Anyone in or beyond the heritage, development and cultural communities can now try out a free 6-month ‘taster’ of one of the IHBC’s most valuable membership benefits by simply signing up for our email news update service, the NewsBlogs.
For background see:
IHBC’s great new ‘taster’ for everyone: accessible sector news by email, for free!
The next All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Civic Societies is to be held on 19 April, with the theme concentrating on World War 1 (WW1) commemoration and the role that communities can play in protecting heritage.
Civic Voice writes:
The next All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Civic Societies will host a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday, 19th April 2016. The event is themed around the role that communities can play in protecting war heritage and commemorating the First World War.
This APPG for Civic Societies meeting will hear from Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire and the Prime Minister’s special representative for the Centenary Commemoration of the First World War.
Dr Murrison said: ‘It was marvellous to be invited to the APPG for Civic Societies event which will be focusing on how we can get even more volunteers involved with the First World War Memorials Programme. War memorials are a key part of this country’s culture, heritage and, vitally, remembrance. It is important that we act now to save them. I regularly follow and support the work undertaken by Civic Voice and look forward to encouraging others to become involved too.’
Representatives from Historic England, The Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation and War Memorials Trust will be present. The meeting will allow MPs and members of the public a chance to discuss ways in which communities can commemorate the First World War.
Craig Mackinlay MP, chair of the APPG for Civic Societies said, ‘I am delighted to announce that the next APPG for Civic Societies event of this Parliamentary session, will focus on how we as a nation are commemorating the First World War. Whether it is recording the condition of your war memorial or applying for funding from HLF to tell the story of your community, everyone has a role to play in commemorating the First World War. I would encourage communities to tell their MP to attend the meeting and to learn more about how they and you can remember the fallen.’
Freddie Gick, chair of Civic Voice added, ‘We are delighted that this meeting will focus on the First World War as it will give us the opportunity to hear about work being undertaken by communities across England who are conserving their war memorial heritage As we lead up to the commemoration of the Battle of the Somme, it is important to reflect on how communities can play a part in remembering the fallen.’
View the news release
If you would like to register to the event, please do so at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/appg-for-civic-societies-engaging-communities-in-first-world-war-heritage-tickets-23090760085
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust (SLCT) has launched a competition which is offering two bursary places on the week long ‘Intensive course’ in Conservation Masonry, with a closing date of Friday 29 April
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust writes:
These two bursaries are generously sponsored by the Barbara Whatmore CT Trust and cover all fees amounting to £995 + VAT, travel and overnight accommodation costs are not included. This course and assessment of three SQA National Units in Conservation Masonry uniquely, taught and assessed by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust could be your chance to formalise your skills and stand out from the crowd… demonstrate to your potential clients that you have recognised skills and understanding to repair traditional masonry with lime mortars with a properly recognised qualification.
To enter this competition, you should be working in construction and have practical experience in the field of masonry and the ‘wet’ trades, you do not need to be time served, a semi-skilled worker would be ideal. You should have a passion for the care, repair and conservation of traditional buildings and be able to demonstrate it.
To apply for this bursary please answer the following question and send to us along with your CV to admin@scotlime.org by Friday 29 April 2016
Question: Explain why you would like to win a bursary to attend our ‘Intensive Week’ in Conservation Masonry and be assessed for 3 National Units in Conservation Masonry (in no more than 100 words)
What some past learners and candidates have said about the ‘Intensive Week’:
View more information about the Scottish Lime Centre Trust and courses
View more information about the intensive course
‘Radical legislation’ has been passed by the Scottish Parliament which is designed to improve transparency in land ownership and access, and improve farm tenancy security, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The Scottish Government writes:
Legislation to transform how land is used and governed has been passed by the Scottish Parliament today.
The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will:
Speaking after the stage three debate, Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Dr Aileen McLeod said: ‘The passing of the Land Reform Bill is a landmark moment in our land reform journey. It is a result of many years of work to ensure our land is owned and used in the public interest and for the benefit of the people of Scotland. This radical legislation will make important changes to specific rights and responsibilities over land, including provisions to increase the transparency of land ownership, which have never before been seen in this country. It will allow us to provide guidance to landowners and tenants and allow communities to be involved when decisions are taken about land. The Bill will also remove the existing exemption of business rates for shooting estates and deer forests.
‘This is a significant next step, but is not the end of our land reform journey – I want to do even more to help future generations benefit from our land. Going forward we will establish the Scottish Land Commission, publish a Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement and continue our work towards our one million acre target to community ownership by 2020.’
Speaking on the agricultural holdings part of the Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said: ‘This ambitious and radical Bill is a significant moment in how Scotland’s land is owned, used, governed and managed to best deliver for the people of Scotland. The passing of the Land Reform Bill represents a major step forward for tenant farmers. The package of measures included in the Bill will improve security and investment conditions for existing tenants, deliver the environment to create opportunities for new entrants and to ensure an appropriate balance between tenants’ and landlords’ rights in the context of the wider public interest. It will also revitalise the sector by creating new routes into farming and providing the flexibility for businesses to grow. Our tenant farmers are an important part of agriculture which in turn is the foundation of our booming food and drink industry, this Bill will help ensure the tenanted sector has a vibrant future in Scotland.’
