IHBC NewsBlogs

A series of new worksheets and an accompanying roadmap have been published by Locality on neighbourhood planning, the guide was written by IHBC member and former IHBC Chair Dave Chetwyn. 

Locality writes:
This guide is for all those involved in, or thinking about, producing a Neighbourhood Plan, and for those who are just curious to find out more. Whilst other guides are predominantly concerned with the legislation and process, we have attempted, wherever possible, to include guidance on good practice and worksheets for carrying out each part of the plan.

Please note: the worksheets included for download below are from the previous edition of the Roadmap. An updated version of the worksheets is expected shortly and this resource will be updated accordingly.

View the resources

The Wales Heritage Group has launched a manifesto which urges all the political parties participating in the forthcoming National Assembly elections to take the needs of heritage into account. 

The manifesto call on:’…all political parties to:

1. Value our unique heritage assets and the expertise of those who look after them
2. Implement the Historic Environment (Wales) Act to make sure that the past works for the future
3. Ensure continued support and resourcing for preservation and enhancement of heritage asset
4. Involve everyone – landowners, heritage bodies, residents and visitors – in maximising the benefits of our heritage

View the full manifesto

Students and members of the RIBA are invited to submit designs for installations forming part of an open call for works on the theme of ‘community’, with a deadline of 6 April. 

The RIBA writes:
RIBA Members, from students through to Chartered Practices, regardless of size or location, are invited to submit designs for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) summer installation ‘Constructing Communities’. Entries open today (Friday 4 March) until 6 April 2016.

During summer 2016, the RIBA will give RIBA Members, both practising architects and students, an opportunity to display their ideas and work across London between Peckham Levels and the RIBA headquarters at 66 Portland Place. Responding to the London Festival of Architecture theme of ‘Community’ the RIBA will exhibit projects that take a fresh look at how architectural structures, both permanent and temporary, can strengthen community engagement, from micro to macro scales. Prospective submissions may represent a variety of community ideals such as alternative housing arrangements, new co-working or co-habitating setups, mobile enterprises, or public spaces.  RIBA will be looking for original projects that explore technical innovation, potential to instigate change, and the ways in which communities can be constructed with architecture.  Experimentation and imaginative thinking are encouraged for the works submitted to the open call.

A shortlist will be presented in 2D, 3D or time-based media visualisations at Peckham Levels in south London – the iconic car park site well known for hosting Bold Tendencies and Frank’s Campari Bar.

Three winning entrantswill be invited to construct their project at a 1:1 scale for installation at the RIBA, 66 Portland Place. These installations, and their development process, will be exhibited across RIBA. This will be shown in parallel to the summer exhibition in the Architecture Gallery, ‘At Home in Britain: Designing the House of Tomorrow.’ (opens 18 May).  The practices selected to build 1:1 structures will be working with the RIBA Young People’s Forum (16-24) to develop and build the 1:1 installations. These installations will launch on the RIBA Late Tuesday on 21^st June, an event which regularly draws over 1,000 people.

The exhibition will be designed by Rachael Davidson (HÛT Architecture) and Chris Bryant (Alma-nac). The shortlist exhibition at Peckham Levels will be on display throughout the London Festival of Architecture, 1-30 June.

Constructing Communities open call judges:

• Chris Bryant, Director, Alma-nac and Chair, RIBA Small Practice Group
• Hannah Lawson, Director, John McAslan & Partners
• Marie Bak Mortensen, Head of Exhibitions & Interpretation, RIBA
• Oliver Wainwright, Architecture and design critic, The Guardian
• Rachael Davidson, HÛT Architecture

RIBA Head of Exhibitions & Interpretation, Marie Bak Mortensen said: ’I’m delighted to present this exciting brief to architects. Our summer show, running across contrasting sites in London will present new ideas and ignite debate on how architecture influences our communities.

‘This ambitious vision for work to be realised on a one-to-one scale will be a challenge, but one I know our members will relish.’

Key Dates:

• Deadline for submissions: 6^thApril 2016, 5pm
• Shortlist opening, Peckham Levels: 1st June 2016, continuing to 30 June
• Winning entries (1:1’s) opening event at RIBA Late Tuesday: 21 June 2016, continuing to 6^thAugust

Download the Open Call 

View the press release

The Lake District has been confirmed as the UK’s only submission for World Heritage Site (WHS) status in 2017. 

The Lake District National Park Authority writes:
The English Lake District has become the UK’s latest nomination for World Heritage site status following confirmation of the bid being received by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural agency.

This is the UK’s only submission for 2017 following the Government’s announcement in 2014 that it would be submitting the Lake District for consideration in the category of ‘cultural landscapes’. Since then, the Lake District National Park Partnership has been working with 25 partners, including the National Trust, Cumbria County Council and Forestry Commission to create a compelling case for international recognition.

The Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) and Historic England submitted the four volume nomination to UNESCO for review during the next 12-18 months, including a visit to the Lake District, ahead of a decision being made in summer 2017.

