Tag: Morningside

Community Council Customer Forum 2026

Image shows people sitting around tables watching a presentation and someone talking.

We would like to thank all the Community Council representatives who attended the recent Customer Forum on the evening of Monday 26 October with officers from the Planning Service.

The session was an opportunity for updates on work of the Planning Service, the Local Development Plan, current work on City Plan 2040 and community involvement in Local Place Plans. There was also information on how Community Councils can best get involved in the planning application process.

Following several presentations, we had workshop sessions to discuss a selection of case studies which generated positive discussions on the tables. Some key themes arose such as the engagement process undertaken by the Community Councils in gathering the views of the community on development proposals, how representations are considered as part of the assessment process for applications and what makes material and non-material comments.

The event provided us with a helpful insight into the role of Community Councils in the planning process, the challenges they face and how we can ensure they have a say in developments within their area.

Special Mention – Goff Cantley of Morningside Community Council

The Planning Service would like to take an opportunity to say a special thank you to Goff Cantley who has been the Morningside Community Council Planning Officer for 18 years and will be stepping away from the role.

Throughout his time on the community council, Goff has made a considerable contribution to the understanding of planning issues within Morningside, in particular the development proposals at Craighouse and more recently hotel led developments within the area, in which he supported the community in providing their views on significant developments within the local area.

Goff has also kept track of changing planning guidance as well as providing input on more strategic views of planning matters throughout his time, all to the benefit of Morningside Community Council.

Goff will be missed after many years of service, and we hope he enjoys a well-earned rest!

Share Your Views on the Astley Ainslie Place Brief

Front Cover of the draft Astley Ainslie Place Brief, dated September 2026. Image is of a mature tree and grass, with low rise hospital buildings in the background. It has a green/sepia filter over it.

We are asking what your think of our new draft Place Brief for the existing hospital site, which was approved by Planning Committee on 9 September 2026 for consultation.

Our Consultation is now live until 11 November 2026.

The Astley Ainslie has been in hospital use for over 100 years. It was originally a convalescent hospital and at the forefront of medical rehabilitation in Scotland throughout its history with the natural landscape setting important to help recovery. You can find out more about Astley Ainslie Hospital’s history on the NHS website celebrating its centenary in 2023.

The NHS is planning to keep some services on the site including GPs and the SMART Centre but is selling the rest of the site.

City Plan 2030 identifies Astley Ainslie for housing-led mixed-use development. There will be new development on the site, but this will need to respect the mature landscape setting, create a sustainable place and keep its special character.

Astley Ainslee hospital buildings on a sunny day with a variety of trees and grass in the foreground.

Astley Ainslie is well-loved by the surrounding communities with the Astley Ainslie Community Trust working with local residents to produce a Local Place Plan for the site.

The Draft Place Brief brings together that community voice with an assessment of the site and the aspirations of the NHS. It puts forward a set of principles for the future development.

You can read the Astley Ainslie Draft Place Brief and give us your views on the Consultation Hub until 11 November 2026.

Come along and meet the team

There are also drop-in events where you can chat to planning officers on:

  • Monday 5 October 16:30-19:00 at Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road
  • Saturday 24 October 10:30-13:30 at Newington Library, 17-21 Fountainhall Road

Local Place Plans

We are pleased that we have registered our second Local Place Plan which covers Midmar Paddock which was submitted by the Friends of Midmar Paddock.

You can see the Midmar Paddock Local Place Plan and the Wester Hailes Local Place Plan on our Register.

Midmar Paddock from Blackford Hill (Photo by Friends of Midmar Paddock)
Midmar Paddock from Blackford Hill (Photo by Friends of Midmar Paddock)

There are many other Local Place Plans in progress throughout the City. However, there is still time for community groups to produce Local Place Plans. Our deadline to register a Local Place Plan is June 2026.

Local Place Plans are community-led plans which outline a community’s vision and proposals for their area. Registered Local Place Plans will be taken into account when we prepare City Plan 2040.

There is more information on our webpages but if you are interested in producing a Local Place Plans, you should contact us via cityplan2040@edinburgh.gov.uk and we would be happy to have chat with you.

Updated City Centre and Town Centre Planning Guidance

Four front covers of Town Centre Guidance documents - Tollcross, Leith, Portobello and Corstorphine. Each cover shows a row of shops with flats above and pavement & road in front.

Following the adoption of the City Plan 2030 our City Centre and Town Centre Planning Guidance has now been updated. 

The updated guidance also takes into account

The eight town centres are

  • Bruntsfield/ Morningside
  • Corstorphine
  • Gorgie/Dalry
  • Leith
  • Nicolson Street/ Clerk Street
  • Portobello
  • Stockbridge
  • Tollcross

The guidance has been informed by a ‘public life street assessments’ carried out in 2016, which explored how town centres should evolve to maximise the potential for benefiting public life and a health check which has considered the centre’s strengths, vitality and viability, weaknesses and resiliencies.

The guidance assists the delivery of NPF4 objectives and policies, in particular to ensure town centres are vibrant, healthy and resilient places for people to work, enjoy and visit.

Town centres are an important focal point for people who live and work in Edinburgh. They provide shopping, leisure and community facilities in locations which are easily accessible by walking, wheeling and cycling or public transport. They also contribute to local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods.

The updated guidance is no longer statutory supplementary guidance, but will remain as planning guidance and a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

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.