Monthly Archives: September 2009

The report presents detailed findings from the 2007 survey on the housing conditions and energy performance of the stock. The report included the following highlights: * The energy efficiency of the housing stock has steadily improved from 42 SAP points … Continue reading →

A major new national survey on what people think of their local area and council demonstrates the importance of strengthening local democracy, said Communities Secretary John Denham today (23 September 2009).  Mr Denham said the latest results from the Place … Continue reading →

This national Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme is providing opportunities to gain further skills, knowledge and experience to enable the cultural sector to deliver quality programmes for children and young people. A range of CPD one-day courses and other activities … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s internal interim commentary on the draft Historic Environment Planning Policy Statement (PPS 15), currently under consultation from government (CLG), is being made available through the IHBC’s website to help widen public engagement in this key part of the … Continue reading →

The latest national statistics on planning applications were released under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority on 25 September 2009.  This release presents quarterly statistics on local planning authorities in England. It covers information on Planning applications received and … Continue reading →

A Defra funded report published today into the sustainability of plasterboard is the first step on a ‘roadmap’ which will ultimately provide best practice for the industry. The report: * summarises evidence on the environmental, social and economic impacts at … Continue reading →

An impression of the site of the underground three-bedroom house – imagination required. Independent planning consultancy DPP has secured planning permission for what is perhaps the UK’s most unique residential development – a three bedroom property to be built entirely … Continue reading →

Recognising the impact of the downturn in the economy across the diverse sectors occupied by IHBC members, private and public, IHBC’s Council has agreed to hold the institute’s membership subscriptions for 2010 at their 2009 rate. IHBC Chair Dave Chetwyn … Continue reading →

Heritage Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, Alun Ffred Jones, celebrated the richness of Wales’ historic environment, the importance of the sector to the economy and crucial part it plays in telling the story of Wales, in his address to … Continue reading →

A Sikh temple and former church in Gravesend, Kent, has escaped demolition following a successful legal challenge by SAVE Britain’s Heritage. SAVE challenged Gravesham Council’s decision to approve the destruction of this fine Victorian building on grounds that it was … Continue reading →

The London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s planning committee has approved a proposal for the Design Museum to move into the neglected Commonwealth Institute. Thanks to the casting vote of panel head Terence Buxton, the committee backed plans by Dutch … Continue reading →

Margaret Hodge is to return to her position as architecture minister under her Department for Culture, Media and Sports brief. Downing Street made the announcement earlier today, 22 September. Hodge will take up her former post after a period of … Continue reading →

Comprehensive Area Assessment, or CAA, is a new way of assessing local public services in England. It examines how well councils and other public bodies work together to meet the needs of the people they serve. For the first time, … Continue reading →

At a meeting of the Strategic Forum for Construction, Peter Mandelson announced that he was commissioning a review of the construction industry to ensure it was ‘fit for purpose’ for delivering a low carbon future. The review will assess the … Continue reading →

The number of town planners claiming Jobseekers Allowance has risen sharply over the last 12 months, according to the figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). In August, 290 town planners were claiming unemployment benefits compared to 235 in … Continue reading →

John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland has announced that he will retire at the end of this month. John has worked with the civil service for 37 years, the last 5 of which have been spent as heading up … Continue reading →

Whitehall and local authorities have been urged to expand the number of public allotments by building on brownfield sites and encouraging landowners to donate unused holdings to their local community. That call came in a report from think-tank the New … Continue reading →

Communities and Local Government has announced funding for up to 12 pilot schemes which would involve local authorities using Planning Performance Agreements (PPAs) to facilitate renewable and low-carbon energy applications. A PPA allows both the developer and the Local Planning … Continue reading →

New foundation courses in sustainable communities are part of HCA’s drive to train people to develop and deliver sustainable communities. Delivered part time over three years, they give the skills and knowledge to pursue a rewarding career in planning, housing … Continue reading →

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has today given it’s backing to New Homes Week and reaffirmed its commitment to helping maintain house builder activity as a route to wider economic recovery. New Homes Week (12-20 September) is run by … Continue reading →

A new paper from the Audit Commission finds that councils feel pressured into focusing on building brand new housing. ‘Building better lives – Getting the best from strategic housing’, says 94 per cent of councils have prioritised new and/or affordable … Continue reading →

For 2009–10 the Sargant Fellowship at the British School in Rome is open exclusively to architects. It will provide a unique opportunity for an established, mid-career practitioner/academic to undertake a three-month studio residency in Rome, April–June 2010. Deadline for applications: … Continue reading →

Architecture minister Barbara Follett is to review English Heritage’s decision to list Coventry’s 1950s market building amid claims the listing threatens US firm Jerde Partnership’s £1 billion city centre masterplan. The circular 1957 building, designed by the city architecture department, … Continue reading →

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed David Mackay, Professor of Natural Philosophy at the Department of Physics, as its Chief Scientific Advisor. The Chief Scientific Advisor’s role is to ensure that the Department’s policies and … Continue reading →

IHBC director Seán O’Reilly welcomed CABE’s news that people know that better places make for better lives. He said: “These findings confirm again that quality places really do make people’s lives better, and we all know well managed historic areas … Continue reading →