Placemaking – Page 5 – Planning Edinburgh

Development Planning Update

City Plan 2030 Update: Hearing

City Plan 2030 is reaching an important stage in its journey to being Edinburgh’s adopted local development plan.

The proposed City Plan 2030 was submitted to the Scottish Government for examination in December 2022.

A team of reporters from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has been appointed; and the development plan examination began in February this year.

As part of the examination, a Hearing is scheduled to take place on 26-27 September 2023. Details of the Hearing including the agenda for the two days can be found on the DPEA’s website. The Hearing is open to attendance from members of the public. If you would like to attend the hearing, please contact Morag Smith, DPEA case officer, to book your place call 0131 244 8173 or email Morag.Smith@gov.scot

Development Plan Scheme 2023

The most recent Development Plan Scheme was approved by Planning Committee on 13 September 2023. This provides a more detailed update on City Plan 2030.

City Plan 2040

As we approach the adoption of City Plan 2030, we need to start thinking about the next local development plan which will be City Plan 2040. The Development Plan Scheme outlines the early stages of City Plan 2040 which will be prepared under the new legislation and guidance which was published by the Scottish Government in May 2023.

There are three main stages to this new process:

1. Evidence Gathering

2. Plan Preparation

3. Delivery

We are currently at the Evidence Gathering stage. The new Development Plan Scheme contains the draft Participation Statement which is one of the first steps. This is a summary of when and how the Council is likely to engage with the public on City Plan 2040.

We must seek the views of the public on the content of the Participation Statement so we will be starting an engagement exercise on the draft Participation Statement in October.

We’ll post further details on how to get involved. You can also join our mailing list for direct updates by getting touch at cityplan2040@edinburgh.gov.uk

The future of West Edinburgh

People living in and interested in the future of the west of Edinburgh can take part in three public consultations.

The City of Edinburgh Council is asking residents as well as those working and visiting the area how they think it could grow sustainably for future communities to be better connected, cleaner, greener and fairer for all.

There are three linked proposals documents which are open for comment:

These proposals could substantially develop the experience of living and moving around communities in the west of Edinburgh, helping the capital to shape future planning policy and become a net zero city.

To take part in these consultations, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/west-edinburgh.

Towards West Edinburgh 2050 proposes how we could develop the area over the next 30 years. At this stage there are no detailed proposals but instead an overarching vision to be used as a starting point for discussion. This has been informed by the city’s current City Plan 2030 (used to guide physical development and planning applications) and City Mobility Plan (for transport infrastructure) and, as the document develops, it will be used to evolve these plans over time.

The West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework and Strategic Masterplan is a statutory consultation on development to the north of Gogarburn, extending from Eastfield Road in the west to Maybury junction in the east, with Edinburgh Airport and Turnhouse Road to the north. There are a range of new opportunities for housing in this area as set out in City Plan 2030. The aim is to create a new 20 minute neighbourhood with a range of facilities which people will need to live well locally such as schools and medical centres. Feedback will be used to finalise a masterplan which will go to the Planning Committee for approval. The masterplan will then guide future planning applications.

Travel connections for those living, working and visiting West Edinburgh need to be improved, and to support future growth the Capital’s local authority is working with West Lothian Council to look at public transport and active travel links in the area along the A8/A89 between Broxburn to Maybury. Known as Broxburn to Maybury Transport Improvements, this is a major transport improvement project. The project is funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The plan is to have better connected communities with major employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities easily accessible. This will also make it easier for more people to make more journeys by bus or by cycling, walking or wheeling.

World Heritage Site – Draft Management Plan 2023

View of Old Town from the Crags looking North West with the Forth Bridges in the distance.

The Management Plan for the Old & New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site is being reviewed and we want to hear your views.

An updated Draft Management Plan is being prepared by the City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage. It identifies issues and opportunities within the site and presents an action plan for implementation over a five-year period.

The issues identified include:

care and maintenance of buildings and streets
control and guidance and contribution of new development
awareness of World Heritage Site status
visitor management
influence and sense of control

This is your opportunity to tell us what matters to you and to help us to best address these issues. We want to hear your thoughts on how the World Heritage Site has been looked after, what works well and what we could be doing better.

We specifically want to know whether you feel we are doing enough to protect and enhance the Site, and any other ideas or suggestions which you may have.

Complete the consultation online by 12 December 2022.