PLANNING
Planning Team
Our Planning Team responds to planning applications in Edinburgh area, and any issues or developments relating to the road and path networks in Edinburgh.
We monitor for any new planning applications, alert the local community, and encourage locals to submit their own views and comments as we believe the more local voices are heard, the better. This way, we can push back against student developments, STLs (short-term lets) with no planning permission, and instead preserve green spaces and push for more affordable homes.
Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) also offers a free, impartial and confidential planning advice service, provided by specialist volunteers, all of whom are chartered planners.
For further information on the planning application process, from Pre-Application Stage of Planning Proposals to Appeals & Reviews, can be viewed here.
View & Comment on Planning Applications
This is for the Planning Application stage, when a planning application has been submitted by the applicant with full details of the proposal and when public comments on planning applications must be made within 21 days of the validation date, advert date or neighbour notification date, whichever is the later.
Housing Activism believes in amplifying the voices of local people for the benefit of local communities. We are passionate about getting more people interested and involved in local decision making as part of the local democratic process.
The public can view and comment on planning applications via the Council's planning portal and can get involved in major development proposals before a planning application is submitted.
You can also directly contact your local MP, MSPs, Councillors, local community council and local organisations, to let them know of your views on any local planning issues.
The Council's guide to commenting on planning applications outlines how to ensure you make a valid comment, in other words, invalid comments are not accepted. It is important to realise that an application simply cannot be refused because a lot of people object to it or approved simply because a lot of people are in favour of it. Local views are one consideration along with other planning issues.
What You Can Comment On
Comments which are relevant to planning issues, such as
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traffic and parking
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appearance of the area
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impact on a conservation area
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setting or character of a listed building
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loss of significant landscape features
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noise and disturbance
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effect of cooking odours
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loss of sunlight or daylight
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overshadowing
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privacy.
These are known as material considerations, or in laymen's terms, valid comments.
The Council cannot consider comments on non relevant planning issues, such as
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loss of private view
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effect of the development on property values
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building regulation matters
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racist remarks.
The Council cannot treat your comments as confidential. The Council's privacy notice sets out what happens to your details when you submit comments. You should note that your
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name
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address
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stance
will be published on the public comments tab of the planning portal once a decision is made on the application.
The Council also have guidance on how to search, view and comment on applications.
Copyright
Please note that all planning drawings are subject to copyright laws, particularly copyright of the originator of the drawings, and can only be used for personal, non-commercial use. Any
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reproduction
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modification
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commercial exploitation
of the content is unlawful and may be subject to legal proceedings by the copyright owner.
Consultation Hub
The City of Edinburgh Council has a Consultation Hub that can help you to find and participate in consultations that interest you. Recent consultations are displayed below, but you can also search for consultations by keyword, postcode, interest etc.
Please do get involved and have your say. You will be helping to strengthen democracy and make Edinburgh a better place for all.
You can also keep up to date with new consultations by subscribing to the Council's mailing list.
This information can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council website.
Planning Policies
Here are some of our policy ideas that we believe will go a long way in addressing some of the planning issues.
Planning Democracy
We fully support the work of Planning Democracy which aims to ensure that decisions about how Scotland’s land is developed are fair, inclusive, locally accountable, and promote just outcomes driven by community needs rather than profit. Planning should prioritise public benefit over property developers profits at the expense of local communities.
Greener Scottish Homes
Sustainable housing developments are required and new builds should enable planners, architects and engineers to create innovative sustainable solutions, which incorporate green infrastructure into its design. Communal district heating systems, rainwater harvesting and greywater re-use should be encouraged for new developments.
Sustainable Housing Development
Improved focus on sustainable housing developments, including the integration of blue-green infrastructure. This can include the inclusion of green roofs, water butts, and disconnected downpipes overflowing into rain gardens. These help to manage rainwater in a more natural and sustainable manner and provide amenity and biodiversity benefits.
Additional funding for self-build homes like the popular programme in Maryhill, Glasgow. For self-build homes, see Maryhill, Glasgow -