Monthly Archives: March 2013

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for the UK’s built environment conservation specialists, has welcomed the launch by England’s Culture and Creative Industries Minister, Ed Vaizey, of a new review of architecture and the built environment, … Continue reading →

The IHBC is included in the list of accrediting bodies managed by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), a mark of the close ties between the IHBC’s conservation standards and its own listing of recognised conservation courses The HESA listing … Continue reading →

A young heritage media company, Heritage4Media (H4M), has produced groundbreaking research that confirms the substantial impact of filming and broadcasting industries on the economics of historic properties as tens of millions of pounds enter the sector each year, while a … Continue reading →

An appeal against refusal of permission for the 275 homes on a former industrial site at Windmill Road, Brentford, West London, has been rejected with the support of the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles because of the harm it would bring … Continue reading →

In a consultation just launched for England and Wales, wit a closing date of 21 June, the Law Commission suggests that a new legal tool is needed to help conservation efforts by private landowners.? The Law Commission writes: A conservation … Continue reading →

Ministers say that a temporary relaxation of extension rules will boost the building industry, while a consultation on plans to double the maximum size of home extensions in England will continue despite a defeat on the issue in the House … Continue reading →

Town halls in England’s most deprived areas are the least likely to have received applications from local groups to take on neighbourhood planning powers, an investigation by Planning has found. Search Planning Resource: LINK

The Alzheimer’s Society, Paypal and Jadu have today launched a mobile app creation platform, free for one year only, that allows charities to create a donation app, which they hope will ‘transform mobile donations’ for the sector. Weejot Donate is … Continue reading →

Design Council CABE has confirmed a series of voluntary redundancies from its design review team, the latest in a string of departures from the built environment watchdog. Search Planning Resource: LINK

Aylesbury College, Bucks, is offering free National Vocational Qualification courses to mark it’s 50th birthday. Aylesbury College writes: As part of our work with the community and local businesses, and to celebrate Aylesbury College’s 50th Birthday, Aylesbury Enterprise is offering … Continue reading →

The government is to publish improved guidance to make it easier for people to organise voluntary events in their communities, removing inconsistencies and confusion highlighted by a review of existing guidance. The ‘Can Do’ Events Guidance will contain easy-to-understand information … Continue reading →

Increase your employability, discover new opportunities, and top up your CPD, all while still saving money: book online now to take advantage of the early bird booking rates for the IHBC’s 2013 School, on 20-22 June in Carlisle, on ‘Skills’. … Continue reading →

Bursaries to cover fees for the IHBC’s 2013 School on ‘Skills’, to take place in Carlisle in June, are currently available to IHBC members, so apply fast to make sure you can be considered, or join the IHBC online now … Continue reading →

A partnership led by Locality and including IHBC past-chair and HESPR designated adviser Dave Chetwyn, is providing a new programme of support and grants to help communities create neighbourhood plans, with £9.5m funding available. IHBC past-chair and designated service adviser … Continue reading →

The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Budget to Parliament on 20 March 2013, generating a range of comments in response to a plan that signals little change overall. The RTPI observes: Government will: ·   publish significantly reduced planning guidance … Continue reading →

Chancellor George Osborne announced a new government guarantee, which he said would be sufficient to support £130 billion of new mortgages. Search Planning Resource: LINK BBC News: LINK

A London pub has become the first in the country to be saved from closure by local people utilising the Localism Act, which came into force last year. Grade II listed The Ivy House in Nunhead has now been classified … Continue reading →

England’s Ministers have amended a clause in its Growth and Infrastructure Bill following concern that moves to relax the development control regime for telecommunications infrastructure in National Parks and areas of outstanding beauty (AONBs) would damage protected landscapes. The Government … Continue reading →

Two bursaries are available for the 2013 ‘Spring’ Conference of the Vernacular Architecture Group (VAG), which will be based at the Carmarthen campus of the University of Wales Trinity St David from 25 to 29 June. VAG writes: During the … Continue reading →

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is being used to impose unnecessary greenfield development in the face of local opposition, according to a study by countryside campaigners. CPRE News: LINK Search Planning Resource: LINK

A planning blogger who sued a council and its chief executive for libel has lost her claim in the High Court and been ordered to pay £25,000 in damages after a counter-claim against her succeeded. The background to the dispute … Continue reading →

The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) has launched their new Open Churches Policy with an aim to have every church in CCT care open to the public 364 days a year – either through timed locks, the use of volunteer key-holders … Continue reading →

The government has moved to ease fears that its growth bill could damage protected landscapes by amending a clause intended to relax rules on the installation of electronic communications infrastructure in such areas. Search Planning Resource: LINK

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for the UK’s built and historic environment conservation specialists, has welcomed the new framework for regeneration in Wales but warns that the re-location of the heritage portfolio outside the regeneration … Continue reading →

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the business lobby group, has followed the lead of mainstream heritage advocates and called for a VAT cut or subsidies for renovation and repair works, to create 80,000 jobs from a £500m investment. In … Continue reading →