Monthly Archives: December 2014

The Law Commission has now published its final report with recommendations on reform into the ‘right for light’ affecting developments in England and Wales. The Law Commission writes: We commenced this project in March 2012 and published a consultation paper … Continue reading →

The Wales Bill 2014 has received Royal Assent, which introduces the Wales Act 2014, renames the ‘Welsh Assembly Government’ as the ‘Welsh Government’ and introduces new financial powers. The Welsh Government writes: First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has today … Continue reading →

The Rural Coalition has issued a call for rural priorities to be recognised by the next government in a document entitled ‘The Rural Challenge 2015’, focusing on the rural economy, affordable housing and access to essential services.  The Campaign to … Continue reading →

Plans for a £2 billion and 7000 home development forming a new garden city (Plasdwr, meaning waterfall) have been launched in Cardiff by developer Redrow Homes.  View the Plasdwr Garden City Plasdwr developer articles ‘Garden City Proposed for Cardiff’ Wales … Continue reading →

IHBC members with an interest in Historic Environment (HE) research and education will be particularly interested in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results assessing the quality of research in HE throughout the UK. View the results for different units … Continue reading →

The Department for the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) has released statistics showing approval rates and the number of renewable energy applications received in the most recent quarter, and launched a new financial support scheme for switching to renewable energy this … Continue reading →

The Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (CIfA) was formally launched during an event held at the Museum of London on 9 December. Heritage Alliance writes: CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeology in the UK and its successful application for … Continue reading →

The World Monuments Watch have launched their latest call for nominations, with a closing date of 1 March. World Monuments Fund launched the Watch in 1996 to bring international attention and secure financial support for heritage sites at risk across … Continue reading →

The new chair of BRE has been appointed, James Wates CBE, taking over from Sir Neville Simms. BRE writes: Chairman of Wates Group, James Wates CBE has been appointed as Chairman of the BRE Trust the UK’s largest charity dedicated … Continue reading →

A London Council could be implementing a first in the policy world as proposals to prevent people purchasing housing as an investment and then leaving them empty (dubbed ‘buy to leave’) are to be consulted on.   Islington Council writes: Islington … Continue reading →

Nominations for the Creative & Cultural Skills (CCS) Awards 2015 are now open, celebrating exemplary individuals, organisations, apprentices and interns in the creative and cultural industries, with a closing date of 9 January. CCS writes: The Creative & Cultural Skills … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) is looking for Trustees to join the Board of the new charity which will take over responsibility for the care of its collection of historic properties in April 2015, with a closing date of 2 January. EH … Continue reading →

The Place Alliance – a link group inspired by the Farrell Review’s ‘PLACE’ agenda, which also highlights the central role of conservation in place-making – is seeking your input into an urban design and built environment mapping exercise through a … Continue reading →

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Commons Select Committee have now concluded the initial review of the first two and a half years operation of the NPPF, highlighting a number of concerns on its application that include particularly the effect … Continue reading →

Following the recent Draft Corporate Plan consultation, the new Historic England (HE) Action Plan is now out for consultation, with views being sought by 23 January 2015. EH writes: We are developing a Corporate Plan for Historic England. The Plan … Continue reading →

Built Environment Forum Scotland has announced that its new chair will be Dr Graeme Purves OBE, former Assistant Chief Planner in the Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division, succeeding Professor Emeritus Cliff Hague at the end of his 3-year term. … Continue reading →

The Deputy Prime Minister has announced greater powers for housing, transport, employment and business support for the city region of Sheffield under the Northern Futures Programme.  The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office writes: The Deputy Prime Minister in Sheffield confirmed a … Continue reading →

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) has announced that it pledges to abolish the 20% VAT rate on Listed Building (LB) repairs introduced in the 2012 Budget, and instead replace it with a rate of 5%. Heritage Alliance writes: The … Continue reading →

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a consultation and call for evidence regarding the application of lottery funding and the guidance which governs society lotteries (under the Gambling Act 2005).  DCMS writes: It has now been … Continue reading →

An open data challenge on the theme of Heritage & Culture has been launched by the independent charity Nesta (formerly the NDPB the ‘National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts’) with up to £50,000 equity-free funding to further develop … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has dismissed a recovered appeal over Cornwall Council’s refusal of a two-turbine wind project proposed for South Torfrey Farm, Golant, Fowey, in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The inspector who heard the appeal had … Continue reading →