Charities across Edinburgh entered the new year facing a complex operating environment, as Scottish Charity Register data reveals more organisations were removed from the register last year than were newly established.
According to the register, 101 charities were registered in Edinburgh during 2025, while 122 were removed from the register.
Removal from the register can include mergers or charities completing their purpose, but the figures highlight the ongoing pressures within the voluntary sector as organisations adapt to rising costs, regulatory demands and changing funding patterns.
This local picture mirrors UK trends. The Status of UK Fundraising 2025 report found that 54% of UK charities saw their fundraising income remain static or fall over the past year, with a substantial majority attributing this to wider economic conditions. While income is not universally declining, many organisations are having to work harder to maintain stability.
Ansvar Insurance, a specialist insurer for charities and not‑for‑profit organisations, says the challenge is less about short-term survival and more about long-term sustainability.
Photo of a group of friends studying together at home
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “Edinburgh has always had an incredibly active charity sector, but these figures show just how challenging the current environment has become.
“Rising operational costs, a more competitive fundraising landscape and increased demand with an average of 27% of Edinburgh residents relying on charitable services mean organisations need to think differently about sustainability.”
To help local organisations strengthen their resilience, Ansvar is encouraging charities to explore less obvious strategies that can make a meaningful difference:
Build practical partnerships: Formal partnerships with organisations serving similar beneficiaries can reduce overheads through shared back-office functions, joint fundraising and collaborative grant bids, while strengthening funding applications.
Focus on long-term supporter relationships: Nurturing existing supporters through regular updates and consistent storytelling can help convert into monthly giving, providing greater stability than one-off donations.
Review insurance and risk exposure: A risk assessment can highlight duplicated cover or gaps in protection. As services evolve, charities should ensure their insurance reflects current activities to avoid unnecessary costs or unexpected exposures.
Despite the pressures, the registration of new charities in Edinburgh during 2025 demonstrates the commitment of local communities to addressing social need.
Adam Tier added: “Financial sustainability isn’t just about raising more money. Often, it’s about taking a fresh look at existing processes and asking the right questions.
“The organisations that thrive are those that plan ahead, understand their risks and adapt early, positioning themselves to weather these challenges and continue serving their communities for years to come.”
Threat to Georgian crescent from 544-bed venue highlighted by locals
Passionate local people trying to save a historic New Town street from a 544-bed “super hostel” have met face-to-face with one of Scotland’s most senior planning appeal officials.
Residents and neighbours gathered in solidarity on Atholl Crescent as a Reporter from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) carried out a formal site visit yesterday (Tuesday 24 February).
The visit follows the hostel developer’s decision to lodge an appeal directly with the Scottish Government, before local councillors had the opportunity to determine the applications.
Philip Flockhart, director of architects Morris and Steedman Associates and spokesman for residents, said: “When nearly 300 people formally object, and when respected heritage bodies speak of irreversible harm, we would hope that the DPEA will listen.
“This is not about resisting change. It is about proportionality, suitability and the protection of a quiet residential community within a World Heritage Site.”
The proposal would see four Category A-listed Georgian townhouses at 14-17 Atholl Crescent converted into a large-scale budget hostel, accommodating up to 544 guests in dormitory-style pods.
The buildings form part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed New Town. Residents argue the location – a predominantly residential crescent and mews – is wholly unsuited to such an intensive, high-turnover commercial use.
A property audit compiled by the group shows the immediate area remains overwhelmingly residential, with 88 homes compared to just 16 commercial properties. Many homes sit directly adjacent to, behind and opposite the proposed development.
During the site visit the Reporter, Katherine Chorley, was invited to walk the crescent and Atholl Crescent Lane to view first-hand the proximity of established family homes, gardens and mews properties to the proposed hostel entrance, servicing arrangements and rear access.
Residents say their objections are not rooted in opposition to visitors or tourism, but in the real, immediate and seismic impact the development would have on daily life.
Among the concerns raised are:
Loss of residential amenity and the erosion of a quiet environment enjoyed by many retired residents.
Increased noise and disturbance from a 24-hour, high-occupancy operation.
Security and safety risks associated with transient, large-scale accommodation.
Pressure on narrow streets and lanes from servicing, deliveries and guest drop-offs.
The impact on neighbouring private gardens and the quiet residential street.
