Temporary festival event space at St Andrew Square Gardens, Edinburgh

The site

The site is at the south-east corner of a city-centre square, within a World Heritage Site, conservation area and historic designed landscape.

“The proposal relates to the south east corner of St Andrew Square. George Street lies to the west of the site, whilst St Andrew Street is adjacent on the eastern boundary. The application site lies within a dense urban area in the heart of the City Centre.”

“The application site lies within the Edinburgh Old and New Town World Heritage Site, the New Town Conservation Area and the New Town Gardens and Dean Historic Garden and Designed Landscape.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Two earlier temporary Spiegeltent proposals for Christmas storytelling were granted in 2023 and 2024.

“Proposed installation of a Spiegeltent for use as a performance space for Santa's Stories. A storytelling experience with Santa for children as part of Edinburgh's Christmas 2023. Granted 31 October 2023”

“24/04125/FUL St Andrew Square Gardens St Andrew Square Edinburgh Proposed installation of a Spiegel tent for use as a performance space for Santa's Stories. A storytelling experience with Santa for children as part of Edinburgh's Christmas 2024. Granted 6 November 2024”

Officer report

Main concerns raised

Objections concerned tree information, landscape and greenspace, construction before permission, wider impact assessment and possible unauthorised works.

“− Insufficient detail in how the structures will impact on trees - the level of detail has since been enhanced to fully assess the impact - addressed above; − Cumulative detrimental impact on landscape character and access to greenspace within the World Heritage Site - addressed above; − Square is currently under utilised so good use of space; and − Perfect location for Spiegeltent.”

“− With construction already underway, this pre-empts the planning process and undermines public confidence in the regulatory system; − Request for a full impact assessment of the event's scale, design, and duration to consider its physical footprint, acoustic and visual impacts and implications for landscape and heritage value; − Advocate for a strategic policy review of summer festival occupation of public parks and gardens in Edinburgh; and − Urge the Planning Authority to…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Chief Planning Officer gave details of the proposal and the planning considerations involved.

The committee debate

One motion proposed approval with twice-weekly tree monitoring, while an amendment proposed refusal because of damage to trees.

“25/03046/FUL. The Chief Planning Officer gave details of the proposals and the planning considerations involved and recommended that the application be granted. Motion To GRANT planning permission, subject to: 1) The conditions and reasons as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer. 2) An additional condition that a tree monitoring report should be submitted twice a week during the operation of the event to the planning authority.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted with the report’s conditions and an additional twice-weekly tree monitoring condition.

“Development Management Sub-Committee of the Planning Committee – 6 August 2025 Decision To GRANT planning permission, subject to: 1) The conditions and reasons as set out in section C of the report by the Chief Planning Officer. 2) An additional condition that a tree monitoring report should be submitted twice a week during the operation of the event to the planning authority.”

Minutes

The conditions

The structures must be removed by 12 September 2025, and monitoring must confirm tree protection measures and keep generators outside root protection areas.

“The development hereby approved shall be permitted during the time period of 30 June 2025 until 12 September 2025 only and all structures shall be removed from the site by 12 September 2025.”

“In recognition of the temporary nature of the proposals.”

Officer report