IHBC NewsBlogs

The Vivat Trust has ceased trading and operation, going into liquidation on 6 August. 

The Vivat Trust writes (16 July 2015):
Mary Currie-Smith and Louise Baxter of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP have been instructed by the directors of The Vivat Trust Limited and Vivat Management Services Limited to place the two businesses into Liquidation.  Notices of the relevant meetings have been issued and the companies will go into Liquidation on 6 August 2015. The Insolvency Practitioners have been informed by the directors of the Companies that a number of customers have paid deposits or paid in full for the short-term rental of properties owned by the Vivat Trust Limited.  Once appointed the Liquidators will investigate whether or not the deposits were held in a Trust account and, if appropriate, look into the possibility of returning monies paid.

View the news release

View a news report on Kent Online into a property owned by the Vivat Trust (‘Hadlow Tower’s future uncertain as owner The Vivat Trust goes into liquidation’)

View the Shropshire Start article on Vivat Trust properties in this area (‘Historic buildings holiday charity on brink of liquidation’)

Eight new listings have been made under the theme of ‘libraries’, including seven regional hubs and the British Library in London.

DCMS writes:
The British Library has been listed Grade I by Heritage Minister, Tracey Crouch on the advice of Historic England and joins the top 2.5% of listed buildings in England.

Originally designed by architect Sir Colin St John Wilson and his partner MJ Long between 1982 and 1999, it was the largest UK public building to be built in the 20th century. Intended to move and inspire its visitors, today the British Library is much-loved and well-used by scholars and members of the public alike for its soaring and stimulating spaces.

With its 5 public floors sweeping upwards like a wave, the architecture is both immense and extraordinary. Surrounded on both sides by 11 Reading Rooms, the Library’s centrepiece is the magnificent King’s Library tower, home to the library of George III as well as the Treasures Gallery that hold national Treasures such as Magna Carta, Lindisfarne Gospels and original Beatles lyrics.

The building holds a prominent location on London’s Euston Road and shaped the emerging character of the surrounding area of north-central London as a place of collaborative research and study – referred to now as the Knowledge Quarter.

Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: ‘The British Library divided opinion from the moment its design was revealed, but I am glad that expert advice now allows me to list it, ensuring that its iconic design is protected for future generations to enjoy.’

The listing coincides with seven libraries from across the UK that have been awarded Grade II status. These are:

• Suffolk Record Office, Suffolk (1963-5, Donald McMorran)
• Bebington Central Library, The Wirral (1967-71, Paterson, Macauley and Owens)
• Milton Keynes Central Library, Milton Keynes (1979-81, Buckinghamshire County Council architects)
• Chandler’s Ford Library, Eastleigh, Hampshire (1981-2, Hampshire County Council architect Colin Stansfield Smith)
• West Sussex Library, West Sussex (1965-6, county architect F R Steele)
• Bourne Hall Library & Social Centre, Epsom, Surrey (1967-70, A.G. Sheppard Fidler and Associates)
• Lillington Library, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire (1959-60, Henry Fedeski)

Commenting on all eight listings, Tracey Crouch said: ‘Libraries are the cornerstones of the communities they serve. They act as meeting places, provide areas to learn and are a credit to the volunteers at the heart and soul of the service. Many of these libraries have stood proudly in their communities for more than 50 years and I am thrilled that these institutions can be admired for many years to come.’

Director of Listing at Historic England, Roger Bowdler, said: ‘The British Library is one of England’s finest modern public buildings. Listing it at Grade I acknowledges its outstanding architectural and historic interest. Colin St John Wilson’s stately yet accessible design incorporates fine materials and a generous display of public art. The Library’s dramatic and carefully considered interiors achieve its ultimate goal: of creating a space to inspire thought and learning.

‘Historic England has had a really constructive consultation with the British Library throughout. The way it has been listed celebrates its qualities, and points out just what does make it special. This will enable it to go on flourishing as a dynamic public building, in which appropriate change is welcomed.

‘It joins a select group of other listed post-war public libraries on the National Heritage List for England. Even in today’s digital age, there is a clear future for these buildings. They illustrate a wide range of architectural styles, and together represent the very best in public architecture.’

Chief Executive of the British Library, Roly Keating, said: ‘We are delighted that Colin St John Wilson’s courageous and visionary design for the British Library’s London building has been recognised by a listing at the highest level. Even in the relatively short period since its opening it has worked its way into the affections of millions of visitors and researchers, who have discovered its beautiful spaces, subtle use of natural light and exquisite detailing.

‘It is also a privilege to be listed alongside a group of distinguished public library buildings from across the country. As well as celebrating architectural excellence, this listing is a reminder, in the midst of the digital age, of the vital importance of libraries as physical spaces of the highest quality at the heart of their communities.’

View the press release

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has issued a warning over skills shortages reported by its members, with small and medium enterprises struggling to recruit the necessary workers.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) writes:
Despite the fact that the building industry has been booming for more than two years, rising activity in the SME construction sector threatens to be undermined by the prevailing skills shortage, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Commenting on the results of the FMB’s Q2 2015 State of Trade Survey, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: ‘There can be no doubt that the building industry is booming but the skills shortage continues to loom large over our industry. Almost half of construction SMEs are struggling to recruit adequate numbers of bricklayers, with others finding it increasingly hard to hire carpenters and joiners, site managers and supervisors. Looking ahead, our members are reporting that their workloads are likely to rise over the coming three months which means the shortage of skilled workers will only become more acute. It also begs the question, how much stronger would the pace of growth in the UK construction industry be if we had an ample supply of skilled tradespeople?’

Berry continued: ‘The Government is determined to increase the number of apprentices being trained by our industry over the coming five years but the recent announcement on the new levy has led to more questions than answers. In the Summer Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government would be introducing a levy on large employers to fund three million high quality apprenticeships. The Budget Statement said that ‘the levy will support all post-16 apprenticeships in England’ and if this also includes the construction industry, the assumption is that the CITB levy will not continue.’

Berry concluded: ‘However, we are still unclear regarding the details surrounding this new alternative cross-industry levy. If the levy on large employers is only used to fund apprenticeship training by large employers, how will apprenticeship training by small firms be dealt with? Given that two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by micro firms, it’s vital that we have a system in place that drives high levels of apprenticeship training through companies of every size. We are keen to work closely with the Government over the coming weeks – the stakes couldn’t be higher so we must get this right.’

View the survey results

View the press release

IHBC newsblogs on heritage skills in construction 

The National Trust have launched the Coastal and Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network project, and are encouraging people to take part in the outdoor surveys (or desk based work) to look at issues affecting coastal archaeology.

The National Trust (NT) writes:
Extreme weather, rising sea levels and tidal erosion are posing an alarming threat to thousands of archaeological sites along England’s coast and tidal estuaries. A community-led project is calling for volunteers to help survey these nationally-important sites before they disappear.

CITiZAN (Coastal and Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network) is investigating thousands of sites over 5,600 miles of English coastline and over 500 miles of tidal foreshore. The sites span all historical periods from pre-historic submerged forests to Second World War coastal defences.

Volunteers are needed to join the network to survey and monitor their local sites on an ongoing basis. Armed with tape measures, buckets and mobile phones, they’ll capture vital information about exposed archaeological sites.

The data recorded by volunteers is being collated on the CITiZAN interactive coastal map, a crowd-sourced database which will help form a lasting and evolving record of the history of England’s coastline and tidal estuaries.

The wreck below the Cliffs at Crowlink, East Sussex, is among sites involved with CITiZAN that we look after. Believed to the remains of the Coonatto vessel which ran aground in 1876, the 43m wreck lies on the very edge of the intertidal zone and is subject to the erosive forces of the waves and tides.

Erosion is also threatening St Patrick’s Chapel on Heysham Head overlooking Morecambe Bay in Cumbria. The Grade I-listed chapel ruins are believed to date from the early Medieval period. The site also has a group of rock cut graves which are unique to England.

