Monthly Archives: June 2015

The Royal Warrant Holders Association have awarded the Plowden Medal to Nancy Bell (Head of Collection Care for The National Archives) and Sarah Staniforth (former Museums and Collections Director for the National Trust). The Royal Warrant Holders Association website lists … Continue reading →

The RIBA has launched a new resource which aims to champion and celebrate the diversity of roles and people within the construction industry, with positive role models publications designed to counteract stereotypes.  The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) writes: … Continue reading →

Donald Trump has lost his latest legal challenge against an offshore wind farm project near his Scottish golf resort. The Scotsman article

A rare concrete wartime structure which was previously on the buildings at risk register has now been fully restored, with new interpretive materials installed.  Historic England writes: Fulwell Acoustic Mirror is a 4m high concave concrete dish, constructed on the … Continue reading →

Plans for a new four-storey building in the centre of St Albans will have to be reconsidered after the owners of an adjacent block of flats won a court battle at London’s High Court to quash planning permission because of … Continue reading →

The Heritage Alliance ‘heritage heroes’ awards are now open for entries, with a closing date of 15 September.  The Heritage Alliance Heroes award scheme was established to celebrate the outstanding contribution to society made by heritage volunteers in England. Now … Continue reading →

A new five-year initiative has been launched by RCHAMS and Historic Scotland, celebrating and recording the history and heritage of local communities across Scotland, with the first events happening in Livingston and Paisley.  Historic Scotland writes: A new five year … Continue reading →

The Churches Conservation Trust has won Grand Prix laureate recognition at the prestigious Europa Nostra Awards at the ceremony in Oslo this week. Europa Nostra writes: The winners of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards 2015 were … Continue reading →

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has released a new report this week which aims to investigate the land banking of sites, the research concludes that the ‘nine largest housing developers have 314,000 housing plots in strategic land banks’ … Continue reading →

The opinions of a planning committee on historic lighting columns has been the subject of debate at a recent meeting of Fife Council recently, with the local newspaper (the Courier) has reported on the committee decisions. The retention of historic … Continue reading →

Durham County Council (CC) has lodged Judicial Review papers at Leeds High Court over the judgement made against County Durham Plan. Durham County Council writes: Statement from Ian Thompson, corporate director of regeneration and economic development: ‘Following a constructive meeting with … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government (WG) asks if you know of a business in Wales that which offers outstanding professional services, or carries out excellent community services as, if so, nominations are now open for the High Street Heroes awards, with a … Continue reading →

New plans to consult on planning reform have been indicated by the Scottish Government (SG). The Scottish Government writes: The time is right for further improvements to the nation’s planning system, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil will underline at a … Continue reading →

House in Highgate have been rejected by a planning inspector. The inspector said the plan to replace the Victorian villa with a new, classically inspired eight-bedroom mega-mansion would have been out of place with other buildings in the area. Architects Journal … Continue reading →

Two organisations (TCPA and APSE) have authored a joint report on meeting housing needs in a Local Authority context, calling for a new approach by the government towards investing in social housing.  The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) writes: … Continue reading →

Following last week’s newsblog on Civic Day events, members may be interested to know that ‘playful community’ events are also in the news, with The Scottish Government announcing funding to support community events such as street parties, and the Guardian … Continue reading →

The RTPI has developed a new bursary scheme to help the planners of tomorrow, which will help those who wish to study planning at Masters level The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) writes: The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government (WG) is consulting on the proposals relating to the introduction of a new category of application type (developments of national significance) with a closing date for responses of 12 August. The Welsh Government writes: This consultation seeks … Continue reading →

With issues surrounding heritage crime affecting the condition and maintenance of our historic building stock, you may like to consider taking part in the latest National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) project, who have has launched a nationwide survey to assess … Continue reading →

The first stage of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill was enacted this week, bringing planned potential new powers for more strategic planning actions, transport, housing, health, social care and skills training further forward. DCLG writes: A major step … Continue reading →

The closing date for the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund which offers up to £20,000 of funding to high streets improvement projects, using a crowdfunding approach, with a closing date of 29 June.  Spacehive and the Mayors High Street … Continue reading →