Monthly Archives: March 2015

There a has been a warm welcome from across the conservation and development sectors to the news that the UK’s key conservation link body, COTAC, is to recast itself as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the new title of … Continue reading →

IHBC members may be able to offer local examples and cases relevant to a query from a colleague on heritage settings for solar photovoltaic cells that has arisen as part of a ‘heritage and sustainability’ study under way in Scotland. … Continue reading →

New guidance has been issued by the DCLG to reflect changes in conservation area (CA) legislation; ‘the conservation areas direction 2015’ and the ‘arrangements for handling heritage applications direction’. IHBC Policy Secretary David Kincaid said: ‘The direction simply ties up … Continue reading →

Historic England (HE) is inviting you to help shape its proposals for ‘Enhanced Advisory Services’ by completing a short survey online, with a deadline for responses of 8 May.  Historic England writes: The Enhanced Advisory Services will offer greater speed, … Continue reading →

Six regeneration projects in Wales are to collectively receive almost £2 million to help address local problems tying in with the national regeneration agenda, such as issues with housing supply and lack of community facilities. The Welsh Government writes: Communities … Continue reading →

New changes in planning regulations that allow the installation of ‘click and collect’ delivery boxes without Planning Permission (PP) come into force in mid-April. Government writes: High streets across the country will be better equipped to meet the needs of … Continue reading →

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles has issued a statement to parliament giving an update on planning reforms. The statement covers updates on the following areas: solar energy brownfield land green belts unauthorised developments parking … Continue reading →

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Think Tank has published a report investigating the effects of austerity measures on communities, concluding that the most deprived areas have had the largest government funding cuts (with housing and planning services being worst affected).  The … Continue reading →

The Scottish Government’s (SG) Community Empowerment Bill (CEB) will now allow people to have more say in local decision making, due to changes approved by the Local Government and Regeneration Committee.  The Scottish Government writes: More community involvement in the … Continue reading →

A six turbine wind farm in Derbyshire has been refused on appeal by the Communities Secretary due to the likely harmful effects on three adjacent conservation areas, and listed buildings of St Leonards Church, Hall Farmhouse and Hardwick New Hall. … Continue reading →

With the recent news on the reinterment of King Richard III following the discovery of remains in a Leicester car park, one blog has suggested where else in the UK might represent ‘the best car park archaeology’. View the DigVentures … Continue reading →

New research into HLF funding has revealed some exciting headline statistics which help quantify the value and importance of heritage. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes: New research by BritainThinks puts heritage at the heart of improving quality of life … Continue reading →

The new websites for English Heritage and Historic England are now live, ahead of their formal launch on 1 April 2015. Visit Historic England’s website Visit English Heritage’s website IHBC newsblogs on heritage reform

The Scottish Government evaluation of the ePlanning portal which allows online submission of planning applications estimates that the system has resulted in a £71 million saving for businesses and members of the public by reducing ‘red tape’. The Scottish Government … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government has announced that funding will continue to be available for housing enabler projects for rural areas, and celebrated the success of the initiatives implemented to date.  The Welsh Government writes: Minister with responsibility for housing, Lesley Griffiths, … Continue reading →

The Chairman of Natural England (NE) has highlighted the important role of conservation covenants in conserving and enhancing the appearance of the natural environment over generations.  Natural England writes: Conservation covenants could allow landowners to protect their environment in perpetuity … Continue reading →

During 2016 (to coincide with the 300 anniversary of Capability Brown) VisitEngland are to promote a ‘Year of the English Garden’ and are currently inviting event submissions. The Heritage Alliance writes: What to send VisitEngland: Capability’ Brown events – please … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has dismissed an appeal over developer Thornhill Estates’ 400-home development proposed for Farsley in west Yorkshire which Leeds City Council had failed to determine in the prescribed period. Planning Portal writes: The planning inspector who held … Continue reading →