In today’s edition:

• ‘Affordable’ homes target exceeded;

• The SNP manifesto and Edinburgh;

• Cramond ‘campus’ proposals inch towards a formal planning application;

• Call for entries issued by Scots property awards competition;

• Finalists announced by Scottish Home Awards;

• Sustainable design accreditation for Edinburgh-based architect;

• Edinburgh tenement maintenance - online seminar;

• Mural celebrates the local people of Leith;

• Paying subscribers invite;

• Ministers reportedly warned Scots law lacks the facility to shut down ‘rogue’ shops;

• Tenement tale turns the spotlight on Picardy Place;

• Manifesto issued as cyclists prepare to Pedal on Parliament;

• Wanted: Views on how to potentially ‘improve’ the West End;

• Applications invited for Edinburgh Doors Open Days weekend;

• Litter pick organised for Sighthill Park; and

• Enjoy, see you next Friday!

‘Affordable’ homes target exceeded

ALMOST 1,500 new ‘affordable’ homes were completed by the city council, and its housing association partners, in the last financial year - according to an announcement from the council.

Says a media release, issued by the council, the figure represents “the most completions delivered in a single year since the [council’s] Affordable Housing Supply Programme began”.

The announcement continues, here: “In 2025/26 1,473 houses were completed or purchased for use, beating the target of 1,368, while 994 homes were approved for construction. Work also started at 1,004 sites.

“Almost £74m was spent on affordable housing in the last financial year, surpassing the previous high figure of £55m spent in a single financial year since the programme was introduced in 2007.”

-

The SNP manifesto and Edinburgh

WITH the SNP expected to form the next Scottish Government (in whatever guise: minority or majority) - following yesterday’s Scottish Parliament elections - several implications are in store for Edinburgh, should the party’s campaign manifesto to be honoured.

One pledge has already been noted by BuildEdinburgh - here - which is to fund a feasibility study into the possible re-opening of the South Suburban rail line for passenger traffic, as part of a wider ‘Tram Trains’ scheme.

Also on the cards from the manifesto (here) is a walk-in clinic service in north Edinburgh, a possible second Gaelic-medium primary school and a feasibility study into how Wardie Bay and parts of the Water of Leith might be turned into an outdoor swimming facility similar to Copenhagen’s Harbour Baths.

Another pledge - with potentially significant implications for plans for a second tram route in Edinburgh, this time north-to-south, complementing the current Newhaven-airport route - reads: “We support efforts in Edinburgh to retain the Roseburn corridor as a route for pedestrians and cyclists and believe that any tram proposals brought forward and funded by the city council should use an alternative route.

“We will also support efforts to bring the former Powderhall railway line into use as a new walking and cycling route in the capital.”

-

Cramond ‘campus’ proposals inch towards a formal planning application

A PLANNING application is expected to be soon submitted for a ‘mixed-use campus’ development in Cramond, including - among other things - sports facilities and a care home.

Being a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN), it is expected public consultation events will be soon held (two have been scheduled, but as yet with no accompanying details) ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.

The PAN follows the developers being ordered ‘to get a move on’ by the city council’s Development Management sub-committee in January (here).

At the time, BuildEdinburgh’s reporting (here) of the sub-committee’s instruction began: “Developers of housing on a site in Cramond - once occupied by what is now known as the Moray House School of Education and Sport - have been ordered to produce a Proposal of Application of Notice (PAN) by April 30, concerning the provision of sports facilities that have been over 20 years in the waiting.”

The PAN notice can be read here (ref: 26/01854/PAN) and concerns the specific address, 34 Cramond Road North.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Live and Urban Realm websites, here and here.

-

Call for entries issued by Scots property awards competition

A DEADLINE of the 21st of this month has been set for an awards competition celebrating Scotland’s housing sector.

Category titles such as Residential Regeneration Project of the Year and Affordable Housing Development of the Year are up for grabs at The Herald Property Awards for Scotland 2026.

Entry details, here.

-

Finalists announced by Scottish Home Awards

MEANWHILE, the finalists have been announced for another awards competition celebrating Scotland’s housing sector.

This year’s Scottish Home Awards will be handing out the prizes on the 18th of next month, with category titles including Renovation of the Year (New Craig at Craighouse among the finalists) and Housing Development of the Year (large private sale) (West Shore among the finalists).

-

Sustainable design accreditation for Edinburgh-based architect

AN architect with the Edinburgh office of Purcell Architecture has been awarded ‘Architect Accredited in Sustainable Design’ status by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

Says RIAS, here: “Claire [Cockburn] has RIAS accreditation in both Conservation and now Sustainable Architecture and is also a certified Passivhaus designer.”

-

Edinburgh tenement maintenance - online seminar

AN online seminar is taking place next month, about Edinburgh tenement maintenance.

It is being hosted by the Scots tenements charity, Under One Roof, and is taking place on the second of next month.

Details, here.

-

Mural celebrates the local people of Leith

A MURAL has been unveiled in Leith, by the recycling social enterprise, Edinburgh Remakery.

The mural - unveiled on Wednesday in Newkirkgate - followed a series of community engagement events, to garner views as to what should be celebrated in the district.

Says Edinburgh Remakery, here: “The mural is more than artwork. It reflects the people, stories and spirit of Leith. It is a piece of the community, made by the community.”

As well as local people being involved in the project, the painting also included local artists, Isabell Buenz and Ross MacRae.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, Edinburgh Remakery was recognised by an awards scheme promoting enterprise in sustainable development - a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, as announced here and here.

