Certificate of Intention Not to List

This guidance provides information about the Certificate of Intention Not to List (COINTL), how to apply for it and why it is granted.

A Certificate is a legal guarantee that the building or buildings named in it will not be legally listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest during the five years from the date on which the Certificate is granted.

If a Certificate is granted a planning authority cannot serve a Building Preservation Notice (BPN) on the property in question during this period. A BPN is a form of temporary listing served by a planning authority under Section 3 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1997.

A COINTL provides certainty for owners and developers considering works to buildings. The principle of the COINTL process is to consider whether a building is of special architectural or historic interest at an early stage of development proposals.

Anyone can apply whether or not they own the building.

Applications are made using our online form.

The application should be supported by as much information as possible, including photographs. Anyone submitting an application to us for a Certificate must at the same time let the planning authority know about the application.

A COINTL application is processed in the same way as an application for listing.

Find out more about this process

Applications are assessed using the listing selection guidance set out in our Designation Policy and Selection Guidance. Normally, an external and internal inspection of the building will be made. We may review a wider area than that proposed for a COINTL in order to have full understanding of the building or site.

We aim to reach a view on whether a building is eligible for a Certificate within 12 weeks of receipt of the application depending on the scale of the site and the building type. If a building is thought to meet the criteria for listing we will normally consult with the owner, occupier and tenant, and the planning authority before reaching a final decision. The consultation period is usually 21 days.

Further information about how we assess sites and places can be found in our Designation Policy and Selection Guidance.

Read this guidance online

If we are satisfied that the building is not of special architectural or historic interest, a Certificate is normally granted.

A Certificate takes the form of a letter to the applicant and the owner, occupier and tenant from Historic Environment Scotland. We also notify the planning authority. Once granted, COINTLs are published on this webpage and will be removed upon expiry after five years.

If a COINTL is not granted, then a building may be listed. If a building becomes listed as part of the COINTL process, the applicant must seek listed building consent from the planning authority for its demolition or for its alteration or extension in any manner which would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.

If we have previously considered listing the building and decided not to list, it should not be assumed that a COINTL will be granted, even if the decision was recent.

In some circumstances where we find the building to meet the listing criteria, we may not proceed to list the building. This is usually when there are development proposals that are at an advanced stage. We will normally publish a report of handling and a listing assessment to explain our decision.

Buildings forming part of the curtilage of an existing listed building cannot be given a COINTL. However, we can review existing listings to assess if any curtilage buildings should be specifically excluded.

A COINTL does not prevent other designations taking place, such as conservation areas which are designated by planning authorities. As such, consent will still be required for demolition if the building is in a conservation area.

Certificates do not prevent the designation of a scheduled monument.

In addition, buildings may be included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes and the Inventory of Historic Battlefields.

No. We do not issue reminders that a COINTL is about to expire. You can apply for a further Certificate before it expires. Any application will be subject to the same procedure as a new application. It cannot be assumed that a Certificate will be granted automatically as the circumstances may have changed since the granting of the original Certificate, particularly if new evidence about the building has come to light.

A COINTL relates to the building(s) and not an owner, therefore a change of ownership does not alter the terms of the Certificate. The existence of a Certificate and its expiry date should be included in the information relating to development proposals and for prospective purchasers of land.

No. There is no statutory right of appeal against a decision to grant or not to grant a COINTL. However, there is a statutory right of appeal against a listing decision.

The following COINTLs have been issued:

Lowood House, Melrose

Address: Lowood House, Melrose, Scottish Borders, TD6 9BJ
Issue Date: 21 July 2025
Expiry Date: 20 July 2030

St Fergus, RC Church, Paisley

Address: St Fergus, RC Church, 35 Blackstoun Road, Ferguslie Park, Paisley, Renfrewshire G2 3EE
Issued Date: 18 Sept 2024
Expiry Date: 17 Sept 2029

Former Marks and Spencer building, Glasgow

Address: Former Marks and Spencer building, 164-184 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EE
Issued Date: 02 March 2023
Expiry Date: 01 March 2028

Cumbernauld Town Centre

Address: Cumbernauld Town Centre, Tay Walk, Cumbernauld, Glasgow G67 1BU
Issue Date: 30 November 2022
Expiry Date: 29 November 2027

131-133 Minerva Street, Glasgow

Address: 131-133 Minerva Street, Finnieston, Glasgow, G3 8LE
Issue Date: 27 October 2022
Expiry Date: 26 October 2027

Royal Victoria Hospital Site, Dundee

Address: Buildings at Royal Victoria Hospital Site, Jedburgh Road, Dundee DD2 1SP
Issue Date: 7 April 2022
Expiry Date: 6 April 2027

For more information about a COINTL you can contact our Designations team:

Telephone: 0131 668 8914
Email: designations@hes.scot