Monthly Archives: September 2014

New research into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is to be undertaken by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government writes: Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant announced that the Welsh Government has commissioned research into the impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation … Continue reading →

2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark ‘Destruction of the Country House’ exhibition at the V&A, which led to the founding of SAVE Britain’s Heritage in the following year, and to celebrate this SAVE is helping mount a dual … Continue reading →

A former Pencader school is to be transformed into a centre for sustainable technology, including training opportunities for apprentices and school children and a showcase of opportunities for businesses and householders to become involved in sustainability initiatives. The Welsh Government … Continue reading →

A regulation 7 direction has been granted to Newcastle City Council, to control the visual effect of housing ‘to let’ boards in popular residential areas. Newcastle City Council writes: Newcastle City Council has successfully applied to the Government for a … Continue reading →

To document progress the redevelopment of the historic Battersea Power Station in London, an image has been revealed of the in-progress dismantling process on the facility’s chimneys. Designboom writes: The photo offers a striking vantage point, located at the upper … Continue reading →

Two of Birmingham’s most ‘at risk’ landmark buildings are set to be saved as a brand new museum, which could become a major tourist attraction. Birmingham Post writes: The Birmingham Municipal Bank, in Broad Street, is set to be transformed … Continue reading →

A Roman dig site in County Durham dubbed ‘the Pompeii of the North’ has been put up for sale, as Binchester Roman Town, at Bishop Auckland, has been put on the market by the group managing the Church of England’s … Continue reading →

The Exmouth Journal has reported on the collapse of a listed cob walled thatched cottage in the village of East Budleigh. Yahoo online news also reported that the building had scaffolding poles which had either been removed, or collapsed, and … Continue reading →

Southwark Council has this week been criticised for its planned Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule and zones. Planning Portal writes: ‘An independent examiner has voiced concerns about the evidence provided by Southwark Council in support of its Community Infrastructure … Continue reading →

Additional guidance and new application forms have been released this week by the Environment Agency and DEFRA on the contaminated land capital projects (CLCP) programme. Members may be interested to learn of the new prioritisation scheme, where a four tier … Continue reading →

The Secretary of State (SOS) Eric Pickles has dismissed an appeal concerning wind turbine development in the setting of a humble Grade II listed warehouse building, on land adjacent to Louth Canal, near Tetney, Lincs, concluding that it is ‘not … Continue reading →

A refurbished black house on Tiree and a home cut into the cliffside on Skye have been shortlisted for a prestigious design award, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Manser Medal, with other finalists include a futuristic extension of a … Continue reading →

Rewards should be offered to communities that put the natural environment at the heart of planning decisions, according to a coalition of green campaigners. LocalGov writes: Among a series of recommendations from environmental groups including the National Trust, WWF, RSPB, … Continue reading →

Building Design’s (BD’s) Carbuncle Award, which ‘celebrates’ the worst in architecture and design, has announced its winner this week: Woolwich Central, a mixed-use 189 apartment and 7,800sq m Tesco development in south east London. BD writes: Our judges had nothing … Continue reading →

The 2014 winner of the Wolfson Prize, which focused on delivering vibrant and viable garden cities, has been announced as David Rudlin of URBED, with plans for 40 city ‘extensions’ that have been rejected by government. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis … Continue reading →

The restoration of North Shields fish quay, supported by the EFF, has been named one of the North East’s best restoration sites. Redevelopment of the fish quay at North Shields is one of four projects shortlisted for the Royal Town … Continue reading →

A former brewery site is being brought back into use through a regeneration plan as a new state of the art training facility ‘West Midlands Construction University Technical College’. CITB writes: The former Springfield Brewery site in Wolverhampton is set … Continue reading →

DCLG has proposed that Local Authorities should provide more parking facilities for new housing developments. DCLG writes: Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles called on councils to ensure more parking spaces are provided alongside new homes to end a ‘vicious cycle’ … Continue reading →

Members will be aware that September is a month featuring many open days and free events celebrating the architecture, archaeology and heritage around areas covered by all the IHBC regions, here is a reminder of the events calendar throughout the … Continue reading →

New guidance has been issued by DEFRA, the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency on Common Agricultural Policy reform. Members may be interested to note that page 3 of the document highlights changes to grants under environmental … Continue reading →

A local authority (LA) said it felt it ‘had a duty’ to go to court in a case where a developer who had bulldozed his home was charged with contravening tree preservation TP) regulations, but which failed after his QC … Continue reading →

New research is to be carried out into the conservation issues for church towers, in a new studentship launched through a three university partnership with English Heritage and the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).  CCT writes: The CCT is proud to … Continue reading →