Views sought on possible extension of Edinburgh conservation area

VIEWS are being sought as to whether the boundary of a ‘conservation area’ of Edinburgh should be extended.

Says an announcement about the Leith area of Edinburgh from the city council’s planning department, ‘conservation areas’ are “designated under the Planning Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997. Conservation areas are areas which have special architectural or historic interest that are considered worthy of protection”.

And it goes on to say: “The Leith Conservation Area was designated in February 1998. It comprises the former Madeira and Old Leith Conservation areas with extensions at Leith Walk, Kirkgate, Albert Dock and the Citadel.

“The Old Leith Conservation Area was designated in 1977, with a number of subsequent amendments and the Madeira Conservation Area was designated in 1975.

“The Conservation Area boundary was amended on 30 August 2013 to transfer part of Leith Walk and Pilrig Street to the Pilrig Conservation Area.”

And now – says a consultation exercise (here) – the question is to what extent it should be extended, “to include properties located to the east and west of Leith Walk on Manderston Street and Jane Street. The buildings comprise the railway arches associated with the former Leith Walk West Goods Yard and the abutment of the former railway bridge over Leith Walk”.

The consultation ends on December 19.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland