Tag: Local Development Plan

Local Place Plans

We are inviting communities across the City of Edinburgh Council area to prepare Local Place Plans in accordance with Schedule 19 of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

A Local Place Plan is an opportunity for communities to think about their local area and develop a plan that sets out the types of changes that they want to see. 

It is a new way that communities can really contribute to the planning process as a registered Local Place Plan must be taken into account when we prepare City Plan 2040 (our next local development plan after City Plan 2030).

A Local Place Plan lets communities:

  • Set out a vision for the future of a place
  • Develop proposals for the development and use of land in their area
  • Propose changes to planning policy.

We have more information on our website which explains in more detail what Local Place Plans are, what is involved in preparing one and some resources that might help.

You can also find out more about Local Place Plans at:

Wester Hailes Local Place Plan: Urban Pioneers Landscape Architects

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

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) adopted today by Scottish Ministers

Covers of Edinburgh LDP & NPF4 shown together in a circle. From today, they make up the Council’s development plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted today by Scottish Ministers and becomes a key factor in determining planning applications and appeals in Edinburgh.  

NPF4 is now part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

This means that from today, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This means that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

Covers of LDP & NPF4, shown together in a circle. After Feb 13, they together make up Edinburgh's new Development Plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 11 January 2023. It is expected that it will be adopted on 13 February 2023 at 9am.

Once adopted, NPF4 will become part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

When NPF4 is adopted, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This is likely to mean that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee (PDF) on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)