Heritage Minister, David Evennett, said: ‘The Lake District is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and important landscapes in the UK, so it is only fitting that the area be nominated for World Heritage site status. Not only would this formally recognise its unique identity, but also provide a significant boost to the local tourism industry and encourage even more visitors to visit this vibrant area.’

Chair of the Lake District’s World Heritage project management group, Steve Ratcliffe, said:  ‘This marks a significant milestone for the bid and is an opportunity for all the partners involved to celebrate their contribution. We have submitted a strong bid to UNESCO, showcasing how the landscape is a living example of a cultural landscape. It has been shaped by the people who farm and work in the Lake District over thousands of years, alongside the millions who visit and take inspiration from this special place every year. The next stage is for people to get involved and ‘back the bid’ and help us achieve the global recognition the Lake District deserves in becoming the UK’s largest World Heritage site.’

The bid also demonstrates how the Lake District inspired the Romantic poets and is the birthplace of a global conservation movement, including the early formation of the National Trust. By achieving World Heritage status, people in the Lake District, and Cumbria, would see real benefits. The status would generate a sense of civic pride within Lake District communities and just a one per cent increase in cultural visitors could boost the local economy by about £20m. There would also be an increased recognition of the economic and cultural role that farming plays in the Lake District.

Henry Owen-John, Head of International Advice for Historic England, said:  ‘We are delighted that the proposal for World Heritage site status will now be considered by UNESCO. The historic landscape of fells and valleys, enhanced by stone walled farms, fields and upland grazing is as beautiful and inspirational today as it was to Wordsworth. It is in our view of outstanding universal value to all humanity.’

If successful, this would be Cumbria’s second World Heritage Site, including Hadrian’s Wall in the north of the county. There are 29 World Heritage sites in the UK, four of which are in the category ‘cultural landscape’ including the volcanic archipelago St Kilda in Scotland, and the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape in Wales.

The Nomination Dossier comprises four volumes:

1. Nomination document which sets out the reasons why the Lake District deserves the international status of World Heritage inscription
2. 13 Lake District valley descriptions and history
3. Appendices and legal texts
4. The Lake District National Park Partnership’s Plan for the management, development and conservation of the Lake District as a national park and a prospective World Heritage site.

If you want to get involved share your Lake District stories, photos and videos on social media using #lakedistrictbid, or to view the nomination document visit the World Heritage website www.lakesworldheritage.co.uk.

View the press release

The Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site (WHS) management plan has now been placed out for consultation, with a deadline for responses of 18 April.

Durham World Heritage Site writes:
Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site is one of 29 in the UK and only 1031 globally. UNESCO manages the WHS list and requires that they should have a management plan Durham’s first plan was published in 2006 and it now needs updating. A new draft plan has been produced and the WHS Committee is carrying out a consultation on its proposals.

The consultation runs from 15th February to 18th April.

The 2006 Management Plan was the first and covered important essential aspects of management such as the site boundaries and coordination, examples are the inclusion of Palace Green and the establishment of a Coordinating Committee, both of which were achieved.

After reviewing the 2006 Plan the draft Plan looks in greater detail at what contributes to the Outstanding Universal Value of the site – this is the way that UNESCO describes what makes a site significant. It covers research, the relationship of the site to its surrounds and its cultural traditions.

The draft Management Plan aims to:

• Describe the Site’s attributes
• Describe who might use the site
• Describe the Site’s intangible heritage – the ways in which people have lived, worked, worshipped and studied on this site for over 1,000 years’
• Protect the site through greater understanding including its setting
• Outline a research framework
• Set out actions for the next 6 years in an action plan

The management Plan was produced under the editorial leadership of the World Heritage Site Coordinator on behalf of the World Heritage Site Committee.  Members of the Committee contributed to the Plan with assistance from Durham County Council, the Institute of Modern and Early Medieval Studies and volunteers.

View the documentation

IHBC NewsBlogs on WHS issues

Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Minister Mark H Durkan announced ‘Calls for Evidence’ on strategic planning policy for development in the countryside, and Renewable energy, with a closing date of 6 May 2016.

Planning Portal NI writes:
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan today announced ‘Calls for Evidence’ on strategic planning policy for Development in the Countryside and Renewable Energy.

Minister Durkan explained: ‘During the preparation of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) which I published last September, I listened to a wide range of views on and issues with the future of planning policy under the reformed planning system. I gave a commitment that after I published the SPPS I would conduct a full strategic review of subject policies on Development in the Countryside and Renewable Energy.

The ‘Calls for Evidence’, which I am announcing today, provide an opportunity for all interested parties to express their views on key matters that they consider need to be addressed through the full reviews.’

‘I urge everyone to submit their views. I particularly welcome any fresh thinking and evidence to help shape the future of strategic planning policy for these important areas.’

Read the news release and the call for evidence and more information on how to respond.

