Council partners with community councils to seek views on regenerating Edinburgh’s coastline

A six-week consultation is asking residents, businesses and other interested groups how they think Seafield could be transformed and regenerated into a vibrant new 20-minute neighbourhood.

The consultation is being run by the City of Edinburgh Council and Seafield: Connecting Coastal Communities (made up of Craigentinny and Meadowbank, Portobello, Leith Links and Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Councils).

The local community is being invited to attend two events where they can give their views in person. Those attending will be asked what they like best about the area just now, what kind of housing they would like built there in the future and how the existing promenade could be improved.

The consultation is also seeking to get views from the local community on what other facilities they would like in the area such as health centres, schools and shops as well as how public transport could be improved. 

There is an online consultation survey for those who are unable to attend the following events – 

Thursday, 27 April between 3pm – 8pm at The Ripple Project Cafe, 198 Restalrig Road South, Craigentinny. 

Saturday, 29 April Between 12:30pm – 3:30pm Bellfield (Celebration Foyer) 16B Bellfield Street, Portobello.

Changes to the pre-application advice service

Following customer feedback, we have undertaken a review of our pre-application advice service, with the proposed changes agreed by the Planning Committee on 24 March 2023.

The changes will provide consistency of advice, with a simpler fee structure to reflect full cost recovery.  Pre-application advice will continue to be the opinion of the planning officer and team manager and will not prejudice any subsequent decision taken by the planning authority.

Advice for householder development, advertising, simple changes of use and minor alterations to buildings will continue to be provided through the resources we have online.

Whilst providing pre-application advice is not a statutory planning function, providing this service helps to support the efficient operation of the planning system as it can improve the quality of applications and provide a level of additional certainty to applicants.

The changes were introduced on 1 April 2023.  Full details on the pre-application advice service, including the customer service guide and charges are on our website.

Once implemented we will be reviewing the updated pre-application advice service gathering feedback from customers through the feedback survey.

We’re Hiring!

We have two vacancies in the planning service for:

  • Street Naming Technician
  • Development Management (Planning) Technician

Both have a closing date of 5 March 2023 – apply online via myjobscotland

Edinburgh Council is Scotland’s busiest planning authority, handling over 3,000 applications a year, in a city with internationally-valued built and natural heritage.

The Council is also the Statutory Addressing authority and responsible for the naming of streets in new development and the numbering of any new properties being created. 

For both roles we are looking for individuals who are committed to delivering an efficient, effective and customer-focused service.

You will be responsible for handling a varied and challenging range of statutory duties for either the process of validation and handling of information for planning applications, or for naming streets, numbering properties and related services.

Find out more:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planningjobs

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) adopted today by Scottish Ministers

Covers of Edinburgh LDP & NPF4 shown together in a circle. From today, they make up the Council’s development plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted today by Scottish Ministers and becomes a key factor in determining planning applications and appeals in Edinburgh.  

NPF4 is now part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

This means that from today, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This means that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

Covers of LDP & NPF4, shown together in a circle. After Feb 13, they together make up Edinburgh's new Development Plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 11 January 2023. It is expected that it will be adopted on 13 February 2023 at 9am.

Once adopted, NPF4 will become part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

When NPF4 is adopted, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This is likely to mean that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee (PDF) on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)