Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published a review of the Buildings at Risk Register (BARR), the register of historic buildings at risk in Scotland which is currently maintained by HES.
HES engaged Harlow Consultancy to conduct a review of the BARR, with an emphasis on evaluating its effectiveness in facilitating the reoccupation of buildings with the aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the programme’s sustainability.
The findings of the report indicate a lack of substantial evidence to support the claim that the BARR significantly contributes to the repurposing of buildings. Consequently, HES has decided to suspend the BARR while exploring long-term strategies for its future.
Elizabeth McCrone, Director of Heritage at HES, said: “We commissioned this review of the BARR as we recognise the important role HES has to play in helping to bring buildings back in to use, and we want explore how we can do this in a way that has the most positive impact.”
“We remain committed to proactively supporting the long-term sustainable reuse of buildings that are vacant, neglected, or at risk of demolition. Pausing the BARR will allow us to look at alternative ways we can do this more effectively.”
“As we consider the future of the BARR, we will continue the conversation with key stakeholders to see if there are alternative solutions that harness the potential of historic buildings not currently in use and deliver benefit to communities across Scotland.”
The BARR was established in 1990 due to growing concerns regarding the increasing number of vacant and deteriorating listed buildings and those located in Conservation Areas. Initially developed by the Scottish Civic Trust with financial support from Historic Scotland, the Register aimed to connect potential restorers with owners unable to address the issues themselves, fostering constructive dialogue that could lead to the revitalization of these structures.
From 2011 to 2015, the management of BARR was overseen by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), and since 2015, it has been under the stewardship of HES. The Register serves as a resource for information on properties of architectural or historical significance that are deemed at risk. As of January 2024, there are 2,219 buildings listed on the BARR.
HES has stated that the existing BARR website will remain accessible as a resource, however it will not be updated with new information.
You can view the Buildings at Risk Register Review here.