CITiZAN is also exploring the history of Brownsea Island in Dorset. Although Poole Harbour was a major port during the Iron Age, no Iron Age material has yet been found on the island with only remains from the Medieval period onwards having been identified so far. The project will identify existing and newly exposed remains, the evidence from which may well change our understanding of the island’s use.

‘The threat of erosion to some of our most precious places cannot be underestimated, so it’s vital they’re recorded before it’s too late,’ says our head of archaeology, Ian Barnes.  ‘We’re delighted to be supporting CITiZAN in its call to volunteers who can play an important role in helping to survey and monitor these sites before time and tide take their toll.’

The CITiZAN project is hosted by MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) and has been awarded £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This funding has been enhanced by The Crown Estate and ourselves together with support from Historic England.

Find out how you can get involved by visiting CITiZAN’s website. For those unable to take part in physical recording there are opportunities to get involved with desk-based research and outreach events.

View the press release

View the CitiZan project website

IHBC newsblogs on coastal issues

A historic mill in Leicester has been awarded the ‘best change of use of an existing building or conversion’ award, and a finalist in the ‘best inclusive building’ category at the East Midlands local authority building control (LABC) building excellence awards. 

For more information on the awards see LABC website 

For more information on the project (‘Former Wolsey clothing factory wins conversion award’) see the ‘Dash 24’ website

IHBC Awards etc 

Northumberland National Park has become the first authority to create a National Park Youth Cabinet, aiming to give young people a say in the management of the historic landscape.

DEFRA writes:
Young people are to take their place at the heart of decision-making for Northumberland National Park with the creation of the country’s first National Park Youth Cabinet, Environment Minister Rory Stewart announced today.

The new cabinet will give local people aged 16-25 an active role in governing their National Park and encourage others to help look after it – today and for the future.

National Parks are a corner stone of rural economies generating over £4 billion each year.

Environment Minister Rory Stewart said: ‘With more than 90 million annual visitors to our National Parks they are an essential and very valuable part of rural life, bringing jobs and investment.  It’s absolutely right young people – the future custodians of our natural world – have a say in how they are run.  Important projects like this make that happen, giving teenagers and young adults first hand understanding of their true value – not just in monetary terms – but as part of our precious natural heritage.’

Glen Sanderson, Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: ‘We are very pleased to welcome the Minister to Northumberland National Park today where he has met some of the young people involved in our brand new Youth Cabinet, and taken part in some of our exciting and popular National Parks Week activities.  We have enjoyed working with young people for a long time – through apprenticeships, training schemes, and our wide range of activities – and we genuinely value the creativity and inspiration that young people bring.  Our Youth Cabinet puts young people at the heart of what we do at the National Park as they are an integral part of the decision making process, and we listen and learn much from their views. National Parks are amongst Britain’s most valued treasures, and we are ensuring that we do all we can to encourage young people to learn about, explore, and care for our National Parks so that future generations can continue to enjoy these national assets for years to come.’

Ian Riddle, age 25, from Bellingham, Northumberland, joined the Youth Cabinet to encourage other young people to get involved in the National Park, he said: ‘Northumberland National Park has always been very special to me. My family have farmed in the National Park for four generations and I am passionate about the outdoors, the environment and conservation.  Through involvement with the National Park, I have attended exchange visits to see how other countries address issues for young people in rural areas. I’m therefore really pleased to be involved in the Youth Cabinet and happy to be here today as it is officially launched by the Minister.  I think it’s really important for young people to have their say and have the opportunity to get involved with the Park. The Cabinet offers young people from all backgrounds and walks of life the chance to have our voices heard and influence how the National Park is run.’

Marking National Parks Week, the Minister also launched the #PhotointhePark social media campaign today, encouraging young people and families to post pictures of their favourite national park moments on social media over the summer holidays.  The Minister’s visit to the Park took place during National Parks Week. The week-long initiative, which is an annual celebration of National Parks across the UK, started on 27 July and will run until 2 August.

As part of the visit, the Minister met young people from the Youth Mosaic Project who act as ‘champions’ for the Park as well as volunteers who are contributing to the upkeep of National Trails. This project is aimed at young people (16 to 25 years) from surrounding urban areas – including Newcastle, East Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Carlisle – to teach them about our natural environment, while improving both their health and job prospects.

View the press release

IHBC newsblogs on national parks

Transport for London are running a series of design based awareness events, including an online campaign asking the public to vote for their favourite design icons; these include architectural details and buildings such as Westminster Tube station, Paolozzi’s mosaics, Morden station and historic roundel seating.

Transport for London (TfL) writes:
Transport for London (TfL) and the London Transport Museum are asking the public to vote for their ultimate London transport design.  The search to find London’s transport Design Icons will launch on 1 August 2015 and close in early October, with the most popular designs showcased in a special event in the New Year.

Good design can be seen right across the transport network – from the world-famous Tube map originally designed by Harry Beck, to the iconic Roundel logo, the classic Routemaster and new Routemaster buses, the cable car and cycle hire bikes, as well as architecture across the road and rail networks.

People will be asked to vote from a shortlist of 100 transport designs or designers that have been carefully selected by industry experts, TfL and London Transport Museum staff. A wide spectrum of London’s transport designs is included in the list, including the lamps at St John’s Wood Underground station, moquette seating and the iconic black taxi.

The Design Icons search is part of ‘Transported by Design’, an 18-month programme of events, exhibitions and competitions which celebrate the role of good design on London’s transport network.

Other highlights of ‘Transported by Design’ programme will include:

• ‘London by Design’, a season of events at the London Transport Museum, beginning in September 2015 and running throughout 2016;
• A major design festival in Regent Street, summer 2016;
• Activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the iconic Johnston typeface, January 2016;
• Unveiling of a commemoration at Piccadilly Circus station to former London Transport Chief Executive, Frank Pick, autumn 2016.

Mike Brown MVO, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: `Our purpose is to keep London working and growing and to make life here better. For over 150 years, good design in transport has been central to this, ranging from vehicles, stations, signs and maps to the Oyster card, our website and open data feeds. With London’s population growing from 8.6 million now to 10 million by 2030, we will use Transported by Design, and this search for London’s Design Icons, to make sure that we continue to help customers and all Londoners make their journeys as seamlessly as possible through innovative and thoughtful 21st century design.’

Sam Mullins, Director of London Transport Museum, said: `As custodians of London’s travel heritage, it has never been more relevant to draw attention to one of London’s greatest triumphs: its transport designs. By asking the public to select their greatest London transport design, we aim to highlight how design continues to shape London.’

View the press release

View more information on the design campaign

View the TfL Tumblr blog

IHBC newsblogs on design

IHBC Awards etc

Historic England (HE) has published guidance on easy acces to historic buildings, replacing the previous 2004 guidance with new information on ways of creating appropriate physical access and addressing issues such as signage, lighting and use of colour contrast for the benefit of all users.

Historic England writes:
These guidelines focus on physical access issues because these often pose the greatest challenges as well as opportunities for historic buildings.

Other issues such as lighting, tone, colour contrast and signing are touched upon, while acknowledging the excellent guidance on these aspects of good access design which exists elsewhere. The guidance also focuses on the challenges and constraints posed by buildings whose function is not directly related to their historic status – shops, offices and civic buildings – rather than those preserved and opened to the public purely as historic attractions. Although the guidelines are relevant to both categories of building the latter raise significant issues in relation to interpretation (sometimes referred to as intellectual access), which are largely beyond the scope of this document. This document replaces our 2004 edition.

1. Why access matters
2. Planning better access
3. Making access a reality
4. Published sources of information
5. Where to get advice

Download the guide

IHBC newsblogs on disability

IHBC newsblogs on equality and diversity

North East (NE) Lincolnshire Council has begun consulting on a pioneering Local Development Order (LDO) designed to make it easier and quicker to redevelop brownfield sites.

North East Lincolnshire Council writes:
North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) is asking for people’s views on their plans for three key sites, as part of an innovative approach to ‘unlocking’ development on brownfield land.

In January this year, NELC was one of only four councils selected nationally to pilot a new way of planning for development through the use of Local Development Orders (LDOs). The aim is to make it easier and quicker to develop brownfield land.

The LDOs now in preparation should help realise the development of more than 300 new homes.

An LDO is a legal document that that sets out standards for development on a specific site. If development meets all the criteria in the LDO, then it should not be necessary to apply for planning permission – making the process simpler and less risky for developers.

The three sites are the former Birds Eye Site in Ladysmith Road, Grimsby, the former Western School site in Cambridge Road, Grimsby , and the former Clifton Bingo site in Grant Street, Cleethorpes.

The project is managed and delivered through the Council’s regeneration services partnership with Cofely.

Cllr Ray Oxby, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: ‘Local Development Orders are designed to support land owners on sites that are currently standing idle. Bringing these brownfield sites back into use could result in more than 300 new homes being built.  This will help us in our ambition to maximise the borough’s economic potential, breathe life into under-used sites and improve the range of housing on offer. It’s a common misconception that most development in the borough is happening in rural areas. Last year almost 80 per cent of all new homes in the area were built on brownfield sites in urban areas. I urge everyone to take part in the consultation and to use this opportunity to give us your views on the proposals.’

View more information on the LDO proposals

IHBC newsblogs on LDO’s 

A new scheme has been launched by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that aims to help create new businesses in rural areas and help the rural economy.

DEFRA writes:
With £24 million available this summer, the new Growth Programme is set to benefit rural communities by unlocking the huge potential for growth in the countryside, Farming Minister George Eustice announced today.

Applications for the grants have officially opened today and are set to give businesses a real boost by supporting projects that can make a big difference to the rural economy.  Local priorities have been established across the country meaning that this funding will be directly targeted at initiatives that will bring the biggest benefit for those local areas.  Opportunities could include helping people to expand or set up or new businesses, developing new food processing facilities and promoting tourism.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: By helping our rural entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential, the roll out of the Growth Programme is great news for our rural communities. This £6.3 million of funding is going to support businesses, bring high-quality jobs to rural areas, boost rural productivity and grow the local economy.

Individual grants are worth upwards of £35,000 depending on the individual project and will be offered in 9 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). A further two rounds of the Growth programme are expected in August and September and the remaining LEP areas will be invited over the next few months to apply for grants to help them support their local rural communities.  LEPs are partnerships between local authorities and local businesses across England.

This £24 million is part of a package of initiatives over the next 6 years to unlock the economic potential of our rural areas.

View the press release and case studies

The University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee are calling for participation by Local Authority (LA) policy makers in a short research questionnaire into local government decision making around energy policy. 

The University of Dundee writes:
This is an academic research project conducted by the University of Aberdeen and the University of Dundee to develop a better understanding of local council engagement and governance of energy development in the United Kingdom. With increased interest by the oil and gas industry in developing onshore resources, there has been increased attention by some stakeholder groups (households, civic groups, environmental groups for example) about potential impacts at the local community level.

This research is intended to help understand the background knowledge and preferences of the planning officials who are charged with determining what commercial activities may occur within their jurisdiction.

Answer the survey

Possible implications of the recent announcement that construction firms with a certain turnover will need to report on their ethical trading through an ‘annual slavery and trafficking statement’ under the ethical trading initiative are being explored in the media. 

View more information on the ETI

View the article

A ‘Save our Spires’ appeal has been launched by the National Churches Trust, together with a photography competition to help raise awareness of conservation and maintenance issues affecting historic spires.

The National Churches Trust writes:
‘Save our Spires’  highlights the plight of crumbling church spires around the UK, many of which are in need of urgent repair.

An analysis by the National Churches Trust of Historic England’s latest ‘Heritage At Risk Register’ shows that 40 listed parish churches require urgent repair work to their spires. You can see the churches at risk on our online map.

Damage to parish church spires includes:

• Stone decay and deterioration
• Rusting to iron cramps used in Victorian spires to hold masonry together
• Woodpecker damage to wooden spires
• High winds and heavy rain leading to weakened spires

Over the last three years, the National Churches Trust has helped fund repairs to 17 parish church spires in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, investing over £370,000 in their future.

