Monthly Archives: April 2012

The new issue of the membership journal of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Context is now out, themed around historic interiors. The latest edition of Context looks at conserving historic interiors. Guest commissioning editor, leading architectural paint researcher … Continue reading →

The IHBC has welcomed the success of one full member in raising their public profile, as IHBC member Rob Scourfield, Building Conservation Officer at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, has used the Park website to introduce himself to his community … Continue reading →

Bristol City Council’s planning department has launched an accreditation scheme for planning agents and architects serving the city’s householder development market. Under this scheme those satisfying the requirements would enjoy fast-tracking and less onerous application validation measures. Bristol City says: … Continue reading →

Following a recent meeting convened by Federation of Master Builders (FMB) as part of the ‘Cut the Vat’ campaign, supported by the IHBC, there is a new campaign resource on-line specially dedicated to helping lobby MPs against current government intention … Continue reading →

Sally Wainman has highlighted HMRC’s Code of Consultation states that consultations should be at least 12 weeks long, but the consultation on VAT is only 6 weeks long – and includes Easter –  severely impacting on capacity in the sector … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has cited the need to consider the implications of the recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in his imminent decision on a controversial project. The Secretary of State has delayed his decision, originally promised by … Continue reading →

More key measures of England’s Localism Act 2011 have come into force from 6 April. These include new planning enforcement rules which give councils the ability to take action against people who deliberately conceal unauthorised development. The measure should also … Continue reading →

Design Council chief executive David Kester to stand down after nine years – move comes a year after merger with Cabe. Search Planning Resource: LINK Building Co UK News: LINK

The Department for Communities and Local Government has appointed architect and TV presenter George Clarke as its adviser on empty homes. Search Planning Resource: LINK

Following extensive lobbying in Scotland’s Parliament, including presentations at the Local Government and Regeneration Parliamentary Committee presented by, among others, Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) Chair Cliff Hague, and John McKinney, Secretary to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, MSP … Continue reading →

Construction Industry Council in conjunction with key sector interests, on behalf of, and as a partner in ConstructionSkills, has revised the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Town Planning, Conservation and Building Control, just approved by UKCES, the UK Commission for … Continue reading →

A full 30 minute programme about heritage at risk has been aired on ITV Wales as part of its ‘Wales This Week’ programme. See: LINK

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) has launched an informal consultation to seek views from businesses, local communities and other organisations on how EU Structural Funds, Rural Development Funds and Fisheries Funds can be used to support growth in … Continue reading →

The Cabinet Office has published the new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund, which introduce a new priority for boosting the capacity of the social investment market. The document also makes clear that BIG funding will go ‘primarily’ to … Continue reading →

The new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) regime for England involves two key changes from the proposals for more streamlined and consolidated arrangements consulted on two years ago, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced. First, the Government … Continue reading →

Those with a stake in the sport, heritage, gambling and lottery industries get the chance today to declare war on the rules and red tape that are holding back their growth and stifling their chances of success. These industries will … Continue reading →

The way Historic Scotland supports and funds archaeology projects across the country is to be strengthened. Scotland’s heritage agency has completed a review of the scope of the archaeology work it commissions and how it supports external projects across the … Continue reading →

Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart has urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut the VAT on housing repair, maintenance and improvement work to support employment in Scotland, tackle rogue traders and to protect our built heritage. Research by Experian, … Continue reading →

The final version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England, now in force, has received a good response. Following publication of the 50-page document on 27 March the administration has issued supplementary technical guidance on development in areas … Continue reading →