Proposed repairs at landmark Edinburgh Old Town building given the go-ahead at John Knox House
Proposed repairs at a landmark Edinburgh Old Town building have been given the go-ahead by the council.
A planning application was submitted in November for fabric repairs at the late 15th century-built John Knox House by the property’s owners Church of Scotland.
The plans were approved on January 15 by the council, and will focus on the rebuilding of a previously taken down front chimney, new chimney copes to three chimneys and general maintenance repairs including re-pointing the front elevations.
Ongoing maintenance repairs have been carried out as required over the years with the property now being in mixed condition with areas of notable defects.
In July 2025, the Church of Scotland appointed Mill Architects to review the overall condition of the building due to noted damp and water ingress issues internally.
As part of the conditional inspection a drone survey was carried out which revealed the front chimney was in a very poor condition. Areas of haunching were noted to be loose and the cope and sections of stone to the chimney were noted to be moving.
Therefore, the chimney become of significant health and safety concern and it was carefully taken down and capped to prevent water ingress. However, the remainder of the stones were too defective to save.
Approving the plans for John Knox House, the council’s chief planning officer David Givan said: “The proposals have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting and will not adversely impact on its special architectural and historic interest.
“The proposed rebuild of the chimney on the principal elevation, the reintroduction of stone copes to three existing chimneys and the replacement of cement pointing with a lime based mortar represent a conservation gain that will improve the appearance of the building and secure it for the long-term.
“The proposed works could reveal important evidence for the development and use of the building. In addition, it is important that an archaeological record of these conservation works is undertaken.
“Therefore, a condition requiring a programme of historic building recording is included. This should comprise detailed plans of the front chimney before construction works, along with elevations of the removed chimney undertaken by the architects and photographic and written records of the conservation works undertaken.
“Subject to compliance with the condition requiring archaeological works, the proposal development is acceptable and will not have a detrimental impact on any historical architectural features and will not adversely impact on the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building.
“The proposals will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area.”
In the planning documents, the applicant said: “The removal of the chimney was carried out as an urgent issue due to its severe deterioration causing health and safety concern and risk to the public, especially due to its location.
“However, it is now necessary for the chimney to be rebuilt, on a like for like basis, to ensure the property’s historical significance is protected while ensuring the fabric is in a good condition and in turn longevity.
“In essence the project will be overall maintenance removing any detailing/fabric causing it harm and reinstating the main front chimney.”
The Church of Scotland now has three years to carry out the approved works, with a condition that a programme of historic building recording is required. The application received no public comments on the council’s online planning portal.
For the latest public notices from your area, please visit: https://publicnoticeportal.uk/