A pilot programme to experiment with sustainable funding models for parks and public spaces has been undertaken by NESTA, (formerly NESTA, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) an independent charity, with the report ‘Learning to Rethink Parks’ summarising approaches and lessons for funders and policy makers. 

NESTA writes:
‘Learning to Rethink Parks’ presents the lessons from Rethinking Parks, an 18 month programme designed to find and test ways for Britain’s parks to source new sustainable funding in the future.

Eleven UK parks received a share of £1m in grant funding and specialist support to explore new ways of raising income or reducing costs. Models tested included greater use of herbaceous and wild meadow planting, public donations, mobilising volunteers and friends groups to help with maintenance and even the creation of a pop-up meeting space.

While there is no one ‘silver bullet’ for replacing local authority funding, some promising new models emerged during the programme:

• Burnley Go to the Park project involved moving from a culture of ‘controlling nature’ to one of ‘working with nature’, turning some areas of parks over to meadows and planting some traditional beds with perennials rather than annuals.  This has created savings of nearly £70,000 since its launch and is forecast to save the council £119,000 per year (10 per cent of their parks budget) by 2020.
• Bournemouth Parks Foundation has proved that people are willing to donate to public parks, including via text, projecting a donation stream of £46,000 a year by 2020/21.
• The Heeley People’s Park subscription scheme has shown people will donate on an ongoing basis to their local park, demonstrating it is not just flagship parks that can tap into people’s willingness to give.
• The Bristol ParkWork project worked with volunteers and saw 40 per cent of participants transitioning into employment and training, while delivering £27,000 worth of improvements to parks across the city.

However, despite these encouraging results, not all projects tested worked as planned, an expected result for an early stage innovation programme. For example, Everton Park Community Hub found ‘Friends Groups’ are likely to require significant support, training and coordination to take a greater role in managing parks. Park Hack in Hoxton Square did not raise the income intended from an eye catching ‘Tree Office’ meeting space, but did mobilise local entrepreneurs and creative industries to contribute their ideas and energy to help the area’s green spaces.

With case studies and practical recommendations, Learning to Rethink Parks is a useful resource for a variety of stakeholders. Recommendations include:

• For parks teams: involve people – parks users, local businesses and residents, and others who care about parks – in designing and delivering new ideas. Then test these ideas with small-scale prototypes and look for external support to address skills gaps
• For government and policy-makers: encourage innovation and appropriate risk taking across the sector by sharing good practice and making sufficient funding available to support innovation
• For funders: emphasise funding models that focus on sustainability – like mixed grant/loan funds or endowments. 

Lydia Ragoonanan, Programme Manager of Rethinking Parks at Nesta said:  ‘Britain’s public parks need new sources of income and ways to reduce costs if they are to remain free and open. Rethinking Parks was designed to test ways to supplement existing funding. We now have a better understanding of the ideas with potential, as well as useful insights for the wider sector. Above all, the programme has shown us the importance of creating a space for parks to experiment, innovate and take chances.’

Drew Bennellick, Head of Landscape and Natural Heritage at the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:  ‘Parks are facing significant funding challenges and Rethinking Parks has shown there is no one solution to putting them on a sustainable footing.  What we do know is that any change should be managed in a sensitive, constructive way that involves local people and local businesses.  The case studies have demonstrated the need to be realistic about what we can and should expect local people to be able to do. Ultimately, local taxation is still an essential cornerstone for funding parks into the future but a diversification of income is also necessary if parks are to remain resilient into the future.’ 

Dawn Austwick, Chief Executive at Big Lottery Fund said:  ‘Through this programme we wanted to encourage parks, communities and local authorities to think creatively about how parks can thrive in the future. We all know that when a park is well cared for and the local community feels a sense of ownership it can be a vital community asset, and for some people the only accessible and safe outdoor space they have.’

Many of the Rethinking Parks projects will continue into 2016, with funding from local authorities and/or new sources.

Read the final report and the press release

The National Trust has launched a campaign which celebrates the role which Beatrix Potter played in the protection of the Lake District; with a ‘thanks Beatrix’ events programme throughout 2016.

The National Trust writes:
Beatrix Potter – or Mrs Heelis, is part of the National Trust’s DNA. Without her, the National Trust and the Lake District would be a very different place.

Beatrix Potter’s passion for writing, for the countryside, for nature, for conservation and farming meant she was a driven and ambitious woman. Keen to work hard and become a published author, which allowed her to acquire property; learn about and understand the countryside & farming. All this was at a time when women were supposed to be soft, gentle and a bit more ‘lady-like’; that set her apart from her peers.

Of course the Little White Books are her most famous gift to the world, but there are so many other stories to tell. Without her, the National Trust would not be looking after about a quarter of the Lake District today, along with hundreds of Herdwick sheep. Indeed, she was so respected amongst the farming community, she was elected the first woman President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association in 1944.

In July 2016, she would have been 150. So it’s a great opportunity to have the biggest year of birthday celebrations to say ‘Thanks, Beatrix’ in lots of different ways.

