Monthly Archives: May 2011

English Heritage (EH) has published ‘Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings: Application of Part L of the Building Regulations to historic and traditionally constructed buildings’, which provides technical advice to help prevent conflicts between the energy efficiency requirements in Part L … Continue reading →

The IHBC has been asked by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to remind our members that the IHBC is an ‘Approved professional body’.   Professional membership of the IHBC – which applies only to those who are ‘Full Members’ of the IHBC – … Continue reading →

A different kind of flavour to government websites has emerged with the launch of Alpha.gov.uk, the ‘experimental prototype’ for a single UK government website, intended to bring together not just all the information now collated in Directgov, but also departmental … Continue reading →

CLG’s Chief planner Steve Quartermain has written to chief planning officers in England drawing their attention to key announcements made as part of the Budget, in particular the need ‘to ensure that planning supports the sustainable development’. Steve Quartermain writes: The Growth Review … Continue reading →

The first printed version of the regular Newsletter for CARE (The Conservation Accreditation Register for Engineers) has been published, and includes an introduction by CARE’s Chair, IHBC member Jon Avent.   As well as reporting on the operation of the register, … Continue reading →

The second round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) – intended to rebalance economies in England that have become overly dependent on public sector jobs – aims to allocate almost £1 billion, and is inviting programme bids as well as … Continue reading →

A political revolt has forced Suffolk Council to reconsider its plan to outsource almost all its core services aimed at making millions in savings for the council. The main architect of the outsourcing agenda, the council Chief Executive Andrea HIll … Continue reading →

The Shell Foundation has agreed to fund and provide expertise for the development of conservation credits and other measures by the fledgling Environment Bank. The Bank has just joined forces with the Environment Agency to pilot a scheme whereby developers and companies will be able … Continue reading →

Planning minister Bob Neill has written to all local authority chief planning officers in England flagging up the withdrawal of guidance on local plan monitoring and signalling that the Department forCommunities and Local Government won’t be monitoring the preparation and content … Continue reading →

A report by an international organisation of industrialised states has identified England’s green belts as a ‘major obstacle’ to development that should be replaced.   The OECD report, released in March, states, among other items:   ‘The new government has … Continue reading →

The ‘early bird’ booking rates for the IHBC’s Annual School will finish on 16 May, and anyone interested in attending this School, the most important event in the calendar of the conservation specialist, should book now to ensure that your … Continue reading →

The closing date for the IHBC’s Annual Gus Astley Student Award, 31 July 2011, is fast approaching, and students should consider submitting relevant course work for this prestigious Award and its £300 prize, while course providers are encouraged to circulate … Continue reading →

The IHBC has launched a survey open to members and other interested individuals, to inform development of the institute’s Application Form for Full Members, with a closing date of 10 June 2011.   For survey links and downloads see: LINK

The House of Commons Report stage of the Government’s flagship Localism Bill will commence on 17 May, when MPs will have the opportunity to debate and suggest changes to the bill’s contents.   For links to the Bill’s background and … Continue reading →

A compulsory purchase order is to be served on the disused Dreamland theme park in Margate after negotiations with the current owner fell through.   Thanet District Council is backing a scheme to turn the site into a heritage park … Continue reading →

AMA Heritage marketing survey: to 13 May The Arts Marketing Association (AMA) – a membership body for those working in marketing and audience development in the arts and cultural sector, and with a membership of c.1700 – has launched a … Continue reading →

Heritage Alliance has reported on the new staffing arrangements at DCMS.   HA reports as follows: Welcome to Helen Williams, who has been appointed as Head of Heritage at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) following a Departmental … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held, as usual each year, after the Institute’s key training event for the year, the Day School of the Annual School, on 17 June, when the IHBC’s Trustees will be elected, and … Continue reading →

Following consultation on the business case for a revision of BS 7913: 1998 (Guide to the principles of the conservation of historic buildings), led by Henry Russell IHBC, it has been agreed the revision should progress, while John Edwards IHBC, … Continue reading →

Annual ‘MoTs’ should be carried out on all older shared residential buildings to ensure repairs are carried out, property managers in Scotland have urged. BEFS, Scotland’s link body for non-governmental organisations operating in the built environment, will explore issues attached … Continue reading →

Local government workforce while the most efficient in the public sector remain least paid according to a report by the Local Government Association. The total pay packet for local government employees was £26.4 billion in 2010/11 – an increase of … Continue reading →

A pick of newly built or refurbished buildings from across Scotland have received a significant plaudit thanks to winning or being commended at the RICS Scotland Awards 2011, with conservation projects rating highly across a range of categories. Prominent conservation … Continue reading →

This year RTPI is bringing its awards for projects and awards for people together on the same deadline – all award winners will presented at the Awards ceremony in February 2012. Awards for projects Anyone can submit entries, with no … Continue reading →

The future of an iconic Plymouth, Union Street, landmark remains in limbo after council chiefs today ruled out trying to force its controversial owner to restore it.   Last week it was revealed that Manoucehr Bahmanzadeh, jailed in 2008 for … Continue reading →

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has led work to update the Built Environment Functional Map on behalf of the Built Environment Skills Alliance (comprising all the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs/SSBs) operating across the sector).   David Cracknell, Director of Skills & … Continue reading →