Monthly Archives: December 2015

Candidates are sought for four places on the Church Buildings Council to be vacant from 1 May, with a closing date of Friday 22 January 2016 at 5pm. ChurchCare, writes: The Secretary of State at the DCMS nominates four members … Continue reading →

A deal to buy a Banksy mural on a house near GCHQ and place it in ‘safe hands’, is being negotiated by a local council after the ‘Spy Booth’ artwork, showing three figures ‘snooping’ on a telephone box, appeared in … Continue reading →

IHBC members are reminded that on 1 January 2016 the new simplified Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015 come into force, as ChurchCare, the Church of England’s national resource, has recently reported. IHBC Policy Secretary David Kincaid said: ‘The changes to the … Continue reading →

Towns in England are being left behind their neighbouring cities, with many under-performing in terms of health, education and employment, new analysis by Demos consultants, ‘Talk of the Town’, has revealed as it found three in five of satellite towns … Continue reading →

SAVE is challenging a decision by Liverpool City Council to grant permission for demolition and redevelopment works in the Lime Street area of the city, within the World Heritage Site (WHS) Buffer Zone in a High Court hearing on Friday … Continue reading →

The new chief executive of The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has been announced as Sarah Richards.  The Planning Inspectorate writes: Sarah Richards appointed as Chief Executive of The Planning Inspectorate.  Sarah is currently Strategic Director Regeneration, Housing and Resources, at Slough … Continue reading →

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Built Environment held its session on 17 December, taking evidence from Brandon Lewis MP on issues affecting planning and housebuilding.  The House of Lords Select Committee writes: The Committee on the Built … Continue reading →

So-called ‘Garden towns’ have been given £1.1 million of funding to create 50,000 new homes in England.  Department for Communities and Local Government’ (DCLG) writes: Two new garden towns are being supported with £1.1 million of new funding that will … Continue reading →

Park Prewett, Basingstoke has been chosen as the location for a custom build and self build pilot scheme, trying to address issues with access to land and finance often faced by potential custom builders or self builders  The Department for … Continue reading →

A new Red Tape review has been launched, described as an opportunity to ‘to give housebuilders their say on ineffective rules and heavy-handed enforcement that stop them building homes. Government writes: Housebuilders will have their say on ineffective rules and … Continue reading →

The government has pledged to help support areas affected by flooding, under the Bellwin scheme which allows authorities to receive funding where exceptional events occur.  Department for Communities and Local Government’ (DCLG) writes: The weekend saw large parts of Cumbria, … Continue reading →

The next phase of the One Public Estate programme (releasing surplus government land and property) has been put in motion, with over 100 local authorities (LAs) taking part. The Cabinet Office writes: Over 100 councils have been selected to join … Continue reading →

The British Museum has teamed up with Google Cultural Institute to allow visitors to explore the entire museum and collections by walking through the virtual street view of each floor, and digitising valuable and rare delicate museum objects. The British … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Greg Clark has dismissed an appeal over a single wind-turbine project earmarked for a location in green belt near Lumby in north Yorkshire originally refused by Selby District Council, concluding that the benefits of the scheme did not … Continue reading →

Coastal revival fund monies are benefitting historic coastal resorts including the Blackpool Winter Gardens, with 77 projects getting a share of £3 million.  DCLG writes: Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens is one of 77 projects whose future is looking much brighter … Continue reading →

A series of Victorian listed buildings (LBs) once used to store coal is set to be converted into a Covent Garden-style piazza under the latest proposals for the regeneration of the King’s Cross unveiled by developer Argent.  Evening Standard article

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has launched its proposed manifesto for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, in the form of a seven-point action plan of issues which it believes should be addressed.  RTPI Scotland has today published its manifesto … Continue reading →

The home of the writer T.E. Lawrence has been upgraded to a Grade II* listing. The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) writes: The only adult home of the iconic diplomat and writer T.E. Lawrence has been upgraded to … Continue reading →

The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) have highlighted the importance of getting involved in the government consultations on changes to apprenticeships through the ‘Trailblazer’ process, noting that a number of standards proposed and … Continue reading →