As part of our efforts to update the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areasplanning 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.
Residents, businesses and other interested groups in the Capital are being asked to comment on a strategy to revitalise Princes Street and the wider Waverley Valley to create a more vibrant and welcoming city centre.
The new vision will guide the long-term regeneration of this part of the city centre, providing a mix of shops and services for residents and visitors, attracting investment and jobs and supporting businesses within an exceptional historic and climate resilient environment.
The Princes Street and Waverley Valley draft strategy is part of bold plans to transform the city centre. The ECCT was approved in 2019 and includes the George Street and First New Town, Meadows to George Street projects.
As well as Princes Street the Waverley Valley area covers East and West Princes Street Gardens, Waverley Station, Waverley Market and East Market Street.
The draft strategy aims to:
Create a more accessible city centre – The masterplan for comment recommends guiding the area from the West End of Princes Street along to Waverley Station to become more accessible, with improvements such as additional ramp access to Princes Street Gardens, a footbridge over the Waverley Valley, more public spaces to enjoy, an improved crossing and pedestrian improvements to Castle Street, the Mound Precinct, and Waverley Bridge.
Protect green spaces – The strategy looks to integrate climate resilience and biodiversity measures to protect the existing Waverley Valley and Gardens from climate change and to plant more trees and flowers – also promoting sustainable transport options and the retrofitting of historic buildings in line with Edinburgh’s net zero aims.
Revitalise Princes Street – Working with developers, the strategy suggests improvements to Princes Street with temporary pop-up premises, building wraps and artwork and encourages mixed-uses for the prominent high street. Improvements to historic buildings, including the Ross Bandstand, are also suggested to create better opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
Make improvements to Waverley Station – Shape the future of Waverley Station and the area around it. Its key position between the Old and New Towns makes the station a vital connection between the Old and New Towns. Network Rail’s Waverley Masterplan recognises the need to restore and modernise the station.
We recently updated two of our customer service charters. These refreshed charters set out the service we aim to provide and what happens at different stages of the planning process.
A local development plan is an important planning document. It guides how Edinburgh changes and grows; and how we respond to the big issues facing the city such as providing good places to live and climate change. It is the starting point for making decisions on whether to approve or refuse planning applications. It is important that people, organisations and communities get involved as much as they can to help inform and prepare City Plan 2040
The Development Plan Scheme contains a draft Participation Statement which is a summary of when and how the Council is likely to engage with people during the City Plan 2040 process.
We are required by the Scottish Government to seek the views of the public on what the content of the Participation Statement should be and have regard to any views expressed.
The questionnaire on the Consultation Hub is asking you (or your organisation) on the best ways to keep you informed and to get you involved.
We will use the results of this survey to improve how we engage with people as we go through the City Plan 2040 preparation stages.
You can sign up for updates for City Plan 2040 by joining our mailing list.
The area to the west of Edinburgh is home to many people and is a place of work or study for others. With its key transport links, and major leisure, sport and cultural activities, it’s an important destination and hub for onward travel to the city, the surrounding region, Scotland and beyond.
We need to manage and coordinate future investment and development in the area to make sure that this growth is well coordinated and supported.
As well as shaping developments, our proposals will;
manage traffic and improve connections
help tackle poverty and make sure growth supports everyone
help us to meet the city’s ambitious net-zero targets
speak to the teams in person on Wednesday 30 August 2023 between 3:30pm and 7:30pm in the Findhorn room in the Marriott Hotel, 111 Glasgow Rd, Edinburgh EH12 8NF (If you have any accessibility requirements, please email cityplan2030@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 469 6163)
You may comment on any or all these programmes. See the website for closing dates for the consultations.
Your views will help us develop our plans going forward. We look forward to hearing from you!
Planning Edinburgh 
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