View the press release and more information about the legislation
A new range of degrees is being launched by the University of Salford which offer an accelerated flexible programme around built environment careers in property and construction; students can complete a degree within two years.
CITB writes:
A range of ‘accelerated’ degrees linked to the built environment sector are due to be offered by a North West university from this autumn. The University of Salford said the new degrees will represent a first in the UK’s construction and property industries, with students able to access them from September. According to the institution, the degrees will aim to provide greater levels of flexibility to employers, while enabling students to achieve their academic ambitions at an earlier stage.
The accelerated degrees will be available in the subjects of architectural design and technology, building surveying, construction project management, and quantity surveying, along with property and real estate.
CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network reports predicts 330 more construction project managers will be needed each year over the next five years as the industry expands. The accelerated courses mean full-time students will be able to achieve degrees in two years, with three trimesters featuring in each calendar year. They will also be open to those already in work, who will be able to learn on a part-time or a day release basis. The university said it will take these students 36 months to complete the accelerated degrees, rather than the traditional time of 57 months taken by undergraduates studying part-time.
Professor Hisham Elkadi, dean of the university’s School of the Built Environment, said the new courses are designed to suit the requirements of both employers and learners themselves. He said: ‘We will still offer the traditional degree format but are truly delighted to be offering an alternative for those who are keen to progress more rapidly into the profession.’ Commenting on the availability of the courses to part-time students as well, he added: ‘Those in work, who cannot commit to full-time study, can still access our high-quality undergraduate programmes and progress more quickly in their career.’
Industry experts have welcomed the plans for the accelerated degree courses. John Williamson of Redrow Homes said the university appears to be responding to the changing learning practices which are required in the building sector. The university said that one benefit of the full-time accelerated degrees is that students will only have to pay fees for two years, potentially saving them £9,000.
View the press release
Barrow Hill Roundhouse, which was once earmarked for demolition and was saved by local campaigners, is to receive £1.1 million for repair and improvement works, creating a visitor centre and conservation workshop and helping to tell the tale of the UK’s railway heritage.
HLF writes:
Last surviving operational railway roundhouse gets £1.1m for revamp.
Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 for the Midland Railway and was used to repair and maintain engines and rolling stock. It was one of the few roundhouses to survive the transition from steam to diesel engines and operated until the industry went into decline during the 1970s and 80s. In 1991 it was saved from demolition by local campaigners with just 48 hours to spare and has since become a popular place to visit.
Now, HLF has awarded a £1,170,600 grant to repair and refurbish Barrow Hill Roundhouse, and create new facilities including a shop, café and conservation workshop. The roundhouse team will also run learning, training and skills activities to attract more visitors, particularly those from the local area, many of whom don’t know about the attraction on their doorstep.
Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: ‘As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the story of the UK’s evocative transport heritage. ‘There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we’re delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much-needed project to repair the building and enhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the site.’
It is hoped that work will start in June this year and be complete by mid 2019.
View the press release
IHBC East Midlands Branch webpages
The Glasgow School of Art restoration and conservation process has moved forward following the completion of the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process where five contractors have been shortlisted to progress to the next stage of tenders, and 3D scans of the building have been released.
Glasgow School of Art (GSA) writes:
Another milestone in the restoration of the Mackintosh Building was reached today, 16 March 2016, with the issue of the Invitation to Tender for the Main Contractor. Following the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) process a shortlist of five companies has now been drawn up which comprises Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd, BAM Construction Ltd, John Graham Construction Ltd, Kier Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd.
Important among the requirements for the Main Contractor are the calibre of the specialists who will undertake the restoration of the Category A Listed building and the delivery of community benefits.
‘Clearly we need a contractor who is able to deliver the full range of technical requirements for the retrofit and has a proven track record in bringing major restoration projects in on time and on budget,’ says Liz Davidson, Senior Project Manager, Mackintosh Restoration. ‘However, over and above this we are looking for the inclusion of experienced specialists who are capable of undertaking the expert restoration of this Category A Listed building. We are looking for our Main Contractor to have the appropriate expertise in their team to deliver to the highest standard in terms of the specialist skills.’
Legacy is also a major commitment in all elements of the Mackintosh Building restoration. One of the requirements that will be expected of the Main Contractor is a commitment to a robust programme of community benefits.
‘We want to make sure that the restoration of The Mackintosh Building can deliver increased levels of traditional skills training in Glasgow and the surrounding area,’ adds Ms Davidson. ‘We will expect our Main Contractor to commit to an extensive programme of recruiting and training new apprentices which will both support the local economy in Glasgow and ensure that the skills required to restore historic buildings such as the Mack do not die out.’
Additionally the Main Contractor will be expected to engage with and take advantage of the GSA’s Department of Continuing Education to deliver education and outreach programmes particularly in the Garnethill area.
The GSA also released a number of point cloud images of the Mackintosh Building post fire today. Created by experts in 3d visualisation at the GSA’s Digital Design Studio, these were created by intensive laser scanning of the building. They will form the basis of a BIM (Building Information Model) which will document every stage of the restoration and create a detailed record of the work undertaken for future use both by the GSA and other organisations carrying out complex restorations of historic buildings.