Campaigners say there is a stark inconsistency in planning policy. The council tightened restrictions on short-term lets and Airbnbs in residential properties on the grounds of loss of amenity. Objectors argue that approving a 544-bed hostel beside family homes would represent a significant loss of amenity.
Around 280 formal objections were lodged during the planning process, with the proposal attracting opposition from leading heritage and civic bodies.
The Cockburn Association warned the development would cause “substantial and irreversible harm” to the listed buildings. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland raised serious concerns about compatibility with the architectural character of Category A-listed Georgian townhouses.
The West End Community Council, a statutory consultee, objected to the scheme “in both principle and detail,” citing transport impact, infrastructure intrusions and the effect on neighbours.
Philip Flockhart, a conservation architect, added: “This is one of the capital’s finest Georgian crescents – a residential street that has retained its character for more than 200 years.
“To introduce a 544-bed dormitory-style hostel into four interconnected townhouses would represent an intensity of occupation completely at odds with the scale, layout and spirit of these buildings.”
Previously the properties were used as offices for a renowned law firm. Permission has previously been granted to convert the townhouses into 34 apartments. Residents question why claims of commercial viability are now being used to justify a large-scale transient accommodation model instead of housing.
Campaigners say the decision will set an important precedent – not just for Atholl Crescent, but for residential streets across the New Town and West End – and signal if residential life is to be prioritised over transient tourism.
Prior to the appeal being submitted to DPEA, the applications were expected to be considered by elected councillors on the Development Management Sub-Committee. A decision from the Reporter is now awaited.
Supportive evening session to help families plan with confidence
WHEN a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, the emotional impact is often compounded by urgent and unfamiliar decisions about care, legal authority and financial planning.
As part of Dementia Awareness Month, a free public information evening in central Edinburgh will offer families the chance to hear from a panel of experienced professionals, offering expert insights into Powers of Attorney, property, guardianship and the wider support available.
The event, titled Supporting Loved Ones with Dementia: A Practical Guide to Power of Attorney & Property, will take place on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at the ESPC Property Lounge on George Street, Edinburgh.
Hosted by legal and property specialists Ralph Sayer, the event is being delivered in partnership with The Dementia Trust and supported by ESPC, which is providing the venue as part of its commitment to supporting public education and community wellbeing.
The free session will run from 5.30pm until 8pm, with short presentations from guest speakers between 6:00pm and 6:45pm, followed by an informal Q&A and the opportunity for one-to-one discussions with experts.
Attendees will hear from Kimberley Mackay, Partner and Head of Private Client at Ralph Sayer, who will speak about the importance of putting a Power of Attorney in place.
Kimberley explains: “We encourage everyone to consider making a power of attorney whilst they are fit and able. However, a diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean that is no longer possible to do so. Taking legal advice at the earliest opportunity is a good idea to understand the options.”
“We want people to leave this session feeling better informed and more in control when supporting someone through a dementia diagnosis.”
The panel will also feature Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, who will explain the role of property in funding care and how to navigate property transactions when acting under a Power of Attorney or guardianship
Tzana added: “Property is often a person’s most significant asset but selling it on their behalf can bring both legal complexities and emotional strain. We’ll be sharing practical advice for families facing those decisions and advise what steps they can take to prepare in advance.”
The event will also include perspectives from The Dementia Trust, which works directly with families, carers and individuals living with dementia to offer guidance and emotional support.
Professor June Andrews, a leading dementia expert, and Sandra McDonald, former Public Guardian for Scotland and respected authority on capacity and decision-making, are expected to join the panel to bring vital insight from their combined decades of frontline experience.
Sonia Mangan, Interim Lead Officer from the Dementia Trust said: “This event reflects the kind of practical, empathetic support that makes a real difference to people navigating life after a diagnosis. Dementia can feel overwhelming, but families are not alone.
“We know how uncertain and isolating a diagnosis can feel, especially when it comes to legal and financial decisions. That’s why we’ve launched our Planning Ahead campaign and why we’re calling February 2026 Power of Attorney Month. Our message is simple: put Power of Attorney in place early.
“The average age of people in Scotland making a Power of Attorney is 79 – and too often we see people waiting until it’s too late.”
In addition, Dianne Millen, Director of specialist incapacity law firm Datrys Legal, and an accredited specialist in incapacity and mental disability law, will demystify the guardianship process, helping attendees understand how the court procedure works when a Powers of Attorney is not already in place.
