Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

CMS Select Committee: Oral evidence from HE concerning Protecting Built Heritage

On 6 January, Historic England (HE) was called to give oral evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as part of their ongoing inquiry into Protecting Built Heritage, with Co-CEO Emma Squire and Director of Policy and Evidence … Continue reading

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Bridge deterioration unnoticed for 15 years raises alarm on lack of technical expertise in LAs following report to Cross Safety

Alarm has been raised about the lack of technical expertise in local authorities after severe bearing deterioration was discovered on a strategic road bridge, as findings – linked to a report to the confidential safety reporting site Cross Safety – … Continue reading

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Winner of the RIAS Doolan Award 2025: Category B-listed Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen by Stallen Brand

The Royal incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) reports that the winner of its Doolan Award for 2025 is Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen by Stallen Brand.

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New Corporate Strategy from Natural England

Natural England’s new Strategy ‘Recovering Nature for Growth, Health and Security’ has been issued.

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New Newsletter from TCPA on Healthy Homes

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has issued a new Newsletter on Healthy Homes, including resources, consultations and events.

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New strategy for Scotland’s protected historic places

Historic Environment Scotland(HES) has published its new strategy for heritage designations in Scotland.

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Historic and Botanic Garden (HBG) Training Programme opportunities – early notice for March 2026

Historic and Botanic Garden (HBG) Training Programme.

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New Skills Relay to inspire the next generation of construction and housing talent

PfP Thrive, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People (PfP), has launched the Skills Relay – a nationwide challenge to tackle the UK’s construction and housing skills crisis.

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Scotland’s first-ever canal and traditional skills centre considered by councillors

Scottish Canals reported in December 2025 that Councillors would be asked to consider the Full Business Case for one of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal’s flagship skills projects.

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Architectural Heritage Fund publishes Annual Review 2024/25

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to be publishing our Annual Review 2024/25, showcasing our work in supporting heritage and community-led regeneration across the UK.

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Scotland’s ‘Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship’ consultation draft out, open to 23/01

image for illustration: Edinburgh panorama by Fiona Newton Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is inviting people across Scotland to help shape the future of some of the nation’s most important historic places and collections through a new public consultation.

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CITB announces changes to funding and grants

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced a series of changes it is making to the funding and grant system, changes ‘designed to ensure CITB can deliver the greatest value for the greatest number of employers and maximise the … Continue reading

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Scottish Government scheme launched: Finding new owners for empty homes

A scheme launched by the Scottish Government aims to help return more empty homes to active use starting with a new online portal.

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Government plans ‘Single Construction Regulator’ to ensure standards across sector, with consultation open to 20/03

Plans for a new regulator to bring together standards across buildings, products and and professionals in the construction sector have been announced, with a ‘Prospectus’ and a consultation open to 20 March 2026.

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HES: Troubled body told to address ‘unacceptable’ governance by Audit Scotland

Scotland’s spending watchdog has told Historic Environment Scotland (HES) it must address ‘unacceptable weaknesses’ in its governance in a strongly critical report.

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Chancellor appoints infrastructure and planning adviser to clear path for new investments

Leading lawyer Catherine Howard has appointed to advise the Chancellor on the next phase of planning and infrastructure reforms as she vows to ‘do what it takes to get Britain building’.

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AHRC PhD studentships on ‘barriers to creating healthier places’

The first applications are now open for studentships investigating the barriers to creating healthier places – for people and the planet – through a new consortium of academic and industry partners, with support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council … Continue reading

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John McAslan + Partners: ‘…transformative alternative vision for Liverpool Street Station…’

John McAslan + Partners, working in collaboration with heritage organisations SAVE Britain’s Heritage and The Twentieth Century Society, has ‘revealed a fresh and compelling new concept for the enhancement of Liverpool Street Station in London’.

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Scotland’s ‘Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship’ consultation draft out, open to 23/01

image for illustration: Edinburgh panorama by Fiona Newton Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is inviting people across Scotland to help shape the future of some of the nation’s most important historic places and collections through a new public consultation.

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Heritage Trust North West takes on Baguley Hall

In November 2025 Heritage Trust North West (HTNW) was selected by Historic England to take on the ownership of Grade I-listed Baguley Hall in Wythenshawe, South Manchester.

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UK Government urged to step up maintenance to safeguard ageing infrastructure: Royal Academy of Engineering

The Royal Academy of Engineering has urged the UK Government to step up maintenance to safeguard ageing infrastructure, as the ‘Reviving our Ageing Infrastructure’ report by the National Engineering Policy Centre calls for the maintenance and renewal of existing assets … Continue reading

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Landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill becomes law

The government’s landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025.

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England’s NPPF update: New consultation on proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system, to 10/03

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), notably linked to data centres, onsite energy generation, viability assessments and site thresholds.

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AHRC PhD studentships on ‘barriers to creating healthier places’

The first applications are now open for studentships investigating the barriers to creating healthier places – for people and the planet – through a new consortium of academic and industry partners, with support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council … Continue reading

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£2.9m heritage investment for Waterfront regeneration

Funding from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund will protect the built heritage of Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh.

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