George Street

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association has considered the proposals for external lighting and roof alterations at 62–66 George Street.

We are generally supportive of the proposals and welcome the apparent intention to integrate the lighting sensitively with the architecture of the building. George Street occupies an exceptionally important position within Edinburgh’s First New Town and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site, and alterations to buildings within this setting require a correspondingly high standard of design and detailing.

We would, however, take the opportunity presented by this application to emphasise the wider importance of sensitive external lighting within Edinburgh’s historic city centre.

Well-designed architectural lighting can enhance appreciation of historic buildings and contribute positively to the character, safety and attractiveness of the city after dark. Equally, excessive illumination, inappropriate colour temperatures, glare or lighting which gives undue prominence to individual commercial premises can detract from the architectural coherence and restrained character of historic streets.

This is particularly relevant on George Street, whose significance derives not simply from individual buildings but from the composition, rhythm and architectural unity of the street as a whole. The cumulative effect of individual lighting installations should therefore be an important consideration.

The Association would encourage a restrained approach in which lighting complements rather than competes with the architecture, avoids unnecessary light spill and visual clutter, and contributes positively to the wider nighttime character of the First New Town.

Subject to appropriate control of the detailed specification, intensity, colour temperature and operation of the proposed lighting, the Association is supportive of the application.