Tag: Conservation Area

We want your views on our draft Planning Design Guidance – Consultation closing soon

We are currently updating some of our planning guidance documents and would like to hear your views on the new draft versions.

The online consultation closes next week on 3 April 2025.

Your views will help us finalise the updates to these guidance documents:

  • Front cover of Edinburgh Design Guidance, showing modern flats on a sunny day and greenspace in the foreground.
    Edinburgh Design Guidance – Guidance for design and placemaking in new developments. This is to make sure we have places that work well and create good places to live. (Photo courtesy of 7N Architects, © Leo Paredes Photography).
  • Front cover of Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas. Shows a mix of traditional and modern buildings on a sunny day with greenery in the foreground.
    Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas – Guidance to support works to a listed building or within a conservation area. This is to make sure we look after our historic buildings and places.
  • Front Cover of Guidance for Househilders, showing well-kept bungalows with hedgerows in front of them.
    Guidance for Householders – Guidance for development undertaken by individual householders. This includes work to existing houses and gardens.

You can view the draft-for-consultation documents here:

Edinburgh Design Guidance

Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Guidance

Guidance for Householders

You can comment on any or all of them online here.

In response to the National Planning Framework 4, City Plan 2030 and the City Mobility Plan, we have reviewed the guidance documents to make sure they align with the aims and outcomes of the plans.

We have also updated the draft guidance to respond to the climate and nature emergencies. This includes:

  • Minimising energy used in the construction, maintenance and use of buildings.
  • Adapting to the changing climate, including sustainable drainage.
  • Supporting biodiversity and good green space.
  • Enabling sustainable transport.

Our advice on how we make spaces safer for everyone has also been updated.

All three consultations are open until 3 April 2025.

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.

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.

Drop in event – We want your views on our draft Planning Design Guidance

We are currently updating some of our planning guidance documents and would like to hear your views on the new draft versions.

We are hosting a drop in event if any want wants to come along and speak to the team.

Come along between 1-4:30pm on Monday 3 February at The City Art Centre (2 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DE)

We will be there to answer questions and discuss any aspects of the draft guidance.

The online consultation is now open here until 3 April 2025.

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.