Planning Guidance - Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas

Closed 3 Apr 2025

Opened 9 Jan 2025

Contact

0131 200 2000

cityplan2030@edinburgh.gov.uk

Results updated 23 Sep 2025

We have updated the Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas Guidance in response to the consultation. The Guidance has been amended to clarify audience, consents required, categories of listing (to align with HES guidance) with glossary of terms and acronyms added. Hyperlinks have been added to find consultants, other relevant guidance, and the Council’s quick guides. Greater emphasis is given to maintenance and repair, including for energy efficiency. Examples have been added to define meaning and clarify what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate repairs/alterations, including uPVC framed windows. Greater emphasis is given to the importance of safeguarding the character and appearance of a listed building and the character and visual amenity of a conservation area for stone cleaning and graffiti removal and installation of solar panels incorporated into innovative modern design. 

Overview

This document set out the Council’s expectations for work:

  • to a listed building
  • within the grounds of a listed building
  • within a conservation area.

Multiple sections may be relevant to the work being undertaken. Careful consideration should be given to each of these.

To check whether your property is listed or in a designated area, use The City of Edinburgh Council Atlas or Historic Environment Scotland Designations Map Search.

Are you the owner-occupier of a listed building or property in a conservation area in Edinburgh?

The University of Edinburgh is running a project in parallel with this consultation called "Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners". Some questions in the Council's consultation survey are open-ended. This means you will need to type or write in the boxes provided.  If you would like to expand on your answers or give additional feedback in a conversation setting, you can sign up to participate in a focus group and/or workshop with the University. If you are interested, you can visit the project information page to sign-up. This same link will be provided again at the end of the survey.

Why your views matter

We want the guidance to help people understand what we require for the various types of developments. We want the outcome of development to be good for all users. To do this, we want to make sure the content is clear, helpful, and balanced.

Read the draft guidance

Draft Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Guidance

Need a different language or format?

Please email the Interpretation and Translation Service at its@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting reference 24-1284.

Areas

  • All Edinburgh

Audiences

  • Amenity groups
  • Architects/designers
  • Built heritage groups
  • Businesses
  • Community councils
  • Developers/investors
  • Development management statutory consultees
  • Development planning key agencies
  • Housing associations
  • Landowners
  • Natural heritage/open space
  • Neighbourhood partnerships
  • Planning consultants
  • Professional bodies
  • Residents
  • Road users
  • Scottish Government departments

Interests

  • Adaptation
  • Archives and local history
  • Area regeneration
  • Biodiversity
  • Building warrants
  • Carbon emissions
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Council and housing association homes
  • Council homes
  • Enforcement
  • Flooding
  • Land and property
  • Landscape designations
  • Local plans and guidelines
  • Nature
  • Net Zero
  • Permissions for development
  • Planning applications
  • Policies, plans and strategies
  • Private housing
  • Public space
  • Severe weather
  • Sustainability