Kitchen Extension Planning Permission in Edinburgh

Many single-storey rear kitchen extensions in Edinburgh fall under permitted development, but Scotland has its own permitted development rules, separate from England's, and its own thresholds - an England-focused guide won't reliably apply here. On top of planning, Scotland also requires a separate building warrant confirming the construction itself meets building standards, which is a distinct process from planning permission and is usually needed regardless.

Where it gets more complicated

Edinburgh's Old and New Towns together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a genuinely tightly protected historic environment where permitted development rights are commonly restricted or removed, and any extension typically needs full planning permission with close attention to materials and detailing. Tenement flats across areas like Marchmont and Bruntsfield bring their own complication: common stair and shared-building consent can be needed on top of standard planning, since changes to a tenement often affect the wider building, not just one flat.

Get it confirmed, don't assume it

Always check with the City of Edinburgh Council's planning department before finalising a design - both for planning status and for what building warrant will be required. A builder with genuine local experience will already be comfortable managing both processes together, not just one.