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Media reports have shown that a major fire in Exeter city centre which required 150 firefighters to tackle the blaze and devastated the historic listed Royal Clarence Hotel has resulted in the demolition of the building.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service writes:

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service would like to thank the residents and business owners of Exeter for their support during the major incident in the city centre.  Since the fire on Cathedral Yard started in the early hours of Friday morning, roads have been closed, cordons put in place and businesses closed to protect public safety.  Despite the inconvenience, the Service has been overwhelmed by messages of support, offers of assistance and complimentary food and drink to help sustain the large number of firefighters who have been working around the clock to bring the fire under control.

Cllr Mark Healey, Chairman of the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority, said: ‘The support of the public has been amazing. I visited the scene yesterday with the Chief Fire Officer and we spoke with a number of local business owners to say thank you for their support to our crews.  In difficult times, communities come together and the events of the last few days has seen this happen on a large scale. Despite the loss of a number of buildings, it could have been so much worse. I’m just so pleased no one has been injured.’

At the height of the incident, 150 firefighters were at the scene with nearly 30 pumping appliances and an unprecedented four aerial ladder platforms were being used to prevent the fire spreading to other historic buildings.

Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell said: ‘This was an intense fire affecting several historically important buildings in the heart of the city. The complex nature of the building construction, especially the roof structure, made this a very difficult incident to deal with.  I am very proud of the efforts of our firefighting, control, officer and support staff, many of whom worked extremely hard for extended periods of time without complaining during what were very challenging circumstances.  It was an incredible effort by firefighters to stop the fire spreading to other heritage buildings on the High Street. Due to the period in which the buildings were constructed, the gap between the back of the hotel and the adjacent properties was very narrow and the fire was threatening to bridge the gap and spread further.  To prevent that from happening took courage and skill and they should all take credit that they did everything they could to stop the spread of the fire.’

Site inspections are being carried out by structural engineers and demolition work on the remainder of the Royal Clarence Hotel is likely to start this week. It will be a difficult and challenging process that will take some time. Therefore, while some roads will be able to re-open, cordons will continue to be in place around the immediate vicinity of the affected area. The majority of the city centre remains open for business.

Mr Howell added: ‘We have had crews at the site now for more than three days but we cannot be complacent. We will continue to dampen down hotspots, check for potential re-ignition and support the demolition process for as long as necessary.  It is important that we get Exeter back to normal as quickly as possible and we will be working with other agencies to make that happen.’

View the press release 

View the BBC news article

Practical information on the fire and how the Local Authority is managing issues around the area.

DCMS is urging recipients of National Lottery funding to celebrate the achievements of those who have received funding and connected with grant aided projects to use social media to help celebrate the 500,000th grant being awarded- Friday 4 November specifically celebrates heritage projects and may be a way for members to view and share ideas.

DCMS writes:

This week marks an amazing milestone for the National Lottery, as the 500,000th grant is awarded.  To celebrate the news, we’re showcasing the wide range of people, places and projects that have benefitted from Lottery funding and encouraging everyone to join in.

On average £36 million a week is raised by National Lottery players to go to good causes across the UK.

Are you part of a community or sports club that’s received support? Has a theatre production been made possible or a historic building near you been saved thanks to Lottery money?

Join in and share your messages and stories on social media this week (1-4 November) using #LoveLottery.

Each day we’ll be championing projects across a range of themes:

• Tuesday 1 November: We’re looking at how lottery cash has helped sports projects alongside Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s astounding medal success
• Wednesday 2 November: Our theme will be arts and creative industries projects
• Thursday 3 November: We’ll be celebrating how community projects have benefitted from lottery cash
• Friday 4 November: Our theme is the fantastic range of Heritage projects that have benefitted

View the press release

Enforcement officers are the unsung heroes of planning, according to the National Association for Planning Enforcement (NAPE) conference.

The NAPE conference covered legislation updates, case studies and information sharing on resource issues, and is also a network as part of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Read the report of the conference

See more about NAPE

The winner of the The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) award for best place in Wales has been announced as Aberaeron on the west coast.

The Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru (RTPI) writes:

Aberaeron, the picturesque seaside resort town on Wales’ west coast, has today been crowned the winner in Wales’ Best Places competition. The nationwide competition, organised by the Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru, celebrates the places protected, carefully planned or improved by the planning system for communities.

Nearly 5,500 people voted on a shortlist of 10 places, with Aberaeron emerging as the most popular place.  Tenby, the walled coastal town in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Gower, the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Britain are second and third respectively.

Presenting the award to the Mayor of Aberaeron today, RTPI President Phil Williams said:  ‘Aberaeron is a truly deserving winner of the title – ‘Wales’ Best Place’. The impact of planning is obvious here as you walk through the town which has been carefully planned in the Georgian style around the harbour. Planners have been important guardians of this town’s character as it has changed over the last 200 years – from small fishing village, to a thriving trading port and ship building town to today’s bustling business centre and tourist hot spot. As a Welshman I’m proud to have shone a spotlight on the outstanding range of places in Wales that have been protected, carefully planned or improved by planners.’

