Monthly Archives: August 2014

New building regulation amendments have been introduced in Wales this week, with changes to guidance on sustainable buildings. The Welsh Government writes: The Building Regulations have been amended to reflect changes coming into force today following a consultation on Part … Continue reading →

New findings in the most recent research by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG in the 2013 British Social Attitudes Survey concludes that there is a lessening of opposition to new housebuilding and that the level of support … Continue reading →

The shortlist for the annual Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning has been released, with IHBC member Stuart West’s work on ‘Listed Buildings and Orkney Local List supplementary guidance’ included.  The Scottish Government writes: Applications for this year’s SAQP 2014 … Continue reading →

The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust (WHGT) has launched a Small Grants Scheme to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Trust in 1989. The Trust’s aim is to raise a minimum of £25,000 to mark its quarter-centenary, and … Continue reading →

The Building Design (BD) Architect of the Year Awards is now open for entries, with a closing date of 12 September 2014.  The awards have 13 categories, including sustainability architect of the year, and refurbishment architect of the year.  BD … Continue reading →

A new Facebook Group has been established: the ‘Ministry of Works Signage Appreciation Society’, to collect photographs of the surviving signs of the Ministry’s activities, including their latter day replacements. The Heritage Journal writes: Before the days of English Heritage, … Continue reading →

A hut used by ‘Tarka the Otter’ author Henry Williamson, in Georgeham, Devon, has been granted Grade II listed status by English Heritage. Tarka the Otter, published 87 years ago, brought the Devon countryside to life through the eyes of … Continue reading →

Councils without access to architectural advice should have their plan-making and development control functions taken away, said Lord Tyler in a House of Lords debate on the recent Farrell Review, while Baroness Andrews argued that ‘place is character’. Baroness Andrews … Continue reading →

A new consultation has been launched on changes to the planning system in England, with amendments to the neighbourhood planning process, changes to the use of planning conditions, extensions to permitted development and changes to environmental impact thresholds all proposed, … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government has confirmed that the terms of reference and the membership of the independent review panel which will look at the governance and purpose of the country’s national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) will be … Continue reading →

An appeal by a developer who wanted to build 112 homes in Slad Valley, Gloucestershire, an area made famous by writer and poet Laurie Lee, has been dismissed by a planning inspector. But developer Gladman won his appeal for a … Continue reading →

Following the announcement of an £811,000 grant to the Canal and Rivers Trust in May by the Heritage lottery Fund (HLF), 42 waterways Heritage Trainees are now being recruited to work on the project, which includes practical work in stonemasonry … Continue reading →

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced details of £500,000 for rural community energy projects across England under the Rural Community Energy Fund DEFRA writes: Thirty local renewable energy projects stretching from Cornwall to Cumbria are … Continue reading →

A citizen journalism initiative has been reporting on some planning, heritage and regeneration around the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, with a profile of a community empowerment initiative in Dalmarnock (where the Athlete’s Village is), the Commonwealth related work of Glasgow … Continue reading →

Research and technical papers relating to the Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA)- SPAB Technical Panel in June are now available for download. The Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance and SPAB held a conference in June on energy efficiency and traditional buildings, … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government is seeking nominations for the St. David Awards, which cross nine categories (including culture and citizenship), with a closing date of 28 October 2014. The Welsh Government writes: The St David Awards annually recognise and celebrate the … Continue reading →