Monthly Archives: January 2015

Liverpool’s non-designated Welsh Streets have been saved from destruction thanks to a strong decision from the Secretary of State following a three-week public inquiry last summer as Communities Secretary Eric Pickles says leaving Ringo Starr’s birthplace in a stub of … Continue reading →

The future of local authority services are under threat – with many councils reducing statutory services due to austerity measures – warns a new report published by the TUC and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES). The report, entitled … Continue reading →

The owner of a Grade II (GII) listed building in historic Hampstead Garden Suburb who repeatedly ignored council officers’ advice while carrying out building work has been fined £45,000 by magistrates. Barnet London Borough writes: Maurice Lawee, of 1 Wildwood … Continue reading →

A £500m energy-from-waste project earmarked by Urbaser Balfour Beatty for land at Javelin Park near Haresfield, Gloucestershire, has been approved by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles after a recovered appeal. His decision was in line with the recommendation of the planning … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has dismissed an appeal that would have allowed up to 35 homes to be built near the village of Malpas in Cheshire, in an area for which a neighbourhood plan proposal had been submitted to Cheshire … Continue reading →

Councils are spending up to £5bn to rehire staff they have previously made redundant, a new investigation has revealed. LocalGov writes: The Freedom of Information request, carried out by The Times, discovered many staff who had received large pay-offs were … Continue reading →

The Wales Office has issued advice for church properties in Wales, urging them to apply for the Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund which closes on 30 January. The Wales Office writes: These grants will help ensure that these … Continue reading →

A new Research and development fund aiming to ‘maximise the long-term economic, societal and environmental contribution of buildings, by improving their whole-life performance’ has been launched, officially opening in February with a deadline for applications of 1 April.  Innovate UK … Continue reading →

New research has been published into customers’ experience of having a Green Deal assessment, examining the accuracy and potential variability in the Green Deal assessment of properties by different assessors.  The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) writes: The … Continue reading →

EH are seeking your help with an evaluation of the heritage counts 2014 reports, with a short anonymous survey with a deadline of 30 January. Take the survey IHBC newsblogs on heritage counts

The RIBA are seeking your help with mapping issues relating to design quality and performance, with a closing date for this round of research of 31 January. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) writes: By collating and disseminating case … Continue reading →

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced a series of measures which are designed to simplify the process for setting up a new town or parish council, with the aim of allowing local people to have a … Continue reading →

Proposals to build 470 homes on a First World War airfield in Wiltshire have been put on show to the public. Planning Portal writes: Old Sarum Airfield, one of three in England that has been in continuous use as a … Continue reading →

An appeal against the refusal of two wind turbines at Norham in Northumberland has been dismissed by the Inspector, citing harm to the setting of the Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) of Duddo stone circle as part of the reason for … Continue reading →

A new guide has been published by DCLG setting out the expected responsibilities of the developer and the utilities provider at project scoping, planning permission, implementation and post implementation stages.  Download the guide IHBC newsblogs on housing

A new research and development fund aiming to encourage collaboration among those in the building supply chain has been launched, officially opening in February with a deadline for registration of applications set for midday on 15 April. Innovate UK writes: … Continue reading →

DCLG has launched a new consultation into starter home initiatives, including gathering views on the planning policies affecting these developments for first time buyers (deadline for responses 9 February):  Questions 1 to 5 will be of particular interest to IHBC … Continue reading →

Arts Council England are currently seeking a new panel chair (who may come from the heritage field) for their designation panel. Arts Council England writes: Arts Council England is looking to appoint an experienced Chair to the Designation Panel. The … Continue reading →

EH have published a series of free reports available for downloading from their website, charting the history of the national heritage collection and the history of the conservation movement and heritage protection.  EH writes: This is the most in-depth research … Continue reading →

Research undertaken by the Halifax into quality of life may be of interest to IHBC members involved in urban development and regeneration as the research looks at the quality of urban environments and overall community wellbeing, with the top place … Continue reading →

If you run a heritage or conservation related charity in Scotland you may be interested in responding to the call for entries to the Scottish Charity Awards, showcasing the community, partnership and campaigns which charities do across Scotland (closing date … Continue reading →