Monthly Archives: January 2014

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and BBC Radio 3 seek applications for the New Generation Thinkers of 2014, where up to 60 successful applicants can develop programme-making ideas with experienced BBC producers, and up to ten will become … Continue reading →

England’s smaller cities have called for less emphasis on boosting high streets and more help in creating non-retail jobs in a report just launched. Localgov writes: The key cities group in its Manifesto for Growth launched on January 22 says … Continue reading →

The arrivals hall at Jersey airport could be demolished under proposals from the airport authority, though the 1930s structure has just been confirmed by the Island’s planning minister as a Grade ll listed building. Next month the same minister, Robert … Continue reading →

The speaker for the inaugural annual lecture of Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) on the 24 February in Edinburgh, is Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, who will speak about health and the built environment, with free entry but … Continue reading →

The existing 22 local authorities in Wales should be merged to create between 10 and 12 larger councils, an independent commission set up by the Welsh Government has recommended. That is the headline proposal from the Commission on Public Service … Continue reading →

The Canal & River Trust is partnering with English Heritage (EH) on a national pilot project which could significantly improve the way national custodians of heritage, such as the Trust, are able to look after the listed buildings and structures … Continue reading →

Insurance group Legal & General has revealed it wants to build up to five new towns across Britain over the next 10 years at a cost of up to £5bn, according to its chief executive. L&G’s Nigel Wilson told the … Continue reading →

The Scottish Civic Trust (SCT) My Place Awards, a celebration of good local design and conservation projects, and of people who make a significant contribution to the civic movement, are open for nomination, with a deadline of 31 January. For … Continue reading →

A new award has been set up ‘to recognise individuals/groups from design academia and practice who can evidence a dedication to laying positive paths between design education and design practice’, and in that spirit is entitled ‘No pomp’. For nomination … Continue reading →

The Environment Agency has announced that although it will continue to comply with its statutory obligations for free it is now going to charge £84 per hour for ‘detailed technical advice’ on Planning Act 2008 schemes and other projects. The … Continue reading →

A pub based in a former Victorian music hall has been given more than £1m to expand into underground floors and caves. The floors under the Malt Cross, in Nottingham, have had various uses in the past, including as a … Continue reading →

Historic parks and cemeteries have received £26.5m funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund’s Parks for People programme. The funding will help restore and open up 15 parks and cemeteries across the UK, including £3.7m to … Continue reading →

Fewer new onshore wind farms are being approved in England following the publication of new guidelines on landscape, heritage and local amenities, Parliament was told this week. The proportion of consents have fallen from 52 per cent to 36 per … Continue reading →

A new report from the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) think tank, in association with the National Trust (NT), considers whether the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is delivering planning solutions that reflect the needs and concerns of local communities. … Continue reading →

England’s Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey MP, has initiated a review to be undertaken by Lord Redesdale, secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group (APPAG), and John Howell MP, into the future of Local … Continue reading →

Somerset and Devon County Councils are seeking a chair and up to seven trustees to lead an important new charity, established to deliver the heritage services currently provided by the two councils, with open evening for potential candidates on Monday … Continue reading →

Councils have denied ‘sitting on’ millions of pounds of Section 106 money intended for social and community projects, contrary to reports from the BBC. Freedom of information requests to all 353 local authorities in England by the BBC found that … Continue reading →

Developers could be ‘allowed to destroy ancient woodland if they agree to plant 100 trees for every one felled’, according to reports attributed to Environment secretary Owen Paterson. Paterson has suggested that his proposed ‘biodiversity offsetting’ scheme could apply to … Continue reading →

England’s Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has announced that The Lake District can go forward as the UK’s World Heritage (WH) nomination in 2016. Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: ‘The UK’s heritage is world renowned and the Lake District, England’s largest … Continue reading →