This is the area of Leith as described in the North East Edinburgh Local Plan.
"The
character of the Conservation Area derives from Leith's history both as
a port and an independent burgh. Several fine Georgian and Victorian
warehouses survive, some now converted for residential or office use;
in many cases these were initially built to hold wine and dry goods,
although many were converted in the late 19th century to serve the
whisky industry. A rich mixture of civic buildings and mercantile
architecture survives particularly at Bernand Street and The Shore.
Significant
earlier buildings include Lamb's House and St Ninian's Manse (both
early 17th century,); although many more recent buildings have been
built, the present street pattern of The Shore area closely follows
that of the historic town.
The Inner Harbour of the Water of
Leith provides a vibrant focus for the Conservation Area, with
buildings along The Shore forming an impressive waterfront townscape.
The Conservation Area also covers the older parts of Leith Docks,
containing many early features including listed dock buildings and the
Victoria Bridge, a scheduled Ancient Monument.
The Madeira area retains a largely Georgian domestic character, with stone buildings and slate roofs predominating; some of the Georgian buildings retain astragaled windows and doors with fanlights. Many of the roads are setted, the main exception being Prince Regent Street; stone garden walls are a feature of the area. North Leith Parish Church provides a visual focus to this mainly residential area, which also includes major public buildings such as Leith Library and Town Hall.
Leith Walk remains the main artery linking the centre of Edinburgh to the old burgh of Leith. It is characterised mainly by Victorian tenements with shops and pubs at the ground floor level. There are a number of Georgian survivals, most notably Smith's Place dating from 1814.
Between Smith's Place and Albert Street lies a series of tenemental streets, mainly designed by John Chesser.
Building
types within the Conservation Area vary but are traditionally of stone,
with slate roofs; however, more recently building has generally used
block or render and traditional brick where previously found.
Pockets
of public housing development of the 1960s and 1970s, of a contemporary
character, fall within the expanded Conservation Area.
Open space is concentrated at Leith Links, which provides a spacious contrast to the relatively dense settlement of the remainder of the Conservation Area.