Dianne said “Going to court is an intimidating prospect for most people and can feel overwhelming when you are also caring for a loved one with dementia.
“Understanding the process can make you feel more in control.”
Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, added: “As an organisation made up of Solicitor Estate Agents with huge amount of legal and property expertise, ESPC has long supported opportunities for our firms to help the public make informed decisions.
“Our Property Lounge isn’t just a shopfront, but also a space for education, connection and community. We’re proud to host events like this that support people through difficult times with clear, trusted advice. Many families don’t realise the vital role property can play in funding care or planning for later life, so this kind of event offers an important way to begin those conversations.”
Spaces at the event are free but strictly limited to 30 attendees, with advance registration required. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.
Attendees are invited to submit questions in advance when registering, helping to tailor the session to the most pressing concerns.
The event is open to anyone supporting a loved one with dementia, considering legal planning for later life or simply seeking clarity on where to begin.
Proposals for a residential-led, mixed-use development at Edinburgh Gateway, the site of the former Saica packaging facility in West Edinburgh, have been given the green light by councillors yesterday (Wednesday 17th December).
The application by regeneration specialist, Summix Capital, was granted planning permission, subject to conditions, by councillors on the Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee.
The Edinburgh Gateway development provides a unique opportunity to regenerate this former industrial site on Turnhouse Road, covering 15.5 acres (6.3 hectares).
This brownfield site is allocated in the Council’s City Plan 2030 for residential-focused redevelopment, and its granting will deliver one of the most exciting and best-connected development sites in Scotland.
The flagship vibrant new neighbourhood aims to deliver a mix of uses. This includes the delivery of 957 homes, 35 per cent of which are affordable, plus a new hotel with 172 bedrooms. In addition, ground-floor retail. commercial and community uses are proposed, as well as the creation of new public realm and a station interface with associated landscaping, infrastructure, car parking and access arrangements.
The proposed housing will include tenure-blind affordable housing to address the city’s well-publicised housing emergency and will provide accessible family homes and Build to Rent (BTR) accommodation. BTR sees homes built specifically for rent, rather than sale.
The development masterplan defines seven development plots. Plots 1 and 2 will deliver private sale housing; Plots 3 and 4 are dedicated to BTR homes; and Plots 5 and 6 contribute to the city’s affordable housing provision. Plot 7 will accommodate the new hotel.
A range of local services is available within the area, including public transport, education, food retail opportunities and recreation facilities
The site reflects excellent access to existing or planned sustainable transport networks, making the low-car-ownership/low-car-travel policy targets achievable. This includes direct pedestrian access to the Edinburgh Gateway Railway Station, with both it and Edinburgh Gateway Tram Station located within easy walking distance.
The landscaping proposals offer a wide range of outdoor experiences for users, with high-quality open space, including public realm and communal areas throughout the development.
A northern park area with a rain garden is proposed, along with wildflower meadows, tree planting, and a formal playground, lawn, and picnic areas. Additionally, two new civic squares are envisaged.
Delivering biodiversity enhancements, the proposals present opportunities for stronger connections throughout the site and the surrounding area, with a pedestrian focus and ample, easily accessible amenity open spaces for future residents and users of the proposed development.
Stuart Black, Development Director for Summix Capital, said: “The granting of this planning application for Edinburgh Gateway will create one of Scotland’s most exciting and best-connected neighbourhoods, representing a significant investment in the capital.
“Redeveloping one of the last significant pieces of brownfield land in the city into a brand-new, sustainable mixed-use community, Edinburgh Gateway will support the tackling of the city’s well-publicised housing emergency.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the local community and Council officers, as we progress the delivery of the development.”
Spain-based paper and cardboard company Saica has relocated to a purpose-built facility at Deans Road in Livingston. It is active in nine other European countries.
Project Team:
Architect & Lead Designer: 3DReid
Landscape Architect: re-form
Planning Consultant: CBRE
Project Manager: Arcadis
Structural Engineer: Goodson Associates
MEP engineer: Henderson Warnock
Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment: Turley
Sustainability Consultant: Carbon. Climate.
Certified Fire Engineer: OFR Consulting
Transport Consultant: Dougall Baillie
Ecologist Direct Ecology Daylight / Sunlight: Anstey Horne
Acoustics and Wind: RWDI
About Summix Capital
Summix Capital is a regeneration company specialising in development projects across the UK and Ireland. Working with its partners, it has successfully delivered thousands of homes since its foundation in 2006.
