Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

HOL Parliamentary Inquiry: ‘Grey belt’ land development won’t help the Government reach its ambitious housebuilding targets

image for illustration: Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament The House of Lords (HoL) Built Environment Committee Inquiry has concluded that the Government’s grey belt policy, announced in July 2024 in its draft revised National Planning … Continue reading

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CIC on new industry initiative to promote Built Environment careers in Schools and College from the BE Schools Trust

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 The Built Environment Schools Trust (BE Schools Trust) has announced the launch of a plan to significantly expand its activities in schools and colleges, as it aims to increase the number of young … Continue reading

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RIBA condemns ‘ill-advised’ ARB accreditation rule

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) decision to keep the wording of its Accreditation Rule 4.2: Degree awarding powers, which it changed from ‘qualification awarding powers’ to ‘degree awarding powers’.

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MHCLG seeks ‘Technical independent advisers’ for College of Experts

image: Open Government Licence v3.0 The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is recruiting individuals from a diverse range of science, engineering, and industrial backgrounds for its first ever College of Experts, ‘a list of pre-approved experts from … Continue reading

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Consultation on ‘Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings’ regime, to 26/02

image for illustration The Government has issued a consultation on changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and air conditioning inspection reports (ACIRs), closing 26 February 2025. [applies to England & Wales]

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Scottish House Condition Survey 2023: Key findings published

Figures from the 2023 survey, include updated fuel poverty rates, energy efficiency ratings, the condition of housing and the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

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National Trust launches new 10-year Strategy for 2025-2035

The National Trust has launched its new 10-year Strategy for 2025-2035: ‘People and nature thriving: Our strategy to 2035’.

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UK Government: 85 local treasures to be saved and restored

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 An additional £36 million of funding to rescue and restore 85 local treasures including community centres, pubs, parks and sport centres has been announced by the government.

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Policy Lab: People-centred and participatory policymaking

Policy Lab has a history of using people-centred and participatory methods in policy to help to build evidence, understanding and empathy.

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Delapré Abbey awarded £3,096,798 grant from NLHF to restore and repurpose historic stables

Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has announced a £3,096,798 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

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English Heritage Strategic Review of Structure: Staffing to drop 7%, in single centre

English Heritage is undertaking a strategic review of its structure, to ensure the charity can remain financially resilient in the current environment.

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Church of England’s Conservation Grants Programme update: Expanded £5M conservation grants programme open

image for illustration: Peter Badcock Emily Gee, Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings, reports that the Department’s expanded £5million conservation grants programme is now open for applications.

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Parliamentary Inquiry launch: Soft power – a strategy for UK success?

image for illustration: Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament The Foreign Affairs Committee has announced a new inquiry into the extent and effectiveness of the UK’s soft power.

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Deputy PM letter to LA leaders etc.: Building the homes we need etc.

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to local authority leaders, Metro Mayors and chief executives about the government’s plan to build the homes the country needs.

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Highland Heritage Woodworks grows from acorn to oak with Scottish Enterprise support

Highland Heritage Woodworks (HHW) provides sustainable timber to the construction industry alongside bespoke master carpentry and is set for further growth following a recent grant from Scottish Enterprise to create a sawmill in the heart of the Dunecht Estate, Aberdeenshire.

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Local treasures in Wales to be saved and restored

image for illustration: Open Government Licence V3.0 Over £2 million will be awarded to seven local treasures in Wales including community centres, music venues and leisure centres.

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EPC Report: The future of EPCs – A Roadmap for Change

image for illustration The National Retrofit Hub (NRH) has published its EPC Report on ‘The future of EPCs: A Roadmap for Change’ detailing how EPCs are currently used, identifies barriers preventing EPCs from incentivising home improvement, and outlines an eight-point … Continue reading

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AHF renews commitments to the IVAR Flexible Funder initiative

As a new year begins, the Architectural Heritage Fund(AHF) is renewing our commitments to the Flexible Funder initiative, led by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR).

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Whole House Retrofit competition – successful bids

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 A total of £7.7 million has been awarded to the first 3 winning organisations in the Whole House Retrofit competition.

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MHCLG seeks ‘Technical independent advisers’ for College of Experts

image: Open Government Licence v3.0 The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is recruiting individuals from a diverse range of science, engineering, and industrial backgrounds for its first ever College of Experts, ‘a list of pre-approved experts from … Continue reading

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The Heritage Fund is supporting communities to secure the future of their churches

image: The Heritage Fund In its latest round of funding decisions, the Heritage Fund has awarded £1.25 million to eight projects with exciting and innovative people-centred plans.

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World Monuments Fund Celebrates 60 Years of Heritage Conservation Around the Globe

The World Monuments Fund is celebrating 60 years of heritage conservation around the globe as, since 1965, it has been dedicated to preserving the world’s heritage.

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Government: Planning proposals to unblock vital infrastructure and drive nature’s recovery

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 A new Nature Restoration Fund will accelerate infrastructure projects and enable developers to meet their environmental obligations faster, government reports.

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Enabling a Natural Capital Approach (ENCA): Guidance

image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0 Enabling a Natural Capital Approach (ENCA) offers government guidance providing information and resources for Natural Capital.

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Scottish Government guidance: Supporting effective community engagement in local development planning:

Scottish Government guidance to assist with engagement activities in the preparation of local development plans is part of measures introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to put community voices at the heart of the planning system in Scotland.

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