‘Thanks’, for the biggest legacy ever left to the Trust in the North West – 4,000 acres and 15 farms; ‘Thanks’ for meeting up with Canon Rawnsley and starting the germ of an idea, which grew into the conservation movement; and ‘Thanks’ for a certain Rabbit, in a blue jacket, who has played a part in most of our families and our growing up, and is immediately recognisable, all around the world.

Follow our adventures this year and why not have a look what’s going on across the Lakes, we’d love to welcome you along to some of them.

We’d love you to play a part online with #thanksBeatrix to join in the celebrations throughout the year.

View the press release

View more events as part of #ThanksBeatrix

A consultation on the heritage information access strategy (HIAS) has been launched by Historic England, together with reports on the work taking place. 

Historic England writes:
Recently the HIAS Advisory Board and the Historic England Internal Programme Board have agreed to a wider consultation with the sector on the results of Phase 2 of HIAS. This was a recommendation from many of the HIAS Phase 2 Work Package Leaders, myself included, and is an opportunity for us in the HER sector to put our views forward regarding this part of HIAS.

The Phase 2 Work Package reports has been published on the HIAS web page.During March 2016 we are asking for feedback on:

• the principles which form the HIAS vision, and
• proposals for the HIAS programme so far.

Please use the link below to respond to our consultation questions on SurveyMonkey.

Complete the questionnaire

View the HIAS reports

The Robert Smail’s Printing Works, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, is the last remaining letterpress printers in the UK and is celebrating its industrial heritage with a year of special events to mark its 150 year anniversary.

The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) writes:
National Trust for Scotland property, Robert Smail’s Printing Works, the last remaining Victorian letterpress printers in the UK, is marking its 150th anniversary with a year-long programme of events.

On 2 March 1866, Robert Smail signed the deeds for his new Printing Works on the High Street in Innerleithen, near Peebles.  The Printing Works has been located in the same premises for 150 years and is now owned by The National Trust for Scotland, whose team of expert printers, compositors and conservators maintains the historic machinery and keeps the print works’ practical skills alive as it operates both as a commercial printer and as a popular visitor attraction. It is also home to a vast social history and print archive including original letterpress documents collected in 52 huge ‘guardbooks’, which contain copies of almost every printed job created since the business began operating 150 years ago. The guardbooks contain everything from product labels from the local textile mills to copies of local newspaper, The St Ronan’s Standard and Effective Advertiser. The archive also holds correspondence and tickets for transatlantic liners from the printing works’ time as a travel agent in the early 20th century, photographic collections and detailed records related to Smail’s business and customers These archives offer a fascinating insight into the life of Innerleithen from a time when every small town in Britain would have had its own jobbing printer.

To mark its 150th anniversary year, Robert Smail’s Printing Works will host a diverse programme of events kicking-off on 25 March when it re-opens to the public for the new visitor season.

A free exhibition titled Future/Past: 150 Years of Robert Smail’s Printing Works, will run at the nearby St Ronan’s Wells visitor centre from 9 April showcasing 150 years of letterpress printing in Innerleithen and featuring never-seen-before material from Robert Smail’s archive collection. Other highlights of the anniversary programme will include the Ink Differently exhibition featuring letterpress posters created by Edinburgh Napier University students on the attraction’s historic presses, and talks and workshops on a diverse range of topics from printing and paper making to artefact conservation. 

See http://www.nts.org.uk/News#

View more information on the Printing Works building and collection

73 councils in England are taking part in the new pilot for brownfield registers, receiving £10,000 of government funding to assist with this. 

DCLG writes:
Pioneering councils are to help lead the way in bringing forward derelict and underused land for new homes, Communities Secretary Greg Clark announced today (10 March 2016).

73 councils across England will pilot one of the new brownfield registers, which will provide house builders with up-to-date and publicly available information on all brownfield sites available for housing locally.

The registers will help housebuilders identify suitable sites quickly, speeding up the construction of new homes.

They will also allow communities to draw attention to local sites for listing, including in some cases derelict buildings and eyesores that are primed for redevelopment and that could attract investment to the area.

The government has pledged 1 million more homes and to get planning permission in place on 90% of suitable brownfield sites for housing. Today’s move ramps up the brownfield land building commitment.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: ‘A key part of our ambition to build 1 million homes is to get work started on brownfield sites across the country – many of which are currently nothing more than blight on a community’s landscape.  These councils will be at the forefront of these efforts to list land and encourage builders to deliver new homes for aspiring homeowners.  But this is just the first step and I would urge councils to continue to offer up brownfield sites to deliver the homes their residents want and need.’

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: ‘We want to help hard working families and first time buyers to own their home and to achieve this by building on brownfield land wherever possible to help protect our valued countryside. The register helps deliver both of these at a stroke.  By getting the first councils going in piloting a register of brownfield land for housing we have the first wave of areas pushing for more homes on suitable brownfield land, including affordable housing. The councils taking part in the brownfield pilots will inform future government policy and guidance on the operation of the brownfield registers. Registers will eventually become mandatory for all councils under proposals going through Parliament in the Housing and Planning Bill.’

Other measures in the Housing and Planning Bill will enable ‘permission in principle’ to be granted for housing-led development sites listed on the new brownfield registers. This will mean developers building new homes on brownfield land will have a greater degree of certainty in relation to location, use and the amount of development.

View the press release

A legal appeal by Forest of Dean District Council against an inspector’s decision to grant approval for 85 homes has been granted, with heritage assets forming a key part of the decision making process as the conclusion was that ‘by causing ‘less than substantial harm’, the development would fail to preserve the special architectural and historic interest’. 

The case cites the recent Barnwell Manor judgement.

Section 14.44 of the judgement states:
The proposal would detract from the rural character and appearance of Horsefair Lane. I have also found that by causing ‘less than substantial harm’ the development would fail to preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the Grade II listed Mantley Farm complex and would harm the significance of Picklenash Court, a non-designated heritage asset. These findings bring the scheme into conflict with elements of local and national planning policy.

View the full decision notice (Case No: CO/4852/2015)

View a summary of the case on the ‘Local Government Lawyer’ site

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced a new programme which allows assistance for communities to take over control of local pubs, with an allocation of £3.6 million over two years.

DCLG writes:
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 Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones.

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:

• providing regeneration through access to public services and facilities to those who are socially excluded
• promoting employment, education and training in areas of high social need
• encouraging volunteering, citizenship and community development as a hub for community groups

A great example is the Anglers Rest in Bamford, Derbyshire, which was purchased in 2013 by over 300 people from the local area and is now run for community benefit.

It not only houses the pub itself, but also a cafe and the local Post Office, and offers a much-needed community meeting venue, too. This has helped improve social cohesion and the regeneration of the village, and any profits generated by the Anglers Rest are reinvested back into the local community.

Speaking at the Campaign For Real Ale Parliamentary reception, Community Pubs Minister Marcus Jones said:

The Great British pub is a national treasure and this new £3.6 million programme will give our communities support to keep pubs at the heart of local life.

We have already abolished the unpopular beer and alcohol duty escalators, cut business taxes for pubs and given people the power to list their local as an asset of community value.

Today’s announcement is one step further in protecting pubs as we listen to local communities and provide support on issues that matter to them – this is real devolution in action.

Vidhya Alakeson, Chief Executive of Power to Change, said: ‘We are delighted to be partners in this effort to accelerate the number of community-owned pubs that can tackle problems of urban and rural disadvantage.  By acting as hubs for a multitude of activities in their local communities, community-owned pubs can make a significant contribution to reducing isolation, improving well-being and providing access to basic services.  They can bring the heart back to many communities that have been hollowed out by the loss of local services.

Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of Plunkett Foundation, said: ‘This programme will significantly increase the number of community-owned pubs open and trading, bringing far-reaching benefits to local people.

For many communities, pubs are not just a place to drink; they are central to peoples’ sense of place and identity, they provide an important place for people to meet and help to build community cohesion.’

View the DCLG press release

View an interactive map of all ACV’s and work taking place under communities legislation

View the CAMRA resource (‘A list of pubs currently granted ACV status, as well as guidelines on how to nominate a pub)

View the ‘My Community’ government website

The Welsh Government has released a report into the pilot year of its innovative ‘Fusion: Tackling Poverty through Culture’ programme, which aims to reduce barriers into cultural participation.

The Welsh Government writes:
An innovative new programme using the arts, culture and heritage to support some of our most disadvantaged communities has seen over 1,500 people take part in activities during its pilot year.

It is helping them to develop skills to improve attainment and find employment. From kids taking over museums to helping unemployed men develop skills through archaeology, the Welsh Government’s Fusion: Tackling Poverty through Culture initiative is supporting local authorities and Communities First areas to find new and exciting opportunities to get people who would not normally engage with culture and heritage to give it a go.

At a celebratory event in Wrexham to mark the successful first year, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, will welcome an evaluation of progress so far and announce an additional £165,000 funding to expand the programme.

The Deputy Minister said: ‘I am proud that Wales is taking the lead in the UK in breaking down the barriers to cultural participation so that everyone can enjoy the benefits. This has been one of my priorities as Deputy Minister and something I feel passionate about.

‘The programme is providing valuable opportunities for people to gain new skills and build confidence, whether it is helping run a museum, taking part in arts and music activities or volunteering. As a result over 500 people have taken part in structured courses and schemes, many leading to accreditation and qualifications.

‘This is clearly an approach worth investing in and I am delighted that we are providing funding support which will allow this important scheme to go from strength to strength.’

Wrexham is one of the Pioneer Areas for the programme, with over 30 local and national partners including Oriel Wrecsam and Literature Wales. It has been working with economically and socially inactive adults in two Communities First Clusters in the county borough, with the aim of increasing aspiration and opportunities and helping to move them through to training and potential employment.

A pop-up library has been piloted to service the Caia Park estate, allowing access to e-library services which can boost literacy and digital inclusion. Art courses have also been delivered, with cultural bodies offering trips and activities to inspire the group, with many participants having never visited these sites before.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member Communities and Partnerships at Wrexham County Borough Council, said: ‘Wrexham County Borough Council fully recognises the role that the arts, heritage and culture can play in enriching people’s lives. In Wrexham we have formed a network of key partners from the arts, heritage and cultural sectors around a shared ambition to engage our communities in new opportunities that raise aspirations, skills and ultimately better equip people for securing employment. I look forward to the contribution that the Wrexham Fusion Partnership can make as Wrexham embarks on the development of the Creative Arts Hub in the town centre as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to this important area of community life.’

The Fusion programme was established in response to the Baroness Kay Andrews report on Culture and Poverty, which made a compelling case for joint working to guarantee culture is accessible to all, regardless of their background and where they live.

Pioneer Areas were established in Wrexham, Gwynedd, Swansea, Cardiff/Merthyr, Newport and Torfaen to pilot the programme. Discussions are underway to increase the number of areas taking part in 2016-17.

View the press release

View the report: ‘Evaluation of the Pioneer Areas pilot year’

The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (DoENI) has released a new consultation relating to deal with dangerous buildings and neglected sites, including property in a dilapidated state (with four options including issues of addressing special consideration for heritage sites) – the closing date for responses is 30 June.

The consultation states:
Stakeholders are keen that any new or amended legislation should properly address heritage issues and be more proactive, allowing action to be taken at a much earlier stage, thereby preventing avoidable decay in important buildings (section 5.15)

Four options for addressing legislative issues regarding dangerous buildings, neglected sites are considered, taking into account case law and precedents from elsewhere within the UK.  Option four is presented as ‘the comprehensive overhaul of existing legislation and the broadening of powers to bring parity with legislation in other jurisdictions’.

DoENI writes:
Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan will issue on Monday 14 March a ‘Call for Evidence’ on permitted development rights for mineral exploration. This is the next step in his review into legislation to help councils deal more effectively with dilapidated/dangerous buildings and neglected sites. 

Mark H Durkan said: ‘Neglected and derelict properties and sites blight our urban and rural environments. I want to ensure that councils have the powers to act against property owners and land owners who allow their buildings and sites to become dilapidated and, in many cases, dangerous.  Our environment, built and natural, supports the economy and creates jobs. My Dereliction Intervention Programme has been very successful in helping local councils to boost tourism and support the local economy but we need to go further.  This is why I undertook a review of existing legislation, some of which dates back to the 19th century. I have listened closely to councils and other stakeholders who have clearly indicated that although this legislation is effective in certain circumstances, it is deficient in others.’ 

The Minister concluded: ‘I want to hear from as many stakeholders as possible and encourage them to carefully consider this consultation document and take the time to respond with their views so that efforts can be focused on real solutions. This will help councils improve the quality of our cities, towns and villages by giving them more effective means to deal with dilapidated buildings and neglected sites.  ‘In May the Department of Environment will no longer exist with its functions being transferred across a number of departments. I am seizing this opportunity to pave the way for legislation early in the new mandate to ensure councils have the powers to give our environment the level of protection it deserves.’

The consultation will run from 10 March 2016 to 30 June 2016.

View the press release 

View the full consultation document

A £1 million fund is available for tourism innovation is available from the Department for Transport (DfT), with a deadline of 23 March for a mandatory initial registration. 

The Department of Transport (DoT) writes:
In 2014, over half of all money spent by inbound tourists to England, was spent in London. However the rest of the country has many fantastic tourist attractions and a key objective for this competition is to encourage more tourists to travel beyond the capital to destinations outside of London.

Heritage and community railways are an important part of this sector. Every year 10 million people visit a heritage railway. It has been estimated that heritage railways are worth about £250 million to the UK economy. Community rail lines account for around 40 million journeys per year. 45% growth has been seen between 2006/7 and 2012/13 in community rail.  They are often rural based and many support the tourism industry of these areas.

The Prime Minister announced in 2015 that £1 million would be made available for a rail for tourism innovation competition, funded by the Department for Transport.  This competition seeks to support more visitors discovering the UK outside of London with heritage and community rail.  This competition provides an opportunity specifically to heritage railways and community rail partnerships to improve the tourist experience.

The scope of the competition is to support innovative approaches to improving the tourist experience offered by heritage and community railways. Within the scope of this competition, but not limited to the following, are projects that:

• Explore new ways to improve travel to these railways by public transport by
• improving stations
• improving ticketing
• special offers
• disabled access or cycle facilities
• Explore options to introduce new services
• Explore the introduction of new rolling stock
• Trial innovative approaches to attracting tourists outside London (particularly overseas tourists). 

