodation for internationally-recognised organisations".

Mr Stevenson said: "Scotland's planning system should be an aid to support sustainable economic growth while protecting the quality of the natural and built environment.

"A planning and development regime which is joined up, combining greater certainty and speed of decision making can benefit everyone.

"Individual planning applications will still have to be judged on their own merits. However, this framework supports the principle of these developments and recognises the associated benefits for the local and wider economies."

Jenny Dawe, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "West Edinburgh is the principal gateway to Scotland's capital city. It is essential that the framework capitalises on West Edinburgh's success and provides for continued economic growth for the good of Scotland."

Jack Perry, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "The framework is a key step towards the development of a wider east of Scotland economic zone that will provide an attractive location for companies seeking high-quality accommodation in a high- quality location.

"It will provide a vibrant hub which is expected to attract over a billion pounds of investment and thousands of new jobs over the next 20 years or so."

Edinburgh Airport managing director David Johnston said of the framework: "It enables us to move forward with our ambitious and sustainable plans to grow Edinburgh Airport and to meet the needs of our increasing numbers of passengers."