Daily Archives: 11/06/2011

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) has endorsed the widespread concerns over what is emerging as the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), a version produced by a small government-appointed panel representing practitioners. The re-casting of ‘sustainable development’ as … Continue reading →

The IHBC has launched a review of its governance, in line with its current Corporate Plan, and is seeking preliminary thoughts on the issues from our members and stakeholders, with comments to be sent to: ihbcgovernance@ihbc.org.uk   Jo Evans, IHBC … Continue reading →

A new report from the communities and local government select committee pulls apart the ‘localism’ project, highlighting confusion over the definition of localism and a host of potential pitfalls for departments and councils attempting to implement it.   The report … Continue reading →

Historic Scotland (HS) has highlighted recent work on its traditional building skills audit scoping exercise.   Colin Tennant of HS writes: I would like to bring to your attention the recently launched Scottish Traditional Building Skills Audit Scoping Exercise (STBSASE) … Continue reading →

New plans published by Defra set out a detailed programme of action to repair damage done to the environment in the past, and urge everyone to get involved in helping nature to flourish at all levels – from neighbourhoods to … Continue reading →

The High Court has ruled that the demolition of 118 homes by Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council as part of a Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder scheme was unlawful. The council had acquired the flats and houses in several streets in Bensham and … Continue reading →

Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) has held a seminar to discuss the issue of safeguarding Scotland’s crumbling buildings: the case for Building MOTs   Over 40 professionals from across the Built and Historic Environment sector attended the seminar, on 2 … Continue reading →

The Design Council has announced the appointment of its new Board of Trustees including influential thinkers and globally respected names from the worlds of design, business, the built environment, arts and education.   The new Chair of the Trust Board … Continue reading →

John Griffiths, minister for environment and sustainable development in the Welsh Government, told delegates at the RTPI annual Welsh conference that he would amend planning policy in Wales to introduce a presumption in favour of sustainable development where a planning … Continue reading →

Local authorities are getting to grips with the scale of the efficiency savings they need to make – but 40 per cent do not yet have strategies in place to achieve the spending cuts required, says a research report based … Continue reading →