Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

Museum of London demolition legal challenge dismissed in court

image for illustration: Museum of London, Barbican (2010) by Jim Linwood from London, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons A legal challenge contesting plans to demolish the former Museum of London and nearby buildings to create office blocks has been … Continue reading

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Government Publishes ‘partial response’ to Energy Performance of Buildings Consultation

The Government has issued a ‘partial response’ to its consultation on ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime’, exploring ‘proposals on what reformed Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will measure and when EPCs will be required’.

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APPGEBE: ‘Government must not sacrifice quality in drive to build 1.5 million homes’

image for illustration: housing development, Chichester by ITookSomePhotos, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has reported on the ‘Proud to call home’ report which sets out measures to raise standards in housebuilding and placemaking as … Continue reading

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DWP consults on merger of training bodies

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched an open consultation on `Industry Training Board Reform’, including the merger of training bodies.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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’.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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’.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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’.

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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.

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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.

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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’.

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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.

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