Cat A/B/C · LBC Paperwork Handled · From Quoted per project
Listed buildings in Edinburgh (Cat A, B and C) need Listed Building Consent for any external window alteration, including like-for-like timber replacement. Heatscape's heritage joiners handle Cat A, B and C listed properties across the city — Georgian New Town, Old Town High Street, Victorian villas in Merchiston and The Grange, arts-and-crafts cottages in Colinton — with full LBC paperwork, heritage statements and approved methodologies.
Scotland has three listing grades. Cat A buildings (about 8% of listings) are of national or international importance — Edinburgh has hundreds, including most of the New Town and Old Town. Cat B (about 50%) are of regional importance. Cat C (the rest) are of local importance. The legal protection is identical across all three grades: any external alteration needs Listed Building Consent from the City of Edinburgh Council, granted by the planning department after a 12-week public consultation.
External alterations: window replacement (even like-for-like timber), slim-line double glazing, paint colour change, profile change, addition of vents or trickle vents, removal or addition of astragals, cill replacement. Internal alterations to listed features: original shutters, panelling, sash hardware. Anything that's not maintenance. What doesn't need consent: sash cord renewal, brush-pile draught-proofing, re-glazing in matching glass, re-painting in the existing colour with a like-for-like paint system.
We complete the Listed Building Consent application as part of every listed-property project. The application bundle includes: heritage statement (history of the property and the proposed change), photographic survey (existing condition of every affected window), method statement (how we'll execute the work), drawings to scale (existing and proposed), and proof of competence (CV of the lead heritage joiner). Submission to the council is electronic; decision in 12 weeks unless the council calls for public consultation, which adds 4–6 weeks.
The council planners have a recognised list of approved methodologies for listed-building window work: like-for-like timber repair with scarfed-in matched-grain softwood splices, sash cord renewal in waxed cotton (or 8mm braided polyester with planner's discretion), Histoglass or restoration-grade Slimlite slim-line double glazing with hand-blown outer pane on principal elevations, breathable linseed-oil paint (Allbäck, Holkham), traditional putty pointing (linseed putty, no acrylic-modified putty). Anything outside this list needs case-by-case justification.
Restoration of Georgian 6-over-6 sash and case windows in New Town townhouses (Heriot Row, Moray Place, Ainslie Place). Slim-line double glazing retrofit in Victorian villas in The Grange and Merchiston with planner approval. Like-for-like timber casement replacement in Colinton and Cramond. Full restoration of Old Town tenement sashes on the Royal Mile, Cowgate and Grassmarket. Heritage shutter restoration and re-instatement.
Listed Building Consent paperwork is £750 per application (included in any project over £4,000). Project lead time is typically 16–20 weeks from contract signing: 12 weeks for LBC, 3–4 weeks for manufacture, 1–2 weeks for install. We give you a fixed price after the survey and the LBC route is clear; project pricing is per listed building, with no day-rate work. 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Door is solid, locks beautifully, and matched the listed-building colour the council insisted on. Faultless fitting.
Hugh M., Newington EH9 — Composite door + side panel · 5/5 ·
Listed-building paperwork sorted for us, original sashes saved, and the front room is no longer a wind tunnel. Brilliant from quote to completion.
James & Catriona R., Stockbridge EH3 — Sash & case restoration + secondary glazing · 5/5 ·