Monthly Archives: January 2013

England’s planning Department CLG has confirmed that homeowners will not face red tape on green matters when building conservatories and extensions. CLG writes: The government has announced that anyone looking to improve their home through measures such as building a … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, has announced the winners in its prestigious Annual Student Award. The 2012 judge, Terry Levinthal, of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), awarded … Continue reading →

Links between the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and the New Year Honours list reflect the institute’s small but increasingly significant role across the full diversity of heritage interests. IHBC member Deborah Dance, director of the Oxford Preservation Trust, … Continue reading →

Planning rules governing what is and is not permitted when carrying out developments on homes in England are being relaxed to encourage take up of the Green Deal, Energy and Climate Minister Greg Barker said, as The Institute of Historic … Continue reading →

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has launched a new inquiry on the proposals arising from the England’s Taylor Review of Planning Practice Guidance, and, with related consultation due on 15 February, has launched an urgent call for written … Continue reading →

Historic Scotland (HS) has launched an informal consultation on developing a ‘traditional building charter’, and is seeking initial comments by 18 January. The draft proposed text for the charter reads as follows: We, the undersigned, acknowledging the physical and cultural … Continue reading →

A VAT cut for housing renovation and repair work is at the top of the New Year’s (NY) wish-list for most small and medium-sized construction companies. The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) writes: In a major survey of members of … Continue reading →

Following a 34% funding cut in the 2010 spending settlement, English Heritage Commissioners made the decision that the Blue Plaque Scheme was to be funded in an alternative way in the future with, as a step towards creating a new … Continue reading →

An Order amending the rules on the information which must be submitted with an English planning application will come into force on 31 January. This Order removes existing national requirements for information on layout and scale to be provided with … Continue reading →

John Penrose MP wants to know what are people’s favourite views, and he wants to know if you want those views protected. conservativehome.blogs writes: Writing in the Telegraph the former Culture minister argues that great views should be protected from … Continue reading →

Entries for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence are now open, and people are being encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline of 15 February. Submissions are open in the following categories: Awards for projects … Continue reading →

Nearly two-thirds of respondents to a survey of local authority planners do not believe their department has the financial or personnel resources to work with communities on planning issues. Search Planning Resource: LINK

CITB-ConstructionSkills today celebrated a clean sweep of ‘outstanding’ ratings following an Ofsted inspection of its provision for learners. Ofsted rated the organisation as ‘outstanding’ in all three of its inspection categories; outcomes for learners; quality of teaching; learning and assessment … Continue reading →

Another round of seminars on new EU funding programmes is about to commence. Connexus writes: The next round of the popular CulturEuro seminars will focus on the new EU funding programmes from 2014 and will provide the latest information on … Continue reading →

An external review of planning practice guidance led by Matthew Taylor, Lord Taylor of Goss Moor has recommended rationalising advice and making it easier to use, as a consultation is launched on just where and how, with an urgent closing … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) has provided an important if preliminary and interim review of the potential implications of the Taylor Review on guidance used to manage England’s heritage. In a note to the Historic Environment Forum (HEF), EH observes that some … Continue reading →

A new policy is being introduced in Scotland for the assessment of skills, competence and safety standards on construction sites in Scotland, whereby all companies engaged in new public sector construction contracts must ensure that on-site staff are registered with … Continue reading →

Graduate and post-graduate level apprenticeships will soon be available in subjects including law, accountancy and advanced engineering, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS), has announced. DBIS writes: From next year, changes to the … Continue reading →

England’s Planning Minister Nick Boles has announced a new multi-million pound cash boost to help more communities, with local planning authorities able to claim up to £30,000 for each neighbourhood plan. CLG writes: The cash will help more communities take … Continue reading →

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has launched the second round of its national innovation voucher scheme that encourages small businesses to work with industry experts on improving products, processes and services, with Up to £5000 available for Small and Medium … Continue reading →

Museums+Heritage (M+H) has announced the new entry criteria for the 2013 Museums + Heritage Awards is now available. M+H writes: This year we have shaken-up the categories, redefining the criteria for many of them as well as introducing three new … Continue reading →

For the first time in England, two metal detector users have been given a suspended custodial sentence and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) by the court for carrying out illegal metal detecting activities on a protected site. English Heritage (EH) writes: … Continue reading →

The government has claimed that more than 9,000 traffic signs have been taken down in England in the last year as it published new guidance aimed at reducing ‘street clutter’. The BBC writes: More than 9,000 road traffic signs have … Continue reading →