-

Paying subscribers invite

EAGLE-eyed readers will have noticed that - from last week - BuildEdinburgh has set up the opportunity for free subscribers to convert to paying ones (either £3.50 a month or £30 a year).

As the site celebrates its first birthday, funding has started to become an issue, not least because ‘solid journalism’ (phoning, researching, interviewing, etc) takes up significant effort and rightly requires paying for - especially if it is to involve commissioning freelancers.

Besides feeling good about supporting the site, paying subscribers will also enjoy access to dedicated content, plus access to exclusive webinars.

Fear not, the site’s weekly aggregation of what’s happening in the city will always remain free to read.

Crucially, they will also be able to help decide future editorial.

BuildEdinburgh now comprises almost 200 posts - most of which are now part of an archive available only to paying subscribers.

Each and every one of them has been produced for free.

The next editor of the site might struggle to be so generous with their time.

-

Ministers reportedly warned Scots law lacks the facility to shut down ‘rogue’ shops

SCOTTISH Government ministers have reportedly been told that Scots law does not allow trading standards teams to shut down ‘rogue’ shops, operated by criminal gangs.

Writes Martin Williams - in an ‘exclusive’, here on the front page of the Herald on Sunday newspaper: “The Scottish Government has had a national strategy to tackle organised crime since 2009, when Letting Our Communities Flourish was first published, but concerns remain over whether enforcement powers have kept pace..”

-

Tenement tale turns the spotlight on Picardy Place

IT was “part of a terrace [of townhouses] that replaced a village of French weavers”, while more recently it was a Hertz car rental garage: the latest in a series of Edinburgh tenement histories turns the spotlight on 10 Picardy Place.

Read all about it on Diarmid Mogg’s Tenement Town website - which describes itself as “uncovering Edinburgh’s forgotten lives, one stair at a time” - here.

-

Manifesto issued as cyclists prepare to Pedal on Parliament

A MANIFESTO has been issued to accompany an annual gathering of cyclists at the Scottish Parliament.

The Pedal on Parliament event is taking place on the 30th of this month (starting at Middle Meadow Walk at 11.30am), and the manifesto (here) primarily has four key aims: Reinstate funding, Redouble efforts, Redress safety and Repair division.

-

Wanted: Views on how to potentially ‘improve’ the West End

VIEWS are being sought about how to potentially ‘improve’ the West End.

The local community council has launched an online survey as a prelude to compiling a Local Place Plan, to submit to the city council as it works up its wider planning targets (City Plan 2040).

Already, three communities have produced a Local Place Plan - here - with several others in the pipeline, including from Fairmilehead Community Council and Morningside CC.

The survey can be found, here.

-

Applications invited for Edinburgh Doors Open Days weekend

A DEADLINE of the 21st of next month has been set for applications to feature in a festival of Edinburgh buildings.

Doors Open Day is scheduled for September 26 and 27. To find out how to potentially be part of the programme, email here.

-

Litter pick organised for Sighthill Park

A LITTER pick has been organised for Sighthill Park - taking place from 11am on Sunday.

Meet at the pavilion on Broomhouse Road.

-

Main image details: McEwan Hall; copyright Mike Wilson

Mural image details: copyright Edinburgh Remakery

In today’s edition:

• Planning permission granted for Rose Street Theatre conversion;

• Edinburgh named ‘most walkable’ city in Europe;

• Gillis Centre reportedly to be put up for sale;

• Concern raised about Pleasance Fringe venue planning application frequency;

• Election manifestos reportedly offer ‘support’ for Borders rail line extension;

• Plans lodged for name change signage at St James Quarter;

• Visitor attraction accolades for two Edinburgh sites;

• Architecture graduates - annual ‘degree show’;

• Seminar to consider how best to manage tourism in the city;

• Planners gather in Edinburgh, from across Europe;

• Application withdrawn to covert Leith office block into apartments;

• ‘Tenant Power’ electricity tariff set to save Muirhouse tenants around £200 a year;

• Permission being sought for ten-homes development in Canonmills;

• Tollcross clock to be restored and returned;

• Views sought on Holyrood Park; and

• Enjoy, see you next Friday!

Planning permission granted for Rose Street Theatre conversion

PLANNING permission has been granted, to turn Rose Street Theatre into a hotel - six months after being initially refused.

Wednesday’s Development Management sub-committee of the city council (here, agenda items 7.1 and 7.2) heard how revised plans for adapting the theatre had received the backing of the council’s chief planning officer.

Said a paper from the officer, here: “The proposal retains most of the sanctuary space as the principal internal space, with its scale, hierarchy and key spatial relationships remaining legible.

“The limited degree of subdivision that has been introduced has been carefully reduced and refined compared with the previously refused scheme [here, ref: 25/02951/FUL].

“The spatial quality of the sanctuary space is proposed to be retained through the careful incorporation of the existing vaulted ceiling and decorative plasterwork into the proposed layout. Two of the three arched bays are contained within the preserved sanctuary space with the remaining arch exposed in a bedroom on each side.”

It means four fewer bedrooms than originally envisaged.

When the previous plans were rejected in November - following listed building concerns - there was a fear the empty building might have no realistic future.

Watch Wednesday’s debate, here, on the city council’s webcast.

-

Edinburgh named ‘most walkable’ city in Europe

EDINBURGH has been named the ‘most walkable’ city in Europe.

The title follows an annual survey (here) by media brand, Time Out, which found 93 per cent of local people in Edinburgh rating the city as either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ for walking.

The top ten list reads, as follows:

• Edinburgh, UK (93 per cent);

• Copenhagen, Denmark (90 per cent);

• Oslo, Norway (89 per cent);

• Stockholm, Sweden (88 percent);

• Paris, France (88 per cent);

• Helsinki, Finland (85 per cent);

• Kraków, Poland (83 per cent)';

• Riga, Latvia (83 per cent);

• Vienna, Austria (83 per cent); and

• Amsterdam, Netherlands (81 per cent).

-

Gillis Centre reportedly to be put up for sale

THE former St Margaret’s convent and school in Marchmont - now known as the Gillis Centre - is reportedly going to be put up for sale, later this year.

Now operating as an administrative base for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, the Centre is a mix of category A- and B-listed individual buildings.

Read more, here, in The Herald newspaper.

-

Concern raised about Pleasance Fringe venue planning application frequency

THE community council that takes in the busy Edinburgh Fringe Festival complex, the Pleasance, has raised a concern about a planning application (here, ref: 26/01170/FUL) seeking permission to create temporary facilities, such as performance spaces, essentially for the next three years.

Says the Southside Community Council, here, a system of annual planning applications would provide more on-going dialogue with local people than a three-yearly one.

-

Election manifestos reportedly offer ‘support’ for Borders rail line extension

SUPPORT for extending the Borders rail line, currently between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, has reportedly been offered, in various guises, by four political parties ahead of next week’s Scottish Parliament elections.

Reports the website, Deadline News, here, the manifestos of the SNP, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Greens have each positively raised the subject of the line being possibly extended to Hawick and beyond.

-

Plans lodged for name change signage at St James Quarter

PLANS have been lodged to instal new signage at the St James Quarter, to reflect a change in its name - as noted on BuildEdinburgh, here, from last October.

A planning application - here, ref: 26/01562/ADV - has been submitted to install ‘Westfield - St James Quarter’, with the design by AMA Studio.

-

Visitor attraction accolades for two Edinburgh sites

THE Royal Yacht Britannia, in Leith, has been named the world top visitor attraction - in a list based on ratings by users of the travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor.

And it doesn’t end there for Edinburgh, with the list (here) also featuring The Real Mary King’s Close, on the High Street, in sixth place.

The Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, came second, while Gardens by the Bay, in Singapore, finished third.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper, here, and the BBC, here.

-

Architecture graduates - annual ‘degree show’

THE annual exhibition / degree show of architectural students at the Edinburgh College of Art is taking place from the 29th of this month.

The show - which ends on June 5 - is being held as part of the college’s wider degree exhibitions, at its Lauriston Place base.

Tickets can be found here, on eventbrite.

Read more about it in The Herald newspaper, here.

-

Seminar to consider how best to manage tourism in the city

A SEMINAR on how best to manage tourism in Edinburgh is being hosted at the City Chambers by the heritage body, The Cockburn Association, a week on Tuesday.

It is part of a Festival of Europe, Scotland series of events taking place this month.

Says the publicity blurb: “Hospitality is a core part of Scotland’s culture, but the pressures to meet the demands of high visitor footfall are putting pressures on our capital city. Our session will explore new research into the impact of tourism in Edinburgh and discuss European approaches to managing tourist tensions and balancing the needs of residents and visitors.”

Ticket details, here.

-

Planners gather in Edinburgh, from across Europe

BEGINS a story on the website of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI): “Senior planning professionals from across Europe gathered in Edinburgh to discuss how cities, regions and nations can respond to the climate emergency, deliver clean energy and build more resilient communities.”

It was a meeting of the General Assembly of the European Council of Spatial Planners – Conseil Européen des Urbanistes, held at weekend at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

As reported, here and here, on the RTPI and the Project Scotland websites.

-

Application withdrawn to covert Leith office block into apartments

AN application to convert an office block in Leith into short-term accommodation has been withdrawn (here).

As noted here, on BuildEdinburgh, there was widespread concern about how the loss of office workers from the block (Waterside House) might impact on the area.

The application was for 15 short-term let apartments (here, ref: 26/00362/FULSTL).

There were almost 300 objections (and no comments in support) on the city council’s planning applications portal (here).

-

‘Tenant Power’ electricity tariff set to save Muirhouse tenants around £200 a year

TENANTS of Muirhouse Housing Association can expect to save around £200 a year, following the installation of solar panels (and associated battery storage) and the creation of a new payment tariff, called ‘Tenant Power’.

More than 30 ‘social’ homes are involved in a partnership agreed with energy supplier, Octopus, as it describes here.

The story is picked up by The Herald newspaper, here.

-

Permission being sought for ten-homes development in Canonmills

PLANNING permission is being sought to replace a former nursery - on Heriot Hill Terrace, Canonmills - with ten homes.

The application - here, ref: 26/01422/FUL - has been submitted on behalf of Stockton-on-Tees-based Mandale Homes.

But local newsletter, the Broughton Spurtle, reports, here, that “some locals have reacted with alarm” to the plans.

-

Tollcross clock to be restored and returned

THE clock that used to grace the intersection of roads at Tollcross is to be restored and returned, four years after it had been removed due to safety concerns.

As noted last week, on BuildEdinburgh (here), the city council’s Finance committee (which met on Tuesday) was being asked - here, agenda item 7.6 - to approve a cost estimate of £72,572, excluding VAT.

The city council itself reports the story, here.

-

Views sought on Holyrood Park

VIEWS are being sought as to how legislation might be updated, as it applies to Holyrood Park.

Begins an online survey, here - posted by the Friends of Holyrood Park - the aim is to “update the legislation covering Holyrood Park: to support the aims set out in Historic Environment Scotland’s Strategic Plan, including improvements to the natural environment, access and safe enjoyment of activities”.

