Edinburgh Christmas Market set to have planning permission refused for expansion

Much of Edinburgh’s Christmas market has started construction – but a portion of it is being held back as it is set to be denied planning permission.

Work has not yet begun on the new stalls and attractions covered by a recent planning application, which officers are recommending for refusal at a meeting next week.

But some councillors are still wary in the aftermath of the Fringe, where a venue hosted by a different firm began construction over a month before planning permission was granted.

Green councillor Claire Miller said: “I was surprised to see the boards for the market being laid this week and the big wheel going up, while the planning consent was still pending.”

The main attractions in Princes Street Gardens are covered by a three-year planning permission grant.

But operators Unique Assembly are looking to put up two new attractions – including a Dutch-inspired tent – and eight new market stalls.

The firm put in a planning permission application for the new elements on September 5, which was validated near the end of last month.

But council officers are recommending that councillors refuse granting it planning permission at a planning meeting next week, over fears it will have an adverse impact on the gardens.

Unique Assembly said it only learned about the requirement to get planning permission for the proposed extension recently, and promptly filed the planning application.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “The careful transformation of Princes Street Gardens has begun only in those areas for which planning permission is in place.

“We will not start building any potential new elements unless we receive a positive decision on planning permission next Wednesday.

“We have over 30 years of experience delivering events in Edinburgh and are committed to working responsibly with the council and residents in order to create something that truly benefits the city and brings people joy.”

During this year’s Fringe, the Famous Spiegeltent venue drew criticism after starting construction before being granted planning permission.

Its operators also drew flak from Unique Assembly, who say they used tree protection planning documents they had prepared without permission.

In the intervening time, council staff had to scramble to limit the impact of the tent on the square, including arranging for support buildings to be moved to avoid damaging trees.

Councillors branded that firm’s planning application as “cynical”, and questioned why it was submitted so soon before construction, coming in 19 days prior to works beginning.

Councillors will discuss the application at the next meeting of the Development Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday, November 5.