Glasgow City Council's fast-track plan for listed buildings

Jul 2 2009

GLASGOW City Council has helped pioneer a new DIY form of giving permission to alter listed buildings.

The move means councils may now be able to issue consents for B-listed properties without having to notify Historic Scotland.

Culture Minister Michael Russell has now launched a consultation on applying the scheme across Scotland. This follows successful pilot projects in Glasgow, Perth and Kinross and Edinburgh.

Mr Russell said the aim was to avoid duplication between councils and Historic Scotland and speed up the planning process.

During the three-month pilot 39 per cent of cases were determined within eight weeks, compared to 13.5 per cent in the equivalent period the previous year.

Mr Russell said: "Buildings are listed for good reason - they can show us how our communities were shaped and hold special places in people's memories and experience.

"Planning authorities are well aware of this and I am confident that many have the skills required to look after these buildings and, as a result, we can make the system more efficient."