But you need to be quick: the survey ends on Sunday.

Image details: The Meadows, towards Bruntsfield; copyright Mike Wilson

In today’s edition:

• Dundas Street hotel, etc plans submitted;

• Re-submitted: Henderson Row office-to-residential plans;

• ‘Tram Trains’ feasibility study promised in SNP manifesto;

• Examined: ‘green’ data centres;

• Architect, Ian Begg, remembered;

• Views sought on proposed streets improvements in Craigmillar and Niddrie;

• Views sought on Craigmount High School expansion plans;

• Tollcross clock to be soon restored and returned?;

• Wanted: views on community grant allocation;

• Beach clean and litter picks: Wardie Bay, Calton Hill and Drumbrae Park;

• Primary school refurbishment completed, with at least one new school being pursued;

• Drylaw shopping centre: improvements reportedly starting next month;

• Victoria and other schools, Newhaven;

• Demolition reportedly agreed for several buildings at Western General Hospital;

• Average house price, Scotland; and

• Enjoy, see you next Friday!

Dundas Street hotel, etc plans submitted

PLANS have been lodged for a hotel, restaurant and bar at the bottom of Dundas Street, on its west side - just up from Clark’s Bar.

It follows the submission of a Proposal of Application Notice, which involved two in-person consultation events - in January and February.

The PAN (here, ref: 25/06640/PAN) was seeking the demolition of both Centrum House and neighbouring Bupa House.

Says the current planning application (here, ref: 26/01504/FUL) - which is on behalf of Dakota Hotels - the design seeks to echo the massing of neighbouring properties, ie to create a coherent streetscape.

According to the architects, Morgan Architects, here: “The proposed building height is approximately 580mm higher than the existing buildings on the site, while remaining lower than the Georgian corner building opposite Fettes Row.

“This ensures that the development maintains the characteristic stepping of rooflines as the streets rise toward the core of the New Town. The massing has been carefully arranged to respond to the surrounding context, with volumes that sit comfortably alongside the neighbouring Georgian, Victorian and contemporary buildings.”

The story is picked up by the website, Urban Realm, here.

-

Re-submitted: Henderson Row office-to-residential plans

PLANS to convert an office block on Henderson Row into 63 build-to-rent apartments have been re-submitted, following a rejection last year by the city council’s Development Management sub-committee (here - agenda item 4.5).

The application this time around (here, ref: 26/01640/FUL) is to remove the upper level - called a ‘mansard roof’ - and add a further two, including a ‘mansard’.

The architects are CDA.

The building was first a trams power station and depot for Edinburgh Northern Tram Company - as described here. They are currently owned by pensions, investment and life assurance group, Royal London.

Key among the proposed changes is an increase in the size of one-bedroom apartments and improved cycle storage - with the result that the now proposed scheme is two apartments shy of the original.

Says a design statement, here: “The double-height mansard roof has been omitted and, in its place, it is proposed to continue the existing stone and render up one additional storey (third floor) and to reinstate a new, single-storey mansard to fourth floor.

“This will allow the building to be read as a four-storey building with a roof – much like the surrounding tenements – rather than reading as a three-storey building with a top-heavy, two-storey roof.

“The new storey will be predominantly clad in stone and will, therefore, be in-keeping with the character of the existing building and wider conservation area.”

The story is picked up by the website, Urban Realm, here.

-

‘Tram Trains’ feasibility study promised in SNP manifesto

A FEASIBILITY study into proposals to re-open the South Suburban rail line to passenger traffic and have it connected to the city’s tram network - using ‘Tram Trains’ - has been promised by the SNP in its manifesto for the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.

Says its manifesto - here, page 64 - the SNP declares: “Tram Trains have been established in a variety of European cities, and most recently in Cardiff. We will commission a full feasibility study for the use of Tram Trains on the South Suburban line in Edinburgh and support the next stages of the feasability [sic] work of the Clyde Metro proposals, to determine if they are an efficient investment of public money to improve the public transport offering in our two biggest cities and help foster economic growth.”

Read more about Tram Trains, here, on BuildEdinburgh.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Inquirer website, here.

-

Examined: ‘green’ data centres

THE pros and cons of building so-called ‘green’ data centres is examined in a ‘long read’ published by the Edinburgh Inquirer website.

Penned - here - by award-winning young engineer, Corey Boyle.

Arguments for building them in Scotland partly centre on an over-supply of renewable energy, to the extent that tens of millions of pounds are having to be paid to have wind turbines switched off.

-

Architect, Ian Begg, remembered

A TRIBUTE to the Scots architect who designed the Radisson Blu hotel on the High Street is taking place next month.

Ian Begg, who died nine years ago, is also known for his restoration of several Scots castles.

It is taking place at the Radisson Blu, on May 18; details here.

-

Views sought on proposed streets improvements in Craigmillar and Niddrie

VIEWS are being sought on proposed improvements to several streets in Craigmillar and Niddrie.

The streets include Peffermill Road from Prestonfield Avenue to the junction with Duddingston Road West, Cairntows Park, and Niddrie Mains Road west from Duddingston Road West to Greendykes Road.

Two drop-in events have been scheduled for next month, along with an online poll open until July 8.

Read more, here.

-

Views sought on Craigmount High School expansion plans

VIEWS are being sought on plans - noted here, on BuildEdinburgh - to expand Craigmount High School, just east of Maybury Road.

An online poll has been published - along with draft drawings - by the city council, here, which closes on June 10.

-

Tollcross clock to be soon restored and returned?

HOPES are high that the historic clock that, until four years ago, occupied a site at the intersection of roads at Tollcross will be soon restored and returned.

