Monthly Archives: November 2012

Culture Secretary Maria Miller welcomed the publication of a report which contains innovative ideas – and a ten-point plan – to boost philanthropy and legacy giving to benefit the arts and heritage in the UK. DCMS writes: This summer showed … Continue reading →

The cataloguing and conservation of the unique archive of the late Sir Denys Lasdun (1914-2001) has been completed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). RIBA writes: The full Lasdun Archive is now available to all and can be … Continue reading →

The Memorandum submitted by Friends of the Earth (FOE) under the House of Commons Public Bill Committee scrutiny of the Growth and Infrastructure Bill has been published, highlighting FOE’s concerns over proposals regarding centralization; planning purpose and public participation. FOE … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s newly launched online registration system to help streamline the IHBC’s membership application process is now in full swing. Read the full article at: LINK or to register your IHBC application online CLICK HERE

Dont’ forget to check out the newly launched feature of the IHBC’s leading ‘Jobs etc’ advertising service which provides a direct email alert to those seeking work, making it as easy as possible for members to hear about the new … Continue reading →

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has submitted its evidence on the Growth and Infrastructure Bill, highlighting the extent to which the Bill contradicts existing policy. CPRE writes: The often repeated myth that planning is an obstacle to growth … Continue reading →

Government has sketched out the new ‘special measures’ regime with up to 180 major planning schemes a year possibly being eligible for determination by the Planning Inspectorate because the relevant planning authority was performing poorly, the Government has suggested. That’s … Continue reading →

Research, advised by the IHBC, is currently being conducted into the effectiveness of the planning system in protecting historic parks and gardens and responses, and responses are currently being sought from local authorities in England. Survey author and IHBC member … Continue reading →

A pilot ‘test and learn’ initiative will train 20 groups in Birmingham on the green deal to benefit their communities. BRE writes: Twenty Birmingham community groups are set to learn how the green deal works so that they can spread … Continue reading →

A new open public consultation has been launched on the future of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) and the planned merger with Historic Scotland (HS), with a closing date of 23 November and … Continue reading →

UNESCO (the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has called for a halt to work to reopen a tin mine in Cornwall as the Partnership Board of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site (CMWHS) issues a clarification on the … Continue reading →

Last year homeowners were duped out of £260 million by dodgy builders doing slapdash work, according to research for FMB. FMB writes: The research shows that almost half of homeowners (48%) are losing out by paying builders for the total … Continue reading →

Roger Penny, a retired businessman who caused substantial damage to the Priddy Circles, in Somerset, has agreed to pay for repairs to the monument and other mitigation works at a cost of around £38,000. At Taunton Crown Court it was … Continue reading →

Retail guru Mary Portas has backed tower block residents opposing plans for a Tesco superstore on Margate seafront. Landlord Freshwater says building the store would pay for the renovation of Arlington House flats. A letter from Ms Portas was handed … Continue reading →

Brixton in London scooped the Academy of Urbanism’s Great Neighbourhood award, as Galway carried off the ‘great Town’ award, Hope Street, Liverpool, won for the ‘Great Street’, and City Park, Bradford, picked up the ‘Great Place’ Award. Search Planning Resource: … Continue reading →

Proposed new powers will make it easier to make improvements in a way that should also protect the amenity of neighbours, Planning Minister Nick Boles asserted. CLG writes: The reforms would, for a time limited period, slash planning red tape, … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) has asked for help to record, conserve and remember war memorials using its new online service, War Memorials Online. EH writes: War Memorials Online brings together for the first time information on the UK’s war memorials held … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again when all IHBC members are asked to verify their records. Within the next few days an email setting out your details will arrive in your inbox and this year we are asking everyone to … Continue reading →

The most inclusive conservation award for taught coursework is ready for online submissions, as the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC) Annual Gus Astley Student Award (GASA) is launched, with a closing date of 31 July 2013 and guidance to … Continue reading →

IHBC’s Scotland Branch is hosting a day of ‘Thinking about Asset Transfer’ on 21 November in Glasgow, followed by the Branch AGM, with the bonus of a chance to meet with IHBC’s President Trefor Thorpe. The study day will address … Continue reading →

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced a further commitment of £15 million to support heritage skills through its Skills for the Future initiative. The special funding initiative will provide hundreds more training places to address skills shortages in the … Continue reading →

Construction industry workshops are increasingly revealing concerns over the cost and complexity of large scale jobs, as mainstream practitioners realise that delivery of housing retrofit could be more complex and costly than anticipated. These concerns were raised in a series … Continue reading →

The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) has available 3 Heritage Lottery Funded bursaries for trainee placements with the specialist building conservation contractor Fairhurst Ward Abbotts at some of the most significant historic buildings in the South East of England. These … Continue reading →

Owners of a £750,000 listed home have been told by Wiltshire Council to tear down solar panels that caused ‘significant visual impact’, while public comments on one web site demonstrate the strength of feeling about the owners’ approach and the … Continue reading →

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has started consulting on proposals to make it easier for neighbourhood forums to set up new parish councils. A consultation paper published by DCLG said that the existing process for setting up … Continue reading →