Mayor of Aberaeron, Rhys Davies, said:  ‘I am so pleased that Aberaeron has won this very special award by the RTPI. It is something the residents of Aberaeron can be proud of, a place we all care deeply about.  Aberaeron is a gem of a town, it’s beauty cannot fail to capture the hearts of visitors. It is one of the most photographed towns in the UK, yet maintaining Aberaeron as a popular visitor destination takes hard work and I would like to thank the business community and all our residents who maintain their properties so well, and which greatly benefits our tourist trade. We of course will make full use of the recognition we have been given by all who voted for us and by further promoting our town on a national and international stage, which not only benefits Aberaeron but Ceredigion as a whole.’

Peter Lloyd, Chair of RTPI Cymru said:  ‘Congratulations Aberaeron, affectionately known as the ‘Jewel of Cardigan Bay’. It’s no surprise this charming seaside town, dotted with brightly coloured cottages around the harbour is the public’s favourite. This competition has reminded us just how important planners and the planning system are in ensuring places are protected, shaped and improved.’

Councillor Elizabeth Evans, County Councillor for Aberaeron Ward said, ‘I am delighted that Aberaeron has won the RTPI Wales’ Best Places award. We were in a very tough shortlist of great places, which makes the winning all the more special. I would like to thank everyone who voted for our beautiful town and I know that the residents of Aberaeron will be as proud as I am, that our town has received this award. We of course have to thank the Rev Alban Gwynne, the man who made it all possible back in 1807, for having the vision to plan such a lovely place. Today, we are merely custodians of his legacy; this great town, Aberaeron.’

Aberaeron is one of Wales’ first planned towns and since then has been developed and managed by the planning system to be a popular tourist destination and providing services to communities in its large rural hinterland. The planning of the town by Colonel Alban Gwynne and architect, Edward Haycock, earned it the reputation of being ‘one of the best examples of a planned township of small scale in Wales.

The 10 finalists are: Aberaeron, Ceredigion; Caernarfon, Gwynedd; Cardiff Bay Inner Harbour, Cardiff; Denbigh, Denbighshire; Gower, Swansea; The Hayes, Cardiff; Llandudno Promenade and Mostyn Street, Conwy County Borough; Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre, Merthyr Tydfil; Snowdonia, Conwy and Gwynedd and Tenby, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.  A similar competition was successfully run in England (2015) and Scotland (2014).

View the press release

The Commons Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has called for an overhaul of the system of flood management in England, including new roles for the Environment Agency (EA) and a review of building regulations.

The Commons Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs writes:

MPs from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee are calling for an overhaul of flood management in England to tackle the rising risk to communities from climate change in a report on Future flood prevention.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Chair, Neil Parish MP, said: ‘Some five million people in England are at risk of flooding. Winter 2015-16 broke rainfall records. Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank disrupted communities across northern parts of the UK, with Desmond alone costing the UK more than £5 billion.  We propose a radical alternative to the Government’s National Flood Resilience Review’s limited solutions to the current fragmented, inefficient and ineffective flood risk management arrangements.  Our proposals will deliver a far more holistic approach to flooding and water supply management, looking at catchments as a whole. Flood management must include much wider use of natural measures such as leaky dams, tree planting and improved soil management. And some areas of farmland should be used to store flood water.’

The Committee recommends a new governance model: with a new National Floods Commissioner responsible for flood management in England. S/he would agree with the Government strategic, long-term flood risk reduction outcomes and be held to account for their effective delivery via:

• New Regional Flood and Coastal Boards coordinating regional delivery of national plans, in partnership with local stakeholders. These Boards would take on current Lead Local Flood Authority and Regional Flood and Coastal Committee roles;
• A new English Rivers and Coastal Authority, taking on national flood risk management roles currently the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

Committee Chair Neil Parish MP added: ‘Our proposed model would streamline roles and pool expertise to allow bodies to deliver their unique roles. Funding would be firmly linked to outcomes: The Commissioner would hold the new English Rivers and Coastal Authority to account on whether it spends its budgets efficiently – whether by directly undertaking work or by commissioning projects from catchment partnerships or Internal Drainage Boards. New Regional Boards would enable a close link between national plans and local aims.’

The Committee recognises that it is impossible to protect all properties at all times so calls on the Government to improve help for communities and individuals to cope with and recover from flooding. The report makes proposals for immediate action, in advance of major governance reform, to improve resilience to floods.

Neil Parish MP said: ‘Building Regulations must be tightened up to help flood proof our properties if a voluntary code is not agreed by the end of this year.  Developers who flout planning rules in high flood risk areas must also be penalised.’

The report recommends that:

• Developers who fail to comply with planning requirements should be made liable for the costs of associated flooding across a catchment; Water companies should be made statutory consultees on planning applications, and the right to connect surface water to a sewerage system should be removed;
• The Government should develop by the end of 2017 a grant scheme for small businesses unable to secure affordable insurance to install resilience measures; and
• The Environment Agency and Met Office should develop clearer methods of communicating flood risk by the end of the year. Current descriptions of a ‘1 in x year’ flood risk are confusing.