Summix Capital works closely with sector specialists across the property space, unlocking challenging sites and helping speed up what can often be a long development process from conception to delivery. Its aspiration is to ensure that housing, student accommodation and mixed-use schemes are delivered where they are most needed.
The company’s vision for regeneration involves taking on sites with vacant possession of dormant, dilapidated structures and developing a viable plan for their redevelopment and repurposing. At a time when the demand for housing far outstrips supply, a steady flow of land is essential.
We object to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO/24/27 bit.ly/3IFOQQ6) allowing two-way cycling on Rose Street.
The idea of promoting two-way cycling on the street was raised in a report to the Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) on 30 January 2025, as a means to facilitate cycling across the city while the CCWEL route through George Street is not yet in place. We made our objection to this proposal at that time.
The Council’s own report recognised that “integrating cyclists into a space primarily designed for pedestrians presents challenges. The narrow width of Rose Street, combined with the high footfall at certain times, could lead to safety concerns between cycling and walking/wheeling. With no dedicated cycling infrastructure, conflict could be created between users.”
It is not appropriate in our view to encourage Rose Street – the closest thing Edinburgh currently has to a pedestrianised street – as a major cycle route.
The proposal does not respect the Council’s agreed travel hierarchy which places walking and wheeling first. The TRO is especially inappropriate given that the TEC recently decided that two way cycle access should be maintained on George Street itself during any redevelopment works.
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) is calling for urgent action to rectify yet another blunder afflicting Scotland’s tourism industry, this time stemming from a deeply flawed implementation of the new Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) process for self-catering holiday accommodation.
The ASSC has been made aware of thousands of self-catering operators being unjustly removed from NDR – and in some cases taken to Tribunal for allegedly failing to provide evidence of the 70 nights’ occupancy rule for the 2023–24 period.
Critically, operators failed to receive formal requests for evidence from Scottish Assessors which were sent out by untracked mail, despite easily being able to evidence the required occupancy. This is once again penalising legitimate small businesses – who do so much to boost local economies across Scotland – and was clearly not the policy intention.
Many long-standing and compliant businesses have not only been unlawfully removed from the valuation roll and commercial water and waste provision, but also hit with double council tax bills and are facing severe emotional and financial distress – all without ever receiving the legally required Assessor correspondence.
Recent ASSC survey work highlighted 63% of operators never received the formal evidence request letters; 95% of delisted businesses were able to prove compliance with letting requirements; and 81% have been billed for second home council tax, some facing eyewatering charges of up to £120,000.
To compound matters, in a response to a recent parliamentary question from Alexander Stewart MSP, Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison suggested that operators could benefit from relief schemes – however, this completely misses the point: if a business has been removed from the NDR system altogether, it cannot access any such support. This fundamental misunderstanding highlights just how disconnected the Scottish Government is from the realities facing the self-catering sector.
Recent figures from the Scottish Government [1] showed an anomaly in the number of properties removed from the valuation roll in 2023–2024 — more than double any previous year, with 3,810 removals compared to 1,540 in 2022–2023.
This latest development comes in the wake of the ongoing STL licensing and planning shambles, which has squeezed the supply of available accommodation while pushing up costs – especially in Edinburgh, the most expensive major city break destination in western Europe according to a recent Post Office Travel Money analysis.
The industry is now increasingly alarmed by the current impasse on the treatment of self-catering accommodation within the NDR framework despite pleas to relevant stakeholders. While Assessors assert that they are merely applying existing legislation and cannot act without further instruction or legislative change, Scottish Ministers maintain that Assessors are independent and therefore beyond intervention.
The self-catering sector therefore finds itself in a troubling Catch-22 scenario which it hopes can be resolved through urgent and pragmatic leadership to ensure self-catering operators receive the fair treatment they deserve.
Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, commented: “This policy was introduced to remove economically inactive second homes from benefiting from NDR relief, which we support.
“It was never meant to target legitimate small businesses. The system has failed and it is now punishing the very operators who support our tourism economy and rural communities. We urge the Scottish Government and Assessors to act swiftly and lawfully to correct this injustice.
“As we approach the busy summer season, the last thing the Scottish self-catering needs is yet another debacle hitting our sector, hot on the heels of the accumulated regulatory burden from short-term let licensing and planning regulations, and before local tourist taxes are imposed.
“This relentless uncertainty is not only damaging livelihoods – it is placing a significant strain on the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners who are already under immense pressure.
“Operators want to get back to what they do best but can’t do this with both hands tied behind their back. We need urgent leadership to restore consistency, fairness, and confidence in the system before it is too late.”
Chancellor unveils new plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035
Rachel Reeves will today vow to go ‘further and faster’ to deliver the government’s Plan for Change to kick start economic growth and put more pounds in people’s pockets.
Chancellor to unveil plans to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will add up to £78 billion to the UK economy according to industry experts, catalysing growth of UK science and technology.
Comes after Chancellor last week announced National Wealth Fund and Office for Investment will take new approaches to spur regional growth across the UK.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will today vow to go “further and faster” to kick start the economy, as she unveils new plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035 according to industry experts.
In a speech in Oxfordshire, the Chancellor will tell regional and business leaders that economic growth is the number one mission of this government and its Plan for Change. She will declare that Britain’s economy has “huge potential” and is at the “forefront of some of the most exciting developments in the world like artificial intelligence and life sciences.”
She will back the redevelopment of Old Trafford and will review the Green Book – the government’s guidance on appraisal – in order to support decisions on public investment across the country, including outside London and the Southeast.
The speech comes after the Chancellor last week announced a new approach for the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and the Office for Investment (OfI) to work with local leaders to build pipelines of incoming investment and projects linked to regional growth priorities. This includes the NWF trialling Strategic Partnerships in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Glasgow City Region and the OfI piloting an approach in the Liverpool City Region and the North East Combined Authority to connect their regions to central government and industry expertise in order to unlock private investment.
Reeves will say “low growth is not our destiny, but that economic growth will not come without a fight. Without a government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s course for the better.”
The Chancellor is expected to say:“Britain is a country of huge potential. A country of strong communities, with local businesses at their heart.
“We are the forefront of some of the most exciting developments in the world like artificial intelligence and life sciences. We have great companies based here delivering jobs and investment in Britain.
“And we have fundamental strengths – in our history, our language, and our legal system – to compete in a global economy.
“But for too long, that potential has been held back. For too long, we have accepted low expectations, accepted stagnation and accepted the risk of decline. We can do so much better.
“Low growth is not our destiny. But growth will not come without a fight. Without a government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s course for the better.
“That’s what our Plan for Change is about. That is what drives me as Chancellor. And it is what I’m determined to deliver.”
In her speech the Chancellor will announce:
The Environment Agency has lifted its objections to a new development around Cambridge that could unlock 4,500 new homes and associated community spaces such as schools and leisure facilities as well as office and laboratory space in Cambridge City Centre. This was only possible as a result of the government working closely with councils and regulators to find creative solutions to unlock growth and address environmental pressures.
That the government has agreed for water companies to unlock £7.9bn investment for the next 5 years to improve our water infrastructure and provide a foundation for growth. This includes nine new reservoirs, such as the new Fens Reservoir serving Cambridge and the Abingdon Reservoir near Oxford.
Confirming funding towards better transport links in the region including funding for East-West Rail, with new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes this year and upgrading the A428 to reduce journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
Prioritisation of a new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital as part of the New Hospitals Programme bringing together Cambridge University, Addenbrookes Hospital and Cancer Research UK.
Support for the development of new and expanded communities in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and a new East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford, to expand the region’s economy.
That she welcomes Cambridge University’s proposal for a new large scale innovation hub in the city centre. As the world’s leading science and tech cluster by intensity, Cambridge will play a crucial part in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.
A new Growth Commission for Oxford, inspired by the Cambridge model, to review how best we can unlock and accelerate nationally significant growth for the city and surrounding area.
Appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion to provide senior leadership to ensure the Government’s ambitions are delivered.
The Chancellor is expected to say:“Oxford and Cambridge offer huge economic potential for our nation’s growth prospects.
“Just 66 miles apart these cities are home to two of the best universities in the world two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology firms in life sciences, manufacturing, and AI.
“It has the potential to be Europe’s Silicon Valley. The home of British innovation.
“To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area. But to get from Oxford to Cambridge by train takes two and a half hours.
“There is no way to commute directly from towns like Bedford and Milton Keynes to Cambridge by rail. And there is a lack of affordable housing across the region.
“Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK. In other words, the demand is there but there are far too many supply side constraints on economic growth in the region.”