The Main Contractor is expected to be appointed in June with work starting on site shortly after the close of this year’s Degree Show. The removal of the stonework comprising the library window gable will be among the first jobs to be undertaken, followed by the reconstruction of roofs which were totally destroyed in the fire. Final preparation work – the strip out of the fire damaged west wing – is currently underway and will be completed by the end of May.
View the press release and detailed 3D scans of the building
England’s Planning Advisory Service (PAS) has produced a guide on planning conditions, aimed at helping councillors understand the six tests:
The Housing and Finance Institute (HFi) has released a new report which looks into the potential reasons why housebuilding is facing issues, making recommendations for change which include a need to address utilities company works.
The Housing and Finance Institute (HFi) writes:
The Housing & Finance Institute have released our latest report ‘How to Build More Homes, Faster’. The theme of this report is to identify the issues which are holding back housebuilding across the country, and to make recommendations to help unlock a greater efficiency in housing delivery.
The report found that that there is a genuine cross-party consensus for a step change in housebuilding. Given this consensus, the report examines how this political ambition can be transferred into building more homes, faster.
The new HFi report identified the extent to which failure of the utilities companies is restricting housing growth. The report explores the mounting evidence that the performance of some utilities companies is having an adverse effect on housebuilding. For example, every water company in England failed its sewerage targets for housebuilding as an average over the 2015 published period.
These failures are slowing down housing delivery. New homes cannot be built without sewerage and fresh water connections. The report has also found that despite Ofgem reporting greater customer satisfaction in 2015, developers still had problems with connections to the electricity network.
The HFi Report. ‘How to Build More Homes, Faster’ sets out proposals to solve the effects these restrictions are having on greater housebuilding. The Report recommends Infrastructure Dependencies Mapping at a local and area level where Councils and LEPS work together to understand the requirements for utilities within an area. Another recommendation is for the Secretary of State (DCLG) to be given the power to force utilities who are failing to support housebuilding sufficiently to deliver utilities connections required in a timely manner.
View the press release
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has released information on its latest grant awards, which offer over £650,000 of funding across the country for repair works.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) writes:
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (17th March) announced over £650,000 worth of funding to help repair historic buildings across the country. The funding has been awarded to five projects, including Glasgow’s iconic Pollok House, home to a range of outstanding artwork, Cromwell Harbour in Dunbar, and the Old Custom House and viaduct in Dumbarton.
Martin Fairley, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, Scotland’s new public body for the heritage sector said, ’This scheme is designed to support and highlight Scotland’s diverse historic environment and the contribution it makes to communities up and down the country. We are pleased to be supporting a wide range of projects, and working together with councils, community groups and volunteers amongst others to champion Scotland’s historic buildings – be that through helping to bring them back into use in the case of Kirkcudbright Town Hall or helping to enhance existing tourist attractions like Pollok House in Glasgow.’
The money is awarded as part of the organisation’s Building Repair Grants scheme, which supports repair work to buildings of architectural or historic interest. Priority was given to applicants who demonstrated that investment in their project would result in community benefit. This round of funding, the second since Historic Environment Scotland came into being in October 2015, is divided between projects in Dumbarton, Glasgow, Fife, East Lothian and Dumfries and Galloway.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, said, ’Scotland is home to a range of fascinating historic buildings, and it is vital that we work together to preserve them for future generation, which is why I have committed to maintain the level of funding of funding available through Historic Environment Scotland’s grant schemes. This round of investments is as diverse as ever, and includes a custom house on Scotland’s oldest canal, a grand country house in the heart of Glasgow, and an East Lothian harbour with links to Oliver Cromwell. I look forward to seeing how these grants will reinvigorate some wonderful buildings and bring benefits to communities all over Scotland.’
Among the recipients announced today is Glasgow’s iconic Pollok House £260,010 has been awarded to support repair work to the roof of the A-Listed Edwardian Country House, which is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Pollok House is home to an important collection of Spanish paintings, and the repair work will help to ensure that their future is secure.
The Old Custom House in Dumbarton is also on the list. HES have awarded £273,600 to the Scottish Waterways Trust, which will be used for the external conservation of the Old Custom House – one of the most distinctive buildings on the Forth and Clyde Canal – and the railway viaduct at Bowling Basin. This project forms part of a much wider regeneration scheme in the area, aiming to bring heritage assets back into use.
Meanwhile £50,000 will go to the Dunbar Harbour Trust for structural work at the Cromwell Harbour. Dating back to the late 16th century, this picturesque harbour has links to Oliver Cromwell who funded repairs to the area in the 17th century. Over 250 years later, funding from HES will go towards restructuring the East Pier walls, allowing visitors and locals alike to enjoy the harbour for years to come.
View the press release and full list of awards
Historic England and select partners have just announced a consultation with IHBC and the wider sector on plans for new historic environment professional qualifications covering, among other things, a substantial body of built and historic environment conservation skills, all following proposals developed over the last year and more with DBIS, and now with a closing date of 24 March.
The proposed skills cover:
Mike Brown, IHBC Chair said, ‘Members will note that the three skills areas Historic England is consulting on have a direct bearing on our professional area.’
