Tag: guidance

Easter Holiday Arrangements 2026 – Planning Helpdesk and Weekly Lists

Due to the Easter holidays, our Planning Helpdesk will be closed on 3 and 6 April 2026. Queries received over this time will be responded to when we re-open.

Our online resources and self-service options will still be available 24/7 during this time, ensuring that you can find information and resources whenever you need them.

We have a wide range of planning quick guides aimed at householders – these answer a lot of commonly asked questions, including for

Planning guidance gives advice on topics to guide new development. This guidance answers a lot of commonly asked questions for

The quickest & easiest way to comment on planning applications is on the Planning Portal.

Planning enforcement issues can also be reported online.

Weekly lists & planning advertisements

The planning weekly lists issued for the week ending on 3 April will be issued when we re-open on Tuesday 7 April.

The planning advertisement in the Edinburgh Evening News will go ahead as normal on 3 April 2026.

Full details of Council services available over Easter, including emergency contacts, can be found on our website.

Extended – Consultation on Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal

Front cover of the Draft Gilmerton Conservation Area Appraisal - a redeveloped historic cottage in Gilmerton on a bright sunny day

We are seeking your views on a draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Gilmerton. 

We have taken the decision to extend the consultation to Friday 3 April to give more people the opportunity to tell us what we should improve in the draft.

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal explains what is special about a particular area and why it is a conservation area. It outlines its historical development and identifies the key elements, essential features and special qualities that contribute to its unique character and appearance.

In 1977 Gilmerton was designated a Conservation Area which aims to protect its unique agricultural and mining heritage and qualities for the future.

The current appraisal was adopted in 2000. Since then, Gilmerton has evolved and we need to update the character appraisal to reflect Gilmerton Conservation Area today.

You can access the draft appraisal and the consultation here.

Gilmerton Conservation Area Draft Character Appraisal Consultation

Front cover of the Draft Character Appraisal Consultation, showing the Restored Pantile Cottage on Ravenscroft St, Gilmerton on a sunny day

We are seeking your views on a draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal for Gilmerton. 

A Conservation Area Character Appraisal explains what is special about a particular area and why it is a conservation area. It outlines its historical development and identifies the key elements, essential features and special qualities that contribute to its unique character and appearance.

In 1977 Gilmerton was designated a Conservation Area which aims to protect its unique agricultural and mining heritage and qualities for the future.

The current appraisal was adopted in 2000. Since then, Gilmerton has evolved and we need to update the character appraisal to reflect Gilmerton Conservation Area today.

Historic black and white photo showing children playing on Main Street, Gilmerton, taken around 1900.
Westland Cottages, Gilmerton on a sunny day - red sandstone single story cottages with a hedge and bins in the foreground.
Community Centre, Gilmerton on a sunny day. Three story sandstone community building with parked cars and planters in the foreground
Drum Street crossroads, Gilmerton - a junction with no cars on it on a sunny day with the community centre in the background.
Historic black and white photo of Drum Street crossroads, Gilmerton - a junction with no cars on it and cottages in the background. Taken c1904.
Restored Pantile Cottage on Ravenscroft St, Gilmerton on a sunny day
The Parish Church, Gilmerton on a sunny day with grass and a fence in the foreground.

The questionnaire is asking about the draft appraisal;

  • What do you like about it?  
  • What should we improve? 
  • Do you think we should include anything else? 
  • What makes Gilmerton special to you? 

Share your views online until 3 March 2026

You can also come meet us in person at the Gilmerton Community Centre (Main Hall), 4 Drum Street, EH17 8QG on 22 Jan 2026 between 15:30 and 19:30.

Planning Helpdesk and Weekly Lists – Christmas and New Year Arrangements

Our Planning Helpdesk (which operates as an email and call-back service) will be closed from 22 December 2025 and will reopen on 5 January 2026. Queries received over this time will be responded to when we re-open.

Our online resources and self-service options will still be available 24/7 during this time, ensuring that you can find information and resources whenever you need them.

We have a wide range of planning quick guides aimed at householders – these answer a lot of commonly asked questions, including for

Planning guidance gives advice on topics to guide new development. This guidance answers a lot of commonly asked questions for

The quickest & easiest way to comment on planning applications is on the Planning Portal. When a comment is submitted over the Planning Portal, we receive it within minutes.

Planning enforcement issues can also be reported online.

Weekly lists & planning advertisements

Please note there will be NO planning weekly lists issued Monday 29 December 2025.

There will also be NO planning advertisement in the Edinburgh Evening News on the following dates:

  • Friday 26 December 2025
  • Friday 2 January 2026

The week commencing Monday 5 January 2026 will see things go back to normal – the helpdesk will re-open, with the weekly list issued & an advertisement on Friday 9 January 2026.

Full details of Council services at Christmas and New Year, including emergency contacts, can be found on our website.

Season’s Greeting to all our customers and wishing you a happy 2026.

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.