View the news release and download the report

A company called Sacred Stones opened the ‘first round barrow built since neolithic times’ on 24 October, its construction using 500 tonnes of local Churchfield limestone buried beneath 1,000 tonnes of earth seeded with meadow grass.

Read more at Stone Specialist – article 1 and article 2

A seven page long illustrated guide to the Crystal Palace building and grounds has been published online with stunning views and explanations of the interior of the building.

Read more at https://sydenham.org.uk

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has issued information on how to report suspected false Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards following the imprisonment of a 34 year old man for illegal use of such cards.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) writes:

A Luton man has been jailed for 18 months and recommended for deportation for illegally working in the UK and falsely obtaining construction skills certification cards, following a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) investigation.

34-year-old Indian national, Manjit Multani, paid someone to sit the health and safety tests required to obtain the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card and Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS) card.   He then used the cards to work on various building sites across London and Milton Keynes, as well as using a number of fake names in order to work illegally in the UK.  Mr Multani was arrested by Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers in February but failed to answer his bail. He was then arrested again on motoring offences when they discovered he was wanted by police.  He pleaded guilty in Luton Crown Court last month to eight charges including misuse of identity documents and fraudulently obtaining leave to remain in the UK.

Ian Sidney, Fraud Investigator at the Construction Industry Training Board – which owns the CPCS card scheme – led the investigation into Mr Multani’s cards and qualifications and immediately revoked his CPCS card in February after the tip off from the Home Office.  Mr Sidney assisted the Home Office with their investigation and provided a witness statement which was considered during sentencing.

Ian Sidney said: ‘The risks these people pose when illegally working in the construction industry are huge, so it’s encouraging to see that those who do brought to justice. Fraud is incredibly damaging to the reputation of the industry and worse, it puts people’s lives in jeopardy.  Building sites can be hazardous if workers do not have the relevant training and qualifications, so it is lucky one was injured. We simply will not tolerate any illegal activities and will continue to work with the police to prosecute fraudsters.’

Employers are urged to conduct regular checks on cards either using CSCS smart card readers or the CITB online card checker on our website. If you think you know someone using a fraudulent card you should:

1. Retain the card if possible
2. Make photocopies of front and back
3. Record cardholder’s name and address
4. Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained from
5. Call the local police and report the matter
6. Refuse access to site (subject to company rules)
7. Forward copies of all evidence to CITB Quality Assurance Team, Building 16, Bircham Newton, King’s Lynn, PE31 6RH, marked ‘SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD’ with details of the crime number given by local police.
8. You can also email Report.it@citb.co.uk

View the news release

Consult the CITB online card checker

The importance of strategic planning as part of the Northern Ireland (NI) draft Programme for Government has been emphasised by Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard.

The Northern Ireland Executive Office writes:

Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard today met council chief executives to discuss strategic planning issues. 

Chairing the Ministerial Planning Group, which brings together representatives from central and local government, Minister Hazzard said: ‘An efficient and effective planning system is an integral part of delivering the outcomes we want for our society across the North and directly affects our quality of life. It is central to putting in place the infrastructure needed for this generation and the next and lays the foundations to deliver the much needed roads, housing, office developments, factories, schools, hospitals – the list is endless.  Joined up working between central and local government is key to delivering the draft Programme for Government outcomes to create a better society. I see this group as the key forum to facilitating open and constructive discussion, which will help us to broaden and deepen the debate around planning.  It also provides us with the opportunity to deal with strategic matters of mutual interest and concern.’

View the press release

read more…..

Southwark Council has pledged to fight what it calls the ‘bizarre’ government decision to block a compulsory purchase order (CPO) on Aylesbury Estate as Minister Sajid Javid found the orders breached the human rights of residents as they would not be able to afford to stay on the estate or live nearby.

Background info

See the decision letter

http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/southwark-council-appeal-governments-decision-block-takeover-aylesbury-estate-flats-demolition/

View BBC news item

Read more at Local Gov

The Historic England Heritage at Risk register for 2016 has now been published, and there are now 137 less entries on the register than last year, but significant sites remain at risk including Newington Green Unitarian Church in Hackney, the ‘birthplace of feminism’, and the Brighton Old Town conservation area, while new entries includ the Aviary at ZSL London Zoo designed by Lord Snowdon, 1965;  Wythenshawe Hall in Greater Manchester, which was ravaged by fire in March; Grade I listed King’s Lynn Minster in Norfolk, and Hull’s Grade I listed Holy Trinity Church.

Historic England (HE) writes:

Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register 2016 is published today, providing the annual insight into the state of England’s most valued historic places. The Register brings attention to the sites across England that are at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: ‘Across the country, thousands of historic sites are at risk of being lost. Many lie decaying and neglected and the gap between the cost of repair and their end value is growing. The good news is that this year, there are fewer entries on the Heritage at Risk Register than last year. But as some places are rescued, others fall into disrepair. Historic England will continue to provide grants and dedicate time and expertise to working with owners, developers and communities to rescue precious buildings and places so people can continue to enjoy them and the stories they tell about our past.’

