Community Council Customer Forum 2026

Image shows people sitting around tables watching a presentation and someone talking.

We would like to thank all the Community Council representatives who attended the recent Customer Forum on the evening of Monday 26 October with officers from the Planning Service.

The session was an opportunity for updates on work of the Planning Service, the Local Development Plan, current work on City Plan 2040 and community involvement in Local Place Plans. There was also information on how Community Councils can best get involved in the planning application process.

Following several presentations, we had workshop sessions to discuss a selection of case studies which generated positive discussions on the tables. Some key themes arose such as the engagement process undertaken by the Community Councils in gathering the views of the community on development proposals, how representations are considered as part of the assessment process for applications and what makes material and non-material comments.

The event provided us with a helpful insight into the role of Community Councils in the planning process, the challenges they face and how we can ensure they have a say in developments within their area.

Special Mention – Goff Cantley of Morningside Community Council

The Planning Service would like to take an opportunity to say a special thank you to Goff Cantley who has been the Morningside Community Council Planning Officer for 18 years and will be stepping away from the role.

Throughout his time on the community council, Goff has made a considerable contribution to the understanding of planning issues within Morningside, in particular the development proposals at Craighouse and more recently hotel led developments within the area, in which he supported the community in providing their views on significant developments within the local area.

Goff has also kept track of changing planning guidance as well as providing input on more strategic views of planning matters throughout his time, all to the benefit of Morningside Community Council.

Goff will be missed after many years of service, and we hope he enjoys a well-earned rest!

City Plan 2040: Evidence Report Update

On 1 October, City of Edinburgh Council received the great news that its Evidence Report successfully passed the Gate Check.

The Gate Check is a key step in the preparation of a new local development plan. It is when the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) tests whether a local authority’s Evidence Report has sufficient and accurate information to go on and prepare a Proposed Plan.

For us, the Evidence Report was a huge piece of work that spanned many topics and places, required input across Council services and external partners and involved a huge amount of engagement.

The DPEA highlighted that the Evidence Report was comprehensive, involved extensive engagement and a clear grasp of key matters.

People viewing City Plan 2040 consultation boards in a community hall.

Following this positive decision, we will be preparing our next Development Plan Scheme which will set out the timetable for preparing the Proposed Plan and the next opportunities to engage in the process.

More time for the Call for Ideas

We have extended the deadline for our Call for Ideas to help shape Edinburgh’s next local development plan.

The consultation will now close on Wednesday 21 October.

This will give everyone more time to submit their proposals and ideas to help frame the vision, policies and proposals for the Proposed Plan.

You can submit your suggestions via the Council’s Consultation Hub. You can also find out more and what information is required to submit a proposal or idea.

Your ideas should focus on the use and development of land and buildings across Edinburgh – this could be proposals for an area of land, site or building, something you want to protect or improve or planning policies you want to change.

A new development in the city centre on a bright sunny day. Public space shows benches, seating and trees with tall offices in the background.

Share Your Views on the Astley Ainslie Place Brief

Front Cover of the draft Astley Ainslie Place Brief, dated September 2026. Image is of a mature tree and grass, with low rise hospital buildings in the background. It has a green/sepia filter over it.

We are asking what your think of our new draft Place Brief for the existing hospital site, which was approved by Planning Committee on 9 September 2026 for consultation.

Our Consultation is now live until 11 November 2026.

The Astley Ainslie has been in hospital use for over 100 years. It was originally a convalescent hospital and at the forefront of medical rehabilitation in Scotland throughout its history with the natural landscape setting important to help recovery. You can find out more about Astley Ainslie Hospital’s history on the NHS website celebrating its centenary in 2023.

The NHS is planning to keep some services on the site including GPs and the SMART Centre but is selling the rest of the site.

City Plan 2030 identifies Astley Ainslie for housing-led mixed-use development. There will be new development on the site, but this will need to respect the mature landscape setting, create a sustainable place and keep its special character.

Astley Ainslee hospital buildings on a sunny day with a variety of trees and grass in the foreground.

Astley Ainslie is well-loved by the surrounding communities with the Astley Ainslie Community Trust working with local residents to produce a Local Place Plan for the site.

The Draft Place Brief brings together that community voice with an assessment of the site and the aspirations of the NHS. It puts forward a set of principles for the future development.

You can read the Astley Ainslie Draft Place Brief and give us your views on the Consultation Hub until 11 November 2026.

Come along and meet the team

There are also drop-in events where you can chat to planning officers on:

  • Monday 5 October 16:30-19:00 at Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road
  • Saturday 24 October 10:30-13:30 at Newington Library, 17-21 Fountainhall Road

Call for Ideas: Help us shape Edinburgh’s next local development plan

We’re at the very early stages of putting together our next local development plan City Plan 2040.

There is still time to submit your proposals and ideas to help frame the vision, policies and proposals for the Proposed Plan.

Your ideas should focus on the use and development of land and buildings across Edinburgh – this could be proposals for an area of land, site or building, something you want to protect or improve or planning policies you want to change.

You can submit your suggestions via the Council’s Consultation Hub. You can also find out more and what information is required to submit a proposal or idea.

The consultation is open until 30 September 2026 and every idea will be considered.