Advice and Support

Living in a conservation area

Advice on conservation area consent and suitable materials and methods for repairs.

Conservation areas aim to preserve and enhance neighbourhoods of special architectural or historic interest. Trees and other features such as designed gardens are all protected. Permission for even minor works may be needed in a conservation area.  

Scotland currently has more than 600 conservation areas, which safeguard some of our most important historic places. Your planning authority can tell you if your property is in a conservation area.  

Conservation areas are used to protect: 

  • important groups of buildings 
  • open spaces 
  • planned towns and villages 
  • street patterns 
  • historic gardens 

Permission for works 

The planning authority will be able to advise you on any consents required for work you are planning.

Suitable materials and methods 

Work on traditionally constructed buildings should be carried out to a high standard, using traditional methods and materials. You should employ the services of a tradesperson or contractor with conservation experience, preferably in local building techniques and traditions 

You may be able to get funding towards the repair and maintenance of a listed building within a conservation area. Find out about Historic Environment Scotland grant schemes 

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