Big Wheel Proposal

We have been informed by both colleagues in various City Centre Community Councils, Cockburn members  as well as the media regarding the proposed erection of the Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens from 1 July 2025 to 3 January 2026.  The Association does not appear to have been notified of this proposal despite our long-standing interest in such activities in the Gardens but also in the context of regular notifications we receive of events at Calton Hill.

The Association would like to make a number of observations, and register our concern and objection into these proposals and associated process.

Firstly, we understand that a formal planning application is to be submitted by the proposers shortly.  Given the need for a statutory planning consent for this, the Association believes most strongly that the planning process should take precedent over any other consenting regime.  As such, we ask for no decision to made until such time as a formal decision on planning is made.

Secondly, we are concerned at not being notified of this proposal through the public spaces protocols in place.  Effective and transparent communication of significant interventions in public spaces is essential.  Using this process for such a major proposal is clandestine and to be avoided.

There is no doubt that the Ferris wheel operating across this period will be profitable and a case can be made for it by the operators and the City Council (who presumably will increase its venues by permitting).   The proposals outlined in the stakeholder information sheet provided by the applicant suggests a significant shift from a public “ride” to a more corporate, intensive use with “pods” available for private promotion or exclusive events including VIP champagne receptions and other private activities.

Edinburgh struggles with overtourism and we assert that this proposal represents an creeping increase in the levels of commodification and gentrification of a public asset, which is undesirable and unacceptable.

You can send your comments to the Public Spaces Team publicspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk and your councillor  https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx