Monthly Archives: October 2014

English Heritage (EH) has published guidance aimed at both local authorities and community groups, which intends to provide clear advice on when and how to transfer heritage assets from public to community ownership. The publication, ‘Pillars of the Community: The … Continue reading →

The winner of the Prime Minister’s (PM’s) Better Public Building Award has been announced as the Medmerry flood defence project in Sussex, with the award presented at the British Construction Industry Awards ceremony in London. The Cabinet Office writes: An … Continue reading →

The Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP has been appointed as the new Chair of the Church Buildings Council (CBC), it was announced by the Church of England on 17th September 2014. The CBC is a statutory body accountable to … Continue reading →

This month has brought several items of ‘good news’ for museums and visitor attractions; The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) reports that August brought record numbers of visitors to English museums, the Welsh Government are promoting the first … Continue reading →

Heritage Open Days (HODs) broke records across the board this September, cementing its place as England’s biggest celebration of local history. Heritage Alliance writes: In its 20th anniversary year, the four-day festival welcomed a spectacular three million visitors, up 900,000 … Continue reading →

Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant launched the new Planning (Wales) Bill this week, with proposals for the modernisation of the Welsh planning system including changes to regional planning, new pre-application consultation procedures and amendments to enforcement processes. The Welsh Government … Continue reading →

Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney set out the proposed 2015-16 Scottish Government budget in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, including details of Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT), and the Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT), with the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee … Continue reading →

Several announcements on housing were made at the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) conference, including proposals for three new garden cities; the amendment of the New Towns Act to give Local Authorities further powers; the launch of new apprenticeship and training … Continue reading →

The Smith Commission is seeking the views of members of the public for input into the discussions on devolution of powers for Scotland, with a deadline for responses of 5pm on 31 October. The Smith Commission writes: Lord Smith has … Continue reading →

Further neighbourhood planning areas are being considered in the area that was one of the first to adopt Localism powers. Eden District Council writes: Appleby has applied to Eden District Council to be designated as an area that has the … Continue reading →

Datasets of coal mining have been published this week by the Coal Authority, including known areas of activity, abandoned mines and mine gas sites. UK Gov GIS data

Derbyshire Dales District Council has confirmed that its Local Plan has been withdrawn from public examination due to lack of provision of housing sites, and an additional period of public consultation seeking new sites is proposed. Derbyshire Dales District Council … Continue reading →

The National Piers Society has called for changes to heritage funding rules this week, to allow piers in private ownership to be able to access funding.  View information on the campaign and details of recent media appearances on BBC news … Continue reading →

Plans for the HS2 rail line route near Lichfield, Staffordshire, have been altered, the company responsible for the Government-backed project has announced. The amended route will now pass under the A38, the West Coast Main Line and the South Staffordshire … Continue reading →

The Land Trust and Buglife have called upon politicians to remember that whilst the NPPF prioritises development upon brownfield land, many brownfield sites can be wildlife havens and intrinsically valuable for public use. Buglife writes: Let’s change our assumptions about … Continue reading →

Details of the panel members who will be reviewing the designated landscapes of Wales have been announced this week by Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Natural Resources at the Welsh Government The Welsh Government writes: Professor Terry Marsden, Director of … Continue reading →

The Homes and Commuities Agency (HCA) proposals for 500 homes and a construction skills training centre at a former barracks in Hampshire have been approved by councilors.  HCA writes: Proposals to bring hundreds of new homes, jobs and better road … Continue reading →

Archival images and research materials relating to the waterways of the UK have been released online for the first time by the Canal and River Trust.  The Canal and River Trust writes: We’ve digitally published over 37,000 archive records and … Continue reading →

Creative Scotland have announced three awards for building works and public art in Dumfries, Campbeltown and work around the River Ness. Creative Scotland writes: Creative Scotland is pleased to confirm more than £1.35m Large Capital Funding, for buildings and a … Continue reading →

A parliamentary (SPiCE) briefing is now available which sets out the history and development of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill and the planned areas for reform. The Scottish Parliament writes: This Briefing summarises and analyses the key provisions in the … Continue reading →

The closing date for entries to the prestigious Europa Nostra awards is approaching, with a deadline for entries of 15 October. Europa Nostra writes: Eligible areas are: Architectural Heritage: single buildings or groups of buildings in rural or urban setting; … Continue reading →