Tag: conservation

World Heritage Day

Photo © Historic Environment Scotland

World Heritage Day is marked each year on 18 April. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (inscribed in 1995) and the Forth Bridge (inscribed in 2015) are two of six World Heritage Sites in Scotland. 

World Heritage Sites are cultural or natural sites considered to be of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, which have been inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee.

These places or buildings are thought to:

  • have special importance for everyone
  • represent unique, or the most significant or best, examples of the world’s cultural and/or natural heritage 

Outstanding Universal Value is considered to transcend national boundaries and to be of importance for future generations.

This year to celebrate World Heritage Day, new stops on the Forth Bridges Trail have been unveiled.

The visitor trail, which showcases Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridges and the distinctive historic communities of North and South Queensferry, has nine new trail stops along the route.

The new trail stops include two new interpretation signs celebrating the Forth Bridge’s World Heritage Site status and can be found adjacent to commemorative UNESCO plaques at the High Street steps in South Queensferry and the Albert Hotel bus stop in North Queensferry.

Signs marking points of interest along the trail have been designed to reflect the famous red steelwork of the original Forth Bridge. The panels feature illustrated maps, images and stories on the history of the Bridges, the Firth of Forth, and communities of North and South Queensferry in collaboration with local history and heritage groups.

More information can be found on the Forth Bridges Trail can be found here or have a look at the online virtual tour of all of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites. 

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Management Plan: Further Consultation

(c) Karen Gordon

A further consultation has begun for eight weeks to give the public the opportunity to comment on our proposed World Heritage Site Management Plan before approval by summer 2024.

World Heritage Sites (WHS) are recognised by UNESCO as places of outstanding cultural, historical, or scientific value and are legally protected by international treaties.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were given WHS status in 1995; recognising the striking contrast and quality in architecture between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town.

Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Management Plan

A Management Plan identifies issues and opportunities within the World Heritage Site, and sets out priority areas for action to preserve and enhance the site. While the management plan covers a ten-year period, an action plan is developed alongside it focusing on a two-year period.

Between 2021 and 2023, members of the public were consulted on the development of the new Management Plan. This feedback identified five themes of relevance to the management of the World Heritage Site:

  • Awareness, appreciation and activity around World Heritage Site status
  • Climate emergency
  • Conservation and maintenance of buildings and public spaces
  • Control, guidance, and contribution of new development to city centre
  • Sustainable visitor experience

Give us your views by 8 April 2024.

View the BSL video on Instagram:

‘Conservation & Adaptation’ Consultation

Historic buildings and windows

Edinburgh has set an ambitious target for the city to be net zero by 2030. An important part of achieving this target is for all homes to be well-insulated and energy efficient. However, it is recognised that people who own listed buildings or own property within conservation areas face additional and unique challenges to adapt their properties to make them more sustainable for the future. The current cost of living crisis is also contributing to these challenges by affecting many residents’ ability to afford essentials such as heating, food, rent or transport.

We are asking for the views of people who own listed buildings or properties in conservation areas on the challenges they face when trying to maintain, repair and adapt their historic homes in response to climate change and the cost of living crisis.

A ten-week online consultation relating to these challenges will begin on Friday, 31 March. Feedback from the consultation will be considered by a short-term working group being established to discuss these challenges as well as any possible solutions. It will look at what can be done in the short and longer term and how any changes to planning guidance might adversely impact our built heritage.  

The consultation is available at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/conservation-adaptation

Updated Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

Front Cover of Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (October 2022). Nice view of row of townhouses in New Town.

We’ve updated our Non-Statutory Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, with changes to the guidance on roof terraces, ensuite bathrooms and how listed building consent applications are assessed.

Windows

We also provide more detail in the guidance on windows in Listed Buildings and what is now called ‘narrow profile glazing’, previously known as ‘slim profile glazing’.

Where it is proposed to install narrow profile glazing in listed buildings, the guidance still advises that the 6mm cavity gap between two 4mm panes is the maximum we will usually accept. Larger cavity gaps may be accepted in certain circumstances and the guidance sets out what these would be.

Listed building consent applications for narrow profile glazing in existing windows must be accompanied by cross section drawings detailing the depth of the cavity gap and glazing panes. Without this information we are unable to assess the application and it will not be progressed. Full details are included in the guidance.

Our full range of non-statutory guidance is available at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planningguidelines

Consultation on the Merchiston & Greenhill Conservation Area Character Appraisal Revision

In 2018, the Planning Committee approved an updated programme of review of the existing conservation area character appraisals.

As part of this ongoing process, the Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area Character Appraisal has now been revised and we are seeking your views on the draft text.

The Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area was originally designated in May 1986 and the first character appraisal for the area was approved in April 2003.

The revised draft character appraisal amends the text of the original appraisal for its final publication as a digital document that will include images, photographs and interactive maps.

No boundary changes to the conservation area are proposed.

We are seeking views on the following aspects of the revised Conservation Area Character Appraisal:

  • How clearly does the appraisal set out the issues within the Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area
  • To what extent you agree or disagree with the proposed revised appraisal of the Merchiston and Greenhill Conservation Area

The consultation is available now, should take less than 10 minutes to complete and is open until 11 Feb 2022