Monthly Archives: July 2015

The latest House of Commons briefing paper concerns planning reforms in England, and gives an overview of current legislation, planned changes and manifesto commitments in this area.  The authors write: Reforms aimed at making the planning system quicker and simpler … Continue reading →

A historic mill which dates from 1806 and has been adapted for use to form a hub for arts, enterprise and tourism has been praised by the Northern Ireland government.  The Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) writes: Environment … Continue reading →

The latest strategy for the promotion of tourism in the UK has been introduced, which is a 5 point plan designed to help the needs of the growing tourism industry and also encourage tourism outwith London. DCMS writes: The Prime … Continue reading →

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have been hosting events designed to explore the arguments around the need for a spatial strategy for the North of England, leading up to a ‘Northern Summit’ in 2016, together with a call for … Continue reading →

Households with incomes higher than £45, 000 a year (1) are the most able to access beautiful places and green spaces, according to a new report from the independent think tank ResPublica, which includes a call for VAT relief on … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Greg Clark has allowed on appeal controversial proposals for a facility where beagles will be bred for use in animal experiments at Grimston near Hull originally refused by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The scheme involves listed building … Continue reading →

Ten Councils in South East Wales have agreed to join together to ensure the delivery of City Deal. Monmouthshire County Council writes: Ten south east Wales local authorities have formally agreed to join forces to help deliver a City Deal … Continue reading →

The property developer who painted red and white stripes on her townhouse has lost her latest planning battle.  The BBC writes: Zipporah Lisle-Mainwaring, 71, had asked a High Court judge to challenge planning policy which blocked her plans to build … Continue reading →

The Garden History Society (GHS) and the Association of Garden Trusts (AGT) have merged to form a new body entitled the Gardens Trust.  The Gardens Trust writes: Today, at their respective AGMs in Newcastle, the Garden History Society (GHS) and … Continue reading →

The Scottish Government (SG) has refused a proposal for 31 wind turbines in the Cairngorms National Park, considering the effects on natural and cultural heritage. The Scottish Government writes: Ministers have refused consent for the proposed 31-turbine wind farm at … Continue reading →

Players of the popular computer construction game Minecraft will now be able to build within a virtual Northern Ireland, which can be used as an educational tool to explore geographical data and historical landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway. The … Continue reading →

A new website has been launched by the Welsh Government called ‘Law Wales’, which explains how legislation differs from the rest of the UK, and clarifying issues which are devolved.  The Welsh Government writes: The Law Wales site has been … Continue reading →

A pre-Roman town of 150 roundhouses has been found by university students during an archaeological dig in Dorset. The discovery of the town lying along a hill-slope near Winterborne Kingston has been described as ‘extremely significant’ by archaeologists who said … Continue reading →

Amber Valley Borough Council has refused permission for a 400-home development on the edge of the Derby suburb of Allestree because of the harm posed to the setting of the nearby Grade I listed Kedleston Hall. Developer Catesby Estates is … Continue reading →

Cuts of up to 40% in real terms to National Park Authority Government funding in England has led to more than 225 job losses over the past fives years and had a huge impact on services they provide, The Campaign … Continue reading →

The latest The Heritage Alliance (THA) debate, held on 14 July in London, was on the topic of Heritage and Government, while recordings of the debate have been made available on the THA website. The Heritage Alliance (THA) writes: Heritage … Continue reading →

On 15 July a Parliamentary debate took place on the state of regional funding for arts and heritage, including discussion on a new arts and heritage White Paper.  A parallel discussion took place on Twitter using the hashtag#artsfunding, to which … Continue reading →

The latest coastal community teams to be launched under the Coastal Communities Fund have been announced, with Historic England and the Heritage Lottery Fund both highlighting the opportunities for heritage that the fund offers. DCLG writes: Coastal Communities Minister Mark … Continue reading →

The Architectural Review (AR) award for design of schools is now open, with a closing date of 7 August.  The AR writes: The AR Awards are an online awards programme dedicated to commending and celebrating design excellence and innovation across … Continue reading →

If you a young surveyor who is passionate about conservation and surveying why not enter the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year award which has its deadline extended until 10 August. The RICS writes: Have you got a successful story … Continue reading →