Heritage body loses power over B-listed city buildings

THE guardian of Edinburgh's historic buildings will no longer be consulted about changes to B-listed properties in a move designed to speed up the planning process.

A pilot scheme has been launched that will see the power handed from Historic Scotland to the local authority.

Previously, the Government's heritage watchdog would be contacted before anyone could make even minor alterations to one of Edinburgh's 2662 B-listed buildings. With over 20 such applications every month, this could delay an already time-consuming process.

The new system is designed to reduce the overall process by around one month.

Critics fear the changes could lead to more modern development of the city, but the move was today welcomed by ministers, councillors and heritage chiefs. They were keen to stress that it does not mean listed building consent will automatically be granted.

Jim MacDonald, deputy chief inspector at Historic Scotland, said: "The aim of the scheme is to speed up decision making for local authorities who have the expertise.

"This will reduce duplication between Historic Scotland and local authorities and support the Government's drive to modernise the planning system.

"The proposals in the pilot would allow Historic Scotland to focus on applications where we can add value, as well as providing more strategic advice to planning authorities, applicants and Scottish Ministers. Similarly, it enables authorities to deliver listed building consents more quickly."

The pilot will run from October to December in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Perth and Kinross, and will be rolled out across the country if successful.

Councils will now have complete power over changes to doors, windows, stonework or masonry finishes, most single-storey extensions, alterations to shopfronts, and sub-division of rooms.

City planning leader Jim Lowrie said: "We hope to achieve more efficient handling of applications where the skills and policies already exist at authority level to consider such proposals with an appropriate amount of scrutiny, but without notification to Historic Scotland."

One member of Edinburgh's planning committee recently accused Historic Scotland of "casting a shadow" over the city's future by granting protected status to buildings that don't deserve it.

Cameron Rose, who represents the Southside and Newington, said today: "I welcome this move to streamline one area of our planning system.

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