Monthly Archives: October 2012

Huw Lewis AC/AM, has written to members of the Historic Environment Group (HEG) in Wales to notify them of the launch of the Historic Environment Strategy, as the IHBC’s President commended the paper for its ’forward looking and innovative approach’. … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the UK’s professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has supplemented its web resources with a new compilation of heritage related cases covered by England’s Local Government (LG) Ombudsman. Mike Brown, … Continue reading →

Following evidence being taken by Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Committee on Planning Housing and Growth, on 15 October, with Mark Prisk MP and Nick Noles MP, the uncorrected transcript has been released, revealing more insights in current thinking. Matters … Continue reading →

In an introductory letter to the new Economic Secretary to the Treasury, UK charity leaders have called for backing to contest local authority cuts. The letter highlights the economic importance of charities and community groups to both the social fabric … Continue reading →

Powers that allow councils and other bodies to object to compulsory purchase orders would be weakened under provisions in the Growth and Infrastructure Bill. Search Planning Resource: LINK

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has been working during the course of 2012 on refreshing its strategy for arts and humanities research and the AHRC’s role in the funding landscape and is keen for the arts and humanities … Continue reading →

Hundreds of pounds of cash back will be available to householders in England and Wales who make energy saving home improvements under the Green Deal from January 2013, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has announced. DECC writes: … Continue reading →

The Royal Court in Liverpool, Sleaford Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum, and Wilton’s Music Hall, the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre and the Soho Theatre in London are the first theatres to benefit from grants awarded by Trust’s new Theatres Protection Fund … Continue reading →

Christ Kendall at the Planning Portal has provided essential updates on the accreditation schemes there. Chris writes: Back in April I told you about Bristol City council and its newly launched Agent Accreditation Scheme. Six months on and the scheme … Continue reading →

A £7k study opportunity for industry rising star has been created as BRE Trust, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Constructors (WCC), offer an exciting research opportunity for a talented young industry professional, with application forms to be submitted … Continue reading →

Cambridge City Council has adopted guidance, supported by evidence gathered from the Cambridge Public House Study – understood to be the first of its kind in the UK – for the protection of public houses in the city of Cambridge. … Continue reading →

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has proposed a shake-up of the town and village green (TVG) registration regime to weed out proposals designed to block development. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the reforms would see town and … Continue reading →

Icon has been awarded funding for its Conservation Workforce Intelligence Research Project which will identify the nature of employment and work for professional conservators across the UK in 2012-13. ICON writes: This project has been generously supported by Arts Council … Continue reading →

Lister Steps from Liverpool were the victors when four community groups from across the UK got the benefit of industry expertise in a grilling by the Heritage Dragons on the 3rd October. Organised by the Heritage Investment Working Group (HIWG) … Continue reading →

The remains of two Cold War nuclear missile sites have been given listed status in recognition of their national architectural and historic significance by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), acting on the advice of English Heritage. English … Continue reading →

A Bill aimed at supporting infrastructure development and job creation by reducing red tape has been placed before the Commons. The Growth and Infrastructure Bill will reduce regulations around superfast broadband installation and will speed up the planning system for … Continue reading →

Critical new research into the types of skills, knowledge and training that employers need for working on traditional (pre-1919) buildings in England and Scotland is being led by CITB-ConstructionSkills, and urgently needs input from key parts of the industry. CITB-ConstructionSkills … Continue reading →

The All Party Parliamentary Committee (APPC) for Excellence in the Built Environment has issued a ‘Call for Evidence for an ‘Inquiry into Sustainable Construction and the Green Deal’, with a closing date for evidence of 30 November 2012. The APPC … Continue reading →

A developer who demolished a Victorian villa in a Conservation Area (CA) and replaced it with a modern replica, to save VAT, has had his penalty for violating planning laws more than halved. Piers Rance removed so many of the … Continue reading →

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has reintroduced ex-gratia payments for people who have suffered injustice due to an acknowledged error by the Inspectorate. The organisation had closed its ex-gratia payment scheme and the reintroduction was prompted by a report from the … Continue reading →

English Heritage 2012 research report into local authority heritage assets and their management, Local authority heritage assets: Current issues and opportunities, commissioned with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has been published. The report reviews the issues facing local authorities … Continue reading →

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has commissioned the first ever large-scale survey of the UK’s cultural organisations including museums, galleries, theatres, music venues, heritage sites and others, and seeks input to its data gathering. Conducted by the Centre … Continue reading →

Refurbishment projects – particularly public-sector building and small-scale fit out projects – are being sought to help with the development of the new BREEAM Non-Domestic Refurbishment scheme, and they will join a pilot programme that currently involves 14 buildings of … Continue reading →

The BRE Trust, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Constructors, is inviting applicants for the International Research Award for Young Constructors. It is seeking exceptional individuals from the construction sector to undertake an innovative, topical study relating to construction, … Continue reading →

The Arts & Business Report for 2010/11, published in full last week, shows a rise of 4% over the last year in private sector investment in arts and culture organisations to a total of £686.6million – almost reaching the peak … Continue reading →