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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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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image for illustration: Belfast, Photo via IHBC
The IHBC is delighted to host a stall at the Heritage Network Conference 2026, on 28 September, with Branch and National Office leads attending, so if you are there be sure drop by, and remember to encourage your colleagues and friends to come along too!
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IHBC members and networks should note that our Marsh Award Nominations – for Community Contribution (Retired Member) and Successful Learning… – will now open at the end of September each year, and close in December, so watch out for more details, and do start planning your nominations with our easy-use form, coming soon.
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 Scottish Government has issued guidance that provides a ‘technical insight into the conversion of Scotland’s traditional buildings, balancing building regulation compliance with conservation’ and ‘promotes a holistic, risk-based approach to technical compliance in the performance of traditional buildings.’
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 IHBC welcoming COTAC’s new ‘Developing Personal Competences’ guidance.
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image: Neville Hall, Newcastle by Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet has agreed a recommendation to take ownership of Neville Hall, formerly the North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers.
Continue readingA company that let a historic Tunstall building fall into disrepair has been ordered to pay more than £8,000, reports the City of Stoke -on-Trent Council.
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image for illustration: King’s Lynn Custom House, DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Conservation work to sensitively restore and revive King’s Lynn Custom House – considered one of England’s most perfect classical buildings and an icon of the town – is starting soon, reports the local Borough Council.
Continue readingNew Government measures to clampdown on cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs to help ease cost of living
Continue readingWorld Heritage UK has issued its regular annual review capturing highlights from across the UK’s World Heritage sector, including significant national highlights.
Continue readingHistoric Environment Scotland(HES) has published its ‘Skills Investment plan for Scotland’s Historic Environment: Two Year Report’.
Continue readingimage 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.
Continue readingThe IHBC’s new ‘Branch Committee Bulletin’ has been issued, updating our Branch committees on strategic developments and current priorities, while if you want to find out more just check the NewsBlogs or contact your Branch Officers or the IHBC’s National Office.
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image for illustration: Belfast, Photo via IHBC
The IHBC is delighted to host a stall at the Heritage Network Conference 2026, on 28 September, with Branch and National Office leads attending, so if you are there be sure drop by, and remember to encourage your colleagues and friends to come along too!
IHBC Services and Support Executive Officer, and Branch Link, Sarah Homer will be there and said: ‘I am really looking forward to working with our wonderful Northern Ireland Branch Colleagues to host our stand at this sector leading conference.’
‘It will be a pleasure to have the rare opportunity meet such a wide range of delegates and to make new connections.’
‘The conference is focussing on the impact of community-led heritage on people and places, which is really important for the IHBC – and was an important theme in our case for a Charter – so please do spread the word, and if you are able to attend, drop by for an informal and friendly chat.’
‘We would love to make the most of this opportunity to hear about and share your thoughts and experiences.’
Architect Alina Holyst, Deputy Chair of IHBC’s Northern Ireland Branch said: ‘We’re delighted that the Heritage Network event is coming to Northern Ireland this year! Having such a fantastic gathering right on our doorstep is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our rich heritage, strengthen connections and create new opportunities for collaboration.’
‘The IHBC Northern Ireland Branch is very pleased to be involved, and we’re looking forward to welcoming colleagues from across the heritage sector to Belfast and Armagh.’
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!
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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 readingThe Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has partnered with the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) on a new publication about tackling damp and mould in England’s housing sector.
Continue readingThe 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 an England Council for and Architect/Design Team for transforming a Grade II listed Town Hall, to 09/10/2026.
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Continue readingUK Parliament’s Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Committee is launching new inquiries on Business and energy and delivering Warm and comfortable homes across the UK.
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image: (c) Fiona Newton, IHBC
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund to support eligible listed places of worship across Scotland by helping them recover VAT costs associated with repair works, expected to open for applications in Autumn 2026.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) writes:
Historic places of worship form an important part of Scotland’s historic environment. As well as places of worship, many also serve as community spaces, local landmarks, visitor destinations and venues for a wide range of activities and services. The pilot scheme has been developed in response to the closure of the previous UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which helped eligible listed places of worship reclaim VAT costs on repair and conservation projects. The Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund will operate as a standalone scheme until the end of March 2027, with up to £1 million made available through the existing HES Grants budget. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. The pilot will help assess demand for the scheme in Scotland and provide evidence to inform any potential future funding arrangements.
Katerina Brown, Chief Executive Officer at HES, said: ‘Scotland’s historic places of worship are an important part of our shared heritage. They contribute significantly to the character of towns, villages and cities across the country, and many continue to play a central role within their local communities. The Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund pilot will help organisations caring for listed places of worship undertake essential repair and conservation work by offsetting eligible VAT costs. By supporting early intervention and ongoing maintenance, the Fund will help protect historic buildings, sustain traditional skills and support the long-term resilience of significant heritage assets across Scotland. This is a pilot scheme for 2026/27. The experience and evidence gathered through the pilot will help inform discussions on any potential future delivery arrangements.’
Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan said:
‘Historic places of worship are religious centres, landmarks and important community hubs, offering meeting places for local groups and a lifeline to those in need. This new fund will help care for these important buildings and keep them at the heart of community life, since VAT charges on essential repair work can act as a barrier to investment in historic buildings. It shows our ongoing commitment to Scotland’s cultural heritage, and I am glad we have been able to work with Historic Environment Scotland to plug the gap left by the UK Government’s withdrawal of this vital support.’
Susan O’Connor, Head of Grants at HES, said: ‘We are delighted to provide an opportunity for listed places of worship to reduce some of the financial pressures associated with caring for historic buildings that are often at the heart of their communities. Many organisations eligible for the Scotland’s Places of Worship Fund may also be able to access support through our Historic Environment Grants Programme, and we encourage anyone planning repair and conservation work to explore the support available through HES. We look forward to consulting with representatives from places of worship across Scotland in the coming weeks to help shape a Fund that supports the care of these important historic buildings and responds to the needs of the diverse communities that use, value and maintain them.’
HES will review the outcomes of the pilot at the end of the funding period with the Scottish Government and any decisions on future support will be considered separately, following that review. The new fund will be open to eligible listed places of worship from all faiths and denominations across Scotland. Guidance and application information are being developed in consultation with faith groups and sector stakeholders before launch. More information on eligibility, application requirements and opening dates will be published on the HES website ahead of the launch of the scheme at the start of October 2026.
Research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) shows that 9 in 10 local authority planning departments across England and Wales are understaffed, delaying planning decisions and threatening the Government’s target of 1.5 million new homes.
Continue readingA government consultation on ‘Planning powers for mayors in England’ seeks to gather views on implementation of planning powers for mayors of strategic authorities.
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image: Temple of Vaccina, Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A new report from Historic Houses looks at how Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register?(HARR) can be used.
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