Temporary festival venue at Proposed Temporary Festival Venue, Edinburgh

“The proposal seeks consent to set up a temporary Festival Venue within George Square. The venue would include the following:”

“- 4no. performance venues; - 4no. bars and 9 food outlets; - 2no box offices; - 7no. toilet blocks; - ancillary storage and associated temporary infrastructure.”

“The application site is an area of open space located on the western section of George Square. The site is privately owned and publicly accessible under agreement with the owner, Edinburgh University. The area of open space is bounded by a road on the western, northern, and part eastern side with a pedestrianised route to the east and southern boundaries.”

“A number of the buildings are listed with the key ones identified as: Edinburgh University Library - A listed - LB Ref 50191 Listed 17 January 2006 55 - 60 George Street - A listed - LB Ref 28824 Listed 14 December 1970 16 - 29 George Street - A listed - LB Ref 28810 Listed 14 December 1970”

“25/01834/FUL Proposed Temporary Festival Venue George Square Edinburgh Privately owned greenspace within University of Edinburgh, within fenced area. Site would operate on half the available garden space. Temporary installation of 2 performance venues, an event space and supporting infrastructure, to be used as part of the Edinburgh Blues and Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Food Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We have used the site since 2011 for the same purpose.”

“23/01353/FUL: Application granted for 3 years for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 venue site comprising two performance venues, box offices, bars, food traders and ancillary offices and storage. May 2023.”

“With reference to the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the proposal would result in minor harm to the setting of the adjacent listed buildings for the temporary period of time in which the development would exist on site. Notwithstanding, it is considered that there are significant economic and cultural benefits to the city resulting from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, contributing positively to the life and vibrancy of the city.”

“On balance, the benefits outweigh the short-term adverse impact that the proposal will have on the setting of the listed buildings and provide reasoned justification for granting planning permission for the proposed development on the site. With reference to the abovementioned Act the proposal does not result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

“One representation was received and a summary is provided below:”

“- No Tree Protection Plan (this has since been submitted); - Three-year permission not justified; - Application not compliant with policies in relation to trees, biodiversity, landscape protection, and climate resilience.”

“The development hereby approved shall be permitted for three consecutive years, during the time periods of:”

“Prior to the commencement of development on site including excavation, demolition or other development related works a tree protection plan shall be submitted and agreed in writing with the Planning Authority. The tree protection works shall comply with:”

“26/01650/FUL - Report by the Chief Planning Officer To GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer. 4.18 – 27 Glasgow Road, Gogar, Edinburgh…”