Monthly Archives: December 2009

Rural communities are being encouraged to apply for funds to masterplan their growth in a sustainable way. The new £1m competition is being run by Communities and Local Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The rural … Continue reading →

Planning and architecture specifically targeted for 22% funding cuts in a move that undermines Government’s own targets on reducing carbon emissions and quality of place Responding to the Scottish Funding Council’s consultation on future spending allocations for university courses, the … Continue reading →

Wyro Developments Ltd has been prosecuted by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority after pleading guilty to felling seven trees in Talgarth Conservation Area without permission. At Brecon Magistrates’ Court one of the directors of the company was fined £2,600 and … Continue reading →

The Government has signalled plans to review the regime surrounding town green designations following controversy over the way campaigners have used the existing legislation to thwart development. The administration’s intentions were set out in a written Parliamentary answer from environment … Continue reading →

Bolton Council has confirmed that up to 20 staff from its planning department face redundancy as the planning authority grapples with making savings of more than £1m, prompted by a significant fall in income from planning and building control applications. … Continue reading →

The Planning Inspectorate has upheld Westminster Council’s decision to refuse planning permission to convert a church in Mayfair in central London into a spa. An inspector has turned down an appeal by multi-millionaire George Hammer to turn the Grade I-listed … Continue reading →

Grade I listed Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland has been saved for the nation, following a fundraising campaign, supported by some of the leading lights of British architecture. Richard Rogers, Norman Foster, Will Alsop and Terry Farrell all supported the … Continue reading →

The Local Government Association (LGA) Group has published the results of its annual Local Government Workforce Survey for England. The Local Government Workforce Survey 2009 was conducted between June and August 2009 in England and Wales.The IDeA and Local Government … Continue reading →

Three major surveys of relevant professional activities in England are being undertaken at present, each of which provides IHBC members and practitioners with important opportunities to raise the profile of conservation in sustainable development, development economics and local authorities. The … Continue reading →

In June 2008, local authorities agreed Local Area Agreements (LAAs) with Government and their partners. The LAAs include targets to improve public services and the quality of life for people living and working in the area. Local authorities chose up … Continue reading →

Scotland’s Councils will be able to use online advertising as an alternative to newspapers under new proposals under consultation. The Scottish Government is consulting on changing the law to allow public notices, such as planning applications or road closures, to … Continue reading →

CABE has awarded £900,000 to support and strengthen 21 architecture and built environment centres in the next financial year. Applicants had to demonstrate that their proposal would increase public understanding and involvement in architecture and the built environment, and help … Continue reading →

Ofsted has today released the findings of a three-year inspection programme looking at improvement in education for sustainable development in a selection of schools. The small-scale survey, which followed a group of schools over a three-year period, reveals that a … Continue reading →

Estate agent Martin Walker has had his bid to demolish an old cottage thwarted by neighbours who challenged the decision in the High Court. The objectors said allowing the demolition of Copsewood in Little Cheverell near Devizes would create an … Continue reading →

In a move widely welcomed by parties seriously concerned by the first draft of PPS 15, Planning and the Historic Environment, the CLG and CMS Parliamentary Committees have joined together to call for substantial consultation and scrutiny across the sector … Continue reading →

Four further Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) have been relicensed, Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Lord Mandelson announced today, on behalf of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations. Sector Skills Councils are employer-led bodies, established to enable employers to exert … Continue reading →

RIBA rejects advice to hold fire on Arb as report says institute should wait until after election to demand change The RIBA has stepped up its fight to take over regulation and registration from the Arb, despite a report arguing … Continue reading →

Colin Haylock elected as RTPI Junior Vice- President The Royal Town Planning Institute has announced that Colin Haylock has been elected by RTPI members as Junior Vice-President, beginning in 2010. He will become President of the Institute in 2012, becoming … Continue reading →

Following personnel changes at Historic Scotland acting CEO Ruth Parsons takes Policy while Investment and Projects go to the office of the Chief Inspector, Malcolm Cooper. In a letter to stakeholders she announced ‘some changes affecting the work covered by … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the key professional body for the UK’s built and historic environment conservation specialists, has announced that Dr Roger Bowdler, Head of Designation at English Heritage, will judge its 2009 IHBC Gus Astley Annual … Continue reading →

The Arts and Humanities Research Council is seeking nominations for new members to be appointed to its Peer Review College (PRC) in specified subject areas. Peer review lies at the very heart of the AHRC’s operations, and we are fully … Continue reading →

HCA has launched a new study into skills gaps in key professions across the place-making sector. The study will assess how the recession has affected the supply and demand of skills in the sector. They have have commissioned ARUP to … Continue reading →

The latest annual volume of Housing and Planning Statistics for 2009 was released on 3 December 2009 under arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority. The publication replaces the annual Housing Statistics publication and contains all the information previously contained … Continue reading →

Natural England has launched formal consultation on a dozen proposed new marine conservation sites. The 12 sites in question consist of 10 possible Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and two potential Special Protection Areas (SPAs). The sites include sandbanks of … Continue reading →

A Twickenham man is £30,000 worse off after he admitted breaching listed building consent laws at Richmond Magistrates’ Court. Alan Bernard, of Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, in south west London, had been given permission by Richmond Council in 2007 for a … Continue reading →