Christmas festival structures at West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

“The application is for the temporary change of use and siting of performance units, catering units and other associated moveable structures for Edinburgh's Christmas Festival. Permission is sought from 27 October 2025 to 18 January 2026 for a two year recurring temporary period, which includes time to set up and decommission the event. The proposed timescale for set up, operation and decommissioning is as follows:”

“The proposals within West Princes Street Gardens incorporate the following: − Market stalls. − 17 no. Fairground rides/ games. − Temporary structure to house Santa Stories. − Accessible toilets with baby changing facilities. − Ancillary site office stores and facilities. − Lighting enhancement and installation through the Gardens. − Outdoor seating and associated facilities (e.g. picnic benches, bistro tables, chairs and umbrellas).”

“The site forms part of West Princes Street Gardens (WPSG) comprising the hard standing area of the red blaise adjacent to the Ross Fountain and areas of soft landscaping along the southern edge of the gardens. The application site includes the Ross Bandstand and is bound by the remainder of the gardens.”

“The application site has numerous significant designations, as listed below: − Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Sites; − New Town Conservation Area; − Historic Garden Designed Landscape: New Town Gardens and Dean; − Special Landscape Area: Princes Street Gardens; and − Local Nature Conservation Site.”

“Temporary change of use and siting of performance units, catering units and other associated moveable structures for Edinburgh's Christmas Festival - recurring period of 3 years for Edinburgh's Christmas 2024, 2025 and 2026. The dates will be in line with the activation period of Edinburgh's Christmas in line with City of Edinburgh Council programme. Granted 6 November 2024”

“The site has existing consent which was granted on 6 November 2024 for a recurring 3 year period. An additional application has also been made for East Princes Street Gardens.”

“The development will have a minor temporary effect on the immediate listed buildings and further conservation area. The Christmas markets, rides and associated kiosks will bring an interesting additional feature to the city centre, that people from Edinburgh and beyond will benefit from. It will contribute positively to the life of the city and the vibrancy of the city centre.”

“On balance, these benefits are a considerable material consideration and outweigh the short-term adverse impact that the proposal will have on the setting of neighbouring listed buildings, historic green spaces and they provide reasoned justification for granting planning permission for the proposed development on the site.”

“Due to the size, scale, positioning, form and the design and appearance, the proposal would temporarily impact on key views within the World Heritage Site. Notwithstanding, by splitting the event into four separate events across the city, the scale of the proposal is relatively small and consequently the impact on the heritage assets is not profound.”

“The Princes Street Gardens are protected as Designed Landscape, Historic Gardens and Special Landscape Area to preserve the fabric of the city's historic green spaces and landscaping. Owing to the proposal's size, scale, positioning, form and their design and appearance, the temporary structures would disrupt key views within the Designed Landscape, Historic Gardens and thus would harm the character and appearance of the Designed Landscape and Historic Gardens.”

“− Site Welfare and Site Office on south side of the red blase area - contained within 2m of the path − Networking office - confirmation of revised position − No diesel generators within any tree canopy. − Dragon Coaster - positioned to comply with tree protection measures − Santa Stories - positioned to comply with tree protection measures − Toy Carousel - positioned to be sited outwith any tree protection area…”

“Access shall be made available to the Officers of the Council's Parks and Greenspace Team or a representative authorised by them, to carry out site survey/ monitoring checks of the tree protection measures.”

“25/04660/FUL – Report by the Chief Planning Officer To GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions, reasons and informatives as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer.”