Boardwalk with level access at Land 90 Metres East Of 1A Riverside, Cramond, Edinburgh
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Edinburgh Development Management Sub-Committee on 2 Sept 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought retrospective permission for a mainly timber boardwalk, including a final section providing level access to the promenade.
“Proposal: Installation of boardwalk structure, including level access to current promenade (in retrospect).”
“The construction of a boardwalk.The majority of the boardwalk has already been constructed with the exception of a section which proposes to connect the structure to the Promenade to provide level access.”
Officer report
The site
The site is on Cramond Foreshore within several environmental and landscape designations, including the Firth of Forth SPA and SSSI.
“The site is located on Cramond Foreshore which is located partly within the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA) and Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Other designations include the Green Belt, Cramond Conservation Area, Southern Forth Coast Special Landscape Area and Silverknowes Local Biodiversity Site as defined in City Plan 2030 (LDP).”
Officer report
Earlier applications and enforcement
An environmental impact screening request was found not to require assessment, while an enforcement enquiry concerning the unauthorised boardwalk remained under consideration.
“26/00056/SCR Land 90 Metres East Of 1A Riverside Edinburgh EIA screening request. EIA Not Required 10 August 2026”
“May 2025 - Planning enforcement enquiry reference 25/00169/EOPDEV submitted in relation to an alleged unauthorised construction of a boardwalk. The enquiry is still under consideration following the submission of the current planning application.”
Officer report
What officers recommended
Officers recommended approval because the proposal preserves the conservation area, complies with the development plan and has no unacceptable environmental, access, amenity or flooding impacts subject to conditions.
“The proposal is acceptable with regard to Section 64 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 as it preserves the character and appearance of the Cramond Conservation Area. It complies with the development plan as overall it is in accordance with City Plan 2030 and NPF 4.”
“It is an appropriate use in the Green Belt and has no significant impacts on Open Space or the Special Landscape Area. It is an appropriate scale and design in its coastal setting. Subject to conditions, no adverse impact on the Special Protection Area, the integrity and objectives of the Site of Special Scientific Interest or local biodiversity designations would occur.”
Officer report
Conditions and informatives
Approval required ecological management and pipeline safeguarding details before further development, alongside advice on sand monitoring, responsible access, flooding and wheelchair access.
“Prior to any further development on-site, a Construction Environmental Management Plan in accordance with the BS 42020:2013 relating to Biodiversity has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority. The construction environmental management plan shall include the following:”
“Prior to any further development on-site, construction details for the last section of the approved boardwalk to be constructed shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These details shall ensure the transmission gas pipeline shall be appropriately safeguarded for the duration of works.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee granted the application subject to the conditions, reasons and informatives set out in the officer report.
“26/00056/FUL - Report by the Chief Planning Officer To GRANT the application subject to the conditions, reasons and informatives, as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer.”
Minutes
Sources
- Edinburgh Development Management Sub-Committee minutes, 2 September 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Edinburgh's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Edinburgh
- Date
- Wednesday 2 September 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Edinburgh committee decisions →
This committee's year
242 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.