HES seeks views on the shape of new conservation area guidance
HES is inviting BEFS Members and contacts to share their views on the scope and direction of new guidance for conservation area management, following the Scottish Government’s 2025 withdrawal of 46 planning publications – including two that BEFS Members raised particular concerns about.
In late 2025, the Scottish Government announced the withdrawal of 46 of their planning guidance publications. In their Planning and Architecture Publications Declutter statement, which explained the rationale behind the removal, they described these publications as “all dated national planning advice”.
After this announcement, BEFS gathered views from Members and Working Groups on the implications of this withdrawal. BEFS Members shared concerns about the withdrawal of two Planning Advice Notes (PANS) in particular: PAN 2011/2: Planning and Archaeology, and PAN 71: Conservation Area Management.
Following liaison with Historic Environment Scotland on this issue, BEFS was pleased to share in August 2026 that HES has agreed with the Scottish Government to work with relevant stakeholders to develop updated guidance on the subject areas covered by PAN 71 and PAN 2/2011. HES will use the withdrawal of these PANS as an opportunity to refresh guidance, so that it reflects recent policy changes and responds to relevant issues facing decision makers.
HES is now looking at providing guidance and advice on conservation area management following the withdrawal of PAN 71. To support this, HES is inviting BEFS Members and contacts to complete a live survey to help shape the future guidance. The survey is available now on the HES consultation portal – share your views before it closes on 31 October 2026.
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