‘Yet what began in 2015 as an issue relating to the demands of the National Infrastructure Programme (NIP) for early and up-front archaeology input has grown into a national training programme covering core built and historic environment conservation issues.’
‘Regrettably, the IHBC has not been at the heart of this development. It should have been obvious from a very early stage that the capacity issues generated by the NIP are more than an archaeology problem, that conservation-led skills would be central to success (or at least to avoiding unnecessary delays to this hugely important NIP) and that the IHBC should have been central to this process from the start.’
‘The IHBC and its wide networks have the skills to support making the NIP happen. We have the knowledge and experience to design any necessary training scheme to create the extra capacity to plug the conservation skills gap to ensure that the NIP is delivered.’
‘We will be making strong representations to Historic England and our partners in HEF, including under the Heritage 2020 programme, emphasising that while the core issues may relate more to archaeological concerns, in this expansion into wider conservation-based matters they:
‘I’m sure other professional bodies with interests in built and historic environment practice and conservation will share our concerns at this development, and help to voice them.’
‘Nevertheless the IHBC is ready to play its part in ensuring the success of the NIP, will play a constructive role in the development of supporting conservation capacity and hopes that lessons can be learnt from the current situation and that HE will recognise more readily in future the full historic environment perspective’.
‘The IHBC will be submitting a detailed commentary on the proposals in due course.’
Bob Hook, Intelligence Analyst at Historic England writes to the IHBC:
Last year a group of employers and organisations was successful in securing Trailblazer status under a Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) scheme to establish apprenticeships in Historic Environment Practice. I am writing to you to ask for your comments on the emerging draft standards.
The proposal is to establish an overarching qualification – ‘Historic Environment Practitioner’ – which will provide the basis for a number of defined specialist pathways:
The Steering Group for the project has representatives from Arup, Atkins, Mott MacDonald, AB Heritage Wessex Archaeology, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cotswold Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, The Council for British Archaeology, MOLA, York Archaeological Trust, National Parks UK, the National Trust and Archaeology South East. Educational providers involved include Oxford Brookes University, Winchester University, UCL and Universities Archaeology UK. Among professional institutes both the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and the Institute of Conservation (Icon) are members.
The Historic Environment Practitioner is intended to offer apprenticeships covering levels 3 to 7, which equate to academic qualifications from A–level to Postgraduate level, providing career pathways along an accredited, non-academic route to qualifications in the sector. It will proactively address the issue of expanding career opportunities in the sector and will help address diversity issues. It has the potential to provide structured career pathways which equip apprentices with the skills we believe are critical to the sector. It has been designed to address employment and skills issues of existing career pathways in archaeology. We anticipate the standards will be completed in time to start awarding apprenticeships later this year.
I would welcome your comments and observations and those of IHBC generally on the draft Overarching Apprenticeship Standards at Levels 3 and 5. These have been produced by a working group drawn from employers in the sector and we now wish to validate this draft by opening it to scrutiny and input from the wider sector. I append both levels together with supporting documents which show how these relate to work functions and a short Q&A document setting out some more detail about apprenticeships overall. It is my hope, and that of the working group that an IHBC representative might be able to join us in the next stage of the project.
If you have any comments or suggestions then please send them to me by 24th March 2016 by email to bob.hook@historicengland.org.
Alternatively write to:
Bob Hook
Intelligence Analyst: Professional Infrastructure and Skills,
Strategic Planning and Management Department,
Research Group,
Historic England, The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH
For background and more details see
Download further background on the consultation here:
The budget 2016 has brought news of the extension of the cathedral repairs fund, a review of the New Towns Act, extensions to HS2 and Crossrail, the launch of the Starter Homes Land Fund prospectus, changes to taxes for museums and City Deal reviews, but the Telegraph asks ‘What does Osborne have against heritage?’.
Section 66 of the budget extends the First World War Centenary cathedral repairs fund and English Churches and Cathedrals Sustainability Review; ‘The government will provide £20 million across 2016-17 and 2017-18 to extend the First World War Centenary cathedral repairs fund. A review into sustaining England’s churches and cathedrals will be set up to assess maintenance and repair pressures and examine how the sector can become more financially sustainable’
A compilation of some commentaries on the budget is summarised below for reference:
The IHBC has offered its congratulations to the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and National Trust partnership that brought the sell-out conference on ‘How to make historic buildings work for you’, at Somerset House on 17 March, where IHBC officers Seán O’Reilly and Carla Pianese fielded a huge range of queries and observations on IHBC membership at the Institute’s stand in the western bowels of the the Grade 1 Chambers, Smirke and Pennethorne complex.
Speakers included Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy and chartered engineer, who said ‘I love historic buildings’, and Lord Inglewood, who noted that the three rules for older buildings are ‘Maintain, Maintain. Maintain’.
Other speakers included IHBC members Rory Cullen, who introduced the day, John Edwards – IHBC trustee – who ‘debunked myths’ with the help of BS7913, the conservation standard from BSI, and Trevor Barfoot, Affiliate of the IHBC.
For more on Somerset House see the website
For more background to the event see the IHBC newsblogs
For select online reporting see IHBC’s twitter and Facebook accounts linked form our Home Page
For BS 7913 and links to purchasing your IHBC branded, low-cost, laminated copy see the IHBC newsblogs
A consultation has been launched (closing date 6 June) detailing proposals for a new historic environment fund for Northern Ireland, run by the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities.
DoENI writes:
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today launched a public consultation on a new Historic Environment Fund. In a period of reduced budgets the DOE is proposing a funding package aimed at kick starting a wide range of projects and initiatives in the sector. This will help the community and owners realise the full value of Northern Ireland’s heritage.
Minister Durkan explained: ‘In this period of reduced budgets it is important that we ensure that our funds are targeted where they can make the maximum difference. I want to encourage the widest amount of activity in this area and am therefore proposing a fund which seeks to provide support across the sector rather than focusing on a few projects. I am seeking action on four fronts: heritage research – to encourage creative solutions; heritage repair – to encourage the conservation of listed buildings and scheduled monuments; heritage regeneration- to deliver benefits for the community and economy; and heritage revival -to realise the social value of this important resource.
‘These tasks are all necessary and they require partnership if their full potential is to be achieved. That is why I want to provide support. Together we can ensure that our heritage is well cared for, is well understood, and is well utilised as the key resource for this region which we all know it to be.’
The Fund will run for four years and will be administered by the Historic Environment Division within the new Department for Communities. It brings together existing and new funding streams for the sector.. New proposals include: an Incubation- Innovation Fund to encourage creative proposals to unlock the value of heritage; seed funding for community capacity building projects; enhanced support for heritage at risk that does not have a clear economic use; support for small scale works to listed churches; an award scheme to highlight success in the sector and support for schools seeking to take pupils to historic sites.
The consultation is seeking comments on the approach and on the proportion of support which should be allocated to each area.
View the press release
Respond to the consultation
The 16th century Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester has been damaged by fire, which which Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service believe may have been started deliberately.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) writes:
MORE than 50 firefighters battled a blaze – which is believed to have been started deliberately – at historic Wythenshawe Hall. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) was called to the timber-framed Tudor style museum and art gallery just after 3.30am on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 when fire broke out in the roof. On arrival the incident commander immediately called for six fire engines to attend the scene as well as a high-reach aerial appliance – similar to a cherry picker – to allow firefighters to get water into the roof space as quickly and effectively as possible.
The response was then further escalated to 10 fire engines and over 50 firefighters as the team attempted to bring the blaze under control. Wythenshawe Hall is a 16th-century medieval timber-framed historic house and former stately home set in 250m acres now known as Wythenshawe Park. The building is a half-timbered Tudor house and well known as the home of the Tatton family for almost 400 years. It was built in about 1540. It was donated to local people in 1930 and has been a museum and art gallery in recent years.
Area Manager Warren Pickstone from GMFRS, who was in charge of the incident at its height, explained: ‘We are doing everything we can to save as much of this building as we can. The fire is in the roof and is difficult to access but we have specialist resources at the scene and we are doing our best. The fire is in the main black and white traditionally clad Tudor building with the historic clock tower, which was also on fire. So far we believe we have lost the roof and the first floor.’
At 8.30am the amount of fire engines in attendance reduced to five. At around 10am Area Manager Pickstone updated: ‘We’re currently damping down and investigating the cause of this fire with Greater Manchester Police. ‘This blaze has caused devastating damage to a historic building, but the quick actions of our crew have saved the majority of the structure. The fire was well developed when they arrived and firefighters did a fantastic job to stop it spreading through the timbers and voids in the property. ‘We will work closely with Manchester City Council and The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall to help them recover from this terrible fire.’
Firefighters used an aerial appliance and continued to damp down throughout the afternoon before leaving the scene in the evening. GMFRS’ fire investigation team has been assisting Greater Manchester Police (GMP) with its investigation into the cause of the incident and it is thought that the fire was started deliberately. GMP is appealing for anyone who may have any information to come forward by ringing 0161 856 4882, 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
View the press release
BBC news ‘Fire destroys roof of historic Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester’ (includes images and video)
Manchester City Council Wythenshaw Hall information
An appeal against the compulsory purchase order (CPO) of the former North Wales Hospital has been refused by the High Court; the CPO will now result in the site being sold to Denbighshire County Council, then passed on to the North Wales Building Preservation Trust for management and restoration work.
Denbighshire County Council writes:
An application by the owner of the former North Wales Hospital site to overturn a compulsory purchase order has been refused by the High Court – a decision which has been hailed by Denbighshire County Council as a ‘victory for common sense’. The owner also applied for a judicial review over a claim by Denbighshire to recover the cost of urgent works to protect the Grade II listed building. This application was also refused. Today, the High Court said both applications were ‘totally without merit’.
The Council’s Planning Committee voted in favour of the CPO for the site back in September 2013 after the owners Freemont (Denbigh) Limited, based in the British Virgin Islands, failed to comply with a Repairs Notice served by the Council, which required the owners to carry out significant repairs to the buildings on site.
A Public Inquiry was held following a decision by the owner of the site to challenge the CPO served by the Council. The CPO was granted in September 2015.
The CPO required Freemont (Denbigh) Ltd to sell the building to Denbighshire County Council, who will in turn pass the ownership of the site onto the North Wales Building Preservation Trust. The Trust will manage the restoration of the main buildings by progressing enabling development on the associated land, the profit from which will fund the restoration of the most important listed buildings and the demolition of a number of less important buildings. The newly formed Trust is a none profit making organisation, who will receive support from the Princes Regeneration Trust.
Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: ‘We were not surprised that the CPO and the Section 55 Order was challenged, as our dealings with the owners have been extremely protracted and very frustrating. The Minister’s decision last year to award the CPO totally vindicated the great efforts made by the Council and its partners to protect this important historic site for future generations. The Council’s main consideration has always been about the preservation of the main historic building on site and we warned the owners time and time again that we would go down the compulsory purchase route, should we have no other option. The High Court’s ruling means that we are one step closer to handing over the site to the Trust. However, there are many issues to be resolved before the Council can take ownership and for the Council to pass the ownership on to the Trust. As such, work will not commence on site for some time’.
View the press release
IHBC NewsBlogs on Denbigh Hospital
The RTPI has compiled a list of the most influential woman in planning, to celebrate international women’s day and women’s history month.
The list includes women from all areas of town planning including public sector, private sector, third sector, academia, the media and international planning.
The RTPI are seeking further nominations, via their Twitter site
View the ‘women of influence’ list
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has laid before Parliament the regulations which make office to residential conversions a permanent feature of permitted development (PD) rights from 6 April.
The rights were first introduced on a temporary basis nearly two years ago.
An amendment to the General Permitted Development Order includes a new condition which allows local planning authorities to consider the impact of noise from commercial premises on occupants of the housing.
The time-limit on exemptions obtained for parts of London and Manchester will run out in May 2019. Planning authorities will be able to apply for Article 4 directions to remove the rights.
The change to permitted development to facilitate residential conversions will also apply to launderettes and, from 2017, light industrial up to a maximum floor space of 500 square metres.
New permitted development rights for mineral exploration which will allow for boreholes for specific monitoring purposes where there is preparatory petroleum exploration are also coming into force.
Extensions and alterations to a house at a green belt location in Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire will have to be demolished within a year following a decision by a planning inspector.
Random House, originally a bungalow, owned by Mr Syed Raza Shah, was granted planning permission in 2011 by Central Bedfordshire Council for the ‘erection of single storey side extension and roof alteration with rear dormer windows.’
But when the development was finished, the floor space had increased by 165 per cent, turning the property into a three-storey mansion.
Subsequently the building has become the focus long-running and acrimonious planning and legal dispute between the local authority and the owner.
A major new support and finance programme to help people take control of their local pub for the benefit of the community has been announced by The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
DCLG writes:
More than a Pub: The Community Pub Business Support Programme is a £3.62 million, 2-year programme that will see a comprehensive package of business development support, advice, and loan and grant funding being delivered to community groups in England to help them establish community-owned pubs that can clearly demonstrate how they will bring significant social, economic and environmental benefits to their communities.
Jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and Power to Change, the programme will be led by Plunkett Foundation and delivered in collaboration with leading organisations within the sector.
The programme aims to support 80 community-owned pubs to open over 2 years and will offer a flexible package of support including access to an advice line, events, workshops, peer-to-peer study visits, and business development advice.
It will also offer flexible bursary awards to fund very early stage activity, such as community consultation work, and a grant and loan package.
Forty communities have already successfully taken ownership of their local pub under community ownership, and a further 1,250 have been listed as ‘assets of community value’ under community rights, highlighting the important role that pubs play in local communities.
The programme seeks to support pubs such as these, where they advance a charitable purpose to benefit their communities by, for example:
UK Gov news article
Professor Cliff Hague from Heriot-Watt university delivered the annual Scottish Civic Trust’s inaugural annual lecture and has highlighted concerns that Scotland may be facing a ‘civic crisis’.
View the lecture transcript
The seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe have been named by Europa Nostra, with Venice Lagoon named the most endangered.
Europa Nostra writes:
The Archaeological site of Ererouyk and the village of Ani Pemza in Armenia, Patarei Sea Fortress in Tallinn in Estonia, Helsinki-Malmi Airport in Finland, Colbert Swing Bridge in Dieppe in France, the Kampos of Chios in Greece, the Convent of St. Anthony of Padua in Extremadura in Spain, and the Ancient city of Hasankeyf and its surroundings in Turkey have been named as the 7 Most Endangered heritage sites in Europe in 2016.
Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage organisation, and the European Investment Bank Institute (EIBI) made the announcement today during a public event at the Ateneo Veneto in Venice, Italy.
These gems of Europe’s cultural heritage are in serious danger, some due to lack of resources or expertise, others due to neglect or inadequate planning. Urgent action is therefore needed. Expert missions to the sites will be arranged and feasible action plans submitted by the end of the year. ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ has the support of the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, as part of Europa Nostra’s network project ‘Mainstreaming Heritage’.
In addition, Europa Nostra and the EIB Institute, following a strong recommendation from an international panel of specialists, decided to highlight a heritage treasure of the utmost importance to Europe and the world which is also endangered: the Venice Lagoon in Italy.
