Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has published new research into public perceptions of professionalism among architects in the UK.

A report by Lichfields outlines its ‘Guiding principles for successfully repurposing town centre buildings. image for illustration: Joanna Theobald

The Scottish Government is giving ‘careful consideration’ to a public inquiry into the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) rebuild after two major fires destroyed the Mackintosh Building. image for illustration

The Heritage Alliance (THA) has issued a new ‘Insight Report’ on ‘Heritage in the Cost of Living Crisis.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has responded to the ‘Future Homes and Buildings Standards’ consultations, calling on government to accelerate the futureproofing and decarbonisation of our homes. image for illustration

The Cultural and Creative Industries are key to social and economic prosperity in the United Kingdom. Now is the time for radical new thinking. Now is the time to secure Our Creative Future. image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0

Preparing industry for the Building Safety Act, improving productivity, reducing carbon emissions and supporting biodiversity will be the priorities for the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in 2024.

When Georjie Adams turned up at our Boxley Working Party last year in her stunning tiny wooden house, Bluebell, the SPAB was intrigued, and when it found out she’d made Bluebell by hand, and that she’d had no prior experience … Continue reading →

The People & Skills workstream of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has released a report that sets out a framework for defining competence in the retrofit sector: ‘Roadmap skills for net zero: Competencies for domestic retrofit’. image for illustration

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and Minister for Industry and Economic Security have brought together leaders from across the construction industry to sign up to ‘Five Client Carbon Commitments’ – pledges which will help the sector to achieve Net Zero.

‘Culture Makes: the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation’ announces a major UK-wide campaign to celebrate the impact of culture and make the case for investment. image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0

A new report for Policy Exchange, on ‘Tall Buildings: A Policy Framework for Responsible High-Rise and Better Density’, argues that the unplanned proliferation of tall buildings has not delivered the housing Britain needs and calls for a more responsible approach … Continue reading →

A new guide outlining how the concept of a 20-minute neighbourhood can be applied in practice has been created by an urban design expert at the University of Dundee. © The Authors 2024. This work is openly licensed via CC … Continue reading →

The natural stone, Valentia Slate, only occurs in Co. Kerry and which has been used since at least 1816, has recently been awarded the Status of ‘International Union of Geological Sciences Heritage Stone’, a coveted award exclusive to stones with … Continue reading →

UK Government publishes new paper which sets out the policy for apprenticeship funding in England, for new starts from 1 April 2024. image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0

A Scottish Government consultation explores a range of solutions to support resourcing of the planning system while acknowledging that ‘We live in financially constrained times’.

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) highlights a call to the sector to move from an agenda of ‘do less harm’ to one of ‘do more good’. image for illustration

The Environment Study Centre (ESC) has been offered funding to deliver two more courses at a hugely reduced cost saving £400 per place.

ICOMOS-UK is recruiting for a new General Secretary, a voluntary role for which expenses are paid, with closing date for the application is 17 May 2024.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is urging the Government to throw its support behind a new law proposed on 24 April to better protect community pubs in the wake of the Crooked House scandal. image for illustration: By Peter … Continue reading →

The Victorian Society has announced James Hughes as its new Director. image: Victorian Society  

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has reported on its inspection programme, to help prioritise conservation requirements nationwide for heritage in Scotland’s changing climate. image for illustration: by Fiona Newton

Historic England has given £400,000 for emergency works to safeguard a fire-damaged former Catholic chapel in County Durham from further deterioration. image for illustration: by AlexD – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic England’s latest monthly ‘Planning Bulletin’ highlights some of the recent and forthcoming developments in the world of planning from a heritage perspective, including this month on Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. image for illustration: Open Government Licence v3.0

Six vital community assets in Wales have been saved from closure, thanks to £3.1m announced by the UK Government. image: Capel y Tabernacl sign – Open Government Licence v3.0