The IHBC is has opened nominations for the next IHBC-MARSH Awards, under its new schedule, from 30 September to 15 December for 2026, offering awards that celebrate ‘Learning in Heritage Skills’ and ‘Community Contributions by Retired members’.
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David McDonald OBE, IHBC Chair, and IHBC President Rebecca Thompson, have written to members and prospective members asking for input to the consultation around our next Corporate Plan, for 2026-30, (‘CP30’), with responses sought by 30 October 2026.
IHBC Members: If you have not received your email on the consultation contact Lydia at admin@ihbc.org.uk with your membership number
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image for illustration: Chris CC BY-SA 2.0 vis Wikimedia Commons
A recent IHBC online discussion covered the wide-ranging implications for conservation in England’s new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), complement a raised profile as IHBC Chair, David McDonald OBE, fronts some early thoughts picked up by Planning Resource.
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The IHBC’s 2026 Yearbook is our network’s essential sector guide, reference and review for 2026-27, complementing our 2026 Newcastle School, with IHBC updates and a foreword by Jan Bessell FRTPI, 2026 RTPI President, who supports ‘conservation planning’ as ‘… a creative, collaborative and cohesive force for good in the public interest’.
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Cathedrals Workshop Fellowship has issued new research showing how ‘England’s cathedrals do not simply contain heritage craft… They sustain it.’
Continue readingThe National Trust Annual Report offers ‘some of the successes we couldn’t have achieved without your help.’
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The IHBC’s heritage business register HESPR – our Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition quality assurance service – sends members exclusive ‘News and Tender Alerts’, with the Director’s top taster for NewsBlog readers this week a call by national body and estate holder establishing a joint Framework Agreement for services, to 22/10 and valued £4M.
Continue readingMayors and local leaders will be given new powers with a levy on overnight stays as part of a devolution drive to shift power out of Westminster, reports Government UK.
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image: Brownfield near Leeds, PastekLeodensian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
New research from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) shows that there is now enough brownfield land in England for more than 1.54 million new homes, enough to exceed the government’s entire 1.5 million target.
Continue readingParliament’s Environmental Audit Committee is inviting evidence on a range of topics linked to Climate Adaptation’, to 21 October.
Continue readingConstruction Industry Council(CIC) is urging government to work with the built environment professions to build competence and ensure the regulatory vision is both proportionate and dynamic enough to succeed.
Continue readingThe number of young people joining the National Trust has soared for a second consecutive year, according to the charity’s annual report, released today.
Continue readingThe National Federation of Builders (NFB) has announced it is launching a new National Heritage Skills Forum aimed at providing leadership and co-ordination of heritage skills development on a national stage.
Continue readingEuropa Nostra is calling for nominations of endangered heritage to the next edition of its ‘7 Most Endangered Programme’, closing 23 October 2026.
Continue readingThe IHBC’s 2026 Yearbook is out, our essential sector guide, reference and review for 2026-27, with features showcasing our 2026 Newcastle School theme and IHBC officers’ updates that include a ‘Welcome’ from Rebecca Thompson that ‘highlights a year that is transformational for IHBC’.
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Save the date and register for the ‘RICHeS Access Fund Second Call’, opening 14/09, with Applicant Webinar, 21 October & further information and next steps (guidance being refreshed).
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image: Worcester Cathedral interior by Steve McLeish for IHBC Annual School 2016
This IHBC and our West Midlands Branch will join the next West Midlands Heritage Trust (WMHT) Careers Fair, which will come to Worcester Cathedral on 21 October 2026.
Continue readingIf you are no longer interested in holding on to your hardcopy Context don’t let it go to waste: ‘Help The Conservation Professional’ and pass it on to a friend or colleague, and help us all spread the word about the great benefits offered by the IHBC and our members!
Continue readingThe third symposium hosted by The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain (SAHGB) in memory of Mark Girouard looks at women’s contributions to architectural history in Britain and Ireland, with sponsors that include the IHBC, will take place on 14 November 2026.
Continue readingThe Kings Foundation has published a new report entitled ‘Balancing Harm and Benefit: A decision-making framework for heritage applications’.
Continue readingRunning between 2022 and 2025, ‘Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities’ was a three-year programme that aimed to reduce the threat to At Risk theatres and strengthen the theatre sector’s resilience following a difficult few years due to the pandemic.
Continue readingIHBC’s heritage business register HESPR – our Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition quality assurance scheme for heritage services – emails members weekly ‘News and Tender Alerts’, and this week features the Architects’ Journal (AJ) on Glasgow City Council’s (CC) Albert Cross Design Contest.
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image: Drkirstyross, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The historic Whyte Melville Memorial Fountain has officially returned to operation in the heart of St Andrews following the completion of a major restoration project funded by the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation and project-managed by Fife Council.
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image for illustration: Leslie Arms, Croydon Eagleash, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Between 2000 and 2025, the owner of the Grade II-listed Leslie Arms on Lower Addiscombe Road submitted 24 planning applications, in part because of Listed Building requirements, reports Inside Croydon.
Continue readingThe Society for the Environment (SocEnv) has set out its Strategy to 2045 – including our refreshed vision, mission, values and strategic pillars Recognition, Influence and Growth.
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