Monthly Archives: August 2015

Wychavon District Council has successfully prosecuted the owner of a grade II listed property who demolished glasshouses without permission. Wychavon District Council writes: A man who demolished a 19th century glasshouse that was within the grounds of a Grade II … Continue reading →

Historic England (HE) is to survey residential listed building owners as part of the 2015 Heritage Counts initiative, looking at the profile and attitudes of owners, as well as any issues faced in maintenance and awareness of listed building issues, … Continue reading →

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (DBIS) is consulting on changes to the apprenticeship system tied to the construction levy, proposing funding to be paid for by ‘every big company’ in England, which may have may have substantial implications … Continue reading →

Following an urgent works notice served on the owners of Denbigh Hospital in which the local council carried out £940,000 of necessary works, Denbighshire County Council has welcomed the decision to dismiss an appeal. Denbighshire County Council writes: Denbighshire County … Continue reading →

ICOMOS UK has objected to a proposal to construct new homes within the vicinity of Blenheim Palace Estate, highlighting issues with the likely effect on the site itself and the setting of the estate. Planning Portal writes: Proposals to build … Continue reading →

The interim chief executive of the Planning Inspectorate has been announced as Steve Quartermain, current DCLG chief planner. The Planning Officers Society (POS) writes: Former POS President (2007/08) and current DCLG chief planner, Steve Quartermain is to take over as … Continue reading →

A historic pathway in Islandmagee, Northern Ireland (NI), which was once as well known as the Giant’s Causeway has reopened, following major government and European investment into Gobbins Pathway and its visitor facilities. Tourism Northern Ireland writes: Enterprise, Trade and … Continue reading →

Images from historic sites in Wales have been released from archives in the US Library of Congress, aiming to highlight the importance of conservation. CADW writes: A series of images comparing historic Welsh sites today with how they looked at … Continue reading →

The Local Government Association (LGA) has released a report which analyses the skills requirements for construction across English regions, and concludes that skills shortages are affecting the meeting of housebuilding targets. The LGA writes: A growing construction skills shortage threatens … Continue reading →

Sheffield City Council announced it has submitted an outline planning application for the city centre’s so-called Sheffield Retail Quarter which aims to preserve historic buildings such as Leah’s Yard and The Citadel (Salvation Army building), as well as facades along … Continue reading →

An appeal by developer LTPH Properties over a major development involving 300 new dwellings, a 250-berth marina and 80 units of holiday accommodation at Torridge, Devon, has been dismissed because of its impact on a ‘valued landscape’. The Planning Portal … Continue reading →

A new rural productivity plan has been launched by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) which outlines measures to boost the economy and wellbeing of rural areas in England and includes new starter home rules. DEFRA writes: … Continue reading →

The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) has revealed the most desirable places to live worldwide, based on their ‘liveability factor’; Melbourne is top place but Manchester features as number 1 city of the UK. EIU writes: Although it’s usually the … Continue reading →

The Oil & Gas Authority has announced that 27 onshore ‘blocks’ of land will be offered to companies for oil and shale gas exploration, and a further 132 opened up (subject to consultation and assessment under the Conservation of Habitats … Continue reading →

The owner of a historic farm steading in Perth and Kinross has been ordered to rebuild it on a like for like basis following its demolition. The Courier writes: Cocklaw Developments’ Ken Thomson was refused permission to tear down an … Continue reading →

The owner of the Grade II* (GII*) listed property in South Wales, once home to Cecil Alexander (composer of ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’), has been prosecuted for unauthorised alterations to the building, being told by the court to pay … Continue reading →