An application heard by the Development Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday to alter the permission already granted in 2024 for Edinburgh’s Christmas East Princes Street Gardens has been refused by councillors.

The new application related only to the lower lawn and the placement of several more stalls in that area, but councillors agreed with planning officers that they would not allow any extension to the area used for Edinburgh’s Christmas this year.

A planning officer commented that it was not just the ground cover which would be at least doubled, but the physical presence of the structures which would have an adverse impact on the value and significance of the historic gardens and design landscape.

Planning officers said in their report: “In considering the additional structures proposed within the lower lawn the proposals are considered to have an adverse impact on the Historic Gardens and Designed Landscape. The introduction of structures within this area is considered to have an adverse impact on the setting of this important feature contrary to LDP Policy ENV 15: Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes and NPF 4 Policy 7: Historic Assets and Places.
“It should be noted that there is an existing permission granted in 2024 which allows the Christmas Market to proceed within the upper area of the gardens and in part to the south of the railway line.”

Family events in one place

The consented scheme covers several areas – the upper tier of Princes Street Gardens, the hard standing outside the Galleries, and the lower lawn. Producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas Unique Assembly have already confirmed that they are not currently constructing anything which is not covered by current permission.

And Edinburgh’s Christmas have confirmed that their family events will now be grouped in one place in West Princes Street Gardens under the current permission. Santa’s Stories will now be placed beside the funfair which in turn is near the Ross Fountain. This is also convenient for the Light Night Concert with the Snow Queen and Santa on 23 November as well as other events at the Ross Bandstand over four weekends before Christmas.

The increased number of huts on the lower lawn, and the increased traffic it would cause was just one step too far for the committee who took the minimum time to ask a few relevant questions before agreeing the refusal. Producers Unique Assembly say the increase would have been only 8 stalls occupying the same footprint of an existing area. But the lower gardens will now be the same as they were last year with viewing platforms and photo opportunities with the Edinburgh sign.

Alan Thomson, co-Director at Unique Assembly which has produced Edinburgh’s Christmas for the last four years said: “We are delighted that Santa will be arriving in West Prince Street Gardens this winter, in response to feedback from families who came to last year’s event. 

“Our team of local event professionals takes enormous pride in delivering Edinburgh’s Christmas helping to evolve the festivities, listening to city and resident feedback to develop both its accessibility and build on moments of joy for residents and visitors alike. 

“We are naturally disappointed our other proposal, again in response to audience feedback, to give visitors more to enjoy between the entrance and the main market area in East Princes Street Gardens, and local stall holders more opportunity to be involved, did not receive permission. We will therefore not be building any of those suggested additional stalls or attractions, which would have occupied the exact same footprint as last year, instead visitors will find the viewing platforms and photo opportunity, already within existing permissions.

“We know that families will welcome Santa’s Stories joining the other family activities taking shape in Princes Street Gardens West.

“With only 10 days until we open Edinburgh’s Christmas 2025 and there is still lots to do on site, but with the help of a little Santa magic we are focused on delivering this world-class experience and look forward to welcoming audiences very soon.”

Edinburgh’s Christmas

Planning committee

Cllr David Key asked why the council had approved the development on the upper level of the gardens if these are the same arguments, but the council planning officer said the arguments were different for the different tiers in Princes Street Gardens. And in the report it is always stated that the economic benefits outweigh most other considerations.

Cllr Joanna Mowat who represents the City Centre asked about safety or security concerns on the area immediately to the north of the railway line in the lower part of the gardens, but planners confirmed they had not considered those.

Cllr Booth mentioned that some of the dates in the application have passed but the planning officer confirmed that no works have begun in relation to this application.

Cllr Mowat said she supported the decision but wanted to be clear about the current planning permission and that it continued unaffected.

Credit Cameron Brisbane

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.

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