Monthly Archives: May 2015

Discussions on city devolution and creating a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ have moved a step further, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne confirming that the Queen’s Speech will contain ‘a bill to enable a radical new model of city government’  … Continue reading →

The owners of a Welsh ‘holistic’ retreat established on a small-holding near Llandrindod Wells have appealed an enforcement notice requiring them to remove structures that include three shepherds’ huts, an eco classroom and a ‘tree house’ which has a kitchen, … Continue reading →

‘Golden’ – at 21 (69ft) metres tall, one of the tallest sculptures in the country and costing some £130,000 of Section 106 monies – is set to dominate the North Staffordshire skyline, replacing the Potteries Pyramid, which will be moved … Continue reading →

The first ever female winner of the Skills Build awards was awarded at this year’s Skills Build awards, as Demi-Leigh Graham won the Joinery New Entrant category.  CITB writes: Demi-Leigh Graham was ‘amazed’ when she became the first woman to … Continue reading →

This week a series of events were held throughout Scotland to raise the profile of apprenticeship opportunities and careers, with many construction and built environment events, support from CITB for pledging apprenticeship placements and a £125,000 funding boost for female … Continue reading →

One of the innovative actions proposed as part of the Farrell Review is due to be launched  later this year, with PLACE professionals being embedded in local authorities.  Tony Finn of the GLA advocated the proactive planning and public service … Continue reading →

A new website which is designed to record all UK war memorials (including modern conflicts) has been launched this week in a partnership between English Heritage, Civic Voice, The Imperial War Museums and War Memorials Trust.  Civic Voice writes: First … Continue reading →

This week the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced details of £98 million investment into nine projects, while a guest blog written by the HLF chair Sir Peter Luff discusses the value of industrial and scientific heritage to the UK. … Continue reading →

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) today released figures on volunteering in culture and arts by adults in Northern Ireland in 2013/14, revealing the top reasons why people volunteer and the profile of events which take place (such … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH), has launched a search for its first ever CEO- a Child Executive Officer: under-13s only need apply, and must do so by 7 June as excuses for late or missing submissions cannot be accepted.  English Heritage writes: … Continue reading →

The BBC show ‘24 hours in the past’ has transported participants to a challenge to live within a particular time period for 24 hours, adopting roles typical of that time, a recent episode had one participant thinking about building design. … Continue reading →

Brighton and Hove City Council has become the second council to implement a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement (LBHPA) and the first to work with University on such an agreement, the University of Sussex.  Brighton and Hove Council writes: A … Continue reading →

The British Property Federation (BPF) has urged the incoming government to adopt a similar model to that adopted by Historic England for enhanced planning services in order to address issues with under-resourcing. The British Property Federation (BPF) writes: The next … Continue reading →

Members whose work includes work relating to tree preservation orders in conservation areas will be interested to learn that the Trees and Design Action Group (TDAG) is seeking help with information relating to tree protection, in a call for evidence … Continue reading →

More than 90 entries have been submitted to the competition, run by the Royal Institute of British Architects, to redesign the listed Preston Bus Station. Lancashire County Council is allocating £13m to the initiative. A short-list will be announced later … Continue reading →

The RTPI has joined the World Urban Campaign, which allows people to share information and collaborate on matters affecting cities in the run up to the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in 2016. The Royal … Continue reading →

The chief executive of PAS (formerly Planning Aid for Scotland) Petra Biberbach has written an article for the Scotsman newspaper outlining how the public can continue to have a say in developments affecting their lives, and underlines the impacts of … Continue reading →

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has joined with the International Ethics Standards (IES) Coalition to work towards a globally recognised ethical standard for property professionals. RIBA writes: The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a founding member … Continue reading →

University plans to demolish a row of Victorian buildings in central London are put on hold as Secretary of State for communities and local government Greg Clark MP issued Westminster Council with a holding direction that suspends planning permission for Kings … Continue reading →

Following the election, the new all-Conservative cabinet appointments have now been made, with new positions for those responsible for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) but with Liz Truss … Continue reading →