Monthly Archives: August 2015

The winning design has been chosen in the architectural competition for Preston’s iconic bus station and new Youth Zone Plus. New York-based John Puttick Associates was chosen from the five anonymous shortlisted entries by the judges. This was the same … Continue reading →

The House of Lords Select Committee on National Policy for the Built Environment has also published a transcript from an evidence session on Thursday 16 July 2015. The session heard evidence from the Head of Heritage at DCMS, Gill Graham, … Continue reading →

The biggest national nature reserve designation in the UK was approved by the Board of Scottish National Heritage this month. The RSPB writes: The UK’s newest and largest National Nature Reserve (NNR) – The Great Trossachs Forest – took a … Continue reading →

A historic chapel in Pembroke Dock and a Tabernacle Baptist Church in Newbridge are among those benefiting from a £1.6 million Community Facilities Programme fund. The Welsh Government writes: The Community Facilities Programme provides capital grant funding of up to … Continue reading →

The Peak District National Park Authority is to sell a number of woodlands with six initial sites selected. Jane Chapman, assistant director at the Peak District National Park Authority, said: ‘Following a review of our properties, we have identified six … Continue reading →

The deadline for the The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) apprenticeships, which helps support artisans of all age, is 28 August The Royal Warrant Holders Association writes: Last year QEST piloted the Apprenticeship Scheme in a bid to support new … Continue reading →

English Heritage (EH) has published a short history of the blue plaque scheme on their website, together with links on how to propose a blue plaque and information on how the design came about. View the blog

The Heritage Alliance has released a statement responding to the recent Treasury’s Statement of Intent, Fixing the Foundations: The Government’s Productivity Plan (highlighting issues of particular concern to the historic environment), and are also seeking your evidence to assist in … Continue reading →

The new WEcan work experience initiative which highlights opportunities in different career paths and improves transferable skills for young people (as well as appointing youth ambassadors for peer to peer support) is being supported by CITB, who will be highlighting … Continue reading →

The RTPI have released new research which shows that constructing new homes in London’s green belt could result in 3.9-7.5 million car journeys each week. The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) writes: Using commuting data from the 2011 Census (provided … Continue reading →

Historic England are seeking opinions on ways in which to improve the Buildings At Risk Register and information on how you use it, through a simple online survey. Find the survey online HE on Heritage At Risk HE compilation of … Continue reading →

Architecture and Design Scotland and NHS Scotland are seeking views about the recently developed ‘Place Standard Assessment Tool’, through a short online survey. A+DS writes: A+DS has been working with partners NHS Scotland and Scottish Government to develop a Place … Continue reading →

London & Partners (the official promotional company for London) has released the results of a study which shows that London is the ‘most googled’ city in the world for cultural events and attractions. London & Partners writes: London is the … Continue reading →

The House of Lords Select Committee for the Built Environment has released a call for written evidence, on policy making for the built environment; aiming to ‘ensure better planning and design and whether we have the right balance between national … Continue reading →

The Government has announced a new dedicated planning service for shale gas, aiming to fast track the decision making process. The DECC writes: Shale gas planning applications will be fast-tracked through a new, dedicated planning process, under measures announced today … Continue reading →

Paragraphs 012-023 of the planning obligations guidance have been removed following a High Court legal judgement on land affecting two Berkshire planning authorities. View the full judgement text View the guidance View a commentary on the judgement by Planning Portal … Continue reading →

Historic Scotland have published three new ‘Inform Guides’ which provide short summaries of issues affecting the care and repair of traditional buildings. The three new publications are: Hot-mixed Lime Mortars Clay Mortars for Masonry Buildings Earth and Clay Construction To … Continue reading →

Nominations are open for Trustee positions for Civic Voice, with a closing date of 7 September (appointments will be made in October). Civic Voice writes: Being a Trustee of Civic Voice gives you an opportunity to help shape one of … Continue reading →

As many IHBC members will know, September is an opportunity to see behind the scenes of buildings which are not normally open to the public, for free, through European Heritage Open Days. A selection of events which may be of … Continue reading →

A new appointment at NTS will be helping to build the heritage fundraising work of the Trust; Mark Bishop has been appointed the new Head of Development. The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) writes: Scotland’s largest conservation charity has announced … Continue reading →

The structure of the new Enhanced Advisory Services for Historic England have been announced, following consultation on the proposals earlier this year.  Historic England (HE) writes: In March we began a consultation on four new charged-for Enhanced Advisory Services, which … Continue reading →

A campaign has been launched by CAMRA aimed at protecting local public houses and designating them as assets of community value (ACV) following statistics which reveal up to 29 pubs a week are being closed. The Campaign for Real Ale … Continue reading →