Category: Town centres

Have your say on new draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA)

Photograph shows an example of student housing. Modern, new looking two-storey building next to green space and a small tree on a sunny day.

Our consultation is now open for draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in Edinburgh. 

The draft guidance has been prepared to support City Plan 2030 policy dealing with PBSA. It sets out the Council’s expectations and provides guidance for developers and planning officers. It also seeks to ensure the provision of good quality PBSA in appropriate locations whilst protecting the character of existing areas. 

It applies to all types of PBSA developments, including new build, change of use and conversion. To support the health and wellbeing of students, it is essential that they are provided with appropriately located, high quality accommodation. While many students will choose to live in other forms of accommodation, PBSA is a key part of the available accommodation in the city.

We want the guidance to help people understand what we require from the development of PBSA. To do this, we want to make sure the content is clear, helpful, and balanced.

When approved in its final form it will be used by the Council to assess planning applications.

You can read the draft guidance and give us your views in our online survey by Friday 23 May 2025.

Edinburgh World Heritage Events

View west across the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh New Town, with the line of Princes Street (left of centre), George Street (centre) and Queen Street (right) running parallell. Princes Street Gardens are prominent to the left, as are Queens Street Gardens to the right. The recently renovated gardens in St. Andrews Square, just above centre foreground, form a symmetrical pattern with those in Charlotte Square, at the other end of George Street, upper centre right. The Royal Academy and National Gallery are situated on The Mound, which runs through Princes Street Gardens mid-left. Edinburgh Castle, situated on the volcanic crags overlooking Princes Street Gardens, dominaters the upper left of this view.

Edinburgh World Heritage host regular events throughout the year — here are two upcoming events that you might be interested in.

Energy Retrofit of Traditional Buildings in Edinburgh

On Tuesday 25 March, this free event will offer insight on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in traditional buildings. 

There will also be information on Edinburgh Word Heritage’s Climate Emergency Grant programme as well as a question and answer session.  The event will conclude with tea and coffee. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Geology City

On Thursday 20 March, Dr Angus Miller from University of Edinburgh will examine the influence Edinburgh’s underlying geology has had on the evolution of the city as well as the role it has played in placing Edinburgh at the heart of the development of ideas on how the world works. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Calling all historic property owner-occupiers!

Colourful graphic design of historic buildings against a yellow background. Text reads "Giving voice to historic property owners"

As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance, the City of Edinburgh Council is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to understand how the guidance can be improved to be more practical and accessible.

The University’s project, Giving Voice to Historic Property Owners, is now recruiting focus group and workshop participants. The project is specifically looking for owner-occupiers (you own the home you are living in) of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. 

You can check here to see if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

It’s important that voices from as many conservation areas are included in this project.  Owner-occupiers in the Leith, Southside, Portobello, Inverleith, Morningside areas are especially encouraged to sign up. But all historic property owners are welcome!

Focus group participants will receive a £10 e-gift card and in-person workshops will end with a catered lunch.

Learn more and sign up on the project information page.

Have your say on plans to transform Seafield into a new environmentally friendly neighbourhood

Artists impression of what Seafield could look like in the future. Flats look over the see with a promenade and lots of trees and greenspace.

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting residents to share their views on the regeneration of Seafield to make sure it responds to the needs and wishes of the local community.

As a key site for delivering the goals set out in the Edinburgh City Plan 2030, plans for the narrow stretch of land include a new promenade, GP surgery and opportunities for new shops and workplaces.

The coastal site could include as many as 2,700 new homes, with 35% of homes being affordable, to address the City’s housing emergency. Future residents will also benefit from the provision of a heat network which will help keep energy bills down whilst contributing to the city’s net zero targets.

The consultation, which closes on 30 April 2025, will build on the first two stages of engagement and consultation carried out to date.

Residents can attend a drop-in session to discuss the plans, or they can take part in an online survey via the Consultation Hub.

 The in-person events will take place on the following dates and times:

  • Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, EH15 1AU, Saturday 8 March 10:30-13:30
  • Leith Library, 28-30 Ferry Road, EH6 4AE, Friday 21 March 12:30-3:30
  • Craigentinny Community Centre, 9 Loaning Road, EH7 6JE, Saturday 22 March 10:30-13:30

Calling all historic property owner-occupiers!

As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance, the City of Edinburgh Council is collaborating with the University of Edinburgh to understand how the guidance can be improved to be more practical and accessible.

The University’s project, Giving Voice to Historic Property Owners, is now recruiting focus group and workshop participants. The project is specifically looking for owner–occupiers (you own the home you are living in) of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. 

You can check here to see if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

Focus group participants will receive a £10 e-gift card and in-person workshops will end with a catered lunch.

Learn more and sign up on the project information page.