West Edinburgh Planning Framework
West Edinburgh is nationally important in economic, transport and environmental terms. The nature and scale of development, existing and committed is significant to the regional and Scottish economy. In March 2003, the
West Edinburgh Planning Framework (WEPF) was published. It recognises the importance of West Edinburgh, acknowledges the pressure for development and sets out a long-term strategic framework for the area. It was accompanied by three background papers on the economy, transport and the environment.
West Edinburgh Planning Framework Scoping Report: Consultation
The Scoping Report forms part of the statutory Strategic Environmental Assessment process and sets out what will be assessed within the Environmental Report (which will contain the Strategic Environmental Assessment). The Scoping Report has been prepared by MWH Consultants.
The Executive would welcome your comments on the contents of the Scoping Report. Please make your comments in writing to:
Clare Hyder
MWH
Craigmount Brae
Edinburgh
EH12 8XF
Please ensure that your comments are received no later than 18th April 2006
Link to Scoping Report under construction.
Framework Review
A review of the WEPF started in January 2004 to incorporate the policy of
The Future of Air Transport White Paper which proposes expansion of Edinburgh Airport with a second runway required probably around 2020. The White Paper states that the expansion of the terminal, stands and taxiways will require the relocation of the Royal Highland Centre by 2013 or earlier.
The objectives of the review are:
- to update and clarify the land requirements of the airport and the proposed routes of surface access improvements, rail, tram and road phased from now to 2030;
- to reconcile these requirements with other land uses, in terms of land take for airport purposes and in terms of operational land and or capability to the economic and or environmental benefit of other land in West Edinburgh;
- to consider in particular the implications for the Royal Highland Centre, to devise a strategy for its relocation and ways of financing that relocation; and
- to conduct this review in an open and inclusive manner, with appropriate participatory structures and processes.
Stakeholders
A working group with representatives from the Scottish Executive, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council was formed to progress the review. A short note of the stakeholder group meetings can be accessed below:
A wider stakeholder advisory group was also formed and met in May 2004. A minute of this meeting is available below:
Timetable
Publication of the WEPF Review is dependent on a number of factors that we have no control over. These include the finalisation of BAA's Airport Masterplan (the response of the Scottish Executive to the draft Airport Masterplan is now available), the Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill, which is before Parliament and the Rail Link Bill which is likely to be presented to Parliament in 2005. Until we have a degree of clarity on these and how they work together, we cannot reasonably prepare a draft WEPF Review. We do however, hope that we will be able to publish a draft for consultation by early 2006. This webpage will be updated with progress reports.
We have recently awarded a contract to MWH to prepare a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the WEPF Review. Public consultation on the SEA will go hand in hand with consultation on the draft WEPFR.
Contact Us
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding the West Edinburgh Planning Framework Review please contact Tom Williamson or Simon Bonsall at:
Scottish Executive Development Department
Planning Division
Area 2-H
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Tel: 0131 244 7531 or 0131 244 7546