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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Planning Edinburgh 
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