Guvnor
Construction & Property

Scottish heritage compliance checklist for construction

A pre-project checklist for construction businesses and developers working in Scotland to verify compliance with heritage protection requirements. Covers scheduled monuments, listed buildings, conservation areas, and HES inventoried sites.

Scotland
Guide summary

Before starting building work in Scotland, check if your site has any special heritage protections. You must get the right permissions and follow rules to protect historic places and buildings.

  • Check PastMap and HES portal for heritage sites
  • Contact local planning authority about designations
  • Get scheduled monument consent if needed
  • Get listed building consent if needed
  • Get conservation area consent if needed
  • Submit heritage impact assessment if required
  • Follow all conditions on your permissions
  • Report any damage to heritage assets immediately
  • Keep records of all work
  • Tell workers about heritage protections
On this page
Scotland

Use this checklist before starting any construction, development, or property works in Scotland to verify you have met heritage protection requirements.

Site assessment

  1. 1

    Searched PastMap and the HES portal for all heritage designations on or near the site

  2. 2

    Checked whether the site includes or adjoins a scheduled monument

  3. 3

    Checked whether any buildings on or near the site are listed (Category A, B, or C)

  4. 4

    Checked whether the site is within a conservation area

  5. 5

    Checked whether the site is within or adjacent to an Inventory garden, designed landscape, or historic battlefield

  6. 6

    Contacted the local planning authority to confirm all designations

Consent requirements

  1. 1

    Identified all consents required (SMC, LBC, conservation area consent, planning permission)

  2. 2

    Confirmed whether class consents apply to any scheduled monument works

  3. 3

    Contacted HES for pre-application advice on scheduled monument consent applications

  4. 4

    Contacted the local planning authority for pre-application advice on listed building consent applications

  5. 5

    Prepared heritage impact assessment where required

  6. 6

    Submitted all required consent applications before starting works

  7. 7

    Received written consent for all required applications

Conditions and compliance

  1. 1

    Read and understood all conditions attached to consents

  2. 2

    Arranged archaeological recording if required by conditions

  3. 3

    Appointed specialist contractors where conditions require specific skills or methods

  4. 4

    Notified HES or the planning authority before commencing works where required

  5. 5

    Ensured all workers on site are aware of heritage constraints and conditions

  6. 6

    Established a process for reporting unexpected archaeological discoveries during works

Ongoing compliance

  1. 1

    Maintained records of all works carried out to heritage assets

  2. 2

    Complied with all consent conditions throughout the project

  3. 3

    Reported any accidental damage to heritage assets to HES or the planning authority immediately

  4. 4

    Retained copies of all consents, condition discharge letters, and correspondence with HES and the planning authority

If you answered no to any item

If you have not yet searched for heritage designations, do so before any works begin. Unauthorised works to scheduled monuments or listed buildings carry unlimited fines and up to 2 years'' imprisonment.

See Apply for scheduled monument consent or Apply for listed building consent for step-by-step guidance.

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