Listed Buildings
In order to protect buildings of special architectural interest, Historic Scotland "lists" buildings of special architectural or historic interest on behalf of the Scottish Government. This is carried out under section 1 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Buildings considered worthy of protection are then "listed" and termed "listed buildings". Angus has over 2000 listed buildings ranging from doocots to castles, lighthouses to telephone boxes. The schedule of listed buildings that is prepared by Historic Scotland is called "the Statutory List" and there is one for each burgh and parish in Angus. The Statutory List includes the address of the listed building and a short description of its main features. The description is only intended as a general comment on the features of the building, it is not a check list of what is listed. Listing extends to the interior of buildings and written approval is required from the planning authority for alterations or extensions that might affect the character of the building.
In assessing whether a building has sufficient merit to justify protection through listing, consideration is given to factors such as:
- Age and Rarity;
- Architectural or historic interest;
- Close historical association with famous people.
Buildings or structures that fall within the "curtilage" of a listed building can also be regarded as listed even if they are not mentioned in the address for the listed building. The requirement to obtain written approval from the planning authority for alterations, or extensions, to listed buildings can apply to "curtilage buildings".
The planning authority carries out an assessment based on the following to determine whether curtilage applies. These are:
- Were the structures built before 1 July, 1948?
- Were they in the same ownership as the main subject of listing at the time of listing?
- Do the structures clearly relate in terms of their (original) function to the main subject of the listing?
- Are the structures still related to the main subject on the ground?
- Has the curtilage building been fenced or walled off to create a separate curtilage?
The interpretation of curtilage is often difficult so any queries on curtilage should be referred to the Planning Officer (Conservation).
Buildings are listed under three categories in accordance with their importance. Although they may have a different category of listing, all buildings receive equal legal protection. This legal protection is applicable to both the interior and exterior of a listed building. The listed buildings are categorised as follows (information taken from Historic Scotland Website):
Category A
Buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type.
Category B
Buildings of regional, or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered.
Category C(S)
Buildings of local importance, lesser examples of any period, style, or building type, as originally constructed or moderately altered; and simple traditional buildings which group well with others in categories A and B.
Two additional categories existed until recently, Category C (non - statutory) and B for Group (statutory). These have now been phased out entirely.
If you wish to find out whether a building is listed or not then you can either click on the following link www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings.htm which will take you directly to Historic Scotland’s search page or by contacting the Planning Officer (Conservation).