Managing Change in the Historic Environment
Our Managing Change guidance notes help you understand and apply national policy when changes are proposed in the historic environment.
What is Managing Change guidance?
Our Managing Change guidance notes support good decision making in the historic environment.
They set out the key things to think about when changes are proposed. This can include:
guidance on how to consider impacts on cultural significance
relevant national policy considerations
sources of more detailed information and technical guidance
What is Managing Change guidance for?
Managing Change guidance can help you to understand how a proposed change will impact the historic environment. They can be relevant for many different types of change:
changes to historic buildings - including energy efficiency and retrofitting works
works that affect other heritage assets, including scheduled monuments and historic battlefields
new developments that can affect the wider historic landscape, such as large-scale housing developments or wind farms
When should I use this guidance?
Managing Change guidance can inform decision making about changes. This will often be a formal process, like planning permission, listed building consent, or marine licensing. It can also be relevant for developing plans and strategies, and for decisions around funding.
What status does it have?
Managing Change guidance can have weight in any decision where the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS) is relevant. This can include decisions on land management, funding, plans and policies.
In the Scottish planning system, the Managing Change series forms part of national guidance on managing change in the historic environment. The National Planning Framework (NPF4) refers decision makers to this guidance, and it is a material consideration for relevant decisions.
More on NPF4 from the Scottish Government
We are working to make sure our Managing Change guidance aligns with current policy and national priorities – including responding to the climate and nature crises.
Where else can I get information and guidance?
You can stay up to date on guidance updates and be the first to know when draft guidance is open for consultation by signing up to our Lintel newsletter.
We also publish other guidance which you might find useful, including Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy Short Guides.
And as well as hosting the 30 Managing Change guidance documents, our publications database is full of technical advice and case studies, which show how some of the principles in our guidance can apply in real life situations.