Council is granted Listed Building application powers
Last updated | 24/04/2008
Perth & Kinross Council has been identified as an area which will be given the power to deal with the majority of applications for Listed Building consent in the area under an announcement made in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 23 April 2008).
The Scottish Government intends to enter into a Concordat with the Council to establish how the delegated powers will be operated in detail.
The Council is one of only three authorities in Scotland to be given the new powers as part of moves by the Government to work in partnership and delegate responsibility in such matters to local authorities to allow decisions to be taken locally.
The Council currently determines most applications for Category C Listed Builidngs aside from those involving demolition. At present Listed Building applications for Category B listed buildings currently need to be referred to Historic Scotland for approval. The change means Perth & Kinross Council will now determine such applications itself, again aside from those involving demolition, which means local interests and priorities can be fully reflected. This should also further improve the performance of the Planning service by reducing the timescale for determining applications.
Councillor Willie Wilson, Development Control Convener, said: “This is a major feather in our cap. It is a major endorsement of the capability and performance of our new Conservation Section within Planning and the Environment Service.
“We were recommended to undertake this Listed Building work by Historic Scotland, and I’m delighted that we have been given the powers to carry out this important work in our own area."
Convener of Enterprise and Infrastructure, Councillor John Kellas commented: "We have a large number of Listed Buildings in Perth and Kinross, making them a very important aspect of planning and conservation activity and a major attractor of visitors to the area.
“The fact that we are the only one of three authorities given this power makes it even more of an achievement. We look forward to discussing the detail with Historic Scotland and ensuring that our high-quality built heritage is conserved for future generations.”