On Tuesday, the city council’s Finance committee is being asked - here, agenda item 7.6 - to approve a cost estimate of £72,572, excluding VAT.

Say papers, here, being presented to councillors: “The Tollcross clock was built by James Ritchie and Sons in 1901. Its historic importance is recognised as it is a C-listed structure.”

The story is picked up by The Edinburgh Reporter website, here.

-

Wanted: views on community grant allocation

VIEWS are being sought as to how a community grants scheme might be differently operated.

Says the city council, which operates the scheme: “The Community Grants Fund is a small grants scheme provided by the council. Each year, community groups and other local charities can apply for up to £5,000 to develop and deliver activity in their local area that will benefit or add value to their community.

”Currently, a funding panel in each area decides which projects get funded each year.

“They base their decisions on what they feel is needed most in their community. Funding panel members include ward councillors, community councillors and representatives from local community organisations.”

Read more, here. And complete an online survey.

-

Deaths among homeless people

BEGINS ‘local democracy reporter’ (his post paid for by the BBC), Joe Sullivan: “Some 56 homeless people in Edinburgh reportedly died in 2025, according to council data released under Freedom of Information legislation.

“People in temporary accommodation made up 37 of the deaths, while those out of temporary accommodation made up 19.

“The causes of the 56 total deaths were not reported in the response, but it is understood that at least some were due to natural causes.”

Read more, here, on the website of broadcasters, STV.

-

Beach clean and litter picks: Wardie Bay, Calton Hill and Drumbrae Park

A BEACH clean is taking place at Wardie Bay, on Sunday.

It is being organised by the ‘secular congregation’, Sunday Assembly Edinburgh, and begins at 10am.

More details, here, on eventbrite.

And a litter pick is taking place tomorrow, on Calton Hill. From 10am.

Plus, there is a litter pick at Drumbrae Park - on Sunday, from 11am.

-

Primary school refurbishment completed, with at least one new school being pursued

WHAT is being described as “significant refurbishment and retrofit work” at Brunstane Primary School has been completed - according to the city council.

Says the council, here: “The improvement works adopted a ‘fabric first’ approach – a sustainable building design strategy that maximises the performance of materials and components aiming to reduce energy demand and carbon impact.

“Following the works, the school building has achieved the highest EPC rating of A, acknowledging the energy efficiency of the building.”

Meanwhile, planning permission is being sought for at least one new primary school in the city.

A planning application (here, ref: 26/01502/PAN) has been lodged for the demolition of the existing Fox Covert Primary School, in Clerwood, and then a brand-new replacement.

A PAN (Proposal of Application Notice) requires some form of public consultation before the submission of a more formal planning application. And two events have been organised - both taking place at the current school: Thursday, 2pm-6pm and Thursday May 28 (same times).

Meanwhile, a second new primary school may be soon in the offing - for Gracemount (ref: 26/01498/SCR) - but no details are currently showing on the city’s planning applications portal.

-

Drylaw shopping centre: improvements reportedly starting next month

IMPROVEMENTS to Drylaw shopping centre - straddling Ferry Road and Easter Drylaw Place - are reportedly to begin next month.

Says North Edinburgh News website, here: “Works are scheduled to begin on Tuesday 5 May and complete on Wednesday 24 June (these dates may require to change).”

-

Victoria and other schools, Newhaven

A SERIES of articles about Edinburgh’s schools from yesteryear continues with a look at Victoria and other schools, in Newhaven.

Local history expert, Andy Arthur, writes about it, here, on his website, Threadinburgh.

-

Demolition reportedly agreed for several buildings at Western General Hospital

A ‘BUSINESS case’ to demolish several buildings at the Western General Hospital has reportedly been approved by NHS Lothian’s board.

Say several media outlets - including here and here - the buildings identified are either derelict or no longer fit for purpose.

Writes local democracy reporter (his post paid for by the BBC), Joe Sullivan, on the website of broadcasters, STV (here): “At Wednesday’s board meeting, members voted to pursue the less expensive of two demolition options that had been proposed, with a cost estimate of £23.2m.

“On security, the report stated there had been instances of ‘trespassing, vandalism and theft’ in a number of the buildings concerned, with 46 incidents recorded since January 2024.”

-

Average house price, Scotland

THE average price of a house in Scotland, during February, was £187,000 - according to the Registers of Scotland.

Says RoS, here, that’s 2.3 per cent up on the same time last year but 0.6 per cent down on the previous month, January.

-

Image details: Dean Village; copyright Mike Wilson

In today’s edition:

• ‘Affordable’ housing tender issued for New Town Quarter site;

• Edinburgh ranked ninth-busiest tourist destination in the world;

• How much for an A4 sheet’s worth of ‘floor space’?;

• Plans lodged for padel and tennis centre;

• Appeal issued to help in the building of two ‘urban crofts’;

• Almost 900 new-build homes started in the city (708 completed) during the final three months of last year;

• Architect, Richard Murphy, to present ‘three ideas for the city centre’;

• First homes released for sale at Edmonstone Village;

• Appeal lodged to build South Gyle ‘green data centre’;

• ‘Lads’ Institute’ receives C-category listing;

• Upgrade plans lodged to upgrade four Moredun high-rises;

• Profiled: the young man behind Edinburgh ‘planning intelligence’ website;

• Plans lodged for ten-flats block in Portobello;

• The future of the Old Town: views sought;

• Construction of Granton townhouses to finally begin;

• Student accommodation development - on video;

• Leith student accommodation complex reportedly given final go-ahead;

• ESPC most-viewed property;

• ‘Mixed-use urban neighbourhood’ development plans lodged for Edinburgh BioQuarter;

• Birthday celebrations: World Heritage site;

• Trial launched of single-use cup recycling;

• The impact on first-time buyers of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax;

• Seafield retail park purchased by Crown Estate Scotland; and

• Enjoy, see you next Friday!

‘Affordable’ housing tender issued for New Town Quarter site

A TENDER has been issued to build 108 ‘affordable’ homes on the site of former Royal Bank of Scotland offices on Fettes Row / just off Dundas Street.

The site - known as ‘New Town Quarter’ - is currently the subject of an appeal to the Scottish Government (here, PPA-230-2755), after it was rejected by the city council’s Development Management sub-committee, amid concerns about the proposed number of student beds.

Some 107 residential units are currently under construction by the developers, Ediston.

The ‘affordable’ housing element is part of Ediston’s overall submission for the site.

And says an entry on the tenders website, Public Contracts Scotland, here, by the Wheatley Housing Group: “This brief is to deliver the affordable housing component (consisting of 108 ‘mid-market rent’ homes delivered across a single block) of the wider mixed-use redevelopment of the former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters, representing one of the city’s most significant brownfield regeneration opportunities.”

The story is picked up by The Edinburgh Reporter website, here, and the Edinburgh Live website, here.

-

Edinburgh ranked ninth-busiest tourist destination in the world

EDINBURGH has been ranked the ninth-busiest tourist destination in the world - in terms of the number of tourists versus the number of locals.

The city ranks behind Dubrovnik, Croatia; Reykjavík, Iceland; Venice, Italy; Geneva, Switzerland; Porto, Portugal; Phuket, Thailand; Florence, Italy; and Lisbon, Portugal.

It is just ahead of Athens, Greece.

Says the organisation behind the analysis - car rental booking and comparison website, DiscoverCars.com: “This city had 1,714 visitors for every 100 locals in 2025, as 8.4 million people came to visit compared to the 490,000 people who live there.”

-

How much for an A4 sheet’s worth of ‘floor space’?

EDINBURGH has been named the most expensive part of Scotland to buy ‘floor space’, with £204 required to purchase just an A4-sheet’s worth.

The calculation - that also sees Argyll and Bute the least expense, at £74 per A4 sheet - has been issued by property website, Zoopla: here.

The story is picked up by Yahoo!News, here, and also The Herald newspaper, here.

-

Plans lodged for padel and tennis centre

PLANS have been lodged, for a padel and tennis centre at Fort Kinnaird.

The application is a Proposal of Application Notice (here, ref: 26/00189/PAC on the Midlothian Council planning portal), meaning in-person consultation events before the submission of a formal planning application.

The first is taking place on Wednesday (between 4pm and 7.30pm) at Danderhall Community Hub, with the second scheduled for the 21st of next month (same times) at the Conference Room & Piano Bar, Queen Margaret University.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper, here.

-

Appeal issued to help in the building of two ‘urban crofts’

AN appeal has been launched for people to help in the building of two so-called ‘urban crofts’ - plots of usually disused plots of land in the city turned over to community food growing.

Say organisers, Earth in Common - which already operates an ‘urban croft’ at Leith Links, here - it is seeking to create ‘urban crofts’ in Corstorphine (here) and Trinity (here).

-

Almost 900 new-build homes started in the city (708 completed) during the final three months of last year

ALMOST 900 new-build homes were started in Edinburgh - across the private, local authority and housing association sectors - during the months October-December last year, according to Scottish Government statistics.

Says the government, here, there were exactly 894 ‘all sector’ new-build starts in Edinburgh during the quarter year, compared to 521 (Q3 2025), 153 (Q2 2025), 815 (Q1 2025) and 965 (Q4 2024).

Across the same period, there were 708 ‘all sector’ new-build completions in the capital during Q4 2025, compared to 780 (Q3 2025), 1,134 (Q2 2025), 532 (Q1 2025) and 1,006 (Q4 2024).

Read more, here, on BuildEdinburgh (its statistics section).

-

Architect, Richard Murphy, to present ‘three ideas for the city centre’

ARCHITECT, Richard Murphy - behind radical redesign plans for Princes Street (here) - is the guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the local heritage body, The Cockburn Association.

His presentation is titled, ‘The ideas which could transform the centre of Edinburgh’.

Ticket details, here.

Check out: ‘Princes Street, a reading history’ (here, on BuildEdinburgh).

-

First homes released for sale at Edmonstone Village

THE first homes in a housing development off Old Dalkeith Road, near Danderhall, have been released for sale.

When it is completed, Edmonstone Village is expected to comprise 312 homes, costing £87m, and the first batch of them has been released for sale, by house builders, Avant.

A media release about the ‘release’ has been posted, here, on the Avant website.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News, here.

-

Appeal lodged to build South Gyle ‘green data centre’

AN appeal to build a ‘green data centre’ in South Gyle has been lodged with the Scottish Government.

It follows a rejection - in February, by the city council’s Development Management sub-committee (here, agenda item 6.1) - of a planning application (here, ref: 25/04239/PPP).

The appeal documentation can be found, here. It says: “The appeal is ready to be allocated to a [Scottish Government] ‘reporter’ and receipt of the planning authority response is due on 21 April 2026. The period for interested members of the public to make representation ends on 28 April 2026. Any representations received by the deadline will be passed to the planning authority and agent/appellant for their comments.”

-

‘Lads’ Institute’ receives C-category listing

A DEGREE of protection - not least against plans to demolish it for student accommodation - has been provided for the ‘Lads’ Institute’ on Ratcliffe Terrace.

