Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas & Archaeology

Listed buildings are included on a list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest compiled by Historic Environment Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The list is then maintained by the Local Authority, in this case ourselves. The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1997 is the primary piece of Government legislation relating to Listed Buildings.
 
The term 'building' is defined broadly in the legislation and can include, for example, buildings, walls, fountains, statues, sundials, bridges, bandstands and telephone boxes. Because of their importance they are protected by special controls and Listed Building Consent must be obtained before you start any work (whether internal or external) which might affect the character of the building. These controls also apply to buildings, structures and enclosures found within the curtilage of a listed building.
 
Applications for listed building consent can be made online through the eplanning portal.

Which buildings qualify for listing?

Buildings that qualify for listing are:

• All buildings before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition
• Most buildings between 1700 and 1840, though selection is necessary 
• Buildings between 1840 and 1914 of definite quality and character (including principal works of principal architects) 
• Important post-war buildings more than thirty years old and selected buildings of high quality between 1914 and 1939

How are buildings listed?

There are 3 categories of listed buildings:
 
Category A - Buildings of international, national or architectural importance or little-altered examples of styles or periods. 
Category B - Buildings of regional importance or important historic buildings that have been altered. 
Category C - Buildings of local importance and lesser examples of a particular era which may have been altered.
 
Buildings may also be linked in A or B class groups to indicate their position in relation to a wider set of buildings with which they form a functionally related whole such as an industrial estate, an urban square or a village high street.

More information

Our Listed Building & Conservation Area Officer can provide advice on listed building matters, please refer to How to Make a Preliminary Enquiry.

You can also get more information from Historic Environment Scotland - the Government's statutory adviser on all matters concerning the conservation of Scotland's Historic built environment including Listed Buildings and Ancient Monuments and also Designed Gardens and Historic Landscapes. Historic Environment Scotland may be able to offer grants for works to Grade A or B Listed Buildings and occasionally other Listed Buildings within Conservation Areas.

Read our recently approved planning guidance if you are wanting to replace windows and doors and your property is either a Listed building or in located in a Conservation Area.  

Read our Replacement Windows and Doors Guidance (PDF)

 
Historic Environment Scotland Contact Details: 
 
Listed Buildings and Listed Building Consent - email hmenquiries@hes.scot
 
Historic Buildings Repair Grants - email grants@hes.scot