Monthly Archives: January 2013

The IHBC has submitted its evidence in the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee inquiry into key conclusions of the review of government planning practice guidance, the ‘Taylor Review’. The IHBC writes: 1.In principle we support the proposal to replace … Continue reading →

Further measures designed to streamline the planning application process have been put out for consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and include a proposal to ‘refocus’ requirements for design and access statements. Planning Minister Nick Boles … Continue reading →

According to Planning Magazine, BBC is to launch its documentary The Planners, next week, with episode 1 looking at proposals by three house builders to build on a greenfield site as they meet opposition from locals. BBC notes that interested … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) has circulated a reminder that consultation on the National Heritage Protection Plan closes on Friday 1 February. Edward Impey of EH writes: We are very keen to hear your views on how heritage protection should be prioritised, … Continue reading →

CITB-ConstructionSkills has published its plans for meeting the construction industry’s training and skills needs for the next 3 years. CITB-ConstructionSkills writes The organisation’s ‘2013- 2015 Business Plan’ has been designed to build competitive advantage for the construction industry and the … Continue reading →

A new group tasked with looking at how to ensure the poorest and most vulnerable in society can access the benefits of the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) has met for the first time in London. The ‘Green … Continue reading →

A government backed contest, opening for applications in March, will give companies the chance to win a share of a £4.5 million funding pot. In a plan to help scale up solutions for the domestic retrofit sector as the Technology … Continue reading →

National Grid has been given planning permission by Wandsworth Council to demolish four redundant gas holders next to Battersea Power Station. The infrastructure, a prominent part of London’s skyline, will be removed over the next 16 months starting in March. … Continue reading →

England’s culture minister Ed Vaizey has launched nationwide contest for the 2017 UK City of Culture. DCMS writes: The competition, which comes in the same week that Derry-Londonderry officially kicks off its year as the first ever UK City of … Continue reading →

A competition has been launched by Natural England to design an app that will appeal to mobile device users and help them to engage with nature with the app that best helps bring people closer to nature to win a … Continue reading →

All homeowners should be allowed to build an additional storey on their property without having to apply for planning permission, according to a book published by a group of Conservative modernisers, ‘Bright Blue’. The book was unveiled by Bright Blue, … Continue reading →

A new smartphone app to help people make the small daily changes that can add up to significant environmental improvements, has been developed by four students from Camden High School with help from experts at Imperial College and BRE. A … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s developed jobs service, which now includes an email alert notice to members, has proved such a success that the IHBC’s ‘Jobs etc’ website now carries enthusiastic testimonials from users and clients. IHBC Director Sean O’Reilly said: ‘Our new … Continue reading →

The IHBC’s first ‘Research Note’ in a new publications programme highlights that over a third of the conservation job losses in England in 2010 were from senior posts held by experienced staff according to research carried out by IHBC. Trefor … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is collecting documents, records and other information dating from its earliest days, as the Association of Conservation Officers (ACO), to the present, and seeks relevant records and documents of activities relating to its … Continue reading →

The IHBC has submitted its evidence in the All Parliamentary Part Group on Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE) Inquiry into sustainable construction and the Green Deal. IHBC Policy Committee Vice Chair John Preston said: ‘This is a critical area … Continue reading →

The themes for future editions of Context, the journal of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), have been announced for 2013. IHBC Communications and Outreach Secretary Charles Strang said: ‘The theme for each issue of Context takes the form … Continue reading →

The Heritage Alliance (THA) has provided an essential update on VAT at European level. THA writes: The Alliance responded to the EC consultation on existing VAT legislation (4 January 2013). The response focused on the importance, on the basis of … Continue reading →

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has commended Wales on its progress, but says more must be done to improve home energy efficiency. The CCC writes: Despite a sharp emissions increase in 2010 due to particularly cold winter temperatures Wales … Continue reading →

The Scottish Civic Trust (SCT) My Place Award is now open, with a deadline for submissions of 31 January 2013. SCT writes: In 2013 a Scottish Civic Trust (My Place Award will recognise a building, landscape or public realm project … Continue reading →

The Heritage Alliance has announced that the Sylvia Waddilove Foundation is open to applications for grants for appropriate building preservation works. THA writes: The Sylvia Waddilove Foundation makes grants for various purposes including the preservation of buildings and the Trustees … Continue reading →

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Alex Attwood has published legislation aiming to ensure that planning is more efficient and economy-friendly in the run-up to the transfer of planning powers to councils. The Planning Bill, which has just been introduced in the … Continue reading →

Solar panels can be added to the roof of a Cambridge University college despite objections, city planners have ruled. Plans were submitted to refurbish the 200-year-old, Grade I-listed New Court at Trinity College to improve its accommodation and energy efficiency. … Continue reading →

The planning profession has become ‘inhibited and reticent to proclaim’ its contribution to society, incoming Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) president Dr Peter Geraghty has said in his inaugural speech as he also thanked his predecessor Colin Haylock. RTPI writes … Continue reading →

Details of the latest opportunities are now out for the London and South East Regions under the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Skills for the Future programme run through the National Training Heritage Group (NHTG). Graham Lee, regional co-ordinator writes: ‘These … Continue reading →