More details on IHBC’s next Virtual Council… on ‘Conservation Officers & Services’, from COGs and careers to retrofit, resources, recruitment & more, 8 April, 4.30pm

IHBC members are invited to our next online Council on 8 April, on conservation in local government, opening our response to the 3rd Commitment in our Parliamentary Briefing, and offering a ‘scattergun’ of topics, from Conservation Officer Groups (COGs) and career support to data resources, recruitment strategies and more.

Open to IHBC members only (all categories)
Members: see your invite for the registration link.
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#IHBCNewcastle2026 School Bursary Awards close early as cases are ‘persuasively argued and well-structured’, and with hopes for allocation uplift for 2027

The IHBC has closed its UK-wide bursary call for our 2026 Annual School – #IHBCNewcastle2026 – with ‘submissions… persuasively argued and well-structured’ securing all allocated funds earlier than anticipated, though Branch bursaries may still be available.

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LAST CHANCE FOR IHBC’s MARSH Awards: Nominate to celebrate ‘Successful Learning…’ AND/OR ‘Community Contribution…’ (Ret IHBC) – with our easy-fill form open to 31/03

Know any emerging practitioners who’ve shown accomplishment in learning new conservation trades or skills, AND/OR Retired conservation professionals giving back to their local communities: Nominate them NOW for an IHBC-MARSH Award to celebrate their contributions!

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Don’t need your paper Context? Do everyone a favour and pass it on, ‘Spreading the Word’ to help the Conservation Professional!

If 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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IHBC’s ‘Professional’ CPD Signpost: The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), v.1 & consultation

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) is a voluntary standard, derived from ‘an unprecedented collaborative effort’, that is applicable to new build, existing buildings and retrofits, with a version 1 consultation now out.

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IHBC’s ‘Professional’ CPD Signpost: DB on ‘The New Plan Making System’

Designing Buildings (DB) has issued an update on the ‘New Plan Making System’

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IHBC Director’s pick from HESPR’s £4.2Mn costed works: Historic city seeks plan-maker to 08/05 & £2.2M

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 tender taster for NewsBlog readers this week a call by an historic city for a plan covering priority areas, development and public realm investment etc, to 08/05/2026 & £2.2Mn.

SEE MORE ON HESPR

JOIN HESPR, FROM £145PA (TO 2 EMPLOYEES)

Download sample weekly alert

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Lock-side Pill Boxes transformed to create new homes for bats

The Canal & River Trust has given World War II pill boxes on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire a new lease of life as homes for bats.

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SCT’s Manifesto for Scotland’s Places: ‘Protect What Matters’

The Scottish Civic Trust has issued a new ‘Manifesto for Scotland’s Places, to ‘Protect What Matters’.

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CPRE responds to Land Use Framework publication

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has responded to the publication of the government’s Land Use Framework, welcoming its ambition while urging stronger safeguards to ensure the countryside is protected as competing demands on land intensify.

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: Historic Montreal church destroyed by fire… flames spread…

A fire tore through a historic former church in southwestern Montreal early Monday morning, with the flames spreading to the old rectory, which had been converted to a seniors residence, reports The Canadian Press News.

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IHBC’s 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners and prizes announced: Jack Parker (Oxford Brookes) receives top Award with £500, and Booth-Bird award to Andrew Pettifor (Birmingham City University), both winning Newcastle School places

The winner of the IHBC Gus Astley Student Awards for 2025 has been selected by guest judge, IHBC’s Vice President Torsten Haak, as Jack Parker, (Oxford Brookes) for work on ‘Hewing’, while the IHBC’s Booth-Bird award winner is Andrew Pettifor (Birmingham City University), as both secure places at our 2026 Newcastle School alongside cash prizes.

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UPDATE: IHBC Presidential ‘Member only’ Invitation to ‘Virtual’ Council, 8 April 2026, from 4.30pm – Scoping conservation topics in local government, with COGS, Data, Training, & more

IHBC members are invited to our next online Council on 8 April when we start investigating conservation in local government’ –the 3rd Commitment in our Parliamentary Briefing  – offering a ‘scattergun’ of topics, from Conservation Officer Groups (COGs) and employment data to career support and more.

To suggest content or contribute to our ongoing Council discussions,
please lodge suggestions, queries or concerns by completing the form HERE

NB: Not all matters or suggestions will be raised at any single Council

Council is open to IHBC members only (all categories)

MEMBERS: See your next or last invitation to Council for
booking links & minutes

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IHBC MARSH Awards: Nominate to celebrate ‘Successful Learning…’ AND/OR ‘Community Contribution…’ (Ret IHBC) – with our easy-fill form open to 31/03

Know any emerging practitioners who’ve shown accomplishment in learning new conservation trades or skills, AND/OR Retired conservation professionals giving back to their local communities: Nominate them NOW for an IHBC-MARSH Award to celebrate their contributions!

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IHBC is planning for growth, so grow with us by volunteering, with our Committees, Boards and Branches, or Panels, Groups and more as suits – just let us know!

The IHBC has recently secured permission to seek a Charter while delivery of our 5 Parliamentary Commitments is under way and Branch Consultants are in place, and much more too, so we’re now calling for volunteers to help, and grow your skills with us!

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IHBC’s ‘Management’ Signpost: City of London future skyline ‘showcases strong investor confidence and growth momentum’ ahead…

City of London Corporation has highlighted the strength of development pipeline in the Square Mile with new skyline imagery to promote London’s competitiveness.

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Wiltshire homeowners can’t install solar panels on roof of ‘church and high-quality landmark, even on appeal

The owners of a converted Wiltshire church have been told they cannot have solar panels on their home, reports The Gazette and Herald.

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Government’s ‘Roadmap of resources and support’ for a new local plan-making system

Government UK has issued a new ‘roadmap’ to ‘set out when guidance, tools and funding will become available to support you in creating your new local plan’.

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HE launches guide to ‘Developing Creative Industry Hubs’

Historic England has launched ‘Heritage Works for Creative Businesses’, a new publication which will help developers to transform empty and underused historic buildings into thriving creative industry hubs.

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From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World – Heritage Alliance Insight Report

‘From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World’ explores the significant contribution the UK’s heritage sector makes to international partnership, cultural diplomacy and global collaboration.

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Heritage Sector Resilience Plan 2025-35 (HSRP2)

England’s Heritage Sector Resilience Plan is intended to provide a clear roadmap for partnership working to deliver a robust and resilient heritage sector.

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Pilgrim Trust & partners: Collaborative funding programme tackles conservation skills shortages

A group of funders, including The Pilgrim Trust, has joined forces to address skill shortages in a range of conservation specialisms: The Collaborative Conservation Skills Internship Programme (CCSIP).

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RTPI Scotland’s ‘Planifesto’

Our Planifesto vision is a Scotland that is prosperous, resilient and equitable, where everyone has access to safe, well-planned places and a healthy natural environment

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SHBT unveils new 3-year strategy

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) has published its three-year strategy, ‘Our Future at Fifty’, setting out its plans to restore more at-risk buildings across Scotland as the charity approaches its 50th anniversary in 2028.

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: Reuters on halting of demolition of parts of Grenfell Tower after handprints found on walls

Britain’s government said on Tuesday it has paused the demolition of parts of Grenfell Tower after bereaved families warned they would take legal action if walls bearing handprints were not preserved, reports Reuters.

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