Monthly Archives: January 2015

The owner of a London Grade II listed building (LB) in Hampstead Garden Suburb, who repeatedly ignored Barnet Council officers’ advice while carrying out building work, has been fined £45,000 at Willesden Magistrates’ Court. Search Planning Portal

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has confirmed that business support company TerraQuest is the preferred bidder to take over the running of the Planning Portal. Planning Portal writes: Mr Lewis said the move would increase investment in the Portal … Continue reading →

A Service of Thanksgiving for Sir Jocelyn Stevens, former Chairman of English Heritage 1992-2000, will be held at 3.00 pm on 5 February in St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge, 32a Wilton Place, London SW1X 8SH. See an obituary

Historic England intends to continue its support to the sector using funding to build capacity in accordance with the sector plan Heritage 2020, but a new or revised programme needs to be launched in 2016, if new funding agreements are … Continue reading →

The latest issue of the National Trust (NT) ‘Arts, Buildings and Collections Bulletin’ (‘ABC’) profiles the very practical ‘building design guides’ that highlight real life case studies from work carried out at their properties, while discussing how sensitive design and … Continue reading →

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, in the Welsh Government, has issued statements highlighting the intended way forward for new heritage legislation, and also stressed the importance of new protection for archaeology within the Bill. The Welsh … Continue reading →

Houses in Bath were re-clad in natural stone after enforcement and the failure of a retrospective planning appeal by the developer who had used a reconstituted stone not approved in the original planning permission. View the news story and pictures … Continue reading →

The Adam Smith Institute has published a new paper entitled ‘The Green Noose: Green belts and proposals for reforms’, that makes controversial assessments of the impact of green belt designations, arguing that they are far from the undeveloped resource that … Continue reading →

Are you involved in creative projects on heritage and culture? Arts Council England have launched a new fund which is designed to encourage collaborative working to explore the impact which arts and culture has on society, with a deadline for … Continue reading →

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has launched a new £1 million fund aimed at helping local planning authorities to deal with breaches of planning control.  DCLG writes: Councils are set to receive a £1 million boost to … Continue reading →

The factory site at Huncoats in Lancashire that once produced the red NORI bricks which were used many global landmarks and regional properties has restarted production, 7 years after production ceased. HM Treasury writes: Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor … Continue reading →

The first purpose built cattery in England has been listed Grade II. The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) writes: Whittington Lodge, originally a cattery at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, has been listed Grade II by Heritage Minister … Continue reading →

The RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship is now open for entries, with a deadline of 24 April, offering architecture students the opportunity to travel and research a matter relating to ‘the survival of our cities and towns’. The Royal Institute … Continue reading →

A new model for providing planning and building services is to be implemented by Cheshire East Council, in the form of a consultancy. Cheshire East Council writes Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to set up a building and … Continue reading →

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (DBIS) has announced changes to the rules of apprenticeships in England, which will allow employers to control the funding attached to their apprentices.  DBIS writes: The government has today (13 January 2015) outlined … Continue reading →

A historic South West Wales harbour will receive major investment to boost the port facilities, tourism offer and leisure facilities, including the provision of interpretation and a heritage trail. The Welsh Government writes: The First Minister visited Saundersfoot to announce … Continue reading →

English Heritage is seeking experts in London’s urban archaeology to apply for a position on the London Advisory Committee, with a closing date of Friday 27 February 2015. The Committee advises English Heritage on historic environment issues in London which … Continue reading →

The House of Commons Library has published a note summarising recent planning proposals.  Parliament writes: Since the Coalition Agreement, major reforms to the planning system have taken place with the introduction of the Localism Act 2011 and the National Planning … Continue reading →

The third reading of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Bill was passed by the House of Commons on the 9 January. The Bill aims to increase the number of self build and custom build properties, and create a national … Continue reading →

£20.6 million funding has been announced as an investment into UK historic parks by HLF The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes: From Brighton to Barnsley, historic public parks awarded Lottery grants for restoration works and new facilities   Seven much-loved public … Continue reading →

IHBC members with an interest in property research, archives and genealogy will welcome a new Ministry of Justice initiative which makes millions of wills available online for the first time, as well as the turn of the year making new … Continue reading →