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.
A series of new and revised non-statutory planning guidance to provide additional information on the policies of City Plan 2030 and National Planning Framework 4 is now live.
The guidance is provided to assist those considering proposals for development and will be used as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
The new guidance is listed below:
Edinburgh Design Guidance – this should be used for the planning and design of new development proposals and for street design.
Guidance for Householders – this is for people considering altering or extending their home, and for professionals involved in the application process.
Student Accommodation Guidance – this is for professionals and developers involved in the provision of purpose-built student accommodation including new build, change of use and conversion.
Developer Contributions and Infrastructure Delivery Guidance – this will be used to assist in assessing planning applications including the provisions to include legal agreements requiring contributions towards delivering infrastructure associated with development.
You can see all our Planning Guidance and Planning Quick Guides here
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.
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:
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.
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:
Opening Method
Number of window panes
Orientation of Window Panes
Colour of Window Panes
Dimensions of the Window Frame
Dimensions of the Astragals
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.
Planning Edinburgh 
You must be logged in to post a comment.