History – Planning Edinburgh

Revised Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal Approved

Front cover of the Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal (June 2026). Image shows a redeveloped historic cottage in Gilmerton on a sunny day.

Planning Committee has approved the revised Gilmerton Conservation Area Character Appraisal (CACA) at its meeting on 17 June 2026.

The newly approved document is now a material consideration in the determination of planning applications within the conservation area. It will also serve as a reference for planning, design and discussions relating to listed buildings and new development in Gilmerton.

You can read the full appraisal here.

Why has the appraisal been updated?

Gilmerton Conservation Area was originally designated in October 1977 in recognition of its rich mining and agricultural heritage, which continues to shape the area’s distinctive street pattern and historic buildings.

The previous Character Appraisal dated back to July 2000. Keeping Character Appraisals up to date is important, not only to ensure planning decisions are based on current evidence, but also because an appraisal that is typically less than five years old is a key requirement when applying for future conservation funding.

Any future funding bids will need to clearly demonstrate how proposed projects align with the findings and recommendations set out in the appraisal.

Opportunities for enhancement

The revised appraisal identifies a number of opportunities to help protect and enhance Gilmerton’s special character.

These include:

Greater attention given to encouraging development that reinforce features that give Gilmerton its unique character and history

Creating more opportunities for people to stop, rest and enjoy the area’s historic environment

Investing in important community assets, including the Category B listed Gilmerton Community Centre, the Society Hall and Gilmerton Library

The sympathetic restoration and reopening of Gilmerton Cove, the remarkable underground network of tunnels and chambers as an educational, community and visitor attraction

Greater attention to encouraging developments that retain original architectural features wherever possible and that use traditional materials.

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.

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.

Princes Street and Waverley Valley Strategy – Come and speak to the team

*The Waverley Valley includes East and West Princes Street Gardens, including the Ross Bandstand, Waverley Station, Waverley Market and East Market Street.*

Residents, businesses and other interested groups are being asked to comment on a strategy to revitalise Princes Street and the wider Waverley Valley to create a more vibrant and welcoming city centre.

The new vision will guide the long-term regeneration of this part of the city centre, including promoting a mix of shops and services for residents and visitors, protecting the area’s historic and architectural importance, supporting businesses to be more climate resilient, and encouraging temporary ‘pop-up’ uses within vacant units

A 12-week consultation on the draft Princes Street and Waverly Valley Strategy began in November. You can comment on any or all of the proposals on our online survey until 21 Feb 2025.

Come and speak to the team

Over the next few weeks we are holding in-person drop-in sessions for anyone to come and speak to the team:

Thursday 16 January – 10am to 2pm – Central Library foyer, 7-9 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EG

Cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

Wednesday 29 January – 3pm to 7pm – Waverley Station main concourse

Monday 3 February – 1pm to 5pm – City Arts Centre, 2 Market Street, EH1 1DE

The draft strategy aims to:

Create a more accessible city centre – The masterplan for comment recommends guiding the area from the West End of Princes Street along to Waverley Station to become more accessible, with improvements such as additional ramp access to Princes Street Gardens, a footbridge over the Waverley Valley, more public spaces to enjoy, an improved crossing and pedestrian improvements to Castle Street, the Mound Precinct, and Waverley Bridge.
Revitalise Princes Street – Working with developers, the strategy suggests improvements to Princes Street with temporary pop-up premises, building wraps and artwork and encourages mixed-uses for the prominent high street. Improvements to historic buildings, including the Ross Bandstand, are also suggested to create better opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
Protect green spaces – The strategy looks to integrate climate resilience and biodiversity measures to protect the existing Waverley Valley and Gardens from climate change and to plant more trees and flowers – also promoting sustainable transport options and the retrofitting of historic buildings in line with Edinburgh’s net zero aims.
Make improvements to Waverley Station – Shape the future of Waverley Station and the area around it. Its key position between the Old and New Towns makes the station a vital connection between the Old and New Towns. Network Rail’s Waverley Masterplan recognises the need to restore and modernise the station.

Find out more at edinburgh.gov.uk/princesstreet