ScottishArchitecture.com

Culture Minister Michael Russell has launched a consultation looking at devolving greater responsibility for listed building consent to local authorities.

It follows a pilot scheme where Perth and Kinross, Glasgow City and City of Edinburgh councils were able to issue listed building consent for B-listed buildings without the need to notify Historic Scotland.

Michael Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, said: “As part of the process of modernising and streamlining listed building consent we have looked at how to avoid duplication between councils and Historic Scotland and speed up the planning process.

“Buildings are listed for good reason; they can show us how our communities were shaped and hold special places in people’s memories and experience. Planning authorities are well aware of this and I am confident that many have the skills required to look after these buildings and, as a result, we can make the system more efficient.

“This will allow Historic Scotland to devote more time to providing strategic advice to Councils and owners in planning developments, resolving any issues before an application is made and making it more likely that the application will be handled quickly as a result.

During the three-month pilot 39 per cent of cases were determined within eight weeks, compared to 13.5 per cent in the equivalent period the previous year.  The pilot covered certain works to B-listed buildings.

The consultation outlines the findings of the pilot study and can be found on the Historic Scotland website at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk and will close on 25 September.

If the duty to notify Historic Scotland of certain consent application is removed planning authorities wanting to participate would sign a Joint Working Agreement with Historic Scotland outlining the range of application that could be determined without the need for referral.