Easter Holiday Arrangements 2026 – Planning Helpdesk and Weekly Lists

Due to the Easter holidays, our Planning Helpdesk will be closed on 3 and 6 April 2026. Queries received over this time will be responded to when we re-open.

Our online resources and self-service options will still be available 24/7 during this time, ensuring that you can find information and resources whenever you need them.

We have a wide range of planning quick guides aimed at householders – these answer a lot of commonly asked questions, including for

Planning guidance gives advice on topics to guide new development. This guidance answers a lot of commonly asked questions for

The quickest & easiest way to comment on planning applications is on the Planning Portal.

Planning enforcement issues can also be reported online.

Weekly lists & planning advertisements

The planning weekly lists issued for the week ending on 3 April will be issued when we re-open on Tuesday 7 April.

The planning advertisement in the Edinburgh Evening News will go ahead as normal on 3 April 2026.

Full details of Council services available over Easter, including emergency contacts, can be found on our website.

Extended – Consultation on Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal

Front cover of the Draft Gilmerton Conservation Area Appraisal - a redeveloped historic cottage in Gilmerton on a bright sunny day

We are seeking your views on a draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Gilmerton. 

We have taken the decision to extend the consultation to Friday 3 April to give more people the opportunity to tell us what we should improve in the draft.

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal explains what is special about a particular area and why it is a conservation area. It outlines its historical development and identifies the key elements, essential features and special qualities that contribute to its unique character and appearance.

In 1977 Gilmerton was designated a Conservation Area which aims to protect its unique agricultural and mining heritage and qualities for the future.

The current appraisal was adopted in 2000. Since then, Gilmerton has evolved and we need to update the character appraisal to reflect Gilmerton Conservation Area today.

You can access the draft appraisal and the consultation here.

Revised Scheme of Delegation

The way we make decisions on planning applications has changed. From Monday 2 February all decisions are following a revised Scheme of Delegation.

This follows approval from Scottish Ministers on 27 January 2026.

The revised Scheme of Delegation gives officers decision-making powers on behalf of Councillors.

What does this mean?

New applications validated on or after Monday 2 February will be determined using the revised scheme.

The revised scheme continues to ensure that decisions on applications that raise no significant planning issues are made efficiently within the context of the relevant legislative context and the Development Plan.

It also ensures that Committee scrutiny is appropriately focused on the applications of widest public interest and greatest significance to the city.

Edinburgh is the busiest Planning Authority in Scotland and processes a high volume of applications. It is in the public interest for Edinburgh to have effective delegation arrangements in place to help manage the high volume of applications.

The revised scheme of delegation is an important component in ensuring efficient and effective decision-making. 

Full details of the scheme of delegation can be found on our website.

Gilmerton Conservation Area Draft Character Appraisal Consultation

Front cover of the Draft Character Appraisal Consultation, showing the Restored Pantile Cottage on Ravenscroft St, Gilmerton on a sunny day

We are seeking your views on a draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Gilmerton. 

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal explains what is special about a particular area and why it is a conservation area. It outlines its historical development and identifies the key elements, essential features and special qualities that contribute to its unique character and appearance.

In 1977 Gilmerton was designated a Conservation Area which aims to protect its unique agricultural and mining heritage and qualities for the future.

The current appraisal was adopted in 2000. Since then, Gilmerton has evolved and we need to update the character appraisal to reflect Gilmerton Conservation Area today.

Historic black and white photo showing children playing on Main Street, Gilmerton, taken around 1900.
Westland Cottages, Gilmerton on a sunny day - red sandstone single story cottages with a hedge and bins in the foreground.
Community Centre, Gilmerton on a sunny day. Three story sandstone community building with parked cars and planters in the foreground
Drum Street crossroads, Gilmerton - a junction with no cars on it on a sunny day with the community centre in the background.
Historic black and white photo of Drum Street crossroads, Gilmerton - a junction with no cars on it and cottages in the background. Taken c1904.
Restored Pantile Cottage on Ravenscroft St, Gilmerton on a sunny day
The Parish Church, Gilmerton on a sunny day with grass and a fence in the foreground.

The questionnaire is asking about the draft appraisal;

  • What do you like about it?  
  • What should we improve? 
  • Do you think we should include anything else? 
  • What makes Gilmerton special to you? 

Share your views online until 3 March 2026

You can also come meet us in person at the Gilmerton Community Centre (Main Hall), 4 Drum Street, EH17 8QG on 22 Jan 2026 between 15:30 and 19:30.

Planning Helpdesk and Weekly Lists – Christmas and New Year Arrangements

Our Planning Helpdesk (which operates as an email and call-back service) will be closed from 22 December 2025 and will reopen on 5 January 2026. Queries received over this time will be responded to when we re-open.

Our online resources and self-service options will still be available 24/7 during this time, ensuring that you can find information and resources whenever you need them.

We have a wide range of planning quick guides aimed at householders – these answer a lot of commonly asked questions, including for

Planning guidance gives advice on topics to guide new development. This guidance answers a lot of commonly asked questions for

The quickest & easiest way to comment on planning applications is on the Planning Portal. When a comment is submitted over the Planning Portal, we receive it within minutes.

Planning enforcement issues can also be reported online.

Weekly lists & planning advertisements

Please note there will be NO planning weekly lists issued Monday 29 December 2025.

There will also be NO planning advertisement in the Edinburgh Evening News on the following dates:

  • Friday 26 December 2025
  • Friday 2 January 2026

The week commencing Monday 5 January 2026 will see things go back to normal – the helpdesk will re-open, with the weekly list issued & an advertisement on Friday 9 January 2026.

Full details of Council services at Christmas and New Year, including emergency contacts, can be found on our website.

Season’s Greeting to all our customers and wishing you a happy 2026.