Tag: update

City Plan 2040 Update

Public space at a new urban residential development on a sunny day. Tall buildings towards the background overlook benches and seating in the foreground.

City Plan 2040 has taken another important step forward with the Evidence Report now finalised and approved by Planning Committee on 3 June 2026, then agreed at Full Council on 25 June 2026.

The Evidence Report will now be submitted to the Scottish Government for the ‘Gate Check’ stage to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to start to prepare the Proposed Plan.

The Evidence Report contains 26 topic papers on a range of subjects and 17 Place Profiles for the different wards within the city and sets out what needs to be considered for the Proposed Plan.

Call for Ideas

We have launched the ‘Call for Ideas’ and this is an opportunity for you to submit proposals and ideas to help frame the vision, priorities and early proposals for the Proposed Plan.

Your ideas should focus on the use and development of land and buildings across Edinburgh.

The Call for Ideas can only be made via the Council’s Consultation Hub. You can find out more and what information is required to submit a proposal or idea there.

If you would like to receive updates on City Plan 2040, you can join the mailing list by e-mailing us at cityplan2040@edinburgh.gov.uk or follow this blog.

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.

New Planning Guidance

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.

They were approved by Planning Committee on 10 September 2025 and replace any previous versions of the guidance.

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.

Guidance for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas – this is for anyone considering repairing, altering or extending a listed building or an unlisted building in a conservation area.

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

Have your say on new draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA)

Photograph shows an example of student housing. Modern, new looking two-storey building next to green space and a small tree on a sunny day.

Our consultation is now open for draft planning guidance for purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in Edinburgh. 

The draft guidance has been prepared to support City Plan 2030 policy dealing with PBSA. It sets out the Council’s expectations and provides guidance for developers and planning officers. It also seeks to ensure the provision of good quality PBSA in appropriate locations whilst protecting the character of existing areas. 

It applies to all types of PBSA developments, including new build, change of use and conversion. To support the health and wellbeing of students, it is essential that they are provided with appropriately located, high quality accommodation. While many students will choose to live in other forms of accommodation, PBSA is a key part of the available accommodation in the city.

We want the guidance to help people understand what we require from the development of PBSA. To do this, we want to make sure the content is clear, helpful, and balanced.

When approved in its final form it will be used by the Council to assess planning applications.

You can read the draft guidance and give us your views in our online survey by Friday 23 May 2025.

Edinburgh World Heritage Events

View west across the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh New Town, with the line of Princes Street (left of centre), George Street (centre) and Queen Street (right) running parallell. Princes Street Gardens are prominent to the left, as are Queens Street Gardens to the right. The recently renovated gardens in St. Andrews Square, just above centre foreground, form a symmetrical pattern with those in Charlotte Square, at the other end of George Street, upper centre right. The Royal Academy and National Gallery are situated on The Mound, which runs through Princes Street Gardens mid-left. Edinburgh Castle, situated on the volcanic crags overlooking Princes Street Gardens, dominaters the upper left of this view.

Edinburgh World Heritage host regular events throughout the year — here are two upcoming events that you might be interested in.

Energy Retrofit of Traditional Buildings in Edinburgh

On Tuesday 25 March, this free event will offer insight on enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in traditional buildings. 

There will also be information on Edinburgh Word Heritage’s Climate Emergency Grant programme as well as a question and answer session.  The event will conclude with tea and coffee. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Geology City

On Thursday 20 March, Dr Angus Miller from University of Edinburgh will examine the influence Edinburgh’s underlying geology has had on the evolution of the city as well as the role it has played in placing Edinburgh at the heart of the development of ideas on how the world works. 

Click here for more information and to sign up.