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- Top marks for IHBC’s latest Council as LA Conservation service talks, papers & film get 10/10 from nearly 20% of 120+ delegates, shaping the survey in our new parliamentary push 10/04/2026
- Don’t need your paper Context? Do everyone a favour and pass it on, ‘Spreading the Word’ to help the Conservation Professional! 10/04/2026
- 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! 10/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Management’ CPD Signpost: Cross UK on ‘Fire in historic buildings: reflections following the Glasgow Union Street fire’ 10/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Design’ CPD Signpost: MHCLG seeks input from LAs & applicants for evidence base on impact of Design Codes 10/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (council) doorstep’: Birmingham City Council issues late update on Black Sabbath pub – the full story so far 10/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (former) doorstep’: Grade II Mill in Leek, Staffordshire demolished after being destroyed by fire 10/04/2026
- CPRE: Fixes for England land use crisis ‘already exist but… fragmented and…neglected’ argues report 10/04/2026
- Historic Houses report highlights ongoing challenges for ‘A Fragile Inheritance…’ 10/04/2026
- Buildings Must Adapt Faster to Climate Change, says Saint-Gobain – Arup Report 10/04/2026
- New Towns programme needs a compelling national vision, says new Lords’ report 10/04/2026
- Submission for the National Railway Heritage Awards (NRHA)2026 now open, till 30/04 10/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: Unprecedented coalition sues for Federal Review of President Trump’s Kennedy Center Plans 10/04/2026
- IHBC’s new format ‘CPD Circular’ : Colour coded for quicker access to CPD -from Branches (EM on Master Planning), partnerships to networks & more – including members-only Virtual Council, 08/04 07/04/2026
- Final details on IHBC’s members-only Virtual Council now out… on ‘Conservation Officers & Services’: Book now for 8 April, 4.30pm 07/04/2026
- IHBC’s Research for Practice Digest No.7 now out: ‘Connecting conservation research and professional practice’ 07/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Practice’ CPD Signpost: CIAT via DB – Beyond the render… embedding AI tools into architectural education… 07/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Professional’ CPD Signpost: HE on ‘New measures to protect Historic Shipwrecks from heritage crime’ 07/04/2026
- IHBC HESPR’s ‘News from the Sector’: DB on winners in IHBC’s Gus Astley Student Award 07/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Rare Scottish chain-bar suspension bridge secures £1/4Mn support for heritage restoration 07/04/2026
- Defra on England’s first Land Use Framework ‘plans to reshape how we protect and manage our land’ 07/04/2026
- RIBA on Single Construction Regulator: ‘..new system must raise the standard’ so needs ‘a competence?led approach’ 07/04/2026
- SPAB: Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year Award… to 21 August 07/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: What impact does a heritage designation have on (Canadian) home insurance? 07/04/2026
- Latest on IHBC’s members-only Virtual Council now out… on ‘Conservation Officers & Services’: Book now for 8 April, 4.30pm 03/04/2026
Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog
IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (former) doorstep’: Grade II Mill in Leek, Staffordshire demolished after being destroyed by fire
image for illustration: Big Mill, Leek, by AtticTapestry, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons Demolition experts say they ‘feel the loss’ of an iconic mill destroyed in a huge fire. Potteries-based Baskervilles had been brought in to clear Leek’s Big … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog, Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, demolition, england, heritage, industrial
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CPRE: Fixes for England land use crisis ‘already exist but… fragmented and…neglected’ argues report
A new CPRE report warns that the government’s Land Use Framework will not solve the fundamental question of what gets built where, arguing that policy tools to guide better land-use decisions already exist but remain fragmented and largely neglected.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged countryside, CPRE, government, planning, policy
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Historic Houses report highlights ongoing challenges for ‘A Fragile Inheritance…’
image for illustration: Wilton House by David Spender, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Historic Houses has published a new report on ‘A Fragile Inheritance: the state of the UK’s historic houses’, revealing the state of the UK’s historic homes.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged country houses, england, gardens, heritage, historic houses, parks
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Buildings Must Adapt Faster to Climate Change, says Saint-Gobain – Arup Report
Buildings must be designed, built and retrofitted differently, with integrated and performance-based systems, to withstand a changing climate, according to a new report from Saint-Gobain and Arup.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, climate change, environment, expertise, heritage, nature, skills
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New Towns programme needs a compelling national vision, says new Lords’ report
The Built Environment Committee has published its report, ‘New Towns: Creating Communities’, following the second module of its inquiry into new towns.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged development, planning, town planning, urban
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Submission for the National Railway Heritage Awards (NRHA)2026 now open, till 30/04
Submission for the National Railway Heritage Awards (NRHA) 2026 ‘To recognise, acknowledge and reward, for the public benefit, the very best in restoration, conservation and re-use of our historic railway infrastructure’ is open until 30 April.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged awards, heritage, industrial, railway
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Defra on England’s first Land Use Framework ‘plans to reshape how we protect and manage our land’
