Author Archives: IHBC NewsBlog

Peter Rees, former chief planning officer for the City of London, warns massive refurbishment costs could lead to empty buildings across the cityscape.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published interim Guidance on Designation of Conservation Areas and Conservation Area Consent.

The Government is ‘unwilling’ to give high streets a ‘fighting chance’ in the battle with online retailers, a select committee has concluded, as a report published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in February concluded that … Continue reading →

The RTPI has announced that current Vice-Chair Sue Bridge FRTPI has been elected as the new Chair of RTPI’s Board of Trustees. image: RTPI

The Open Data movement – data that can be freely used, shared and built-on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose – is growing, and more and more government departments, charities and funders are signing up to it, including The National … Continue reading →

Local authorities should support community-based neighbourhood regeneration approaches to help bring empty homes back into use, the campaign group Action on Empty Homes’s argues in its report, entitled ‘Community action on empty homes’. image: LocalGov

The European population is ageing rapidly, and this is particularly evident in the cities. According to Eurostat, the number of people aged 65 and over will almost double from 17% to 30% by 2060, and those aged 80 and over … Continue reading →

Local government leaders have backed sharp criticism by MPs of the current apprenticeship system. image: LocalGov

Cadw’s much-loved historic attractions are expected to welcome thousands of visitors during September 2019 as part of Open Doors — the largest heritage festival in Wales.

In a package of planning reforms in England, permitted development rights to larger home extensions have been made permanent and business owners can, and shops can, change to offices without a full planning application. image: Open Government Licence v3.0

A case study of the use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire title to a listed building using direction for minimum compensation, at Roseangle in Dundee, is on offer from the Scottish Government.

Historic England (HE) has announced early career (Assistant level) apprenticeship openings for future historic environment conservation specialists, archaeologists and others at its offices across England.

The Church of England is taking extra precautions in light of the Notre Dame fire.

Crowdfunding has ‘huge, untapped potential’ for public sector infrastructure finance, a new study from the University of Leeds  ‘Financing for Society’ has concluded.

Heritage Lincolnshire’s ‘Layers of History’ project is running a weekend summer school on 28-30 June, with places at £150 (including accommodation and meals) and bursaries available on application.

Historic Environment Scotland is promoting how visitors can be ‘citizen scientists’ at 20 of Scotland’s most evocative historic sites. as part of a new conservation project.