Monthly Archives: March 2009

The RIBA is to seek a new chief executive after Richard Hastilow announced his intention to step down from the role.  Hastilow will carry on at the RIBA in an ambassadorial role until spring 2010, after which he will retire … Continue reading →

A top conservation organisation is calling for a significant expansion of onshore wind farms in the UK. The call comes from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which commissioned a report which concluded that an increase in wind … Continue reading →

A paper to identify funding available to faith groups, to support physical alterations to places of worship to make them fit for delivering public services and to build the capacity of faith groups to engage strategically at local and regional … Continue reading →

The Government has signalled changes to rural policy which should make the provision of affordable housing in small villages easier; fine-tune planning controls for rural businesses; and encourage medium-sized rural towns to develop sustainable new neighbourhoods.  These initiatives were highlighted … Continue reading →

Nine more seaside towns will benefit in the latest round of funding from the Government’s Sea Change programme, which is reinvigorating England’s coastal resorts through investment in culture and heritage. From the northern borders to the south coast nearly £2.7 … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the key professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has warmly welcomed new guidance on school refurbishment produced by CABE in England. Called ‘New from old’, it highlights the creative potential … Continue reading →

The Chartered Institute of Building is calling for the government to place more emphasis on reducing energy consumption of existing stock. In response to the ‘Definition of Zero-carbon and Non-domestic Buildings’ consultation the CIOB said. “We feel the outcome of … Continue reading →

Join in the discussion on the IHBC Discussion Forum English Heritage has asked every Local Authority in the country to fill in a questionnaire for each of their Conservation Areas as part of the first nationwide census of the condition … Continue reading →

The UK is to be given the option to charge VAT on home maintenance and repairs at a reduced rate of 5%, after a ruling by European Union finance chiefs. The ruling paves the way for the UK government to … Continue reading →

A Co Down company has today been fined for unauthorised part demolition and subsequent works to a listed building. Sandybay Associates of 91 Warren Road, Donaghadee pleaded guilty at Newtownards Magistrates’ Court to the unauthorised works to a Grade B2 … Continue reading →

An on-line survey to help understand the costs to applicants associated with preparing and submitting a planning application, to be completed if you are someone who has submitted a planning application in the last 12 months. No closing date identified. … Continue reading →

Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. The chief responsibilities of the Chair will be to: •maintain established links and forge new ones with government, professional organisations and … Continue reading →

CABE has launched a major new initiative, Sustainable Cities, for the people responsible for planning, designing and managing towns and cities. Sustainable Cities is the result of a two year research programme, working with the English Core Cities and a … Continue reading →

The AHRC/EPSRC Science and Heritage Programme is pleased to announce details of the thirteen Research Clusters funded under its recent Call. Over the next twelve months, each cluster will be holding a number of open events which members of the … Continue reading →

Planning system reforms have been set out in the Government’s response to the Killian Pretty report on the planning applications process. http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115316564909.html For the response see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/ killianprettyresponse or http://www.info4local.gov.uk/documents/publications/1165684

The organisations behind the world’s three leading environmental assessment tools are combining forces to come up with a common way to measure carbon emissions from new buildings. BREEAM – which is owned and run by BRE – and the US … Continue reading →

At last year’s Treftadaeth conferences held in Cardiff and Llandudno, jointly sponsored by the IHBC, Cadw and the Civic Trust for Wales, there was a call for the establishment of a new organisation which would build partnerships and promote networks … Continue reading →

Residents and heritage groups are leading a campaign to head off a potential demolition threat to a Goldfinger-designed housing estate beside Trellick Tower in west London. http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3134876&origin=BDweeklydigest

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today announced first-round pass¹ decisions on three major² projects: Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester; Lincoln Castle; and the National Railway Museum in York. They have all also been awarded development funding to help progress … Continue reading →

The IHBC, the key professional body for historic environment conservation specialists, has welcomed Malcolm Cooper, Chief Inspector for Scotland’s national heritage agency, Historic Scotland, as the judge for the 2008 IHBC Gus Astley Annual Student Award. Mr Cooper said: ‘I … Continue reading →

English Heritage is just about to launch the recruitment for the next intake of the HET Scheme and is looking to take on up to ten new Trainee Historic Environment Managers in October 2009. Click here for information Click here … Continue reading →