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Scottish heritage compliance quick check

Rapid compliance check for works affecting scheduled monuments, listed buildings, and conservation areas in Scotland. Covers Historic Environment Scotland consents, local authority requirements, and enforcement penalties.

Construction & Property Running a Business Updated 3 September 2026
references 4 guides

Scheduled monument consent

If your site is a scheduled monument or lies within the scheduled area of one, you need scheduled monument consent from Historic Environment Scotland before any works begin. This applies to demolition, alteration, repair, flooding, and tipping. Unauthorised works are a criminal offence.

Scheduled monument consent in Scotland

Check whether your site is scheduled and how to apply for consent from Historic Environment Scotland

Listed building consent

Works that affect the character of a listed building in Scotland require listed building consent from the local planning authority. This covers internal and external alterations, extensions, and demolition. The category of listing (A, B, or C) does not change the consent requirement.

Listed building consent in Scotland

Understand what counts as affecting character and how to apply for listed building consent

Conservation area works

Demolition in a conservation area requires conservation area consent. Permitted development rights are restricted, so works that would normally be permitted elsewhere may need a full planning application. Check with the local planning authority before starting.

Conservation area works in Scotland

Check restricted permitted development rights and consent requirements for conservation areas

Enforcement and penalties

Historic Environment Scotland and local planning authorities can issue enforcement notices, temporary stop notices, and urgent works notices. Confirm all required consents are in place before works begin to avoid criminal prosecution, remediation orders, and project delays.

Heritage penalties and enforcement in Scotland

Review enforcement powers, penalty levels, and how to respond to an enforcement notice