Capital adopts ambitious plan to guide sustainable development

The City Plan 2030 sets out the strategy for development, proposals, and policies to shape development and inform planning decisions in the coming years.

The Council’s Planning Committee backed the plan on 23 October, following approval by Scottish Ministers in April.

Some major highlights include:

• a minimum of 35% affordable housing contribution from new housing developments 
• using brownfield rather than greenfield land for new developments
• creating new sustainable neighbourhoods fit for local living in the 21st Century, including the ambitious and sustainable development along Edinburgh’ s Waterfront and in the west of the city
• reducing carbon emissions from new buildings and the delivery of heat networks and energy infrastructure development to help Edinburgh transition to net zero
• implementing environmental policies to tackle and adapt for climate change, protect our beautiful green spaces, increase biodiversity, physical and mental wellbeing, reduce flooding and other climate impacts, and improve air quality.

Cllr James Dalgleish Planning Convener said:

Our ambitious City Plan 2030 meets the needs of the Capital’s growing population providing enough land to build 53,000 much needed new homes. It makes better use of land across all neighbourhoods, and supports our climate goals.

The Plan will allow us to adopt policies to strengthen communities and look after the health and wellbeing of our residents. We’ll build neighbourhoods for local living where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, have job opportunities walk, or wheel to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access public transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.

Crucially, having declared a housing emergency 12 months ago, today’s decision will allow us to up the requirement for affordable housing in new developments to a minimum of 35%. We can also take forward policies on student housing which will minimise the number of studio flats and on larger sites developers will be asked to provide other housing, particularly affordable homes, allowing students to live alongside a mix of other people within communities.

It will also allow us to reduce carbon emissions from new buildings and promote our mixed-use approach for commercial developments.

I’d like to thank all those residents, community groups and businesses who contributed to this Plan and acknowledge the hard work of Council officers who have helped to deliver it.

I’m confident that City Plan 2030 will contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of our great Capital City in the years ahead.