Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

The Architectural Heritage Fund marks 50 years of social impact through conservation and adaptation

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

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‘Vanbrugh300’ update: A year-long celebration of Sir John Vanbrugh ‘England’s finest Baroque architect and dramatist’

image for illustration: Thomas Chambers, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Sometimes referred to as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’, Vanbrugh’s architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and risqué plays, reports Vanbrugh300, a year-long festival … Continue reading

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First wave of national Young Futures Hubs open to turn the tide under the National Youth Strategy, as ‘youth services decline’

First eight ‘Young Futures Hubs’ opening in Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, County Durham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, and Tower Hamlets.

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Local museums receive £4 million to improve accessibility to arts and culture

£4 million of public funding and private philanthropy has been allocated through the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund ‘to improve access to museums and galleries across the country’. Government UK writes: 24 local museums have received a share of … Continue reading

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SFO launches public appeal as it investigates three companies delivering ECO4 contracts over suspected home heating & insulation fraud

The SFO launches public appeal and searches six sites across the UK as it announces new investigation into three companies delivering ECO4 contracts

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Tourism: MPs launch inquiry into the future of UK’s tourism industry, open to 18 May

A new inquiry from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee will examine the future of the UK’s tourism industry, open to 18 May.

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HB&P invites submissions for 2026 Stephen Croad Prize, till 31 May

Historic Buildings & Places (HB&P) is inviting submissions for the 2026 Stephen Croad Prize, open to 31 May.

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RICS and global partners launch CLEAR to align whole-life carbon reporting across built environment

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched the Coalition for Life Cycle Emissions Alignment and Reporting (CLEAR), a global initiative to harmonise the measurement and reporting of whole-life carbon emissions.

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130 cultural venues, museums, and libraries to receive funding boost that will improve access to arts and culture across the country

image for illustration; Black Country Museum, by Gordon Griffiths, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are set to receive a share of almost £130 million to protect them for present and future generations

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Government UK consultation on ‘Fees for planning applications’, to 18/05

This consultation seeks views on proposals to establish a new national default fee schedule for planning applications and on the principles of local fee setting, closing on 18 May.

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CIC on CIOB: National construction careers campaign needed to meet development demand

A nation-wide campaign to promote the varied and rewarding careers on offer across the UK construction sector is needed to cut unemployment, reduce the skills gap and deliver on Government housing and infrastructure ambitions, says the Chartered Institute of Building … Continue reading

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HES: More heritage funding to tackle rising cost and climate challenge

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has raised the maximum grant available per project by a quarter of a million pounds

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High streets revived and children given safe places to play

Government UK has announced a new initiative to support local areas to reimagine and revive their struggling high streets.

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St James’s Piccadilly secures £4.75m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for landmark Wren Project

image for illustration: Westminster : nave, Church of St James, Piccadilly by Jim Osley, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons St James’s Piccadilly has announced the award of £4.75Mn from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support of its Wren Project — … Continue reading

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The Palm House at Kew Garden’s journey to a greener future

image for illustration: Kew Gardens Palm House, London by Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The Heritage Fund has reported on a project to sustainably renovate the home of globally important tropical plants and help audiences learn about the … Continue reading

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Competition to launch national forest in Ox-Cam Growth Corridor

The government has launched a competition to help deliver a second new national forest, as search begins for a location for a third.

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Launch of new fund with ‘more flexible terms’ in AHF’s 50th year of lending: inaugurated by Cadw with £500K

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has announced the first investment in a new fund that will enable more flexible terms to heritage projects in Wales as funding from Cadw will inaugurate the 50th Anniversary Fund with a £500,000 investment.

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HSE: ‘Consultation on the Control of Lead at Work Regulations’ to 24 May

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced a consultation on ‘The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 exposure values and associated guidance’, which is ‘relevant to employers and those directly involved in lead manufacturing and lead-use sectors’ and … Continue reading

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Icon launches Conservation Skills at Risk project

The Institute of Conservation (Icon) has launched a new project to identify conservation skills at risk and help safeguard the future of UK heritage.

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AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) opportunity on ‘Spaces of Health: Connecting Past and Present Experiences of Health and Wellbeing in Heritage’, open to 1 May

Historic England and the University of Leeds have announced a fully funded four-year Collaborative Doctoral Studentship from 1 October 2026, providing full tuition fees with a tax-free maintenance allowance, with applications open to 1 May.

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Local people take the lead in ‘Pride in Place’ across  40 more communities

Government UK has announced forty more communities selected for Pride in Place, with local people choosing how £20 million is invested to strengthen their neighbourhood.

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Join the ‘Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026’ in Malta | Apply by 15 May

As part of their ‘Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026’ programme, Europa Nostra and INTO – the International National Trusts Organisation – are looking to select c.10 heritage professionals to gather in Malta to exchange best practices, discuss key challenges, and … Continue reading

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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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