Daily Archives: 20/07/2011

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has welcomed the recent report on heritage by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), ’Averting Crisis in Heritage’, highlighting in particular its … Continue reading →

Wales First Minister Carwyn Jones has confirmed that his administration will consolidate existing legislation to make the planning system more transparent and accessible, while Huw Lewis, the housing, regeneration and heritage minister, has stressed that one of his ministerial priorities … Continue reading →

The closing date for the IHBC’s Annual Gus Astley Student Award 2011 is 31 July, with eligible work being that submitted between August 2009 and July 2011 to a UK taught course, and covering any aspect of buildings or places, their history, … Continue reading →

City of London planning officer Peter Rees has highlighted the growth in applications to refurbish office blocks, in comments following work led by Broadgate developer Sir Stuart Lipton to find ways of building skyscrapers at half the cost.     Building … Continue reading →

A new report issued by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) provides evidence for how well designed buildings can deliver tangible social and economic benefits to those who use them and invest in them.   ‘Good design: it all … Continue reading →

  Relaxing planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential would damage economic recovery and be unworkable, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has argued, in a response to a consultation from the Communities and Local Government Department … Continue reading →

In a move revealed in the Government’s delayed ‘Open Public Services’ White Paper, the coalition Government has said it will consult on how to open up local planning services so that there is more competition between providers.   The initiative is part of … Continue reading →

The Construction industry Council has opened an informal call for examples of the use of National Occupational Standards (NOS) by relevant organisations. CIC writes: We have recently revamped the CIC standards website (see http://www.cic.org.uk/standards/).  We would like to develop some case studies … Continue reading →

The UK construction industry could be missing the essential management skills to help it overcome the effects of recession, according to new research. In a poll of 1,450 construction employers, conducted by Industry Training Board and Sector Skills Council, CITB-ConstructionSkills, … Continue reading →