Monthly Archives: December 2015

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has found that one third of small construction businesses will not take on an apprentice due to fears over tackling the required paperwork.  The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) writes: A third of small … Continue reading →

Plans to revamp the centre of Slough and build new flats have been approved after years of debate. The scheme involves partial demolition, extension and refurbishment of both The Queensmere and The Observatory shopping centres in Slough’s High Street along … Continue reading →

The French Government has failed in a judicial review challenge to the validity of two certificates of lawfulness issued by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for works to the basement of a property next door to its embassy … Continue reading →

Belfast City Council (CC) has sought a meeting with ministers to discuss their concerns over the delay of transfer of regeneration powers to local councils. Belfast City Council writes Belfast City Council is to seek an urgent meeting with the … Continue reading →

The winners of the Great British High Street of the Year awards have been announced, as Bishopthorpe Road (known as Bishy Road) in York took the prize as ‘winner of winners’, having been selected as the winner of the ‘Local … Continue reading →

The publisher Routledge is currently offering a free ebook on Urban Design (UD) Tools, and 20% off some bestselling backlist titles until the end of December, together with a collection of free to view textbooks covering issues on the built … Continue reading →

Can you spare a few minutes to help shape the future of the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG)? NHTG writes: We would like to make sure that the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) is giving the best possible service to … Continue reading →

Following the outcry spurred by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) report on a case at Northampton Borough Council, The Planning Portal writes that ‘Planners must ensure they refer to the correct legislation when considering applications affecting heritage sites, the Local … Continue reading →

The Wave and Weeping Window sculptures – part of the iconic First World War ‘poppy’ sculpture – originally at the Tower of London as part of the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) commissioned artwork to mark the centenary of the war are … Continue reading →

The Church of England (CofE) has been awarded a grant of £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to assist in the digitisation of records held in the Canon Clarke archive, covering 11,479 Anglican and Roman Catholic churches in England. … Continue reading →

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has begun consulting on a proposed new Part R of the Building Regulations which will ensure all new buildings and major renovations have the ducts and distribution channels to enable connection to … Continue reading →

New funding has been announced by DCLG and Cabinet Office under the Community Organisers Mobilisation Fund which will help communities in England to take action under Localism initiatives. The Cabinet Office writes: The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson MP, … Continue reading →

A QC is seeking to raise £20,000 through crowd funding to take a planning case through to the Court of Appeal. Simon Kverndal QC is a maritime litigation and arbitration specialist at Quadrant Chambers who has lived in the Chiswick … Continue reading →

The hotel that inspired the cult TV series Fawlty Towers is to be knocked down and replaced with retirement flats.  The BBC writes: Churchill Retirement Living will convert the site after its plans were approved by Torbay Council. Former owner … Continue reading →

The Shortlist for the competition to select a design team for a project to extend Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats (Manchester) on behalf of the Hallé Concerts Society, has been announced by the RIBA. The RIBA writes: This proposed new-build … Continue reading →

A new fund of £600,000 has been announced to help local government deliver planning projects for England’s neighbourhood planning. DCLG writes: A challenge fund to enable local authorities to make changes to their planning service to help them deliver neighbourhood … Continue reading →

Planning minister Brandon Lewis has written to English councils asking them to be flexible and pragmatic when asked by developers to renegotiate affordable housing delivery. Planning Portal writes: In the letter Lewis voiced concerns that, following a government announcement that … Continue reading →

A new legislative scheme has been launched in Wales which is designed to help support the responsible management of property, and allow local authorities to identify the property managers in their area.  The Welsh Government writes: The new registration and … Continue reading →

A new research report has been released by Historic England (HE) which shows how archaeological practice has benefited from development over the last 25 years.  Historic England (HE) writes: Historic England (formerly English Heritage) has published a new report illustrating … Continue reading →

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is seeking views on the proposals from the Scottish Government affecting procurement regulations  The Construction Industry Council writes: As part of the Scottish Government’s ’Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction’ recommendations implementation, Construction Scotland would like … Continue reading →