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs reports on England’s first Land Use Framework, setting out a plan for ‘managing the country’s finite land to ensure the nation’s long-term resilience’.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, climate change, energy, environment, food, framework, government, land, nature, planning, rural
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RIBA on Single Construction Regulator: ‘..new system must raise the standard’ so needs ‘a competence?led approach’
The response to the government’s Single Construction Regulator Prospectus consultation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has called for widespread reform of the built environment regulatory system, warning that the current framework is fragmented and lacks clear oversight … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged architecture, competence, construction, government, regulations, RIBA, standards
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SPAB: Emerging Building Craftsperson of the Year Award… to 21 August
The Society for the Preservation of Ancient buildings (SPAB) has launched a new partnership in the Heritage Crafts Emerging Building Craftsperson Award 2026, to close on 21 August 2026.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, conservation, heritage, preservation, skills
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Welsh Government: ‘Assessing workforce requirements for home retrofitting in Wales’, to ‘meet a Net Zero pathway’
A report for the Welsh Government on ‘Assessing workforce requirements for home retrofitting in Wales’ shows a shortfall in qualified workers and how this will need to grow over the next 10 years to meet a Net Zero pathway.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, environment, expertise, government, net zero, planning, retrofit, wales
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Planning reforms have ‘numerous safeguards’, Government insists in response to Select Committee report
The Government has rejected several cross-party recommendations to mitigate and reduce housebuilding’s impact on nature and the environment, in its response to the Environmental Audit Committee report on ‘Environmental Sustainability and Housing Growth.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, conservation, environment, expertise, government, nature, net zero, planning, skills
Comments Off on Planning reforms have ‘numerous safeguards’, Government insists in response to Select Committee report
CIOB & FMB State of Trade Survey: Construction SMEs face cost pressures & insolvencies despite continuous growth
The construction sector is under strain from high numbers of insolvencies, increasing wage bills, in part linked to National Insurance changes and persistent materials price inflation, according to the latest State of Trade Survey from the Chartered Institute of Building … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, construction, costs, employment, expertise, finance, research, skills
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Major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for next generation
Government has announced a ‘major youth employment drive backed by £1 billion’ to ‘help create 200,000 jobs for young people’, alongside the ‘biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade’.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged apprenticeship, business, employment, government, grant, jobs
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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 … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
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Built Environment Competence Hub launched to align industry best practice
A new national resource designed to bring together standards, competence frameworks, guidance and trusted industry insight in one central place has been launched by BSI.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged buildings, built environment, industry
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Building Safety Regulator (BSR) seeks Chair Person for Residents’ Panel, to 10/5/26
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a Residents’ Panel to advise and to help shape our work and is looking to recruit a Chair for the panel, open to 10 May 2026.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged buildings, careers
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Historic Environment Skills Forum Live 2026: Report
The Historic Environment Forum has published its report on ‘Shaping the Future of Heritage Skills and Careers: Insights from Skills Forum Live 2026’.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged careers, heritage, historic, resilience, skills
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CIC Signs MoU with the Built Environment Schools Trust
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the Built Environment Schools Trust.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged built environment, education, schools
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Rebecca Phillips appointed as Chief Planning Inspector
The Planning Inspectorate has announced the permanent appointment of Rebecca Phillips as Chief Planning Inspector, following a competitive recruitment process.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged appointment, government, planning
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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’.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged communities, conservation, development, planning, Scotland
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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.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged countryside, CPRE, heritage, landscape, rural
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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 … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged awards, conservation, education, heritage, research, students
Comments Off on 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
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged council, IHBC
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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!
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged awards, community, conservation, heritage, skills
Comments Off on IHBC MARSH Awards: Nominate to celebrate ‘Successful Learning…’ AND/OR ‘Community Contribution…’ (Ret IHBC) – with our easy-fill form open to 31/03
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged careers, cpd, expertise, heritage, skills, volunteering
Comments Off on 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!