Daily Archives: 02/05/2014

The implementation of the HS2 high speed rail link (HS2) between London Euston and Birmingham moved closer this week with the approval of the House of Commons High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill.  Planning Portal reports: The hybrid … Continue reading →

A judge has upheld a legal challenge by two housebuilders against a West Midlands council’s decision to adopt a local plan which placed two previously undesignated sites in the green belt, ruling that the authority had failed to take into … Continue reading →

The list of submissions in the stage 1 Parliamentary scrutiny of Scotland’s Historic Environment re now available, with the IHBC supporting the submission by Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS). See the submissions Education and Culture Committee papers

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is part-funding a study which will look at the prospects for replacing 1960s, 70s and 80s slab and point block housing estates in London with more … Continue reading →

Gordon Nardell QC and Justine Thornton (barristers) have written a reflection on the Barnwell Manor case, involving Heritage Assets (HAs) and wind turbines: ‘Does a recent Court of Appeal ruling mark a change in the wind in relation to decision-makers … Continue reading →

The March 2014 Future Trends Survey results have been issued by the RIBA, revealing encouraging results from architectural practices across the UK, and in particular for the North of England and Scotland.  RIBA writes: ‘All UK nations and regions returned … Continue reading →

The funding recently announced within the 2014 budget for cathedral repairs is now open for applications.  The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) writes: Grants from the £20 million fund, which was announced by the Chancellor at Budget 2014, … Continue reading →

A new advisory board established by the Department for Communities and Local Government is to look at how digital technology can help create sustainable high streets, while the board has held its inaugural meeting. The Chief Executive of Home Retail … Continue reading →

The UK Commission for Employability and Skills (UKCES) has launched a new fund to help address a lack of off site skills among construction firms. UKCES writes: Up to £600,000 is available to co-invest with employers in testing ways of … Continue reading →

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC)-commissioned Draft Moisture Risk Assessment and Guidance has been released for consultation by The Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA), which will be carrying out an analysis of the consultation responses on behalf of DECC, … Continue reading →

Proposals to demolish the 1960’s-built Red Road tower blocks as a highlight the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony were recently reversed following widespread public criticism and community objections. A proposal to broadcast live the dynamiting of five tower blocks … Continue reading →

This week the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has been promoting the work carried out using National Lottery funding, with a major campaign encouraging the public to ‘just imagine life without National Lottery Funding’ HLF writes: Since the first Lottery draw … Continue reading →

English Heritage’s online database of appeal and call-in decisions relating to heritage now has over 120 entries, searchable by local authority, type of asset, keyword and year. Access the searchable database