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:

City Plan 2040 – Participation Statement Questionnaire

How do you want to be involved?

School children discuss what it important to them in Edinburgh around a table with a planner from Edinburgh Council.

We are at the very early stage of preparing City Plan 2040 which will be our next local development plan after City Plan 2030.

Edinburgh’s most recent Development Plan Scheme has further information on the City Plan 2040.

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.

Development Planning Update

City Plan 2030 Update: Hearing

City Plan 2030 is reaching an important stage in its journey to being Edinburgh’s adopted local development plan.

The proposed City Plan 2030 was submitted to the Scottish Government for examination in December 2022.

A team of reporters from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has been appointed; and the development plan examination began in February this year.

As part of the examination, a Hearing is scheduled to take place on 26-27 September 2023. Details of the Hearing including the agenda for the two days can be found on the DPEA’s website. The Hearing is open to attendance from members of the public.  If you would like to attend the hearing, please contact Morag Smith, DPEA case officer, to book your place call 0131 244 8173 or email Morag.Smith@gov.scot

Development Plan Scheme 2023

The most recent Development Plan Scheme was approved by Planning Committee on 13 September 2023. This provides a more detailed update on City Plan 2030.

City Plan 2040

As we approach the adoption of City Plan 2030, we need to start thinking about the next local development plan which will be City Plan 2040. The Development Plan Scheme outlines the early stages of City Plan 2040 which will be prepared under the new legislation and guidance which was published by the Scottish Government in May 2023.

There are three main stages to this new process:

1. Evidence Gathering

2. Plan Preparation

3. Delivery

We are currently at the Evidence Gathering stage.  The new Development Plan Scheme contains the draft Participation Statement which is one of the first steps. This is a summary of when and how the Council is likely to engage with the public on City Plan 2040.

We must seek the views of the public on the content of the Participation Statement so we will be starting an engagement exercise on the draft Participation Statement in October.

We’ll post further details on how to get involved. You can also join our mailing list for direct updates by getting touch at cityplan2040@edinburgh.gov.uk

Have your say on the future of West Edinburgh

Illustration featuring west Edinburgh landmarks, people travelling and playing as well as buildings, nature and trees.

We would like to hear your views on managing change and developments through three different but connected programmes:

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

How you can get involved:

  • get more details about the three programmes and give your views online at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/west-edinburgh
  • attend a webinar to find out more https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/west-ed-events/
  • 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!

The future of West Edinburgh

People living in and interested in the future of the west of Edinburgh can take part in three public consultations.

The City of Edinburgh Council is asking residents as well as those working and visiting the area how they think it could grow sustainably for future communities to be better connected, cleaner, greener and fairer for all.

There are three linked proposals documents which are open for comment:

These proposals could substantially develop the experience of living and moving around communities in the west of Edinburgh, helping the capital to shape future planning policy and become a net zero city.

To take part in these consultations, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/west-edinburgh.

Towards West Edinburgh 2050 proposes how we could develop the area over the next 30 years. At this stage there are no detailed proposals but instead an overarching vision to be used as a starting point for discussion. This has been informed by the city’s current City Plan 2030 (used to guide physical development and planning applications) and City Mobility Plan (for transport infrastructure) and, as the document develops, it will be used to evolve these plans over time.

The West Edinburgh Placemaking Framework and Strategic Masterplan is a statutory consultation on development to the north of Gogarburn, extending from Eastfield Road in the west to Maybury junction in the east, with Edinburgh Airport and Turnhouse Road to the north. There are a range of new opportunities for housing in this area as set out in City Plan 2030. The aim is to create a new 20 minute neighbourhood with a range of facilities which people will need to live well locally such as schools and medical centres. Feedback will be used to finalise a masterplan which will go to the Planning Committee for approval. The masterplan will then guide future planning applications.

Travel connections for those living, working and visiting West Edinburgh need to be improved, and to support future growth the Capital’s local authority is working with West Lothian Council to look at public transport and active travel links in the area along the A8/A89 between Broxburn to Maybury. Known as Broxburn to Maybury Transport Improvements, this is a major transport improvement project. The project is funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal. The plan is to have better connected communities with major employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities easily accessible. This will also make it easier for more people to make more journeys by bus or by cycling, walking or wheeling.