Tag Archives: government

Government calls for submissions to UK’s first national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) – ‘living Heritage – open to 27/03

The Government has launched a call for submissions to the UK’s first-ever national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) – living heritage –  on foot of the UK’s ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible … Continue reading

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Planning appeals – procedural guide: For appeals relating to applications dated on or after 1 April 2026

A new planning appeals procedural guide for appeals outlines the new process for making an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate as a result of The Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

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IHBC President’s ‘Members only’ Invitation to next Virtual Council: Online, 8 April 2026, from 4.30pm – Scoping ‘Investigation’ of conservation in local government, with a call for suggestions etc.

IHBC members should have received their invitation from our President, Rebecca Thompson, to join in our new-style and ‘members-only’ online Council from 4.30pm on 8 April, when, as well as Charters & much more, we start to ‘investigate conservation roles … Continue reading

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IHBC’s ‘Professional’ Signpost: Use of artificial intelligence in casework evidence – Planning Inspectorate guidance

Government guidance has been issued on use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of any appeal, application or examination being dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate.

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LG etc. Ombudsman warns councils are ‘losing control’ of planning enforcement as complaints increasingly reveal years-long delays

Unlawful developments are being left permanently in place across England because under-resourced councils are running out of time to act, a new report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman reveals.

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Protrade on ‘State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026’

New analysis by Protrade reveals a 1.5% increase in new construction apprentices for 2024/25, representing the first year of growth since the 2021/22 peak.

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NCT’s Fact Check: What we know about the new funding for churches and VAT changes – and … ‘write to your MP’

image for illustration: Ballidon Church, Derbyshire by Ralph Mills CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons On the 22 January 2026, the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, to be replaced by a £92 million four-year-fund … Continue reading

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DB on NPPF Plan making and national decision-making policies

Designing Buildings National Planning Policy Framework 2025 draft review in brief with indicative responses.

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DCMS Honours Team on New Year 2027 (NY27) ‘Invitation to nominate’, information sessions and nomination form (to 31/03)

The DCMS Honours Team has circulated its Honours Information Sessions to support nominations for the New Year 2027 Honours List.

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RTPI asks: Can England still build its utopian vision of a ‘new town’?

New research from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) argues that the utopian ambition behind new towns doesn’t need to be abandoned, but rediscovered.

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New design guidance to raise the bar for new build developments

The government has published updated new build design guidance ‘to focus on design quality’.

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UK Research and Innovation launches creative industries strategy

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has launched a high-level?UKRI’s research and development (R&D) strategy for the creative and cultural economy will ensure research and innovation drives and sustains growth in the creative industries.

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Pride in Place: 40 neighbourhoods join transformational programme

Thousands more people are being handed the power to ‘decide how millions are spent in their area’ as Government’s Pride in Place programme expands.

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Preferred developer and development proposal for Egyptian Halls in Glasgow approved

image for illustration: Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson’s Egyptian Halls in Glasgow, 2005 by Maccoinnich, via Wikimedia Commons The restoration of Glasgow’s Egyptian Halls has taken another step forward with the selection of a preferred developer to progress plans for the A-listed … Continue reading

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England’s cultural infrastructure: repair, maintenance and renewal reports from Purcell show £2 billion of unfunded repair and maintenance (R&M)

Reports for government, prepared by Purcell, into the repair, maintenance and renewal needed in the English cultural sector have been issued, estimating a backlog of £2 billion unfunded repair and maintenance (R&M) in the sector.

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Why City & Guilds says ‘Apprenticeships could be the only way out of the UK’s Housing Shortage’

When National Apprenticeship Week kicked off, global skills leader City & Guilds joined forces with Vistry, Travis Perkins, AMEY, and other major players in construction to spotlight a critical solution to one of the industry’s biggest challenges: the skills gap.

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Government: £30M boost for coastal communities adapting to eroding shores

image for illustration: Atwick Sands, East Riding of Yorkshire by Stephen Horncastle CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons New Coastal Adaptation Pilots to help England’s most at-risk coastal areas prepare for climate change have been announced.

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: Kennedy Center to close for two years for renovations, ‘Trump says’

image for illustration: Trump Kennedy Center Sign, by Dclemens1971, CC-BY-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons ‘… in honour of the 250th Anniversary of our Country’ US President Donald Trump has announced The Kennedy Center in Washington DC will close for a two-year … Continue reading

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Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals published

On 5 February 2026 Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board published its report ‘Delivering restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster: the costed proposals’.

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Government plans to train next generation of construction workers

13,000 apprenticeship and T Level opportunities are being created by government’s plan to transform school buildings.

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Government Consultation on Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance, to 10/03

Government UK seeks views on the usability of consolidated Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance and this consultation closes at 11:45pm on 10 March 2026

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IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: National Residential Retrofit Plan 2026 for Ireland’ makes upgrades more affordable and accessible

A package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across Ireland will help those looking to benefit from home energy upgrades.

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Scottish Infrastructure Strategy 2027-2037 Consultation now out

The Infrastructure Strategy sets out a ten-year framework (2027 to 2037) to guide infrastructure planning, investment, and delivery across Scotland.

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IHBC welcomes National Apprenticeship Week: to 15/02

The IHBC has welcomed National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), the week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

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IHBC ‘Management’ Signpost: Managing Surplus Government Property, guidance from the Government

New Government’ Guidance on Managing Surplus Government Property’ is replacing the previous ‘Guide for the Disposal of Surplus Land’.

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