George Square Gardens

Cockburn Response

The Cockburn Association accepts the principle of a temporary Fringe venue at George Square, recognising its long-established role within the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and its contribution to the city’s cultural life.

However, this is a highly sensitive landscaped site, and proposals must demonstrate clear and robust safeguards to ensure that temporary use does not result in long-term environmental or townscape harm.

In its current form, the application is deficient in key respects. In particular:the absence of a Tree Protection Plan and arboricultural method statement is a significant omission

• the proposed three-year permission is not justified, given the sensitivity of the site and the lack of supporting safeguards
• the application does not yet demonstrate sufficient compliance with policy expectations relating to trees, biodiversity, amenity, landscape protection and climate resilience

These are not minor matters, but fundamental requirements for the proper assessment and management of development in this location.

The Association therefore recommends that the planning authority should not support the application as submitted, unless, as a minimum, the following are secured:

• submission and approval of a Tree Protection Plan and arboricultural method statement
• clear mitigation, monitoring and restoration arrangements for soil, trees, drainage and landscape condition
• limitation of any consent to a single year, subject to review and monitoring