Sites added to the Register in 2016 include:

• Newington Green Unitarian Church in Hackney, London, has had connections to political radicalism for over 300 years. The most famous member of its congregation was Mary Wollstonecraft who, inspired by the church’s radical intellectual group, wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), earning her the name ‘the Mother of Feminism’. The building is now in poor condition.
• Hull’s Grade I listed Holy Trinity Church is one of the largest medieval parish churches in England and is a building of cathedral-like scale which dominates Hull Old Town. Construction started in 1300 and took 230 years. The interior is rich in monuments and works of art, including two colourful windows by Walter Crane. The asphalt on the nave roof is split and leaking. There is also some deterioration of the clerestory windows. Heritage Lottery funding has been secured and it is hoped that the roof will be re-covered during 2017; a fitting tribute to the celebrations of Hull as City of Culture.
• A shipwreck off the coast of Dunwich in Suffolk is believed to be the remains of a 16th century armed merchant vessel or possibly a rare example of an early military transport vessel. It has been suggested to be a casualty of the Battle of Sole Bay in 1672. No ship structure or items such as ballast are currently visible although it is possible that they may be buried in sediments around the site. The site has been placed on the Heritage at Risk Register this year due the theft of a bronze gun from the site.
• Fort Purbrook in Portsmouth is a so-called ‘Palmerston Folly’ built in the mid-1800s on top of Portsdown Hill, to defend the city of Portsmouth, and in particular the Royal Naval Dockyard from attack by the French. Part of the Fort is used as an activities centre but the condition of other areas is deteriorating.
• Brighton Old Town Conservation Area contains Brighton’s prosperous Lanes shopping area but also suffers with a number of vacant landmark buildings, the impact of increasing traffic which creates a barrier to the beachfront, and from the impact of poorly designed and out-of-place shop fronts.
• The Church of St Mary Woolnoth, City of London is one of Nicholas Hawksmoor’s six London churches constructed between 1716 and 1727 during the long rebuilding of London after the Great Fire. This was the church where anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce worshipped and it was immortalised in T.S. Eliot’s poem ‘The Wasteland’. Settlement in the tower is causing cracks and parts of the roof need repairing to keep it watertight.
• Wythenshawe Hall in Greater Manchester was ravaged by fire in March. The timber framed Tudor hall at the centre of the site was devastated and much of the earliest historic fabric destroyed. Police suspect it was targeted by arson. We have been working with Manchester City Council since March to conserve what remains but the damage is severe.
• Grade I West Horsley Place in Surrey is a remarkable example of a country house that was once a courtier’s house in a family who were popular with the Tudors and Stuarts. It has been added to the Register because in periods of neglect, water has attacked the internal timber frame and there are signs of significant structural problems. The new owner, broadcaster Bamber Gascoigne, has formed a trust to tackle the problems. An opera house is being built in the grounds which will contribute to the upkeep and start the new life of the site while the house undergoes renovations.
• Aviary at ZSL London Zoo designed by Lord Snowdon and when it opened was Britain’s first walk-through aviary and the second biggest in the world. Standing proud beside Regent’s Canal it has been a London landmark since it was built in 1965. It is now in need of repair and ZSL London Zoo has secured Heritage Lottery funding to turn it into a new innovative space for animals and visitors.
• Grade II* Mersham Court Barn in Ashford, Kent is a large, very fine and rare timber-framed threshing barn dating probably from the 15th century. The barn has for some time been suffering from water damage caused by a leaking roof and structural movement after falling out of agricultural use. Solutions are being sought which will allow the barn to be restored and a new use found for it which is compatible with its special architectural qualities.
• The Grade I listed King’s Lynn Minster in Norfolk was originally founded around 1095 as part of the Benedictine Priory serving the wealthy medieval port of Lynn. The Minster is over 230 feet long with dramatic twin west towers. It has decaying high-level masonry but the Heritage Lottery Fund has offered a grant for the first phase of repairs to masonry of the west towers.

Sites rescued and removed from the Register in 2016 include:

• Thanks to a huge amount of time and effort the magnificent ruins of Crowland Abbey in Lincolnshire are no longer at risk. A repair programme grant-aided by Historic England has secured the nave and west front. For more than 1,000 years Crowland Abbey had survived fire, earthquake, suppression, and civil war, but this picturesque building was succumbing to time and weather. Now its tiers of outstanding medieval statues have been conserved and its stonework has been repaired. Crowland Abbey has been given another lease of life as a beacon for the community.
• In London, Wilton’s Music Hall, the oldest pub music hall in the world, has now come off the Register. After decades of dereliction, decay and a lengthy campaign to save and restore the building and a capital project to repair the building, it is finally structurally sound and back to its former glory.
• The 1930s Poplar Baths, is now restored and once again open as a public pool, nearly 30 years after closing its doors.
• The Grade I registered historic landscape of Castle Howard in Yorkshire is one of the grandest Baroque landscapes in England. Historic England has helped fund the repair of many of the monuments which dotted the landscape and with support from Natural England many of the lime trees planted in the 1720s have been saved. Trees for future replanting will be cloned from the originals. Repair grants from Historic England and Natural England mean that the Stray Walls once again form a dramatic feature within the landscape, punctuating the main avenue.
• The tireless effort of Christopher Terry brought the ruins of Brougham Hall in Cumbria back to life. He stumbled across the hall in 1968 whilst on honeymoon with his wife and noticed a planning notice pinned to the 15th century door, advising that Brougham Hall was to be demolished and the site redeveloped. Over a period of 47 years Christopher worked on the site with his wife, then alone after she died, transforming it into a valued visitor attraction and using it as a centre to train people in crafts such as stone masonry, joinery and lead work. Sadly, Christopher died in August this year.
• 72 barrows have been removed from the Register since last year but they still remain the top type of heritage site at risk. One success story is the Long Burgh long barrow in East Sussex which was built during the Early and Middle Neolithic periods (3400-2400 BC) and represents the burial place of Britain’s early farming communities. The Long Burgh was hidden to visitors to the South Downs National Park by thick bramble, trees and scrub that had grown across the monument through a lack of management over a number of years. Historic England worked with the new owner and the South Downs National Parks Authority to remove trees and vegetation to improve the condition and visibility of the monument.
• The Grade II* Gothic Temple at Shotover Park in Oxfordshire was built in 1740 as an open loggia with particularly fine stuccowork. The folly fell into a state of disrepair through a lack of maintenance over a number of years. The Gothic Temple has been removed from the Register this year following a large programme of repairs, funded by Natural England, with advice from architects and surveyors from Historic England. Traditional craftspeople were used to repair the plasterwork, the roof has been repaired, and the surrounding vegetation cut back. Designed to face the house at Shotover Park along the length of an ornamental pool, the Gothic Temple is now reflected in all its glory in the waters again. 

There are fewer entries on the 2016 Register (5,341) compared to 2015 (5,478) but fewer are economic to repair. The conservation deficit, which is the difference in the cost of repair compared to the end value, has increased substantially this year, driven in part by a skills shortage affecting both consultants and tradespeople and in some cases a scaffolding shortage. The average is now £652,000 but there are some types of site that account for a third of the country’s overall deficit of £613m: country houses and textile industry buildings.

Other types of site with a high conservation deficit are public baths and music, speech and dance venues. There are 17 music, speech and dance venues on the Register and five of them have an estimated conservation deficit of more than £1m each. One example is the Grade II* listed Wellington Rooms in Liverpool which was originally built in 1815 as a private assembly room. It has lain empty for around 20 years despite being located right in the heart of the city’s university district. Historic England is in discussions about grant aiding urgent repairs as part of a funding scheme with the freeholder who is Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Buildings Preservation Trust and Liverpool’s universities.

Dating back to 1875-8, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is an enormous Grade II* listed complex comprising the Pavilion Theatre, Opera House, Floral Hall and Spanish Hall. The two most urgent priorities are the roofs of the Pavilion Theatre and the Spanish Hall. Historic England has just offered a £500k grant towards £1.2m roof repair scheme for the 1930s Spanish Hall.

There are nine public baths on the Register and their collective conservation deficit is £26.5m. Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham is one of the most complete examples of Edwardian Bath Houses in England. It has been on the Register since 2005 and continues to decline in condition. The Friends of Moseley Road Baths and the Moseley Road Baths Action Group responded to the plight of the baths following the collapse of the City Council’s plans for a Heritage Lottery Fund bid. Through their hard work, and Historic England funding, an options appraisal has been completed and we look forward to working with the community and City Council to develop a sustainable future for the building. Recently the Baths have won the Monument Watch grant for £10,000 and essential maintenance to the fabric of the building will be carried out shortly.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, added: ‘Some extraordinary chapters in England’s history are represented on this year’s list of our most important heritage at risk. The Unitarian Church on Newington Green represents a place known historically for dissent and radical thinking but its generally poor condition puts the building at risk. But it is wonderful to see that the magnificent grounds of Castle Howard in Yorkshire are no longer considered to be at risk. There are grounds for optimism. However owners and developers are now facing a larger gap between the cost of repairs and the end value of their property. Reasons include skill shortages in key professions and trades in our sector, and in some cases, even the supply of scaffolding. These obstacles can be overcome, especially with funding from us, Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England, but we face a significant challenge in saving these sites for future generations.’

National Heritage at Risk findings:

Places of worship

• 926 (6.3%) of listed places of worship are on the Register
• 129 places of worship have been removed from the Register following repair work, and 129 have been added

Archaeology

• 2,582 (13.0%) of England’s 19,848 scheduled monuments are on the Register
• 186 archaeology entries have been removed from the 2015 Register for positive reasons, and 79 have been added
• 2% of archaeology entries (1,413) on the baseline 2009 Register have been removed for positive reasons
• Arable cultivation (39%) and unrestricted plant, scrub and tree growth (26%) remain the most common sources of risk

Parks and gardens

• 95 (5.8%) of England’s 1,639 registered parks and gardens are on the Register
• The South East has the greatest number (24) of parks and gardens on the Register, but the highest proportion (10.9%) is in North East (6 entries)
• 2 park and garden entries have been removed from the 2015 Register for positive reasons, and 3 have been added

Battlefields

• Of the 46 registered battlefields in England, 6 (13.0%) are on the Register
• 3 of the 6 entries are in Yorkshire

Wreck sites

• 6 (12.2%) of the 49 protected wreck sites around England’s coast are on the Register
• 4 lie off the South East coast, 1 off the South West and 1 off the East of England

Conservation areas

• 304 local planning authorities (90.5%) have taken part in the survey of conservation areas
• 8,286 of England’s 9,848 conservation areas have been surveyed by local authorities and 496 (6.0%) are on the Register
• 167 (30.4%) conservation areas have been removed from the 2010 baseline Register for positive reasons 

£10 million in grant was spent on 287 entries on the Heritage at Risk Register during 2015/16

View the press release

The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation’s best high streets, and between now and 18 November you can cast your vote for free via thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk

Department for Communities and Local Government writes:

The Great British High Street competition has revealed the nation’s best high streets.

The Great British High Street competition has today (18 October 2016) revealed the nation’s best high streets. Twenty-seven finalists now have the chance to impress an expert judging panel and battle it out in a public vote to be crowned Britain’s best.

Winners in each category will not only get a share of prize pot worth £100,000, but they’ll also receive expert training from Google’s digital taskforce for shops, bars and restaurants and a trip to Twitter UK’s London office to boost their social media skills.

Between now and 18 November you can cast your vote for free via thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk

High Streets Minister Andrew Percy said: ‘Our high streets are the life and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country and the record number of competition entries this year is proof of their continued importance to local life.  There are bustling high streets up and down the country from North London to Northumberland and now is the time you can show support for your local area and get voting.’

Finalists:

• City: Derby, Norwich, Bristol
• Coastal: Prestatyn, Falmouth, Cleethorpes
• Local Centre: Hoole, Tunbridge Wells, Claygate
• London: Romford, Lower Marsh Waterloo, Myddleton Road Haringey
• Market Town (small): Thame, Chipping Norton, Hebden Bridge
• Market Town (large): Hinckley, Market Harborough, Bridgnorth
• Town Centre: Hemel Hempstead, Banbury, Blackburn
• Village: Langport, Kirkby Lonsdale, Pateley Bridge
• Rising Star: Dornoch, Stockton-on-Tees, Leominster

The Great British High Street Competition 2016 celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets. It is one of a number of initiatives to help champion high streets as the cornerstones of the community.

The government is helping local business communities adapt to the changing face of high streets, with a £6.7 billion package of business rates support, to cut the rates for 900,000 businesses – with 600,000 now paying none at all.

This year’s competition saw a record 900 entries across all 14 categories, including the new categories for individuals and shops.

The second Great British High Street competition last year saw 230 entries and attracted over 200,000 public votes, with Bishy Road in York, a former finalist, crowned Britain’s best. Bishy Road found that winning not only boosted town pride, but also had a tangible economic impact with retailers reporting increased footfall.

Alongside the public’s votes shortlisted areas will also be inspected by judges made up of industry leaders from across retail, property and business – including British Land, the Post Office and Holland & Barrett.

read more….

The Planning Inspectorate is reviewing its appeal procedure guidance for planning appeals, certificate of lawful use or development appeals and enforcement appeals in England, and seeks views from users of this guidance during the appeal process.

Complete the survey

A new set of funding from the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland has been launched by Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) , with a call for proposals from not-for-profit organisations delivering projects which aim to improve the local environment and boost civic pride (closing date 18 November)

DAERA writes:

Environment Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced funding from the plastic bag charge for local environment projects.

An initial £400,000, sourced from the carrier bag levy, will be available for the Challenge Fund in the current financial year for not-for-profit organisations delivering projects which aim to improve the local environment and boost civic pride.

Speaking about the fund, the Minister said: ‘The Challenge Fund is one of a number of mechanisms by which the proceeds of the carrier bag levy are reinvested in the environment. This funding of £400,000, with potentially further support later in the year, will enable local communities, schools and voluntary organisations to undertake small-scale projects to improve the environment and deliver environmental education.

‘Community groups can use the funding to enhance civic pride in their local area through, for example, tidying a local beach or neglected beauty spot or creating and enhancing areas where the public can enjoy the local environment. Schools can take advantage of the financial support to create eco-gardens and provide learning opportunities where children and young people can engage with nature.

‘To date more than £4.6million has been offered from the Challenge Fund, enabling almost 600 environmental projects to be carried out, and I am pleased to be able to deliver further resources for the fund and ensure this good work in our schools and communities can continue.’

Funding from the Challenge Fund will be awarded via a competitive application process.

The scheme will close for applications at 12.00 noon on Friday 18 November 2016. 

View the press release

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The Local Authority for Sheerness Thamesteel plant have granted planning permission for a revised proposal, which incorporated protection of the historic garrison.

Peel Ports writes:

Planning permission to develop the former Thamesteel site at Peel Ports Sheerness has been granted by Swale Borough Council.

Plans for the redevelopment of the derelict industrial site, as part of Peel Ports’ 20-year Master Plan for growth and investment in the Sheerness region, received unanimous support from the planning committee.

It represents an early commitment for inward investment in the region of £50 million and around 200 new jobs are expected to be created as a result. This is in addition to the 1,640 jobs the port already supports, whilst generating £83 million GVA each year.

The 50 plus acre site will now be developed to support new logistics facilities, which will allow for the handling, storage and distribution of commodities such as automotive, steel and forest products.

It will enable Peel Ports to respond to increasing demand for enhanced portside facilities, and there is already strong support from its existing customers GEFCO and Volkswagen.

Paul Barker, Port Director at Peel Ports London Medway, which includes Sheerness said: ‘The unanimous decision to approve the redevelopment plans at the former Thamesteel site is the first significant milestone in the progression of our 20-year Master Plan for growth at Sheerness.  Not only will this allow us to breathe new life into a site that has lain derelict for four years, it will also allow us to reconfirm our commitment to the future of the region – creating new jobs and investment opportunities.  We have been liaising carefully with Swale Borough Council, as well as local residents and businesses to ensure the proposals we have put forward will have a positive impact and help Sheerness maintain and develop its position as a leading deep-water gateway into Europe.  We now look forward to turning these plans into a reality and seeing the transformation of the site over the next few months and years.’

The Port of Sheerness Master Plan details Peel Ports’ strategy for the sustainable expansion of the Port of Sheerness, including improvements in transportation and access as well as increased socio economic benefits for the region.

It includes plans to reclaim up to 125 hectares of land for expansion, mixed use developments and a new marina over the next 20 years. Peel Ports recently made amends to its original proposal to retain the former Garrison Hospital building in order to protect the cultural heritage of the area.

The Port of Sheerness, along with the Port of Chatham, forms the core of Peel Ports’ London Medway cluster. The company handles a range of cargo along the 27-mile stretch of the Rivers Medway and Swale, including forest products, steel and cars.

In June, Peel Ports opened new grain loading facilities at Sheerness in partnership with multinational commodities giant Glencore, opening up new opportunities for farmers in Kent and Sussex.

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Former servicemen and women have been offered new opportunities as part of the ‘heritage heroes’ project operated by the Canal and River Trust and Help for Heroes, as part of funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The Canal and River Trust writes:

Injured servicemen and women are being given the opportunity to re-build their lives, gain qualifications and learn new skills by transforming and restoring historic canals.

The Trust and Help for Heroes have come together to deliver an ambitious canal restoration and career recovery programme for wounded, injured or sick servicemen, women and veterans.

Veterans from across the country will join the Heritage Heroes project and work alongside our engineers, heritage advisors and volunteers from Pocklington Canal Amenity Society to resurrect part of the Pocklington Canal. The 18-month project will also see new volunteers recruited from nearby local communities in East Riding, Yorkshire.

The project, made possible by £500,000 funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, aims to bring pride and purpose back to our heroic veterans while restoring canals, some of which have been left neglected for decades.

Veterans returning from service are highly-skilled and capable individuals, with a great deal to contribute to society. Too often however they are ill-prepared for the transition back into the civilian world. The Heritage Heroes project will equip the wounded, injured or sick heroes with City & Guilds qualifications in construction, health and safety, horticulture and land-based management which can be used to help them identify a new, purposeful career.

Help for Heroes veteran David Simpson, 57, of Derby is a former Lance Corporal who served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland.  He suffers from anxiety and anger issues and hopes the project will help him discover his former self.  ‘The Falklands are where my main problems started. But it wasn’t until 28 years later that I finally sought help for them,’ father-of-four David explained.  ‘Whilst I was stationed in Fitzroy, I witnessed something horrible – a needless, senseless death. I haven’t been the same man since.’

David, who left the Army in 1988, was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and experiences severe anxiety and anger issues on a regular basis. He has struggled to hold down a job and has had more than 40 since he was discharged from the Army.  He said: ‘I have lived like a hermit for years now and that’s why I’m doing the Heritage Heroes project; I want a better life for myself. I’ve had 28 years of total stress and now I want to look forward.  ‘I know there is life after PTSD, it’s not all doom and gloom. This course will give me more confidence and a better outlook on life.’

The second phase of the project is taking place in Yorkshire. Working in partnership with the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society the veterans are helping to restore a Grade 2 Listed lock at Thornton. This involves repairing the historic brickwork to the lock chamber, replacing the timber lock gates and works to the lock floor. Currently only half of the canal is navigable but these works will be essential in completing the project and restoring the area which is a site of special scientific interest. Alongside the restoration works the veterans will be instrumental in creating a new nature trail, pond and refreshing a visitor centre.

Jason Leach, Enterprise and Restoration Team Manager for the Trust, said: ‘Heritage Heroes is such an exciting project for us. It gives the Canal & River Trust the opportunity to work with Help for Heroes to transform waterways as well as helping to rebuild our wounded heroes’ lives.’

View the press release

Find out more about Heritage Heroes

The Welsh Government has allocated £532,000 for 2016/2017 for improvements to access within historic landscape areas, which is the first time that Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) have received such funding.

The Welsh Government writes:

Visitors and local communities will now be able to enjoy even more of Wales’ great outdoors thanks to over half a million pounds of access funding, announced by Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths today.

In total, the Welsh Government has allocated £532,000 for 2016/2017 to improve accessibility in three of Wales’ iconic National Parks and four of our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Lesley Griffiths said:  ‘I am delighted to confirm funding of over half a million pounds that will improve accessibility to our unique, inspiring natural landmarks. Only last week the Lonely Planet guide ranked North Wales as the fourth ‘Best in Travel 2017’ region in the world and Gower was, of course, the UK’s first ever Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  That gives an indication of just how special our great outdoors are and we want even more people to be able to enjoy them.’

Proposed work in the Brecon Beacons includes improvements to the access road and facilities at Llyn y Fan Fach in the West Beacons, and visitor and traffic management improvements at Pontneddfechan in Wales’ popular Waterfall Country. Last year, Welsh Government funding allowed the park to repair damage caused by illegal off-roading.

Snowdonia National Park Authority will use the money to further develop the final section of the Snowdon circular route and to improve Cwellyn car park and Snowdon’s Watkin path.

Previous funding allowed Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to improve accessibility to the award-winning coast path. This year they will focus on improving the visitor offer at car parks by redesigning, adding interpretation, and improving surfacing and traffic flow.

On behalf of National Parks Wales, John Cook, Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said:  ‘The funding made available by Welsh Government has enabled each of Wales’ National Park Authorities to make access improvements throughout their respective areas. These significant improvements have created further opportunities for even more people to discover Wales’ world-class landscapes during the Year of Adventure and beyond, whilst ensuring the special qualities of these precious places are maintained for future generations.

‘Some of the work carried out by the park authorities will make some of their most iconic locations, such as Snowdon’s Circular Route and the Coast Path, more accessible for everyone, from experienced walkers to wheelchair users and families with buggies, while work at sites such as Llyn y Fan Fach will also alleviate visitor management pressures affecting local communities.’

Our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have successfully obtained this access funding for the first time. The grant will allow them to create further access opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy what they have to offer.

Howard Sutcliffe from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB said: ‘This is the first year the AONBs have received funding for access improvements from the Welsh Government. We are delighted to have secured this funding as it provides us with the fantastic opportunity to carry out work that will encourage people to get out and explore our nationally and culturally significant landscapes just in time to prepare for the Year of Legends. Proposed work includes improving and creating routes for people of limited abilities to enjoy Wales’ extensive Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’

View the press release

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCLG) has called for communities to engage with the Local Charities Day concept, on 16 December, as an opportunity to increase civic engagement and highlight the work which local groups do. 

The Office for Civil Society writes:

Local Charities Day will put small, local charities and community groups into the spotlight, helping them thrive and demonstrate the great work they do in their areas.

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said:  On Local Charities Day, I want us all to shout from the rooftops about small, local charities: their energy, commitment, expertise and the benefits they bring to their communities.  We have already done a huge amount of work for small and local charities, reducing regulation and introducing a Bill to parliament which will make Gift Aid even more flexible and generous.

There is more to do, and Local Charities Day and campaigns like Grow Your Tenner give us a chance to ensure that these responsive, locally engaged and committed organisations get the recognition they deserve, helping us build a Britain that works for everyone.

I would encourage as many people as possible to donate to a local cause through the ‘Grow Your Tenner’ campaign, helping us build a compassionate Britain that works for everyone.

In the lead up to Local Charities Day on 16th December, government is providing match funding for Localgiving’s ‘Grow Your Tenner’ campaign.

The Office for Civil Society has provided £245,000 in match funding to boost ‘Grow Your Tenner’, bringing the total match funding available for local charities participating in the campaign to £345,000. This money will match one time donations from the public by up to £10 and monthly direct debits by up to £10 for the first three months.

The Office for Civil Society is also contributing £5,000 in match funding for the #GiveMe5 campaign which will run on Local Charities Day, giving people another opportunity to get involved and support charities in their area.

View the press release

A proposed 19 storey development on Liverpool’s historic waterfront has been scaled back from earlier plans for a 25-storey scheme amid fears that it could detract from the prominence of the Three Graces.

Read more on at Insider

The Victorian Society has become the largest amenity society on Twitter following the Top Ten.

The Society can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIN.

See more at http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk