Culture Secretary Hyslop urged to look into ‘ridiculous’ A listed status of Aberdeen high rises

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has been urged to review the decision to list eight Aberdeen high rises by a member of her own government after Historic Environment Scotland (HES) announced the multi-storeys would be awarded A listed status due to their ‘outstanding architectural and historic interest’.

[HES]… appear to have ignored the fact that people live in these blocks…

… listing only recognised special architectural or historical significance…. did not prevent development or alteration…

The Press and Journal writes:

It means the city centre blocks – Gilcomstoun Land, Porthill Court, Seamount Court, Virginia Court, Marischal Court, Thistle Court, Hutcheon Court and Greig Court – have the same importance as the likes of Marischal College and the Music Hall.

SNP Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart, who also the housing minister, has urged Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop to think about the residents who have had this imposed upon them.

In a letter he wrote: “Historic Environment Scotland appear to have ignored the fact that people live in these blocks and that the implications of A listed status will be severe in terms of restrictions on remedial and repair work.

“Beyond that, this decision will put at risk future energy efficiency
measures and district heating installations to the blocks.

“I recognise that Historic Environment Scotland are an independent body from the Scottish Government and so I know that your powers are limited in this regard, but I urge you to look into this matter and consider the impact this ridiculous decision will have upon people in Aberdeen who live in the buildings affected.”

Yesterday, Mr Stewart pushed to HES chief executive Alex Paterson to reconsider what he branded a “ludicrous and appalling” decision…

The heritage quango described the multi-storeys as “some of the finest examples of social housing in Scotland” and said they would be used to help tell the story of how the city emerged from the Second World War….

But civil servants said listing only recognised special architectural or historical significance of a site or structure and did not prevent development or alteration.

But last night, the Scottish Government made it clear there would be no intervention.

A spokeswoman said: “Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, independent of ministers.”

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