For this competition the refurbishment of engines will lie outside of the scope.

It is anticipated that successful projects will increase patronage, increase customer satisfaction, improve access by public transport, and benefit local economies outside London.  Projects can be stand alone or collaborative. Projects that collaborate with local authorities, national or local tourism organisations, train operating companies or heritage railway or community railway associations will be welcomed. Projects that can start before 1 June will be viewed favourably.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must first register their interest in the competition and receive the full application pack.  The application form is two pages long.  Applications will only be accepted from organisations that have registered;  the deadline for applications is 5pm on 4 April.

Up to 15 applicants will be invited to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event on 10 May at the Department for Transport to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.  Applicants not able to attend the event on 10 May will not be eligible for funding.  Applicants will be informed by 22 April if they are required to attend the event.

To receive a full application pack and to register your interest in the competition please click on the ‘Register my interest’ on the site

A new enquiry has been launched by the parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee into Countries of Culture, looking at ways in which to promote and preserve the cultural wealth of the UK, with a deadline for written submissions of 22 April 2016.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee writes:
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee launches an inquiry on Countries of Culture. The inquiry looks at ways to preserve and promote UK’s cultural wealth.

Britain has a rich and varied cultural offering, but in recent years there has been some debate about whether this cultural capital is too heavily concentrated in London, and concerns that local authority budget cuts are constraining the cultural offering in the regions.

In the last Parliament, the Committee held an inquiry into the Work of the Arts Council England (2014), which concluded that there is a clear arts funding imbalance in favour of London at the expense of tax payers and lottery players in other parts of the country, which must be urgently rectified.

With this conclusion in mind, the Committee wishes to build on that report and also look beyond the work of the Arts Council at our wider cultural landscape, to include arts, theatre, museums, and festivals.

The Committee invites written submissions from those who wish to contribute to the inquiry on the following areas:

• The current funding situation for cultural sectors in the regions and sub-regions
• The regional impact of local authority settlement on the cultural sector
• New funding models in the cultural sector, including use of Lottery funding
• Cultural partnerships in the regions, including with National Portfolio Organisations and Major Partner Museums
• Skills, management and infrastructure of regional cultural institutions
• Physical and virtual accessibility of cultural sectors in the regions, including digital outreach and engagement
• Value and impact of culture in the regions

Send your written submission through the Countries of Culture inquiry page.  The deadline for written submissions is Friday, 22 April 2016.

Commenting on the inquiry, Jesse Norman, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee said: ‘The UK has huge cultural and artistic riches in its regions and nations, including galleries, museums, music, theatre and festivals.  This inquiry will look at how best to preserve and enhance those resources, especially in the face of continuing budget pressures; at the impact of festivals and events in cultural regeneration; at enhanced linkages between national and regional institutions; and at new ways in which culture and the arts can be used to develop and revitalise communities.’

You can submit your views to the inquiry by using #countriesofculture on Twitter. You can also follow the Culture, Media and Sport Committee @CommonsCMS

View the news release

The new Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will be Ros Kerslake OBE, while the latest appointment to the UK Board of Trustees has been announced as Baroness Kay Andrews, who also joins the HLF Wales committee.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) writes:
Ros Kerslake OBE joins HLF from The Prince’s Regeneration Trust in the summer.

Ros Kerslake OBE will be joining HLF in the summer as our new Chief Executive, taking over from Carole Souter who steps down at the end of April.

Ros joins HLF from The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, where she has been Chief Executive since 2006.

HLF Chair Sir Peter Luff welcomed the appointment, saying: ’Ros Kerslake has a rich background in heritage and an impressive commitment to the role it plays in making people’s lives better.  She is the perfect choice to lead HLF.

‘As we welcome Ros, we wish Carole Souter every success in her new roles.  Every part of the heritage world owes Carole a huge debt of gratitude. She has led HLF with skill and commitment and has enabled wonderful things to happen in every corner of the UK.’

Ros Kerslake said: ’It is an enormous honour to be asked to lead an organisation which plays such a crucial role in supporting heritage all around the United Kingdom. Ensuring that the funds raised through the contributions of National Lottery players are used in a way that delivers real value to the community as a whole is a challenge that I take up with huge pleasure.’

Ros trained as a solicitor and started her career in legal roles before taking on wider leadership positions in the private sector, including for Gulf Oil and Booker Group. As Property Director of Railtrack, she developed an interest in the issues around place and urban regeneration which have characterised her roles since.  Ros went on to lead RegenCo, an urban regeneration company in the West Midlands.

Amongst her achievements at The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, Ros led the team that saved Middleport Pottery, one of the last working Victorian potteries in the UK.

She was awarded an OBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours for services to British Heritage.

Baroness Kay Andrews joins our UK Board and Wales Committee. Appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron, Baroness Andrews will bring a background in heritage, science and technology, and education to the 15-strong Board of Trustees which leads both HLF and NHMF.

