Tag: applications

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.

Planning and Buildings Standards Systems Upgrade – 24-26 September 2025

An upgrade of the Planning and Buildings Standards portal is planned between 1pm Wednesday 24 and Friday 26 September.

The public will not be able to view or comment on planning applications during this time. Planning applications that are open for comment during the upgrade will have three additional days added.

The upgrade will allow for improvements to the mapping function and a number of improvements to help process applications as quickly and efficiently as we can.

Planning and Building Warrant applications can continue to be made online through eDevelopment.

The weekly list of planning applications will be issued as normal and the weekly planning advert in the Edinburgh Evening News will appear as normal on the Friday.

You can keep up to date with planning by following us on BlueSky, Instagram or subscribing to this blog.

Changes to Planning Fees – 9 June 2025

Aerial 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 parallel.

This week, Planning fees increased nationally. To reflect these changes, we have updated our Fees Charter.

All planning applications received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be charged the new fees.

Fees are also being introducing for local reviews and appeals against planning decisions.  All local reviews and DPEA appeals received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be subject to a fee.  

Planning fees are set by the Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 which came in to effect 12 December 2024 and The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 which came in to effect 9 June 2025.

These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.

Local Review fees are also set by The Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

An application for a local review is not valid until the full required fee has been paid. Appellants must ensure the application for review AND the correct fee is submitted WITHIN three months from the planning application Decision Notice, otherwise the appellant will forfeit their right to appeal. Appellants are advised to submit their application for local review well within the three month time period to allow for checking of the validity of their review, including the fee.

Further guidance is available in Scottish Government Planning Circulars 2/2025 and 3/2025.

Please refer to planning validation guidelines for information about what to include as part of your submission.

Replacing Your Windows

Close up of some traditional Edinburgh tenement windows.

In May 2024 legislation came in that changes the need for planning permission for the replacement of windows in certain circumstances.

If your property is in the World Heritage Site or a listed building then these changes do not affect you and should you continue to apply for planning permission/ listed building consent.

If your property is in a Conservation Area the Permitted Development Rights have changed which means you may be able to alter or replace your windows without requiring planning permission.  Alterations to windows to the rear of a property that is not a principal elevation (the elevation of the original dwellinghouse which by virtue of its design or setting, or both, is the principal elevation) or a side elevation that doesn’t face a road do not require planning permission.

Applications for Prior Approval can now be submitted to determine the acceptability of windows on the front/principal elevation and side windows facing a road.  This allows the Planning Authority to consider whether the proposed replacements will need  planning permission.  The prior approval will consider the following matters:

  1. Opening Method
  2. Number of window panes
  3. Orientation of Window Panes
  4. Colour of Window Panes
  5. Dimensions of the Window Frame
  6. Dimensions of the Astragals
  7. Colour of the Window Frame or Astragals

If the proposals significantly alter the character of the original windows, then it is likely that the Prior Approval will be refused and an application for Planning Permission would be required.  Further guidance on the acceptability of replacement window can be viewed in our planning guidance on listed buildings and conservation areas .

Applications for Prior Approval must contain a location plan, description of the proposed replacement windows and a fee of £200.  Forms can be downloaded at eplanning Scotland and submitted by email to us via planning@edinburgh.gov.uk.

If your property is outwith the World Heritage Site, a Conservation Area or is not a listed building then you do not need planning permission to replace your windows. Check if your building is in a Conservation Area or listed on our website here.

Have a look at our Quick Guide to Windows for more information. Full details on Altering or replacing existing windows is online in Planning circular 1/2024: householder permitted development rights.

City Plan 2030 Update

Front cover of the proposed City Plan 2030. Text reads "City Plan 2030 - Proposed Plan - September 2021". Picture is of a view of Edinburgh from Arthurs Seat on a sunny day.

City Plan 2030 is continuing its journey towards adoption.

We received the Report of Examination in April 2024 and this is available on the DPEA’s website. The Scottish Government Reporter makes recommendations for modifications, but City Plan 2030 is substantially unchanged in terms of strategy, land allocations, the resultant land supply and policies.

The next step is for City Plan 2030 to be presented to Planning Committee on 19 June to accept the Reporter’s recommendations and to endorse the modified City Plan 2030 as our Local Development Plan.

The Planning Committee papers are available online and you can also watch a live webcast of the meeting.

After Planning Committee, City Plan 2030 will be presented to Full Council on 27 June and if Council is resolved to adopt the plan, it will then be submitted to Scottish Ministers.

Keep up to date on City Plan 2030 progress:

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