NTBCC frequently receive emails from local residents outlining concerns in response to planning applications regarding the impact of the (often extended) construction activity for new developments on nearby residents – be this in relation to impact on residential amenity (e.g. noise, air quality from demolition activities etc.) and / or impacts on the road network from construction activities amongst others.
Although we have frequently submitted representations outlining these concerns and whilst there is an expectation for developers to adhere to good working practices in relation to their neighbours, we are constantly reminded by the Council that planning controls over construction are limited and not a material consideration for planning applications – however, the Council does have some powers to ensure adverse impacts of construction are mitigated in relation to noise, residential amenity, controlling the hours of working as well as impacts on the road network.
Following a Motion in June 2023 raising this issue specifically in relation to Haymarket Square construction, Edinburgh Council agreed an adjusted motion. In the subsequent report in response to this Motion, it was agreed that the Planning Committee would consider any additional controls or amendments to permissions which would help to reduce the impact of construction work to nearby residents for all new developments and to establish a more neighbour-friendly pattern of working for major construction and other active sites.
Furthermore, Council agreed that officers would explore the possibility of improving the information held on the Council website so that residents could better understand what controls the Council did have and who to contact if they had concerns and also agreed to establish a short-life working group, consisting of representatives from communities affected by construction, representatives of developers and/or the construction industry and relevant council officers, to consider options to encourage more responsible construction.
We are pleased that this Short Life Working Group (‘Working Group’) has now been set up and NTBCC, along with several other community councils have been invited to participate in a wider discussion on this.
The Working Group will consider options to encourage more responsible construction, and review ways in which to mitigate potential impacts associated with construction on the amenity of those within communities across Edinburgh. The subsequent follow-up report can be found here. Details of the proposed membership of the Working Group and remit can be found in Appendix 2.
The first meeting of the Working Group is scheduled for Friday March 1st.
Whilst NTBCC is aware of many of the issues raised by local residents, if there are specific concerns that residents would like us to raise, then please let us know via the NTBCC website Contact page.