The C-category listing of the building - here, by Scottish Government agency, Historic Environment Scotland - follows a consultation exercise - here, which ended at the start of this month.

As reported, here, by BuildEdinburgh in October last year, a planning application for student accommodation on the site was rejected by the city council’s Development Management sub-committee.

But a demolition request has since been submitted - here, ref: 26/00495/CLP - which is, according to the council’s planning applications portal, ‘awaiting assessment’.

Read about the building’s history on the local history website, Threadinburgh, here.

-

Upgrade plans lodged to upgrade four Moredun high-rises

PLANNING permission is being sought, to upgrade four high-rise blocks of flat in Moredun.

One application (here, ref: 26/00959/FUL) is for Moncrieffe House and Forteviot House, both on Moredunvale Bank, while another (here, ref: 26/00961/FUL) is for Castleview House and Marytree House, both on Craigour Green.

The architects are Anderson Nell + Christie.

-

Profiled: the young man behind Edinburgh ‘planning intelligence’ website

THE 26 year-old young man behind a website - that seeks to make it easier to interrogate planning applications in the city - is the subject of a media profile.

Harry Williams is behind CityScope, which uses AI to deliver what he describes as ‘planning intelligence’.

He is a systems analyst at estate agents, Rettie.

Read more about him, here, on the website, Deadline News.

-

Plans lodged for ten-flats block in Portobello

PLANNING permission is being sought to build a block of ten flats in Portobello.

The application - here, ref: 26/00654/FUL - concerns a storage yard on Station Brae.

The architects are hLp Architecture.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper, here.

-

The future of the Old Town: views sought

VIEWS are being sought about the future of the Old Town.

The district’s local Development Trust is seeking to submit a Local Place Plan to the city council, as it prepares its City Plan 2040.

And to that end, it is organising in-person events tomorrow, on May 4 and June 5.

Details here.

-

Construction of Granton townhouses to finally begin

THE construction of 28 townhouses on the site of what is believed to be the oldest purpose-built car factory in the UK (as described here) is set to finally go ahead, following the payment of a ‘developer contribution’.

Planning permission - to turn the ‘B-listed’ (here) Madelvic House, in Granton, into the townhouses - was approved last year (as noted here, on the city’s planning applications portal, ref: 25/02543/LBC).

The townhouses are being developed by ‘affordable’ housing provider, Lar Housing Trust, and the architects are Hypostyle Architects.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News newspaper, here.

-

Student accommodation development - on video

A VIDEO of a student accommodation development in Edinburgh has been posted by the building’s contractor.

‘Pepper Mill’ is a 155-bed complex on Dunedin Street.

And contractors, Clark Contracts, has posted a video of its work, here.

-

Leith student accommodation complex reportedly given final go-ahead

THE conversion of a bingo hall in Leith - into a 200-bed student accommodation complex - has reportedly got the final go-ahead, following the payment of ‘developer contributions’.

The hall is on Manderston Street and the final approval was granted on the second of this month, here, ref: 24/01162/FUL.

The architects are Oberlanders.

The story is picked up by the Edinburgh Evening News, here.

-

ESPC most-viewed property

IT’S a double-upper flat in Gullane, East Lothian, that has been the most viewed property - throughout last month - on the website of the Edinburgh Solicitors’ Property Centre, here.

In second place, in a top ten list, is a home in Roslin, Midlothian.

-

‘Mixed-use urban neighbourhood’ development plans lodged for Edinburgh BioQuarter

PLANS have been lodged for a ‘mixed-use urban neighbourhood’ development - comprising laboratory facilities but also housing - at the Edinburgh BioQuarter, in Little France.

The application is a Proposal of Application Notice (here, ref: 26/01477/PAN), meaning in-person consultation events before the submission of a formal planning application.

The application has been submitted by Scottish Enterprise.

Two in-person consultation events have been scheduled: Nine, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Plot 9, Little France Road (Thursday April 30, 12pm-6pm) and Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, 5 Moredunvale Place (Tuesday June 9, 2pm-7pm).

-

Birthday celebrations: World Heritage site

TO help celebrate the 30th birthday of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns being designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the convener of the city council’s planning committee has penned a tribute.

Read Cllr Joan Griffiths’s article, here.

-

Trial launched of single-use cup recycling

A TRIAL has been launched, to increase the number of single-use cups are recycled.

Says a media release issued by the charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, here: “Dedicated cup bins will be deployed on Market Street, Waverley Bridge and outside Haymarket Station to collect single-use cups in a new trial to test the effectiveness of on-street cup recycling and see if it is possible to boost the number of cups being recycled in Scotland – currently four per cent - and prevent them from ending up as litter or in landfill.

“Furthermore, the partners have teamed up with retailers including Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Greggs and McDonald’s to launch Take It Back in Edinburgh.”

-

The impact on first-time buyers of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax

THE challenges facing first-time house buyers is examined by David Forsyth, of the Edinburgh Inquirer website, who looks, in particular, at the impact of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax on the final price of a property.

Here.

-

Seafield retail park purchased by Crown Estate Scotland

THE body that manages a range of properties, earning income for the Scottish Government, has purchased a retail park at Seafield.

Crown Estate Scotland has acquired the park - which includes units let to, among others, Halfords, Connection Flooring and McGuirks Golf - for £5,724,500.

It is understood the purchase is to help diversify the Crown Estate Scotland portfolio, which has traditionally been weighted towards rural properties.

The story is picked up by BE News.

Image details: Albion Terrace; copyright Mike Wilson

In today’s edition:

• Two-part tram build reportedly being called for by SNP councillors;

• Sneak peek of King’s Theatre refurbishment published;

• Residents group forms against possible data centre;

• Construction work well underway on Colinton community hub;

• Edinburgh duo compete for Scotland’s Home of the Year regional title;

• Website feature focuses on deaths amo…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Students come up with innovative Sheriffhall roundabout design;

• Memorial service for celebrated city campaigner and critic;

• Foundations laid for the next phase of Powderhall regeneration;

• The old Granton lighthouse;

• Tram journeys up, bus journeys up;

• Argyle House listing hopes dashed, at least for the moment;

• Research grants, up to £5,000 a…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Thumbs up for ‘retirement village’ proposal;

• More advance notice of road repairs being sought by local councillor;

• Timeframe extension approved for new neighbourhood proposals next to the airport;

• ‘Housing-led regeneration’; workshop being held;

• Community hub delivered to Granton ‘village’ for people experiencing homelessness;

• ‘Community r…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Work expected soon on upgrade plans for Seafield water treatment plant;

• Demolition plans lodged for Liberton Hospital site;

• Office-to-church conversion being proposed;

• Heat networks and tenement buildings - a webinar;

• Tower blocks ‘template’ expected to follow Craigmillar retrofit work;

• Inside Richard Murphy’s home;

• Build-to-rent Leith Dock…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Student accommodation proposal being marketed for sale;

• Congestion charging: a response from the First Minister, John Swinney;

• Another planning application submitted for Gorgie Road visitor accommodation proposal;

• The practice of developers going ‘straight to appeal’;

• ‘Affordable’ homes handed over at former Sick Kids Hospital site;

• Almost…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Port Hamilton refurbishment well underway;

• Deal of the Year award for Port Hamilton project;

• Planning permission approved for office-to-serviced-apartments scheme;

• Repair and reuse proposal unveiled for Argyle House;

• Ocean Terminal sale - analysis;

• Retrospective planning permission? Not sure;

• Permission being sought for office-to-hotel conv…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• £1.6bn set aside for ‘affordable’ homes and tackling poverty in the city;

• Revised scheme submitted for Rose Street Theatre building;

• Edinburgh duo recognised in Scots architecture awards shortlist;

• Park maintenance project among ‘Leith Chooses’ recipients;

• Bookshop crowdfunder well on its way;

• Residents meet with ScotGov official to argu…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Dock Place apartments proposal set to be overturned;

• 600-bed student accommodation project in Leith ‘advancing at pace’;

• Planning permission being sought for 60-bed student accommodation block in Gorgie;

• Crowdfunder launched to repair church bells;

• Invite issued: what pavements need widening?;

• Launched by BuildEdinburgh: Ideas lab;

• Average …

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Go-ahead given to Visitor Levy spending proposals;

• Appeal lodged for knocked-back ‘New Town Quarter’ proposal;

• Edinburgh included in proposed £130bn ‘rail loop’ scheme;

• Tackling the city’s ‘housing emergency’;

• Empty homes being brought back into productive use;

• Trio of ‘service director’ posts being advertised, including for ‘city and nei…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• ‘Green’ data centre plans rejected;

• City’s economic outlook to be discussed at think tank event;

• Bus fares to rise;

• Powderhall Stables refurbishment entering its final stages';

• Planning permission approved for brewery-to-hotel conversion;

• More on the South Suburban rail line;

• Tour taking place ahead of brewery-to-housing conversion;

• ‘Herita…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Councillors to consider £1.6bn ‘affordable’ housing investment proposal;

• Argyle House listing application reportedly submitted;

• Local Place Plans beginning to get underway;

• ‘Pedal on Parliament’ scheduled for May 30;

• Concern reported about the long-term future of the Radical Road;

• Advice being offered to private sector rental tenants;

• In p…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Shopping list of projects identified to be supported by Visitor Levy cash;

• £45,000 funding pot to be decided by Leithers;

• Cramond sports facilities - developers ordered to get a move on;

• ‘Affordable’ housing traded for cash payment at Orchard Brae office refurbishment;

• Almost £8bn of investment expected, following ‘seed funding’ announce…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Forth Street townhouses being marketed as apart-hotel;

• Near £40m Local Growth Fund announced for Edinburgh and SE Scotland;

• Scottish Budget reaffirms 2032 ‘affordable’ housing commitment;

• Six homes allocated to families that were previously experiencing homelessness;

• Average price of a house in Edinburgh and beyond;

• Litter pick tomorrow;

• Op…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Annual summary of Edinburgh developments published;

• Call issued to retain Argyle House and reclad it;

• ‘Active travel’ proposals get a mostly ‘thumbs down’ response from campaign group;

• Former Scottish Widows building acquired by student accommodation provider;

• Further refurbishment on the cards for Portobello Swim Centre;

• Refurbishment re…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Planning permission refused for ‘New Town Quarter’ amended proposal;

• But permission approved for Turnhouse Road ‘new neighbourhood’;

• Also refused: Rose Street two-way cycling and Portobello ‘controlled parking’ proposals;

• Scottish Widows building reportedly snapped up by student accommodation group;

• New-build housing, starts and completio…

Read more

In today’s edition:

• Decisions due on New Town Quarter and Turnhouse Road new neighbourhood;

• Private sector flats - Lothian rental prices;

• Grant applications invite issued by ‘urban woodlands’ scheme;

• Community plan for former Portobello police station awarded £500,000;

• Four city districts reportedly in line for Pride in Place cash;

• Two-way cycling on Rose St…

Read more