image for illustration: Poundbury Dorchester by Nigel Mykura, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The urban planning ideas of King Charles – which once saw him battling with the architectural establishment – are helping to inspire the next generation of new towns in England reports BBC News.
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image for illustration: Opening of Stockton & Darlington Railway painting by John Dobbin – Wikimedia Commons
Five heritage railway stations, alongside 2 other railway sites, have been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England, in recognition of their historic and architectural interest and to mark 200 years of the modern railway.
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BEFS has launched a new Manifesto, Building Foundations for a Better Scotland, in advance of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.
Continue readingAs the Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes its way through Parliament, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reports that it has secured an amendment to ensure design quality is at the heart of new development.
Continue readingPathways to Planning is a graduate programme intended to attract a diverse group of individuals to fast track their career in the built environment as a local government (LG) planner or surveyor, with applications open to 6 January 2026.
Continue readingThe New Towns Taskforce has recommended locations for the next generation of new towns.
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image for illustration: Stonehenge by Sumit Surai – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
A major new study, announced today, will measure the economic and non-economic value of the UK’s UNESCO sites. From the world-renowned Stonehenge, Tower of London and the Lake District, to Biosphere Reserves, Global Geoparks and the Creative Cities network, UNESCO-designated sites cover 14% of the UK’s land area and are home to 9 million people.
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IHBC’s members’ journal Context in June 2025 – No. 184 – focussed on ‘Leaders of conservation thought’, while including Alexandra Fairclough’s regular Law and Policy update.
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Government UK has issued a rapid evidence review commissioned to gather case study evidence of the impact that increased budgetary pressures on local authorities (LAs) can have on small to medium heritage sector organisations (HOs).
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‘BS 40104: 2025: Retrofit Assessment for Domestic Dwellings – Code of Practice’, was officially published at the end of September and here Prof. John Edwards, IHBC’s Technical Panel Secretary and lead on the heritage/traditional buildings workstream, updates NewsBlog readers on key issues, and on how to find out more.
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The IHBC has issued a new form to help ensure sector events with IHBC CPD values can be considered for inclusion in our free IHBC ‘Events Calendar’, with submissions required at least 2 weeks before the end any month to allow for any inclusion in the IHBC’s CPD Circular.
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IHBC’s heritage business register HESPR – our Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition quality assurance scheme for heritage services – emails members weekly ‘News and Tender Alerts’, and this week features LocalGov on 33 bodies highlighting ‘Planning recruitment at risk’.
Continue readingGwynedd Borough Council is to appeal a High Court decision which found that cabinet members who supported a direction on second homes and short-term holiday lets were ‘materially misled’, reports Aberdare Online.
Continue readingThe Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is calling for support in its campaign ‘to secure the healthy homes and neighbourhoods that our country so desperately needs’, linking health and PD amendments to the Planning etc Bill.
Continue readingThe Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned that poor oversight in ECO scheme shows urgent need for builder licensing to protect consumers and restore trust in retrofit work.
Continue readingTwo years after the illegal felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, the National Trust is launching a major creative commission to mark its legacy and inspire a renewed connection with nature.
Continue readingHouse of Lords Built Environment Committee has responded to New Towns Taskforce Report and the Government’s response.
Continue readingOver £10 million in water company fines directed to restore local waterways through 51 projects aimed at cleaning up rivers, lakes and seas.
Continue readingElle Cass has been announced as the next Chair of the Board of Trustees at the RTPI.
Continue readingThree years after its announcement at MONDIACULT 2022, UNESCO is launching an innovative initiative: the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects.
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The IHBC has received 49 submissions to our 2025 Student Awards, all hoping that our guest judge – soon to be appointed – will choose them for the coveted and certificated Award, £500 cash, and a place at IHBC’s 2026 Annual School – #IHBCNewcastle2026 – on 18-20 June.
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image for illustration: Peter Badcock
Campaign for National Parks (CNP), the only independent charity dedicated to securing the future of National Parks in England and Wales, has celebrated its success.
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‘BS 40104: 2025: Retrofit Assessment for Domestic Dwellings – Code of Practice’, was officially published at the end of September and here Prof. John Edwards, IHBC’s Technical Panel Secretary and lead on the heritage/traditional buildings workstream, updates NewsBlog readers on key issues, and on how to find out more.
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The IHBC’s heritage business register HESPR – our Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition quality assurance service – emails members regular ‘News and Tender Alerts’, and the IHBC Director’s pick this week comes from The IHBC Director’s pick this week comes from a Welsh Council seeking a multidisciplinary team for an urban hub, to 31/10/2025 and c.£75K.
Continue readingimage for illustration: Stockton & Darlington Railway Opening by John Dobbin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Historic England (HE) explores how the Stockton and Darlington Railway became the world’s first modern public railway in 1825.
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