Monthly Archives: November 2012

An exciting new initiative which enables apprentices to complete a full apprenticeship programme by working with a number of different employers has been launched by CITB-ConstructionSkills. CITB-ConstructionSkills writes: The Shared Apprenticeship Scheme is a new skills intervention which has been … Continue reading →

Proposals to speed up planning appeal procedures which include the introduction of an expedited ‘commercial appeals service’ have been unveiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). DCLG said the aim of the changes, now out for consultation, … Continue reading →

A south London church has appealed against the imposition of a new planning tax by the capital’s mayor in what is thought to be one of the first cases of its kind. The Christ Apostolic Church Mount Zion International in … Continue reading →

A Lords committee is inviting views on the government’s proposed changes to how it carries out consultations, with a closing date of 30 November. In July 2012, the Cabinet Office published new guidance on how consultations would be carried out … Continue reading →

Due to demand the closing date of The Duke of Gloucester’s Young Achievers Scheme, with Categories in Architecture, Engineering, Project Management and Surveying, has been extended to 16 November 2012 . The Awards is an opportunity for exceptional young professionals … Continue reading →

Peter Hansford, a director of Nichols and immediate past president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the Government’s new chief construction adviser, says he will be focused on cost and carbon reduction and improving skills and innovation in the … Continue reading →

ODS Consulting has been appointed to carry out stakeholder consultation to inform the development of the business case for a merger between the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) and Historic Scotland. RCAHMS-HS writes: This … Continue reading →

To encourage greater member involvement the IHBC has just launched descriptions and specifications for posts to which trustees will be elected at the IHBC’s next AGM, to take place in Carlisle in June 2013, when at least two new postholders … Continue reading →

The IHBC has launched an online registration system to help streamline the IHBC’s membership application process. Paul Butler, IHBC Membership Secretary, said: ‘The IHBC has now launched an online registration process for membership that will simplify and speed up these … Continue reading →

The IHBC has launched a new feature in its leading ‘jobs’ advertising service with a direct email alert to those seeking work, making it as easy as possible for members to hear about the new jobs, contracts, pro bono and … Continue reading →

A report making 28 recommendations to improve planning services in Wales’ National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) has been published by the Welsh Government. Land Use Consultants (LUC) was commissioned by Environment Minister John Griffiths to undertake … Continue reading →

Hundreds of towns across the country are being offered support to help them revitalise their high streets, Local Growth Minister Mark Prisk has announced. Following applications by local MPs, more than 300 Town Teams have signed up to become Town … Continue reading →

Communities Minister Don Foster has launched a new independent group of building industry experts, tasked with simplifying the mass of rules imposed on developers and housebuilders, to make them easier to understand and follow. As part of the Government’s Red … Continue reading →

The Vernacular Architecture Group has launched it Winter Meeting Bursary programme, to support attendance at the Group’s Meeting at the University of Leicester on 5-6 January 2013, with a closing date for applications of of 26 November. Linda Hall, VAG … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) has outlined its new internal structures following ongoing swingeing budget cutbacks in government funding. Chris Smith, National Planning and Conservation Director at EH, writes: In response to the changes to the planning system and to our budget … Continue reading →

The European Commission has unveiled proposals to streamline the legislation on environmental impact assessments. The move is intended to lighten administrative burdens and make it easier to assess the potential impacts of major projects, without weakening existing environmental safeguards. Current … Continue reading →

The London Assembly is the latest organisation to support the country-wide programme to tackle heritage crime, led by English Heritage, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers. English Heritage writes: In a recent event held at … Continue reading →

Increased council tax on empty homes will encourage owners to bring them back into use, Scotland’s Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has said. Parliament has passed the Unoccupied Properties Bill, which will allow local authorities to charge up to double the … Continue reading →

Outstanding research in the field of architecture, in particular its history, has been celebrated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as the winners of the RIBA President’s Awards for Research were announced. The RIBA President’s Awards for Research, … Continue reading →

The winners of the English Heritage Angel Awards, founded last year by Andrew Lloyd Webber to celebrate the efforts of local people in rescuing their heritage, were announced at a gala ceremony in London’s West End on Monday 22 October. … Continue reading →