Designed to take advantage of the region’s unique strengths and potential, the announcements are further evidence of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy in action as it seeks to create the right conditions to increase investment in our leading growth sectors like life sciences, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
She will add: “Taken together, these announcements show that for the first time a government is providing real leadership to deliver this project with a clear strategy for the entire region backed by funding for the housing and infrastructure we so badly need.“
The speech comes after the Chancellor last week announced a package of investment reforms to spur regional growth across the UK.
Rachel Reeves set out a new approach for the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and the Office for Investment (OfI) to work with local leaders to build pipelines of incoming investment and projects linked to regional growth priorities.
Putting local knowledge and leadership at the forefront, there will be tailored strategies for each region to ensure investment matches local needs and drives sustainable growth.
Putting the government’s Plan for Change into action, the Chancellor set out that the goal is to harness growth everywhere to rebuild Britain and usher in a decade of national renewal. Measures included the NWF trialling Strategic Partnerships in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Glasgow City Region and the OfI piloting an approach in the Liverpool City Region and the North East Combined Authority to connect their regions to central government and industry expertise in order to unlock private investment.
Science Minister, Lord Patrick Vallance said: “The UK has all the ingredients to replicate the success of Silicon Valley or the Boston Cluster but for too long has been constrained by short termism and a lack of direction.
“This government’s Plan for Change will see an end to that defeatism. I look forward to working with local leaders to fulfil the Oxford-Cambridge corridor’s potential by building on its existing strengths in academia, life sciences, semiconductors, AI and green technology amongst others.
“Together we will build the infrastructure and partnerships needed to join up this region’s academia, investors and business so that we can boost growth, deliver innovations and create new jobs that improve all our lives.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said: “Well connected communities are a cornerstone for growth. East West Rail will not only provide better links and lasting benefits to Oxford and Cambridge, but to all the surrounding areas.
“I’m also delighted to announce a brand new station at Tempsford, which will be game changing for the region – allowing a new community and businesses to grow, unlocking faster and smoother access to opportunities, and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.”
S2G4KH Starling murmuration at RSPB Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset
Responding to Rachel Reeves’ speech today on economic growth Roger Mortlock, CPRE countryside charity chief executive, said:
On airport expansion and the Lower Thames Crossing
‘The single biggest threat to the countryside is climate change. If the government expands Heathrow, Luton, City and Gatwick airports, the increase in carbon emissions will make a mockery of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030.
‘Airport expansion will do nothing to boost UK growth. There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007. Recent research from the New Economic Foundation indicates that airport expansion will drive significant tourism revenue abroad, not bring it to the UK. To create the jobs of the future we need investment in low-carbon industries and transport, not more unsustainable expansion of the UK’s airports.
‘CPRE local groups in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London and Sussex have been at the forefront of campaigns to prevent further airport expansion. If implemented, these proposals would have a devastating impact on some of the UK’s most valuable agricultural land, vital wildlife habitats and green spaces close to millions of people’s homes.’
On the Lower Thames Crossing
‘The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would also drive-up levels of unsustainable travel at a time when funding should be directed into sustainable public transport instead. CPRE Kent has highlighted how the crossing’s environmental and economic impacts on the local area would far outweigh any supposed benefits.’
On zonal planning reforms
‘We welcome the government’s plan to support the construction of more homes close to existing transport hubs, particularly in our towns and cities. Provided that they are genuinely affordable and built on brownfield land, these homes could help unlock growth by providing sustainable places to live close to where people already live, work and go to school.
‘Building more homes close to transport hubs must not be allowed to undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.’
On the planning regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
‘It’s clear we’ve got to build a clean energy grid fit for the future but the best way to achieve this is with local communities involved from the start.
‘To speed up the planning system, the government should deliver on its commitment to fund hundreds of new planning officers.
‘The UK could learn from countries such as Ireland and Australia, which involve communities in decision making from the beginning, reducing the need for lengthy and expensive legal processes without eroding democracy. For everyone’s sake, we should be building consensus, not dismissing people with real ideas and solutions as ‘blockers’.
A new approach to development and the environment will boost the number of homes being built
Measures will create a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth.
Rules will focus on driving up environmental outcomes over rigid processes that block and delay development, with developers able to pay into a fund for improvements to nature as a quicker and simpler way of meeting their environmental obligations.
Measures to turbocharge housebuilding have been set out (15 December) as part of wider proposals for the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The Bill will play a key role in promoting economic growth, unlocking a new scale of delivery for housing and infrastructure.
