Planning Committee
27th April 2010
Agenda Item No. 9
BUILT HERITAGE UPDATE REPORT
Report by: Keith Winter, Head of Development Services
Wards Affected: All Wards
Purpose
To update and inform members of the progress of Built Heritage projects being implemented
and pursued across Fife.
Recommendation(s)
It is recommended that Committee:
 Endorse the contents of this report.
Resource Implications
There are no resource implications relating to this update report. There are restrictions on
the implementation of future initiatives and projects due to financial limitations. There are
also implications in terms of staff resources as a result of a potentially increased workload
stemming from the delegation of casework from Historic Scotland to Fife Council through the
joint working agreement currently under discussion.
Legal & Risk Implications
There are no legal or risk implications relating to this update report.
Policy & Impact Assessment
The national planning policy framework for protection of the historic environment is set out in
Scottish Planning Policy (Historic Environment) which states that ‘the historic environment is
a key part of Scotland’s cultural heritage and it enhances national, regional and local
distinctiveness, contributing to sustainable economic growth and regeneration. It is of
particular importance for supporting the growth of tourism and leisure, and contributes to
sustainable development through the energy and material invested in buildings, the scope
for adaptation and reuse and the unique quality of historic environments which provide a
sense of identity and continuity for communities’.
Consultation
The projects and initiatives referred to in this update report have been widely consulted on
through previous committee reports, press releases, publications and exhibitions relating
specifically to these projects and initiatives.
1.0 Background
1.1
Over the past 10 years over £11m has been invested in Fife’s built heritage by public
and charitable bodies. With the approval of the Dysart Townscape Heritage Initiative
(THI) in January 2009 and the Kirkcaldy Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme
(CARS) in April 2009 this investment is set to exceed £23m by 2015. In November
2009 a fifth THI bid was submitted by Development Services in partnership with Fife
Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) to the Heritage Lottery Memorial (HLF) fund for
Anstruther. At the time of preparing this report this bid was pending decision following
the outcome of the UK wide HLF board meeting in London on April 20th.
1.2
From small historic building grants to major initiatives in Kirkcaldy, West Wemyss,
Kinghorn, Burntisland, Dunfermline and most recently Dysart the aim has been to
regenerate communities and revitalize some of the most historic areas of Fife. The
focus has always been on securing an excellent quality of physical and social
environment.
1.3
Development Services has run the Townscape Scheme in partnership with Historic
Scotland for many years. Presently £20,000/yr of match funding is allocated towards
this annually reviewed small grants scheme, the maximum grant available is £6,000.
Between 10 and 20 grants are awarded annually to private property owners within 10
designated conservation areas, including Auchtermuchty and Newburgh, Cupar and
the East Neuk villages through the United Burghs Townscheme.
1.4
In addition to the projects and initiatives outlined above the Built Heritage Section of
the Physical Regeneration, Environment and Projects (PREP) Team have also been
preparing and carrying out consultation on Conservation Area Appraisals and
Management Plans for the 48 conservation areas across Fife, working to an agreed
programme which since 2007 has successfully delivered 19 Appraisals. Since 2008
customer guidelines have also been produced by the section for Windows in Listed
Building and Conservation Areas, Shopfront Design Guidelines, Conservation Areas
and Painting the Exterior of Listed Buildings. This programme is ongoing.
1.5
The main aim of the joint working agreement between Fife Council and Historic
Scotland is to clarify the various roles and responsibilities of both and to streamline
the current processes for dealing with statutory casework and consultations. The
agreement will also remove the duty to notify Scottish Ministers on certain types of
listed building casework, specifically the removal of the duty of planning authorities to
notify Scottish Ministers on A and B listed building consent applications, currently only
in place for category C(S) buildings. Any scheme which removed the duty to notify
Scottish Ministers would be subject to Fife Council being a signatory to the joint
working agreement and having adequate resources and processes in place to deal
with the casework. The resource implications resulting from taking up the option for
additional delegated responsibilities are currently under discussion with Historic
Scotland. A position is expected to be reached by the end of the calendar year.
1.6
An outline of all major heritage led regeneration initiatives delivered in partnership
with FHBT and others over the past few years, built heritage projects currently
underway and key publications and documents produced by the PREP team are
outlined in the “Development Services Built Heritage Review 2000-2010” which is
appended.
2.0 Issues & Options
2.1
Fife contains over 10% of all of the listed buildings in Scotland in addition to 48
conservation areas which recognise the importance of these buildings and the unique
townscapes where many are situated. To do nothing to educate the public or
enhance the quality of these unique assets would be detrimental to the quality of
Fife’s unique townscapes and heritage assets in the short term. In the longer term it
would most certainly lead to the complete loss of many irreplaceable assets to future
generations.
2.2
The minimum approach to dealing with Fife’s heritage assets is to provide information
and guidance to the general public. By producing guidance notes and Conservation
Area Appraisals and Management Plans we can set out clear policy guidance and
best practice for people residing in listed buildings or conservation areas.
2.3
By continuing to produce guidance notes, conservation area appraisals and
management plans in addition to continuing to pursue grant funding to help facilitate
the implementation of heritage led regeneration initiatives throughout Fife we can;
 lead by example
 continue to enhance and add value to one of Fife’s greatest physical assets
 create regeneration, employment and educational opportunities
 save many of our most threatened townscapes and historic buildings for future
generations.
3.0 Conclusions
3.1
A significant number of important historic buildings have been saved and brought
back into use as affordable housing, offices or for commercial or community use,
public realm enhancements have been carried out, specialist training opportunities
provided through the delivery of heritage led regeneration initiatives in Fife over the
past ten years. This progress is set to continue with the implementation of ongoing
heritage led regeneration schemes in Dunfermline, Dysart and Kirkcaldy.
3.2
The long term protection and a better understanding of Fife’s irreplaceable, rich and
diverse historic environment is being provided by the ongoing delivery of
Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans for all 48 Conservation Areas
in addition to the production of built heritage related customer guidance.
3.3
The production of customer guidelines and conservation area appraisals and the
implementation of future projects will be restricted as a result of financial constraints.
Further constrains on staff time may arise as a result of the joint working agreement
currently under negotiation with Historic Scotland.
List of Appendices

Development Services Built Heritage Review 2000-2010
Background Papers
The following papers were relied on in the preparation of this report in terms of the Local
Government (Scotland) Act, 1973:

Scottish Planning Policy
Report Contact
Tina Lubin
Planner (Built Heritage)
Town House, Kirkcaldy
Telephone: 08451 55 55 55 47 37 42
Email – tina.lubin@fife.gov.uk