Further to answer to question S1W-31034 by Dr Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002, what factors Historic Scotland takes into consideration whe…

I have asked Graeme Munro, Director and Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to reply. His response is as follows:Most listed buildings already have a contemporary use and listed building consent is the process by which necessary changes to allow on-going use are managed. The process is managed primarily by local authorities, with advice as requested, from Historic Scotland. Difficulties arise when listed buildings go out of use. In such circumstances the Scottish ministers' Memorandum of Guidance on Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas encourages local authorities to display the greatest possible flexibility in considering alterations necessary to ensure a continuing future in a new use. This includes conversion to contemporary domestic use. In the case of a scheduled monument it is usually expected that the monument will be conserved in the state in which it is found. Restoration for whatever use, be it domestic, commercial or interpretative is a major departure from this. In assessing any such major intervention, consideration is given to the impact of the proposals on those aspects of the monument which lend it significance. A monument may be so outstandingly important for the evidence it embodies that nothing should be done which might compromise the integrity of that evidence. A monument may also be a significant source of artistic or literary inspiration, or may have particular resonances at a national or local level in its ruined state. The production of a Conservation Plan should identify those aspects of a particular monument's significance which should be safeguarded. Restoration, for whatever function, is considered acceptable in cases where such an action is compatible with this significance.