Author Archives: IHBC NewsBlog

In a new report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King, ‘Under Pressure’, councils have been warned not to let budget squeezes and disruption caused by change programmes land them in trouble with the Ombudsman’s office.

The BBC has reported on how a redundant riverside mill in southern Scotland could be turned into a ‘bricks and mortar festival tent’ for community events, with Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) behind the plans for Rosefield Mills, which it … Continue reading →

The decommissioning of Dounreay’s oldest nuclear reactor in Scotland  has taken a major step forward with the award of a multi-million pound  demolition contract. image: Open Government Licence v3.0

The BBC has reported that a public meeting has dis cussed ways to reopen Flintshire’s landmark Shotton Steelworks, designed by John Summers and placed on a list of the UK’s most endangered buildings.

Civic Voice has highlighted how ‘hundreds of conservation areas mark their 50th anniversary’ in 2019,  as it will continue to make the Big Conservation Conversation one of our main themes for the year. 

The CIOB’s – the Chartered Institute of Building – parliamentary reception on 12 December launched its report ‘Improving Quality in the Built Environment’, reporting on the outcomes of its Construction Quality Commission, set up to identify what promotes or prevents … Continue reading →

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Local Government Association (LGA) and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) on Thursday 13 December launched ‘Future Place’, a joint two-phase initiative to recognise, reward and encourage high quality … Continue reading →

The Charity Awards provides charities of all shapes and sizes with a window to showcase their efforts and the impact they have made and entries for 2019 accepted until February 22.

A new strategic framework for heritage science in the UK has been launched.

Three young architecture graduates have won the Society for the Protection of Ancient Building’s (SPAB) prestigious ‘new design in historic contexts’ award, the Philip Webb Award, for their separate schemes proving that with imagination and sensitivity you don’t need to … Continue reading →

The 2019 Planning Awards have been launched, with categories including an award for ‘best use of heritage in placemaking’ among 25 linked categories.

An expert panel on the retail industry – the Town Centres Expert Panel – which includes Chair Sir John Timpson, has called for a community-focused approach to tackling the challenges facing high streets and town centres, and has published recommendations … Continue reading →

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee inquiry into the Government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings has a deadline for written submissions of 17 January 2019. image: Open Government Licence v3.0 

Following consultation, updated policy directions have been issued to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in its role as a distributing body of National Lottery funds.

Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), the link body for Scotland’s built and historic environment interests, has summarised the most relevant parts of the Scottish Government Draft Budget for 2019-20, noting that Historic Environment Scotland’s grant will be reduced by 3.2%. 

Major funding – of £471,000 grant over three years – for a new Historic England programme has been announced, which will see the Allchurches Trust step up its support for the protection and preservation of heritage skills through creation of … Continue reading →

European Standards Organizations have approved a plan to secure BSI’s membership post-Brexit. image: Open Government Licence v3.0

Government’s ‘The State of the Estate 2018’ report, newly launched, shows that the size of the government estate has been reduced by 156,000 square metres over the past year – the equivalent of 13 Trafalgar Squares. image: Open Government Licence … Continue reading →

The BBC has reported on how a ‘bus shelter, a cattle trough and a Rolls-Royce test hangar are among the more unusual heritage places gaining listed status’ in 2018, with its highlights including ‘an elaborate pedestrian subway in London and … Continue reading →