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. <\/p>\n
Alan Thomson,\u00a0co-Director at Unique Assembly which has produced Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas for the last four years said<\/strong>:\u00a0\u201cWe are delighted that\u00a0Santa will be arriving in\u00a0West Prince Street Gardens\u00a0this winter,\u00a0in response to feedback from\u00a0families who came to\u00a0last year\u2019s event.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur team of\u00a0local\u00a0event professionals takes enormous pride in delivering Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas\u00a0helping to\u00a0evolve the festivities, listening to\u00a0city and resident feedback to develop both its accessibility and build on moments of joy for residents and visitors alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are naturally disappointed our other\u00a0proposal, 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.\u00a0We will therefore\u00a0not\u00a0be 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\u00a0photo\u00a0opportunity, already within existing permissions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that families will welcome Santa\u2019s Stories joining the other family activities\u00a0taking shape\u00a0in Princes Street Gardens West.<\/p>\n \u201cWith\u00a0only 10 days until we open Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas 2025 and there is still lots to do on site, but\u00a0with the help of a little Santa magic we\u00a0are focused on delivering this world-class experience and look forward to welcoming audiences very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Planning committee<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Cllr Mowat said she supported the decision but wanted to be clear about the current planning permission and that it continued unaffected. <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/EDCHRSANTA_11-1024x683.jpg\")
Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762341676_205_w=1024.jpeg\")
Credit Cameron Brisbane<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Phyllis-Summer-2022-100x100.jpg\")
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