United Kingdom • Scotland
Site analysis in Edinburgh
An introduction to site analysis in Edinburgh, covering planning context, common constraints, climate, terrain and transport. Use this city overview to identify what needs checking at the specific site.
Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.
Planning regime
City Plan 2030 + Scottish Planning Policy + NPF4
Key constraints
- Edinburgh Old and New Towns UNESCO WHS
- Skyline Study view cones
- 44 conservation areas
- Castle Rock setting
- Holyrood Park setting
Climate context
Cfb temperate, drier than west coast. 1500 hrs sunshine. 670mm rainfall.
Topography
Volcanic hills define city. Castle Rock (130m), Arthur's Seat (251m), Calton Hill (100m), Blackford Hill (164m).
Transport spine
Edinburgh Trams (1 line, extension underway), Edinburgh Waverley mainline, comprehensive bus network.
Building height context
Effectively zero new tall buildings in central core. 4-5 storey traditional tenement scale dominates. New buildings at Edinburgh Park can reach 10 storeys.
Notable recent projects
- St James Quarter
- Edinburgh Park
- Granton Waterfront
- Dunard Centre
Questions
What planning policies apply in Edinburgh?
City Plan 2030 + Scottish Planning Policy + NPF4
What are the most common site constraints in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Old and New Towns UNESCO WHS. Skyline Study view cones. 44 conservation areas. Castle Rock setting.
Can Atlasly run a site analysis in Edinburgh?
Available site information depends on the address and data source. Start with the site location and review the returned sources and coverage before using the results.
Run a site analysis in Edinburgh
Start with a site location, review the available evidence and identify the checks needed for your next design decision.
Open Atlas AIReview current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.