Author Archives: IHBC NewsBlog

Arup has conducted research into the environmental effects of air pollution and concluded that ‘Green envelopes can also reduce peak energy consumption in traditional buildings by up to 8 per cent’, in the report ‘Cities Alive: Green Building Envelope’. Arup … Continue reading →

Proposals for local government in Wales have been revealed by the Welsh Government, which would support voluntary mergers and look at providing city-region wide land-use planning and economic development. The Welsh Government writes: Under proposals set out today, local authorities … Continue reading →

The latest edition of The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Neighbourhood Planning Bulletin has been released, offering a useful summary of the latest developments in this area. The bulletin covers the latest legal developments in the Housing and … Continue reading →

The National Archives has released an online portal which is designed to bring stories from the Home Front to life, using an animated interactive fictional town called Great Wharton. The National Archives writes: Following a year in development, The National Archives … Continue reading →

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is inviting applications for the Part 2 Bursary Scheme, with a deadline of 7 December. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) writes: The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is calling for … Continue reading →

The Scottish Government has announced an £8.25 million EU green infrastructure fund, which is designed to create green infrastructure on an unprecedented scale. The Scottish Government writes: A multi-million pound fund to develop green spaces in some of Scotland’s most … Continue reading →

A new English Heritage Blue Plaque working group has been launched, aiming to ensure that the representation of plaques across the city more accurately represents the diversity of the city population. English Heritage writes: A new working group tasked with … Continue reading →

Three new funds have been launched by NESTA – the ‘UK’s innovation foundation’ –  aiming to boost volunteering among older people, and heritage projects might well be able to benefit as NESTA writes that ‘examples include approaches that enable people … Continue reading →

The Urban Villages Strategic Framework programme has been launched in Northern Ireland (NI), looking to address issues in areas of economic and social change. The Northern Ireland Executive Office writes: First Minister, The Rt. Hon. Arlene Foster MLA and the … Continue reading →

Three quarters of the public believe councils should have a statutory duty to protect parks, a new survey has revealed. LocalGov writes: The polling, conducted on behalf of campaign group We Own It, also found 70% of people are against … Continue reading →

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has criticised the manner in which government sources collect and report house building statistics, claiming they are ‘wildly inaccurate’ The Home Builders Federation (HBF) writes: The Government’s most publicised measure of house building excludes around … Continue reading →

The results of the first nationwide survey into thatched buildings in Scotland have now been published, with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and SPAB both leading the work. Historic Environment Scotland writes: All 305 of Scotland’s historic, traditional thatched buildings have … Continue reading →

Up to £150,000 is available for each Council area in Northern Ireland (NI) under a new fund to increase the role of arts in community planning, and funding under placemaking may be particularly relevant for IHBC NI members working within … Continue reading →

The Grain A power station chimney in Kent has become the biggest concrete structure in the UK to be demolished. Ukconstructionmedia writes: The Grain power station chimney standing at 801ft was two and half times taller than Big Ben took … Continue reading →

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has released a new consultation with a closing date of 31 October which aims to look at the challenges and opportunities for museums and the role of government and statutory bodies in … Continue reading →

A number of free planning, architecture and design related highlights have been made available from Routledge. Planning titles are as follows: Studies in International Planning History Regions and Cities Routledge Research in Planning and Urban Design RTPI Library Series Access … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government has issued the Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) report, ‘Investing in the future to protect the past’ which considers the future of heritage in Wales, and has underlined their commitment to creating a new Historic Wales body. The … Continue reading →

The SPAB has recently posted a film on its Working Party week at Greatham Old Church, where young and old alike joined in the conservation work and fun. The SPAB writes: We put our ‘repair not restore’ philosophy into action … Continue reading →

Local authorities (LAs) across England are being reminded that the Local Government (LG) Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court to require evidence, after Plymouth City Council failed to comply with its recommendations linked to a case that … Continue reading →

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and BBC Radio 3 are looking for applications for the New Generation Thinkers of 2017, aimed at developing a new generation of academics able to bring the best of university research and scholarly … Continue reading →

The Pride of Place project being conducted by Historic England has led to new listings and a greater recognition of the importance of LGBTQ heritage. Historic England writes: The grave of writer, musician and Egyptologist Amelia Edwards has today been … Continue reading →