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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Neil Pooran

Edinburgh Christmas Market: Protest set for Princes Street Gardens over planning permission row

Protesters plan to hold a "mass stand-in" at Edinburgh's newly-opened Christmas market as part of the row over a lack of planning permission for the event.

The demonstrators say organisers of the multi-million pound Christmas festival have "ridden roughshod over the rules and regulations" as the market is set up in Princes Street Gardens.

Dozens have indicated they will attend the "Stand Up for the Gardens" protest at 1pm on Sunday, November 17.

There has been controversy over the large platform constructed in the park to accommodate market stalls.

Edinburgh council's leader Adam McVey said the temporary structure would improve circulation around the Christmas market, which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

An "enforcement file" was opened after the scaffolding was set up by Underbelly without first receiving planning permission from the city council.

There was further anger at the way memorial benches were moved to make way for it.

The Christmas market will partly stand on a custom-made scaffolding platform - which will need to be able support over 100,000 people. (Edinburgh Christmas Market/Dave Lindsay/Facebook)

Organisers had to reassure visitors about the structure's safety when pictures of the scaffolding resting on a grassy slope were widely shared on social media. Edinburgh Live reported on other concerns about workplace safety at the building site.

A building warrant was granted for the platform earlier this week, but the local authority is holding an internal investigation into the decision to extend the Christmas market's licence.

Underbelly have insisted the platform has been certified by independent engineers and was agreed with the city council's engineers.

Those attending the protest on Sunday do not intend to block access to the market, which is expected to be busy as the city's Christmas lights are switched on.

Stewart Syme, who set up an event for the demonstration on Facebook, said: "Please be advised that the main point of those attending is a peaceful protest within the market. There is no intention to block or hinder access to the Christmas Market for the general public.

"Please respect those wishing to attend the market."

Responding to the protest, a spokeswoman for Underbelly said: "We look forward to welcoming the people of Edinburgh and visitors to Edinburgh’s Christmas. Happy Christmas."

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