Monthly Archives: May 2016

Civic Voice has announced the shortlist for the second annual Civic Voice Design Awards as 16 schemes from across England have been shortlisted by the expert Judging Panel for their positive impact on the local community and design quality. Civic … Continue reading →

Communities Secretary Greg Clark has blocked a major residential scheme in Cheltenham, which was the subject of appeal, because of the loss of locally valued landscape.  Planning Portal writes: The proposal involved a scheme earmarked for land at Leckhampton near … Continue reading →

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has reported on a judgment that paves the way for more housebuilding on smaller sites and that will get homes built more easily.  The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) writes: … Continue reading →

The Botanic Cottage at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) has reopened 250 years after it was first completed – but in a different location and thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and others!  HLF reports: Rescued … Continue reading →

The Victorian Society (Vic Soc) is inviting nominations for the ‘Top Ten Endangered Victorian and Edwardian Buildings in England and Wales’ for 2016, with a closing date of 1 July.  Appearing in the ‘Top Ten’ focuses attention on neglected and … Continue reading →

The National Churches Trust and the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association are inviting entries for two top Church Architecture Awards. National Churches Trust writes: We are now accepting entries for the 2016 National Churches Trust and Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association … Continue reading →

Many IHBC members will be keen to hear that, sixty years after Ian Nairn coined the term ‘Subtopia’, an unmissable discussion on Radio 4 explores Ian Nairn’s considerable legacy as a writer and broadcaster, highlighting too how, in so many … Continue reading →

New measures to help more people in England buy their own home and get houses built faster became law on 13 May 2016 as the Housing and Planning Act received Royal Assent.  Government writes: The Act sets out a clear determination from … Continue reading →

A 48 year old man has been sentenced for three years and eight months at Hereford Crown Court for crimes including the theft of two priceless 15th century oak panels, as an important piece of legislation, brought into force around the … Continue reading →

Campaigners, including Civic Voice, unsuccessfully urged the Government to back up its pledge to give added strength to neighbourhood planning, following a debate on the Housing and Planning Bill on Monday 9 May.  Civic Voice writes: Planning minister Brandon Lewis … Continue reading →

A new briefing into the decline of regulation, entitled ‘Better Regulation: Better for Whom?’, found that between 2004 and 2013 there were 34% fewer food standards inspections and 28% fewer prosecutions, while the average business can now expect a local … Continue reading →

The Church of England (CoE) has created guidelines so 10,000 rural churches may be used to provide wireless internet access to help meet PM’s vow  The Guardian’s Damian Carrington writes: ‘Salhouse is among 47 churches in Norfolk that provide a … Continue reading →

The RIBA President’s Awards for Research promote and celebrate the best of research in the field of architecture and the built environment that contributes to new knowledge and understanding in architecture and the practice of architecture, with the deadline for … Continue reading →

Two projects within the UK have been recognised with special mentions as part of the Europa Nostra awards; St. Giles House in Wimborne St. Giles and ‘Reconnecting with the past for a better future’ in Pwllheli, Gwynedd, Europa Nostra writes: … Continue reading →

Civic Voice (CV) has welcomed a new member to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Civic Societies this week, and are asking members of the public to consider writing to their MP or a Peer to become a member.  … Continue reading →

The Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) is consulting on proposed permitted development (PD) rights for a range of regulations, inviting comment on solar photovoltaics, shops and financial services, electric vehiclecharging and communications developments, with comments closing on 30 … Continue reading →

The Historic England, Victorian Society and Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) pub design award winners have been announced, including the conservation award, the Grade II listed Dun Cow in Sunderland won two awards and works at pubs in Keswick, Ilfracombe … Continue reading →

The 2016 UK Construction Building Awards are now open for entries, with 21 categories including refurbishment project of the year, woman of the year, contractor of the year and consultant of the year (closing date for entries is 17 June).  … Continue reading →

A new report by Telereal Trillium and Savills research shows that the public sector owns 6% of all land in England and Wales.  Telereal Trillium writes: Newly released Land Registry data suggests that the public sector owns significantly more land … Continue reading →

Network Rail Property has been given more powers under a new initiative by Network Rail which is designed to ‘maximise the value of its estate’. Network Rail writes: Network Rail has given its specialist transport property business, Network Rail Property, … Continue reading →