View the full list and find out more
View information on Venice Lagoon
This year’s WWF Earth Hour takes place on Saturday 19 March, with many historic buildings (including the oldest Youth Hostel in Wales) and over 7000 cities and towns across the world taking part to highlight awareness of climate change.
WWF writes:
WWF’s Earth Hour will roll across the globe on Saturday, 19 March 2016 at 8:30 p.m. local time, uniting individuals, communities and organizations in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories. Earth Hour is a global moment of solidarity for climate action and comes only months after governments agreed a new global climate deal.
As the lights dim in homes, offices and landmarks, the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment will once again bring together millions of people to shine a light on climate action and the role people can play in global efforts to change climate change.
‘The world is at a climate crossroads,’ said Siddarth Das, Executive Director, Earth Hour Global. ‘While we are experiencing the impacts of climate change more than ever, we are also witnessing a new momentum in climate action transcending borders and generations. From living rooms to classrooms and conference rooms, people are demanding climate action. This tenth edition of Earth Hour is our time to ensure people are empowered to be a part of climate solutions.’
This Saturday, as more than 350 of the world’s most iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Taipei 101 and the Sydney Opera House prepare to switch off their lights, individuals around the world will switch on their power to make climate change history. From lending their voice to the planet through Earth Hour’s ongoing ‘Donate Your Social Power’ campaign, to signing petitions for climate policy and making individual pledges for sustainable living, millions will celebrate their potential to help build a better future for the planet and future generations.
‘Earth Hour reminds us that while people are on the frontlines of climate change, they are also our first line of defense,’ said Das. ‘Our actions today, as individuals and the global community, have the power to transform what the world will look like for generations to come — the time to act against climate change is now.’
To date in 2016, Earth Hour has powered more than 530,000 individual actions taken to help change climate change. Whether it is rallying individuals to participate in reforestation efforts in Georgia and Indonesia, promoting a switch to renewables in Uganda and India, spreading awareness on sustainable food in Italy and Australia or encouraging sustainable lifestyles in Chile and China, WWF and Earth Hour teams across six continents are harnessing the movement to mobilize public action on climate change in the lead up to the hour and throughout the year.
This year, supporters have also been invited to share their commitment to the planet by donating their own personal landmarks – their Facebook feeds and social media profile pictures – to Earth Hour to inspire their friends and communities to join the movement.
‘Whether it is the flick of a switch or the click of a mouse, Earth Hour’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to connect people and show them that we all stand united in our ambition to change climate change,’ added Das.
Since 2007, Earth Hour has mobilized businesses, organizations, governments and hundreds of millions of individuals in over 7,000 cities and more than 170 countries and territories to act for a sustainable future.
View the press release
Search for events near you and buildings which are participating
Highlights from last year’s event, including a number of historic monuments worldwide
A war memorial in Greenwich has become the first such structure to be listed as part of the Historic England (HE) ‘heritage schools’ programme where pupils looked at archive materials and carried out a condition survey to help write a successful application to have it listed, as Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England said: ‘It’s brilliant that schools are getting involved: all generations are taking a close interest in the centenary.’
Historic England writes:
Charlton Manor Primary School in the Royal Borough of Greenwich has become the first school in London to have successfully helped to list their local war memorial – Charlton Village War Memorial.
Historic England has pledged to protect 2,500 memorials by 2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War. As part of this project, children taking part in Historic England’s Heritage Schools Programme are being invited to put their local war memorials forward for listing.
Charlton Manor Primary School is one of 200 schools around the country involved in the Heritage Schools Programme which aims to encourage pupils to develop an understanding of their local heritage and its significance.
David Evennett, Heritage and First World War Minister said: ‘This programme is a fantastic opportunity for children across the country to learn more about the history of their communities during the First World War. Almost every area was touched by the war and it is important that future generations never forget the bravery and sacrifices of their ancestors.’
Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England said: ‘Recommending up to 2,500 more war memorials for listing over the next five years is a major task but one that Historic England is proud to undertake. These memorials, will gain a place on the National Heritage List for England to tell the story of this country’s sacrifices a century ago, and this will help ensure their future safety. It’s brilliant that schools are getting involved: all generations are taking a close interest in the centenary.’
Year 5 pupils worked with Helen Spencer, Local Heritage Education Manager, from Historic England to carry out a condition survey of Charlton Village War Memorial and write an application to have the memorial considered for listing. The children visited the memorial, took photographs and made detailed notes on its setting and design. They researched its history using newspaper reports provided by Carolyn Ayers, World War I Heritage Project Officer at Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust.
To understand the significance of the memorial, they investigated the stories behind the 230 names inscribed on it, such as the three Tumber brothers who died in 1917. Taylor McGlone of Year 5 commented: ‘The soldiers must be remembered as they gave their lives for us so that we could live a good life.’
Ruth Cavender, Learning and Volunteer Officer for War Memorials Trust, said: ‘War Memorials Trust was delighted to work with the pupils of Charlton Manor Primary School to help them carry out condition surveys of the war memorial. As tomorrow’s custodians it is crucial we engage young people so that they can play their part in ensuring that our war memorials are protected. The centenary of World War I is a wonderful opportunity to inspire young people to understand our war memorials heritage and we hope other schools and youth groups get involved with recording the condition of their local war memorial.’
Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Wellbeing, said: ‘War Memorials are a fitting public tribute to those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms still enjoyed by all of us in this country. They provide an opportunity for quiet reflection while also acting as a landmark of civic pride. Together with its partners, the Royal Borough is committed to ensuring that the borough’s War Memorials are renovated and conserved as a lasting tribute.’
Cllr Miranda Williams, Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: ‘I’m so pleased that Charlton Manor pupils have been successful in having the Charlton memorial listed through Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme. It’s great to see the school embracing this opportunity to connect with its local heritage.’
Tracy Stringfellow, Chief Executive of Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust, said: ‘The listing of the Charlton Memorial is a very welcome development. It will support the ongoing work of the Trust, the local council and other agencies to conserve and value local memorials, while creating new opportunities for the involvement of the local community.’
Another school in the borough, Invicta Primary, has just submitted an application to have their local war memorial, at St John the Evangelist Church, Blackheath listed.
View the press release
Find out more about HE’s Heritage Schools Programme
IHBC NewsBlogs on education
Historic England and select partners have just announced a consultation with IHBC and the wider sector on plans for proposed new historic environment professional qualifications covering, among other things, a substantial body of built and historic environment conservation skills, all following proposals developed over the last year and more with DBIS, and now with a closing date of 24 March.
The proposed skills cover:
Mike Brown, IHBC Chair said, ‘Members will note that the three skills areas Historic England is consulting on have a direct bearing on our professional area.’
‘Yet what began in 2015 as an issue relating to the demands of the National Infrastructure Programme (NIP) for early and up-front archaeology input has grown into a national training programme covering core built and historic environment conservation issues.’
‘Regrettably, the IHBC has not been at the heart of this development. It should have been obvious from a very early stage that the capacity issues generated by the NIP are more than an archaeology problem, that conservation-led skills would be central to success (or at least to avoiding unnecessary delays to this hugely important NIP) and that the IHBC should have been central to this process from the start.’
‘The IHBC and its wide networks have the skills to support making the NIP happen. We have the knowledge and experience to design any necessary training scheme to create the extra capacity to plug the conservation skills gap to ensure that the NIP is delivered.’
‘We will be making strong representations to Historic England and our partners in HEF, including under the Heritage 2020 programme, emphasising that while the core issues may relate more to archaeological concerns, in this expansion into wider conservation-based matters they:
‘I’m sure other professional bodies with interests in built and historic environment practice and conservation will share our concerns at this development, and help to voice them.’
‘Nevertheless the IHBC is ready to play its part in ensuring the success of the NIP, will play a constructive role in the development of supporting conservation capacity and hopes that lessons can be learnt from the current situation and that HE will recognise more readily in future the full historic environment perspective’.
‘The IHBC will be submitting a detailed commentary on the proposals in due course.’
Bob Hook, Intelligence Analyst at Historic England writes to the IHBC:
Last year a group of employers and organisations was successful in securing Trailblazer status under a Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) scheme to establish apprenticeships in Historic Environment Practice. I am writing to you to ask for your comments on the emerging draft standards.
The proposal is to establish an overarching qualification – ‘Historic Environment Practitioner’ – which will provide the basis for a number of defined specialist pathways:
The Steering Group for the project has representatives from Arup, Atkins, Mott MacDonald, AB Heritage Wessex Archaeology, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cotswold Archaeology, Oxford Archaeology, The Council for British Archaeology, MOLA, York Archaeological Trust, National Parks UK, the National Trust and Archaeology South East. Educational providers involved include Oxford Brookes University, Winchester University, UCL and Universities Archaeology UK. Among professional institutes both the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) and the Institute of Conservation (Icon) are members.
The Historic Environment Practitioner is intended to offer apprenticeships covering levels 3 to 7, which equate to academic qualifications from A–level to Postgraduate level, providing career pathways along an accredited, non-academic route to qualifications in the sector. It will proactively address the issue of expanding career opportunities in the sector and will help address diversity issues. It has the potential to provide structured career pathways which equip apprentices with the skills we believe are critical to the sector. It has been designed to address employment and skills issues of existing career pathways in archaeology. We anticipate the standards will be completed in time to start awarding apprenticeships later this year.
I would welcome your comments and observations and those of IHBC generally on the draft Overarching Apprenticeship Standards at Levels 3 and 5. These have been produced by a working group drawn from employers in the sector and we now wish to validate this draft by opening it to scrutiny and input from the wider sector. I append both levels together with supporting documents which show how these relate to work functions and a short Q&A document setting out some more detail about apprenticeships overall. It is my hope, and that of the working group that an IHBC representative might be able to join us in the next stage of the project.
If you have any comments or suggestions then please send them to me by 24th March 2016 by email to bob.hook@historicengland.org.uk or contact him directly on 07831 523363.
Alternatively write to:
Bob Hook
Intelligence Analyst: Professional Infrastructure and Skills,
Strategic Planning and Management Department,
Research Group,
Historic England, The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH
