Built Environment Forum Scotland provides secretariat support for the Places of Worship Forum (POWF). POWF represents faith groups as well as national bodies with an interest in the ownership, funding, sustainability, and the future of places of worship. The aim of the group is to collectively seek sustainable future uses and transition pathways (both within and beyond worship) for Places of Worship in Scotland.

Why are we talking about Ecclesiastical Exemption?
Ecclesiastical Exemption in Scotland is a legal provision under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Listed buildings whose primary use is as a place of worship will normally have exemption from the need for listed building consent. Historic Environment Scotland's Guidance on Ecclesiastical Exemption answers many frequently asked questions on this subject.

Ecclesiastical exemption is considered to end when the final closing service is held, or when no more services are scheduled. Local authorities administer listed building consents and are responsible for deciding whether consent is required.

Current context:
Change and adaptation is an important part of seeing these special buildings survive into the future.

The origins of this conversation about Ecclesiastical Exemption stem from the Places of Worship: Planning Forward conference back in October 2025, where discussions raised the changed context for places of worship since Ecclesiastical Exemption was put into place.

Questions were raised around how well Ecclesiastical Exemption is understood by owners and decision makers, and a desire for better signposting and guidance on grey areas, such as when it should end, and how it applies to places of worship used for multiple purposes.

As HES' Guidance notes : 'Many congregations wish to use their buildings in a more diverse way. This means that there are an increasing number of situations that the existing legislation did not anticipate and to which there are no straightforward answers.’

This survey has been created on behalf of POWF and aims to gather views and information to understand what is the most effective mechanism to enable protection and continued use of these buildings, within the planning system and consents process (ecclesiastical exception or otherwise), both in and outside of ecclesiastical use.

The survey is intended to gather all views - from congregations; denominations and faith groups; communities; heritage organisations; building managers; developers; architects; planners; businesses and more.

BEFS will be happy to accept more than one response from an individual with multiple roles or responsibilities in relation to Places of Worship/a specific Place of Worship.

Please feel free to share this survey with anyone that may want to participate.

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* 1. In what capacity are you responding to this survey?
(Please feel free to select more than one option)

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* 2. How familiar are you with Ecclesiastical Exemption from listed building consent?

1 Very unfamiliar 5 Very familiar
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. Are you aware of the existing Historic Environment Scotland guidance on Ecclesiastical Exemption?

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* 4. What is your understanding of the main purpose of Ecclesiastical Exemption?

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* 5. Do you consider that Ecclesiastical Exemption continues to fulfil this function?

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* 6. If your response is in relation to a specific Place of Worship, is your building currently primarily used for worship?

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* 7. Do you have a view on whether Ecclesiastical Exemption should be applied to places of worship of all denominations and faiths? If so, please let us know below.

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* 8. In relation to the current planning system, does Ecclesiastical Exemption add value?

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* 9. If you would like to explain your answer to question 8, please do so here (Optional)

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* 10. Is the heritage value of listed places of worship adequately protected in current decision-making?

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* 11. If you would like to explain your answer to question 10, please do so here (Optional)

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* 12. Please tell us about any experiences you have of Ecclesiastical Exemption being applied in any of the following: non-Christian places of worship; independent and/or evangelical places of worship.

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* 13. Are you aware of any cases where applicants to any local authorities have sought listed building consent for internal and/or external work for a listed place of worship? If so please share any details you are able to.

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* 14. Should Ecclesiastical Exemption be retained?

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* 15. If you selected 'Yes, but amended' please provide further details:

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* 16. Please share your views on any consequences that may emerge from changing or withdrawing Ecclesiastical Exemption policy.

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* 17. Do you have any other views or comments on Ecclesiastical Exemption that you would like to share?

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* 18. Responses to this survey will be anonymised.

Optional: If you would like to give BEFS the option to contact you to request further information or clarification on your response, you may provide your name and email address here.

Thank you for completing this survey. To enable as many views to be captured as possible, please feel free to share widely with your networks.

What next?
The Survey will close on 01 September 2026. BEFS Team will analyse the responses, with the findings forming the bases for recommended next steps.

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