Common sense changes to environmental rules will support the Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes and advance 150 major infrastructure project decisions, while also helping halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats.
A new Nature Restoration Fund would enable developers to meet their environmental obligations more quickly and with greater impact – accelerating the building of homes and improving the environment.
Currently developers may need to secure mitigation for environmental harm before being granted planning permission.
This adds cost, delays and can entirely block the housing and infrastructure our country needs – with rules too focused on preserving the status quo instead of supporting growth and charting a course to nature recovery.
Under these reforms, developers will instead be able to pay into the fund allowing building to proceed immediately – quicker, simpler, and more certain that the broken status quo.
A delivery body, such as Natural England, will then take responsibility for securing positive environmental outcomes, for example, delivering a reduction in nutrient pollution affecting the water environment or securing habitats to increase the population of a protected species.
This represents a shift away from a broken system which has stifled development, growth and nature recovery for far too long – failing communities and the environment.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said: “Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we so desperately need.
“For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need.
“Our Plan for Change will put an end to the status quo while restoring nature. It’s win-win for development and our environment, including targeted reforms allowing us to use the economic benefits of growth to fund tangible and targeted action for nature’s recovery.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “We were elected on a mandate to get Britain building again and protect nature.
“But the status quo is blocking the building of homes and failing to protect the environment.
“These reforms will allow tens of thousands of homes to be built while protecting the natural environment we all depend on.”
The proposals set out three steps the government will take to help developers get building while delivering their environmental obligations in a more sensible and strategic way.
This approach will mean developers don’t have to pay for individual site level assessments for the matters covered by the Nature Restoration Fund – which adds cost and delay – and will no longer have to deliver mitigation needed.
A single payment will enable development to proceed. A delivery body will then take the actions needed to drive nature recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale:
Government will lead a single strategic assessment and delivery plan for an area – not an individual site – which will allow decisions to be made at an appropriate geographic scale. The current process is uncertain and costly, with assessments on issues such as nutrient neutrality requiring bespoke calculations and significant technical expertise at the level of each individual project. This also misses the opportunity to support the best outcomes for nature.
A public delivery body will consider which actions are needed to address the environmental impact of development across an appropriate area and determine how much developers will pay into the Nature Restoration Fund. The delivery body will secure the actions funded by developers, removing the need for actions to be taken on a case by case basis.
Contributions will be secured from developers to fully fund nature recovery actions. This would enable developers to meet certain environmental obligations through a single payment into the Nature Restoration Fund – which would streamline the process and maximise the impact of money spent on nature by directing it to real world action instead of paperwork and process.
The proposals are set out in a working paper, which seeks views from stakeholders including communities, housing and clean power developers, nature service providers and local authorities. Feedback from the working paper will inform the next stage of policy development.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said: “It is evident that we need to take urgent action to address the worsening decline of nature, and we must also lean into the challenges posed by housing shortages.
“We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans – but the two key issues of today, nature and economic recovery, should not be pitted against one another, as we step up efforts to avoid losing what protected remnants of nature remain while also restoring some of what has gone.
“Instead, we should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale.”
Commenting on the National Planning Policy Framework, countryside charity CPRE chief executive Roger Mortlock said: “‘The broken housebuilding market is to blame for the painfully slow delivery of much-needed new homes. When big housebuilders deliberately limit the supply of new homes to maximise their profits, supercharging the current system will not lead to the change the government is looking for.
‘The government’s plans risk a huge hike in the number of unaffordable, car-dependent homes. Building on England’s 1.2 million shovel-ready brownfield sites would do far more to unlock growth, regenerate communities and provide sustainable, genuinely affordable new homes.
‘We welcome the commitment to local plans and affordable homes. However, local authorities responsible for delivering new homes will be swamped with speculative applications on high-quality Green Belt and farmland. Inevitably, many of these will be approved to meet nationally imposed targets.
‘The ‘grey belt’ policy needs to be much more clearly defined and exclude working farms. It will undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.
‘There’s some hope ahead with plans for a strategy that covers all our use of land. Longer-term commitments to build genuinely affordable and better designed homes are welcome too. Until then,, our countryside will remain needlessly under threat.’
The government would use the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to introduce legislative changes to drive action at a strategic level which will provide certainty for both developers and the environment.
This will also establish a more efficient and effective way for Habitats Regulations and other environmental obligations to be discharged, pooling individual contributions to deliver the strategic interventions necessary to drive nature recovery.
Residents, businesses and other interested groups in the Capital are being asked to comment on a strategy to revitalise Princes Street and the wider ‘Waverley Valley’ to be more vibrant and welcoming.
The new vision will guide the long-term regeneration of this part of the city centre, providing a mix of shops and services for residents and visitors, attracting investment and jobs and supporting businesses within an exceptional historic and climate resilient environment.
The Princes Street and Waverley Valley draft strategy is part of our bold plans to transform the city centre. The ECCT was approved in 2019 and includes the George Street and First New Town, Meadows to George Street projects. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/citycentretransformation
As well as Princes Street the Waverley Valley area covers East and West Princes Street Gardens, Waverley Station, Waverley Market and East Market Street.
The draft strategy aims to:
Create a more accessible city centre
The masterplan for comment recommends guiding the area from the West End of Princes Street along to Waverley Station to become more accessible, with improvements such as additional ramp access to Princes Street Gardens, a footbridge over the Waverley Valley, more public spaces to enjoy, an improved crossing and pedestrian improvements to Castle Street, the Mound Precinct, and Waverley Bridge.
Protected green spaces
The strategy looks to integrate climate resilience and biodiversity measures to protect the existing Waverley Valley and Gardens from climate change and to plant more trees and flowers – also promoting sustainable transport options and the retrofitting of historic buildings in line with Edinburgh’s net zero aims.
Revitalise Princes Street
Working with developers, the strategy suggests improvements to Princes Street with temporary pop-up premises, building wraps and artwork and encourages mixed-uses for the prominent high street. Improvements to historic buildings, including the Ross Bandstand, are also suggested to create better opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
Make improvements to Waverley Station
Shape the future of Waverley Station and the area around it. Its key position between the Old and New Towns makes the station a vital connection between the Old and New Towns. Network Rail’s Waverley Masterplan recognises the need to restore and modernise the station.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Planning Convener, said:“We have published a draft ambitious vision for the Capital’s iconic Princes Street and surrounding area which sits within our internationally renowned World Heritage Site.
“I’d encourage everyone living in or interested in our beautiful Capital city to comment on it by answering the questions we’re asking around accessibility and public space in area, the future of the Gardens and the area in and around Waverley Station.
“As we put together the draft vision we listened to views about all of these important sites for Edinburgh. And as we move forward developing it, we need to make sure we balance our city’s rich heritage with the urgent need for sustainable and accessible spaces, and with new development. This will allow us all to continue to appreciate the charm of our city centre as well as the facilities it provides.
“The area is well used by Edinburgh residents, businesses and visitors from across the world and we plan to breathe new life into it, protecting and invest in it, to make sure that this will be the case for many years to come.”
City council Planning Convener Cllr James Dalgleish writes about a bold and ambitious plan agreed last week by councillors to make better use of land in the Capital:
Edinburgh’s population is growing fast and so a major highlight of City Plan 2030 is setting aside enough land to accommodate 53,000 much needed homes.
It will help to inform planning decisions going forward to guide sustainable growth and where we can we’ll agree the use of brownfield land rather than precious greenfield sites for new development.
Last year we declared a housing emergency to address the city’s chronic shortage of affordable housing so integral to the plan is that each new housing development will have to include a minimum of 35% affordable homes.
To look after the wellbeing of our residents and meet our climate goals we need to look wider than just providing new homes though. We’re going to create sustainable neighbourhoods fit for local modern living where people can afford to buy or rent their homes. Residents will have job opportunities nearby and be able to walk, or wheel to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access public transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.
It is important that we meet the needs of everyone who wants to live in our beautiful Capital. Edinburgh is also an internationally renowned university city and the plan will help guide where and how much student accommodation we have in the future. On larger sites coming forward developers will be asked to provide other housing, particularly affordable homes, allowing students to live alongside a mix of others within communities.
The plan will also help Edinburgh to transition to net zero by reducing carbon emissions from new buildings and in areas of regeneration we’re delivering new heat networks and energy infrastructure.
New environmental policies are also key as it is vital we protect our beautiful green spaces, the wellbeing of our residents, reduce flooding and improve air quality.
I’d like to thank all those residents, community groups and businesses who helped us to get City Plan 2030 over the line and acknowledge the hard work of Council officers who were part of this.
