West Edinburgh Planning Framework
The West Edinburgh Planning Framework 2008 was launched on May 13, 2008 .
Background and Context
West Edinburgh is a nationally important gateway to Scotland and its capital city. To realise the full potential of the area, there are significant economic, transport and environmental issues which require dedicated national policy.
A review of the West Edinburgh Planning Framework (WEPF) began in January 2004 (incorporating the policy of The Future of Air Transport White Paper which proposes an expansion of Edinburgh Airport by way of an additional runway in or around 2020). The White Paper encouraged the creation of a masterplan for the airport expansion.
BAA published its finalised Edinburgh Airport Masterplan on July 17, 2006. In line with the White Paper the masterplan recommends that a significant portion of the current Royal Highland Showground site is utilised for additional airport development by 2013 or earlier. In response to this, the Royal Highland Agricultural Society for Scotland undertook the preparation of a feasibility study for the relocation of the showground to a site south of the A8.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
The final stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment was reached on 2 April 2009 with the publication of the Post Adoption Statement, the final Environmental Report and the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Report. Information on the environmental baseline contained in the draft Environmental Report remains available on this page.
Policy Summary
The West Edinburgh Planning Framework:
- Sets out a long term strategic vision for West Edinburgh as an area considered to be nationally important in terms of economic development, global connectivity, transport and the environment.
- Updates and clarify the land requirements of the airport and the proposed routes of committed surface access improvements.
- Forms a basis for future investment in the area.
- Provides a strategy for relocation of the Royal Highland Centre;
- Enables the provision of a new business location to accommodate head quarters or head quarters support functions for international business, making the best use of the accessibility of the area.
The review of the WEPF has been guided by a Steering group comprised of representatives from: the City of Edinburgh Council, West Lothian Council, Scottish Enterprise, SESTran, Transport Scotland, The Scottish Government Directorate for the Built Environment and MWH Global (Consultants undertaking the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the WEPF).
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Related Work
Edinburgh Rural West Local Plan: The WEPF 2008 informs the Edinburgh Rural West Local Plan Alteration, which is being prepared by the City of Edinburgh Council. The Council undertook a consultation exercise in the winter of 2008 on the draft Edinburgh Rural West Local Plan Alteration. Further information can be found at the City of Edinburgh Council Rural West Edinburgh Local Plan Alteration - Draft for consultation.
Strategic Design Framework: The Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council jointly commissioned work to create a set of deliverable design principles to guide future development in West Edinburgh. The City of Edinburgh Council undertook a consultation on the draft Strategic Design Framework in the winter of 2008. Further information can be found at the City of Edinburgh Council West Edinburgh Strategic Design Framework.
Gogar Burn Partnership Group: The Partnership (of which The Scottish Government is a member) has been working to identify potential resolutions to the flooding and water quality issues which exist with the Gogar Burn. While the Partnership has taken a catchment-wide approach to the issues, a feasibility study for the implementation of mitigation measures has initially focused on the West Edinburgh area. This allows the potential for mitigation measures to be undertaken in parallel with known and potential developments in the West Edinburgh area. The WEPF will support the work of the partnership.
Tram: The tram line from Newhaven to the Airport via Haymarket (Trams for Edinburgh Phase 1A) received royal assent in March 2006. The WEPF will recognise the line that the tram could take through West Edinburgh in order to inform the land use policies in the area. More information on Edinburgh's trams can be found at Trams for Edinburgh
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL): On September 27, 2007 the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson) announced revised proposals for rail access to Edinburgh Airport. A new station will be provided on the Fife railway line at Gogar. This will also be an interchange point for the Edinburgh tram line, allowing access to the airport without the need to go to the centre of Edinburgh. A new linking route between Edinburgh and Glasgow and Fife lines (the Dalmeny Chord) will allow trains serving Glasgow and Dunblane to stop at the station. Those wishing to access the airport from Dunblane prior to the opening of the Dalmeny Chord and those using stations on the Airdrie to Bathgate line will be able to interchange with the tram at Edinburgh Park station.
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