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF and NHMF, said: ‘This appointment is great news for HLF and NHMF, Baroness Andrews’ wealth of experience, particularly in the science and technology and education sectors, will be invaluable as we continue to make challenging decisions about the UK’s heritage.’

As well as helping to make funding decisions for heritage in Wales and across the UK, Baroness Andrews will play a key role in steering the policies and direction of the two Funds.

A graduate of Aberystwyth University, Baroness Kay Andrews was Chair of English Heritage from 2009 to 2013 and has held a number of positions in government. Along with previous roles as Fellow of the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University and Founder and Director of national charity Education Extra, she has written books and articles on the history and organisation of science and technology policy, poverty and social policy, and education. In 1998 she received an OBE for her work in education.

Sir Peter added: ‘We look forward to welcoming Baroness Andrews next month.’

View the Chief Executive announcement

View the Trustees news release

The Zibby Garnett Travel Fellowship (ZGTF) which offers grants for heritage conservation study is still open for applications, the closing date is 18 March. 

The National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) writes:
ZGTF is a charity giving financial help to individual students and apprentices to broaden their understanding of conservation worldwide. The students travel to relevant countries of interest, studying regional heritage craft and conservation techniques, and bring these skills back to the UK.

Subjects of study include one of the following fields:

?    Historic buildings
?    Historic designed landscapes and historic gardens
?    Allied trades, techniques, skills and crafts
?    Artefacts and decorative arts

Grant applications are considered once every year, the deadline for 2016 is 12 noon on Friday 18th March 2016. 

Since ZGTF was set up in 2000, it has awarded over £126,000 to 108 students, making it possible for them to travel to 40 countries, worldwide.

View more information on the NHTG website

The RICS and CBRE have released a new information paper concerning placemaking and value, noting that creating ‘better’ places to live can increase the value of housing. 

RICS writes:
Our latest information paper – Placemaking and value – 1st Edition- indicates that creating ‘better’ places to live can substantially increase the value of dwellings.

Highlights:

• Placemaking has never been more important in creating thriving sustainable communities
• Commercial viability is crucial and ‘placemaking’ can  substantially enhance value
• Good placemaking helps sustain premium values over a longer time period 

Good placemaking techniques, can substantially enhance value of dwellings, according to new research published by RICS entitled Placemaking and value.

The term placemaking is used to capture all of the factors which combine to create a good place in which to live or work, with evidence suggesting that top of the list for people in the UK is a concept of neighbourhood.

Proximity to local facilities and shops also ranks highly.

The new research looks at the relationship between placemaking and commercial value, based on the notion that if creating better places translates into better profits; this could encourage more and better developments to come forward.  A key finding of the research has been that creating better places where more people want to live enhances financial value and can secure substantial commercial premiums. The exemplar case studies that were examined showed uplift of between 5%, and in one exceptional case 56%.

Although good placemaking in areas of high value sees the most significant commercial uplift, with variation between different dwelling types, the commercial benefit of a better place to live was still evident in lower value areas of close to 20% uplift on other local new build competition.  The increase in commercial value is long term rather than short term in nature. 

There has been regular criticism of the quality and quantity of new housing and in the light of the enormous need for sustained housing delivery, placemaking has never been more important in creating thriving communities where people want to live, work and play.

Tony Mulhall, RICS Associate Director said ‘Strong leadership is needed in development teams with a clear vision and ambition from the earliest point.  Masterplanners, landowners and developers need to work together with the support of the local planning authority to deliver through the political and economic cycles.  RICS has always been interested in harnessing market forces in the public interest and the proposition is simple – if developers create places that are well planned, well designed and well built, people will pay more for them.’ 

The report also found that placemaking achieved uplift in commercial value on relatively small homes – suggesting that people will pay a premium to be in a good place even if this means compromising on space.  Another key finding was that retaining flexibility in the masterplan was important to allow the scheme to evolve.

When looking at the provision of community and other facilities these must be provided as early as possible in the development although there is a recognition of the need for a critical mass of housing to be occupied to support these services.  The mitigation of flood risk has also got the potential to underpin value.

The research, carried out by CBRE analysed residential property value data from the Land Registry as well as using site observations, discussions with developers and agents, as well as community groups and planners.  It is based on five case studies within an hour’s commute of London demonstrating the benefits of good ‘placemaking’ not just for the high quality of the living environment created but also for the enhancement in the financial value of the dwellings.

Jasper Masters, Executive Director, CBRE said ‘CBRE and the RICS have worked closely together on this Information Paper and I am delighted that it’s now been launched. The CBRE research team examined a number of large, residential-led urban extension schemes in England that have created entirely new places with their own sense of identity. It found that strong place making can lead to substantial house price premiums within the schemes, anything between 20 – 50% over the imbedded new build norm in the locations.  I think that the Information Paper will be of real interest to landowners, house builders, developers and property companies.’ 

View the press release and download the report