Written Question · S3W-00837 · Session 3
Whether it intends to direct Historic Scotland to approve the plans of Anta Estates Ltd relating to the restoration of Castle Tioram and, i…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to direct Historic Scotland to approve the plans of Anta Estates Ltd relating to the restoration of Castle Tioram and, if so, when.
The answer
At present there isno application for the restoration of Castle Tioram with Historic Scotland.
Any scheduled monumentconsent application would be assessed by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottishministers. As with all such applications, they will assess the case on its own meritstaking into account the relevant legislation, policy and best practice and willgive a provisional view to the applicants. If the applicants are not content withthis view, they can elect to have the case heard by an independent reporter at apublic local inquiry. The reporter’s report would then be sent to Scottishministers who will reach a final view without the further involvement of HistoricScotland.
The member may wishto know that an application for scheduled monument consent for the restoration ofCastle Tioram was refused in 2002 following a public local inquiry.
Following a detaileddiscussion of this case by their board, Historic Scotland wrote to the owners on 31 August 2006 setting out their general guidance. They included withtheir letter copies of the relevant board paper, board minute and the supportingmaterial in order that the owners could understand why they had reached their view.As there has been broader public interest in this case, they also placed copiesof this information on their website:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/castletioram.
They did nonethelessstress to the owners that this was pre-application guidance and they would considerany future application on its own merits.
The agency is keento ensure that this nationally important ancient monument does not deteriorate andthey have indicated a willingness to consider grant-aid for any urgent repairs andfor improving visitor interpretation without prejudice to the owner’s long-termaspirations.
More generally, Scottishministers are in the process of consulting with the public on a range of strategicpolicies for the historic environment. As part of this process, in March 2007 HistoricScotland released their consultation document on Scottish ministers’ policies forScheduled Monument Consent www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/currentconsultationsseeking responses by 22 June 2007.
Any scheduled monumentconsent application would be assessed by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottishministers. As with all such applications, they will assess the case on its own meritstaking into account the relevant legislation, policy and best practice and willgive a provisional view to the applicants. If the applicants are not content withthis view, they can elect to have the case heard by an independent reporter at apublic local inquiry. The reporter’s report would then be sent to Scottishministers who will reach a final view without the further involvement of HistoricScotland.
The member may wishto know that an application for scheduled monument consent for the restoration ofCastle Tioram was refused in 2002 following a public local inquiry.
Following a detaileddiscussion of this case by their board, Historic Scotland wrote to the owners on 31 August 2006 setting out their general guidance. They included withtheir letter copies of the relevant board paper, board minute and the supportingmaterial in order that the owners could understand why they had reached their view.As there has been broader public interest in this case, they also placed copiesof this information on their website:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/castletioram.
They did nonethelessstress to the owners that this was pre-application guidance and they would considerany future application on its own merits.
The agency is keento ensure that this nationally important ancient monument does not deteriorate andthey have indicated a willingness to consider grant-aid for any urgent repairs andfor improving visitor interpretation without prejudice to the owner’s long-termaspirations.
More generally, Scottishministers are in the process of consulting with the public on a range of strategicpolicies for the historic environment. As part of this process, in March 2007 HistoricScotland released their consultation document on Scottish ministers’ policies forScheduled Monument Consent www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/currentconsultationsseeking responses by 22 June 2007.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-00837 by reference.