Category: Placemaking

Revised Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal Approved

Front cover of the Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal (June 2026). Image shows a redeveloped historic cottage in Gilmerton on a sunny day.

Planning Committee has approved the revised Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal (CACA) at its meeting on 17 June 2026.

The newly approved document is now a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the conservation area. It will also serve as a reference for planning, design and discussions relating to listed buildings and new development in Gilmerton.

You can read the full appraisal here.

Why has the appraisal been updated?

Gilmerton Conservation Area was originally designated in October 1977 in recognition of its rich mining and agricultural heritage, which continues to shape the area’s distinctive street pattern and historic buildings.

The previous Character Appraisal dated back to July 2000. Keeping Character Appraisals up to date is important, not only to ensure planning decisions are based on current evidence, but also because an appraisal that is typically less than five years old is a key requirement when applying for future conservation funding.

Any future funding bids will need to clearly demonstrate how proposed projects align with the findings and recommendations set out in the appraisal.

Opportunities for enhancement

The revised appraisal identifies a number of opportunities to help protect and enhance Gilmerton’s special character.

These include:

  • Greater attention given to encouraging development that reinforce features that give Gilmerton its unique character and history
  • Creating more opportunities for people to stop, rest and enjoy the area’s historic environment
  • Investing in important community assets, including the Category B listed Gilmerton Community Centre, the Society Hall and Gilmerton Library
  • The sympathetic restoration and reopening of Gilmerton Cove, the remarkable underground network of tunnels and chambers as an educational, community and visitor attraction
  • Greater attention to encouraging developments that retain original architectural features wherever possible and that use traditional materials.

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.

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.

City Plan 2040 Engagement: What Makes Good Place?

Graphic of typical things you might see in a neighbourhood (coffee cup, house, tree, bike, bus) fitting together like a jigsaw. Test reads: What makes a good place? Tell us about where you live in.

We know that Edinburgh is not just one place, but it is made up of many different areas. Each with its own good points and challenges.

We need to get an understanding of each area, what it’s like to live there and what we need to plan for in City Plan 2040.

To gather people’s views, we have launched a public engagement asking people ‘what they think about where they live’.

The questionnaire covers the important things that make a good place such as homes, local shops and services, healthcare, public transport, open space, play facilities, community space and jobs .

If you live in Edinburgh, you can find out more and fill in the questionnaire on our Consultation Hub here

There are also a series of drop-in events:

  • Monday 3 November at the Waverley Court (Hawthorn Learning Space) from 14:30-19:30
  • Saturday 8 November at the Gyle Shopping Centre (Main Concourse) from 12:00-15:00
  • Tuesday 11 November, Kirkliston Parish Church Hall from 15:30-18:30
  • Wednesday 12 November, Sighthill Library/ Gate 55 from 16:00-19:00
  • Monday 17 November at Oxgangs Library (Community Room) from 16:00-19:00
  • Tuesday 18 November at Drumbrae Library Hub (Parkgrove Room) from 15:30-19:00
  • Wednesday 19 November at Magdalene Community Centre from 15:30-19:00
  • Friday 21 November at North Edinburgh Arts Centre (Theatre Suite) from 16:00-19:00

Saturday 17 January 2026 at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre from 11:30-14:30

City Plan 2040 Update

City Plan 2040 will be our next local development plan after City Plan 2030.

There are several formal stages that we need to go through as we prepare City Plan 2040. We have produced a Development Plan Scheme which explains these stages and sets out the timetable for the plan preparation.

Currently, we are working on our Evidence Report which is the first stage of preparing a local development plan. This will contain topic papers on a wide range of issues.

The Evidence Report will provide a baseline of information and what we might need to address in City Plan 2040.

New Code of Conduct for Responsible Construction

View from Calton Hil over central Edinburgh, with multiple cranes towering above the city.

The impact of construction is a key issue for local communities, leading to negative impacts on quality of life, complaints to the Council and potential disruption to worksites.

In response, the Council has drawn up a new Code of Conduct for constructors.

Whilst the Code of Conduct is not mandatory and will not be enforced, it does set out expectations and best practice for constructors as well as highlighting legal responsibilities governed by legislation and regulation. It is also intended to assist the construction industry in carrying out works safely, efficiently, responsibly and on time.

As a general rule noisy work from construction sites should usually only disturb you Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm. There are some exemptions to this and other restrictions which may apply.

Good relations with neighbours and a clear communication strategy will greatly assist in reducing the impact of construction.

Disruption may be unavoidable, but the impact will be reduced if neighbouring occupiers are consulted and kept informed throughout the works. This may be through a residents’ association, community council, ward councillors or, preferably, directly with neighbours.

Please read our Code of Conduct for constructors for more information.