What is the Town Centre Supplementary Guidance?
We produce Town Centre Supplementary Guidance for each of our town centres, that aim to guide the change of use of buildings. The Guidance contains policies to manage change of use within the town centre boundary and set out when a change to another use is appropriate.
What is a Change of Use?
The Use Class Order sets out types of use that exist in the Scottish planning system but only some of these are appropriate in our town centres. The most common uses in the town centres are:
- Class 1: Shops
- Class 2: Financial, professional and other services
- Class 3: Food and Drink
The character and concentration of uses is unique in each of Edinburgh’s town centres. This is why we prepare Supplementary Guidance with specific policies on changes of use in each town centre. For example, the right mix of shops in Leith may be different to what would work in Tollcross.
Get Involved
We are currently reviewing our Guidance for Tollcross, Gorgie/Dalry and Corstorphine. Please take the opportunity to let us know what kind of uses you would like to see in these town centres. Should town centres be mostly shop units? Would you like more cafes and restaurants? or how do we create the right mix of uses? let us know your thoughts!
We also have a handy Quick Guide to Change of Use applications that will help you decide what changes of use require you to apply for planning permission.
Planning Edinburgh 