Monthly Archives: August 2009

A century after the social reformer Robert Owen pioneered a kinder, more communal way of living at New Lanark, a charity is adopting his model to build Scotland’s latest new town. Owenstown, named after the 19th-century industrialist, will be located … Continue reading →

Rynd Smith, currently Director of Policy and Partnerships at the RTPI, has been appointed Director of Policy, Quality and Development Plans at the Planning Inspectorate in England. Rynd succeeds Leonora Rozee and will also become Head of Profession for Inspectors. … Continue reading →

The largest ever survey of civic societies gets under way to canvass views on how to replace the Civic Trust, which closed this year because of a lack of funding. About 1,000 voluntary civic and amenity societies, representing 250,000 members … Continue reading →

Scotland’s centre for architecture and design, The Lighthouse, has gone into administration after failing to resolve long-standing budget difficulties. The board took the decision to wind the centre up after a meeting on Monday. The centre in Glasgow, which opened … Continue reading →

The Local Government Association’s (Analysis and Research Team) – LGAAR – have carried out an online survey of 353 English authorities, the data from which, reveals how local authorities are dealing with the recession. The survey explores how recession is … Continue reading →

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly welcomed the new web resources for England documenting how properly designed places, old and new, can help the health of the nation. He observed: ‘It’s great to see confirmation that the health of the nation – … Continue reading →

There were significant flaws in the way Herefordshire Council granted permission for a new house next to a listed building, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Jerry White. In his report, issued today (6 August 2009) he says that, because of the … Continue reading →

The Government is making £3m available to help areas hit hardest by the recession find creative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops are having on the high street, announced Communities Secretary John Denham. Many high streets in areas … Continue reading →

Paul Finch has been appointed as the new chair of CABE and will take over from Sir John Sorrell this December. Paul is Programme director of the World Architecture Festival, and editor emeritus of Architectural Review and Architects’ Journal. He … Continue reading →

Architecture + Design Scotland have appointed Trevor Muir OBE as the organisation’s interim CEO after the departure of Sebastian Tombs. Muir arrives at A+DS from Midlothian Council where he served as Chief Executive from 1996 to 2009 and is tasked … Continue reading →

A GALLERY of modern art could be created in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders after it was confirmed that historic Haining House, Category A-Listed, and its picturesque grounds have been bequeathed “for the benefit for the community of Selkirkshire and … Continue reading →

A new journal called The Historic Environment is seeking articles from contributors with interests in the historic environment. http://www.maney.co.uk/index.php/journals/hen

The Conservative party has partly clarified its position on the new planning regime for nationally important infrastructure schemes if it wins the next election. It has confirmed that projects would be determined by the relevant secretary of state rather than … Continue reading →

From Building Design: ‘Heritage groups, planners and architects have expressed concern over the latest planning policy proposals for the protection of the historic built environment. A draft of Planning Policy Statement 15: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS 15) was … Continue reading →

BT is expanding its successful adoption scheme for red telephone boxes and launching a nationwide competition to find the most innovative use of an adopted kiosk with a first prize of £5,000. BT’s “Adopt a Kiosk” scheme has already resulted … Continue reading →

Infrastructure planning commission (IPC) chairman Sir Michael Pitt has warned developers that lack of public consultation could be the biggest barrier for applications. http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/login/925111/

Further measures to create a faster planning system in Scotland have come into effect. The changes include: – Establishing local review bodies so that councillors, rather than the Scottish Government, can review decisions made over small-scale, local developments – A … Continue reading →

The RTPI welcomed the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report “Planning for Homes: Speeding up planning applications for major housing developments in England” which argues that crude 13 week decision targets for the determination of planning applications can have … Continue reading →

English Heritage reports that it is in the process of developing non-statutory ‘best practice’ guidance for local authorities and their communities for the identification and management of local heritage assets and the consolidation of these assets as a local list. … Continue reading →

CABE conducted research with the owners of 2,500 private new homes, to explore views on the adequacy of internal space. Forty four per cent of all households surveyed say they do not have enough space for small children to play … Continue reading →

IHBC Wales Branch Chair, architect Richard Dean, strongly welcomed the Heritage Minister’s recent launch of his ‘ambitions for heritage’, and encouraged their application in the changing operational culture of the Assembly Government. Dean said: ‘The IHBC fully supports the Minster’s … Continue reading →

Robert Upton, Secretary-General of the Royal Town Planning Institute, has announced he will be leaving the organisation to take up a new appointment as one of two Deputy Chairs of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Robert, who has led the … Continue reading →

Communities and Local Government (CLG) has unveiled a wide-ranging package of proposals designed to implement the reforms recommended by the Killian Pretty Review. The package includes proposals for changes to the English planning system in relation to permitted development rights, … Continue reading →

Permission will soon not be needed for homeowners in Wales to install solar panels and similar green technology. Changes to planning laws will make it easier for homeowners in Wales to install micro-renewables. The new rules, which come into force … Continue reading →

The Government has published for consultation the draft regulations and detailed proposals for implementing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – the new discretionary development charge which comes into force in April 2010. CIL charges will be based on simple formulae … Continue reading →