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Historic Environment Scotland slammed over objection to Edinburgh heat pump plan

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Historic Environment Scotland slammed over objection to Edinburgh heat pump plan

An Edinburgh councillor has launched a blistering attack on Historic Environment Scotland, urging it to “wake up and smell the coffee” over the climate crisis.

The organisation was accused of not adequately responding to the climate emergency after it objected to a heat pump being installed in a New Town home – and of “patronising” residents by telling them to hang “thick curtains” instead of adapting properties with more energy-efficient heating systems.




Members of the council’s planning appeals committee reviewed an application for a roof extension to create extra space for an air source heat pump on Wednesday, June 5.

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Officials previously refused permission, saying the plans would have a “detrimental impact” on the A-listed Great King Street building.

It came after Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said in an objection letter it could not support removing the existing Georgian roof as this would be a “considerable loss of original and historic fabric”.

The government-run body, which was set up to “investigate, care for and promote Scotland’s historic environment”, said while it encouraged “investment in renewable energy and air-source heat pumps, we do not consider that the proposed thermal improvements outweigh the negative impact of the alterations”.

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