LPA: City of Edinburgh Council
Edinburgh HIA , Scottish Jurisdiction
Reviewed by
Oliver Wakefield-Smith
Founder, Digital Signet
Last reviewed 22 June 2026 · Refreshed quarterly
Direct answer
What does City of Edinburgh Council require?
City of Edinburgh Council validates heritage submissions under Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement 2019; Edinburgh New and Old Towns WHS Management Plan. The following checklist card summarises accepted formats, page-count guidance and common validation traps for this authority.
City of Edinburgh Council validation checklist
Historic Environment Scotland Policy Statement 2019; Edinburgh New and Old Towns WHS Management Plan.
Accepted formats
- Heritage Statement for non-WHS Grade B listed
- Full HIA for WHS and Category A listed works
- Setting and TVIA for any new-build over four storeys
Page-count guidance
WHS applications routinely 25 to 50 pages; non-WHS Category B 10 to 18 pages.
Common validation traps
- Confusing English NPPF references for Scottish NPF4 / HES policy
- Missing WHS Management Plan citation
- Inadequate skyline-and-views assessment from Calton Hill, Arthur's Seat
Practical preparation steps
- Download the LPA's current local validation list before any submission.
- Read the relevant Conservation Area Appraisal or Statement for the site.
- Check for any Article 4 directions affecting the site.
- Where pre-application advice is available, take it , even where charged.
- Match the accreditation of the author to the asset grade (RIBA-CA or IHBC for Grade II* and Grade I).
Where the LPA's heritage process sits in the planning clock
The LPA's heritage officer is a statutory consultee within the 8-week determination clock for planning permission, the 8-week clock for listed-building consent, and the 16-week clock for major applications. The officer's response is usually written within 21 days of consultation; a strong HIA accelerates that response and reduces the risk of a Regulation 25 further-information request.