Author Archives: IHBC NewsBlog

MPs have urged ministers to stipulate that health should be a material consideration in both planning and licensing law, as the Commons Health Committee has recommended in its report on public health, warning of widening health inequalities now councils have … Continue reading →

The Scottish Government (SG) has announced that more than 500,000 acres in Scotland are now in community ownership, following new powers for communities under land reform.  The Scottish Government writes: More communities across Scotland are benefitting from the ownership of … Continue reading →

Westminster Council has introduced new powers which are designed to address issues faced by neighbours in areas where basements are being constructed, including a new basement levy and a dedicated ‘subterranean squad’ as part of revisions to the Westminster Code … Continue reading →

An application for coal extraction works along an area of designated natural coastline in North East England has been called in by the Secretary of State. View a BBC News article about the plans View a copy of the call … Continue reading →

The Cultural Protection Fund is now open for small grants (up to £100K) and large grants (more than £100K) applications. The British Council writes The Fund is designed with applications from UK organisations in mind, but any organisation is eligible … Continue reading →

The controversy concerning the ‘garden bridge’ in London were brought forward for debate within the House of Commons on 7 September, members debated issues including the landscaping of the public realm, costing and procurement and the transparency of discussions around … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government (WG) has introduced a new initiative which is designed to make land be more friendly to pollinator species, protecting and enhancing the local environment, in an initiative believed to be the first in the world. The Welsh … Continue reading →

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has issued its second State of the UK Public Parks report shows that there is a growing deficit between the rising use of parks and the declining resources that are available to manage them. The HLF writes: … Continue reading →

COTAC, the Council on Training in Architectural Conservation, has launched its refreshed and updated website, including new content, at cotac.org.uk. COTAC Chairman Ingval Maxwell OBE said: ‘We are delighted to have this new accessible and mobile-friendly update of our well-established … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s Wiki-based platform developer, Designing Buildings Wiki, has offered its own take on Building Design’s renowned celebration of the dismal, the Carbuncle Cup! DBW writes On 7th September, Building Design awarded the dubious honour of the Carbuncle Cup for … Continue reading →

On 13 July, Geraint Davies MP introduced a Private Member’s Bill in the Commons to make provision for the safeguarding of standards of environmental protection derived from European Union legislation after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, while it is … Continue reading →

The Joint Committee on the Palace of Westminster report highlighting the urgency of major works to the building – to avoid major issues and ensure that Parliament can keep being a working building –seems to have secured the Prime Minister’s … Continue reading →

The new Neighbourhood Planning Bill has been brought forward, and aims to speed up housebuilding delivery, introduce new simplified compulsory purchase powers and strengthen and clarify conditions relating to protecting heritage assets in planning applications. Government writes: Measures in the … Continue reading →

The House Builders Federation has called for more collaboration to help address skills issues and improve payment issues. The House Builders Federation (HBF) writes: Greater collaboration between house builders and their subcontractors is essential if the industry is to address … Continue reading →

Inverclyde Council’s bid to demolish 430 flats on a Port Glasgow housing estate was based on ‘flawed’, ‘inadequate’ and ‘tainted’ engineer’s assumptions, a judge has ruled. A new report by Sheriff Derek Hamilton has decided in favour of property owners … Continue reading →

On September 4 a hand built model of London, created by the artist David Best and Artichoke Creative Company which resulted in creative learning and construction opportunities for school children across London and young people gaining CSCS cards, was floated … Continue reading →

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has requested further information from Chelsea Football Club over the impact of its plans for a new stadium at its Stamford Bridge site on the nearby grade 1 listed Brompton Cemetery, well known for wildlife that … Continue reading →

New analysis from Civitas shows that Councils have granted enough planning consents to meet the government’s target of one million new homes by 2020, but developers are failing to build on them, disproving the point that the planning process is … Continue reading →

The Port of London Authority and the Marine Management Organisation have formed a new management agreement. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) writes: The ‘Thames Concordat’ is a new set of principles both organisations will follow in cases where both the … Continue reading →

A £40 million fund which is designed to spread the social, economic and cultural benefits of tourism outwith London has been launched. Government writes: Towns and cities from across England will benefit from a £40 million fund to deliver new … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government has released a call for entries for the annual St David Awards which recognise achievements in various categories, including culture, by October 21. The Welsh Government writes: Now in their fourth year, the St David Awards acknowledge … Continue reading →