Monthly Archives: September 2012

New planning legislation has come into operation in Northern Ireland which provides revised permitted development (PD) rights for industrial buildings and warehouses and new permitted development rights for shops, financial and professional services establishments, office premises, schools, colleges, universities and … Continue reading →

More than two-fifths of council leaders and chief executives think that planning services should remain in-house, according to a report published this week. The report, published yesterday by think-tank Localis in partnership with consultancy Capita Symonds, found that 44 per … Continue reading →

Tony Burton, the former policy director at the Design Council, who was sacked just six months after being head-hunted from Civic Voice, says the organisation is now lacking in key areas of expertise. Bdonline Article: LINK Blog: LINK

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is asking for contributions to its initiative to build resilience in heritage organizations through the ‘Catalyst Capacity Building Grants’ programme, with a deadline for submissions of responses of 18 October at 12 noon. HLF writes: … Continue reading →

The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) has opened reservations for its 2012 conference, ‘Making it happen!’, a free day of updates, planning and networking across the sector, so if you are interested in a complimentary place please follow the details … Continue reading →

Sir Nicholas Grimshaw’s disastrously conceived restoration of the Cutty Sark is winner of this year’s BD Carbuncle Cup, tragically defiling the very thing it sets out to save, says BD! The sixth annual Carbuncle Cup winner was selected by a … Continue reading →

The Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Committee will take evidence from the new ministers at the Department for Communities and Local Government with responsibility for planning and housing on 15 October, and are seeking evidence to inform the questions to … Continue reading →

Moves to fast-track the roll-out of superfast broadband have been announced by culture secretary Maria Miller. The Government believes access to this technology is crucial for the UK’s economic future. Under the proposals, broadband street cabinets and other infrastructure would … Continue reading →

Responding to Culture Secretary Maria Miller’s announcement on relaxing planning protections for broadband roll-out, Cllr Mike Jones, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Environment and Housing Board, said: ‘You cannot take away the rights of people to have a … Continue reading →

A leading Scottish architect, Malcolm Fraser, is to spearhead a national initiative to help breathe new life into Scotland’s town centres, it was unveiled. The Scottish Government writes: Malcolm Fraser has been named as the Chair of the Scottish Government’s … Continue reading →

DECC has announced the new Ministerial portfolios following on from last week’s reshuffle with John Hayes MP as the new Minister of State for Energy and Baroness Verma as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DECC. DECC News: LINK

Those directly affected by greenfield housing developments should be compensated for the loss of open space in order encourage the development of more homes, according to a report from the think-tank set up by new planning minister Nick Boles. Search … Continue reading →

HLF is looking for at least one committee member in Wales and eight committee members across England in the following regions: East of England, East Midlands, South West and the West Midlands. HLF writes: Why join an HLF Committee?: Being … Continue reading →

The secretary of state has refused permission for 400 homes in West Yorkshire on highways grounds despite finding that the scheme’s benefits outweighed any other shortcomings. Search Planning Resource: LINK

University renovation on track to receive BREEAM Outstanding rating Building Co UK News: LINK

The Government unveiled a package of measures to relax planning rules until 2015, specifically to increase permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises in non-protected areas without the need for planning permission. Nick Clegg has confirmed that … Continue reading →

Nick Boles is the new Planning Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) as Greg Clark moves to the Treasury following the Government reshuffle and John Penrose steps down. Chartered surveyor Mark Prisk MP is the new … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has approved a new measure that will increase the number of homes in town centres and help increase footfall on high streets including new planning rights to allow more flats to be created above shops without … Continue reading →

A Swedish developer is pilot bespoke international version of BREEAM Communities 2012 to ‘ensure the sustainability of future communities whilst retaining the area’s rich cultural history’. Stockholm-based developer Diligentia is the first to use a bespoke international version of the … Continue reading →

UK start ups and SMEs in the built environment are to be given the chance to access up to £5,000 to innovate and develop under a Technology Strategy Board (TSB) scheme. The Innovation Voucher scheme, due to launch later this … Continue reading →

Art students from across Scotland have been invited to create the design for the new Commemorative Plaque scheme in a competition launched on 5 September 2012) by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. Invitations have been issued … Continue reading →

Following the unsuccessful campaign to reverse the Budget decision to levy full VAT on approved alterations to listed buildings, HMRC has published guidance covering the changes, which take effect from 1 October 2012. VAT Information Sheet 10/12 – VAT: approved … Continue reading →

The Government has launched a new £10m fund to help communities finalise neighbourhood plans and provide for homes, businesses and facilities. The fund will be made available to councils to help cover the cost of providing support and advice to … Continue reading →

Energy efficiency ratings for building products to be downgraded because of performance issues. Building Co UK Article: LINK

Northumberlandia – also known as the ‘The Lady of the North’ – has been established as arguably the biggest example of public art ever created in the UK. It has been built into the landscape of Cramlington in Northumberland. Planned … Continue reading →