Elsie Inglis statue at 144 High Street, Edinburgh

What was proposed

A statue of Elsie Inglis in military fatigues, on a Celtic-knot plinth, was proposed on the southern pavement of the Royal Mile.

“Proposal: The application is for the erection of a monument to commemorate [name withheld] on the southern pavement of the Royal Mile adjacent to New Assembly Close, opposite the commemorative plaque to [name withheld] on 219 High Street.”

“The application proposes the installation of a statue on a plinth, depicting Elsie Inglis, a Scottish medical pioneer of the 19th and 20th Centuries, in military fatigues. The plinth would be decorated with Celtic knot work. The position of the statue is outside number 144 High Street which is on the southern side of the street. There would be approximately 5.5 metres from the front of the building edge to the statue.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a public footpath between Hunter Square and Parliament Square, within the Old Town, conservation area and World Heritage Site.

“The application site is a section of public footpath on the High Street, between Hunter Square and Parliament Square, in the Old Town. The High Street is one of the busiest streets in the city, serving as a key tourist hub and also as the main connecting route to Edinburgh Castle.”

“The application site is in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site and The Old Town Conservation Area. There are a number of listed buildings within the vicinity of the proposal:”

Officer report

Site history

There was no relevant or other relevant site history, but pre-application discussions took place.

“Relevant Site History No relevant site history.”

“Pre-application discussions took place on this application.”

Officer report

Officer recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposal respected listed buildings, maintained the conservation area subject to a plinth condition and complied with the development plan.

“It is recommended that this application be Granted subject to the details below.”

“The proposals are acceptable with regard to Sections 59 and 64 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. The proposals respect the setting of the adjacent listed buildings. Subject to a condition relating to the plinth the character and appearance of the conservation area is maintained. The proposals are in accordance with the Development Plan subject to conditions and there are no compelling material considerations for not approving them.”

Officer report

Main planning issue

Officers considered the statue’s scale and plinth could dominate the conservation area, so they recommended an amended plinth height.

“However, consideration needs to be given to the overall scale of the statue within this location and in particular the size of the plinth that the statue is to be sited on. The proposed plinth would represent almost 50% of the statute. The Adam Smith statute is the closest to the proposed site and has a plinth of approximately 3 metres high. The newest statute to James Braidwood is on a smaller scale plinth and is positioned in closer proximity to the building.”

“In considering the impact the proposed statue has on the character of the conservation area the overall scale of the statue and plinth must respond to the immediate context. In assessing the proposed location, a proposed statue of approximately 4 metres high would have an over dominant impact on the character of the conservation area.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

The Roads Authority and Historic Environment Scotland raised no objections, archaeology sought a condition, and Edinburgh World Heritage supported the principle but had height and design concerns.

“NAME: Edinburgh World Heritage. COMMENT: Supports principle of the proposal. Concerns regarding height and design of the statue. Reduction in height would mitigate the overall impact. DATE: September 2025”

“NAME: Historic Environment Scotland COMMENT: No objections. DATE:”

Officer report

Public views

There were 237 objections, 408 supporting representations and two neutral representations, covering heritage, streetscape, design, location, height and the plinth.

“− Impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area/conservation area − Impact on the streetscape. − Impact on adjacent listed buildings − Location − Design…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Objectors criticised the design, consultation, process, location and heritage impact; supporters and the applicant’s representatives explained the statue’s symbolism, history and protection.

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions 1 and 3, together with the stated reasons and informatives.

“Development Management Sub-Committee of the Planning Committee – 1 October 2025 Development Management Sub-Committee - Wednesday 1 October 2025, 10:00am - City of Edinburgh Council Webcasts Motion 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.”

Minutes