Now the Trust is seeking to raise at least a further £250,000 to help fund repairs to more parish church spires and ensure that these key architectural features continue to grace villages, towns and cities throughout the UK. The Trust is also urging people to support churches fundraising to repair spires as the cost of this work is far beyond the ability of most congregations to pay for. (The ‘Save our Spires’ appeal only involves parish churches as the National Churches Trust does not fund Cathedral buildings.)

Repairs to church spires are expensive, partly due to the costs of erecting scaffolding and the specialist work required by stonemasons and structural engineers.  The height and inaccessibility of spires also means churches have difficulty monitoring their condition and cannot undertake any regular preventative maintenance.

Donations to support the appeal can be made in the following ways

• Donate online
• Send a text message to support the appeal – please text SOAR15 followed by the amount you’d like to give to 70070 (So to give £5, it’s SOAR15£5)
• Donation cheques, made payable to ‘National  Churches Trust’, with ‘ Spire Appeal ’ written on the back of the cheque, can be posted to: Save our Spires, National Churches Trust, 7 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QB

Claire Walker, CEO of the National Churches Trust said: ‘Soaring high above their surroundings, church spires were often built as an attempt to get as close to Heaven as possible. Sadly, these days many are in danger of going in the other direction.’

‘Church spires are a key feature of the UK’s landscape. It’s no surprise that many people’s favourite churches have spires, including Joanna Lumley OBE, whose favourite church is St Bride’s in the City of London, the inspiration for tiered wedding cakes and Michael Palin, one of whose favourite churches is St John’s Church in Ranmoor which has the tallest spire in Sheffield.  Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, in the last three years we have been able to help fund repairs to 17 spires in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Now, through our ‘Save our Spires’ appeal, we want to be able to continue to work with congregations and other funders to help repair more of the UK’s church spires. I also hope that in cities, towns and villages where spires are at risk, people of all faiths and none will support the fundraising efforts of local churches seeking to repair these amazing architectural achievements so that they can be enjoyed by our children and children’s children.  Great spires are important historical landmarks’

In a film about church spires, produced by the National Churches Trust and includes a case study of the crumbling spire of Christ Church, Highbury, London, Diana Evans, Head of Places of Worship Advice at Historic England, says: ‘Local congregations try to keep their spires in good condition but many congregations simply don’t have enough money to keep their spires up.’ In the film, John Goodall, Architecture Editor of Country Life says: ‘Great spires are important historical landmarks and we ought to be preserving them.’

To allow people to show why spires are such an important part of the UK’s landscape, the National Churches Trust is holding a ‘Save our Spires’ photography competition. The winner will share a £250 cash prize with their photographed church.

Photos can be uploaded to the National Churches Trust ‘Save our Spires’ webpage to the National Churches Trust Facebook page or to the National Churches Trust via Twitter @NatChurchTrust using the hashtag #saveourspires

View the save our spires webpage, details of how to donate and details of the competitions

Watch the Save Our Spires video

View the map of at church spires at risk

IHBC newsblogs on church repairs

New research at Loughborough University’s chemistry department (in conjunction with the social science department, who supervised the UK heritage crime survey) is helping to develop a chemical analysis system which can be used to assist in assessing the unique composition of stones, and identification of these traces on skin. 

Loughborough University writes:
Scientists at Loughborough University hope their early trials of a new chemical blueprint technique could assist a crackdown on stone theft. 

Rural parts of Britain have been experiencing a surge in stone thefts recently, including paving slabs and garden ornaments, and as a result, MPs have brought the issue of this new and emerging crime to Parliament’s attention.

The results of a UK heritage crime survey, supervised by Dr Louise Grove at the University’s Department of Social Sciences, and sent to those working in heritage conservation and enforcement, have indicated that stone is now the third most popular target for thieves at heritage sites behind copper and lead.  One of the main problems faced by police officers is the mammoth task of tracing unmarked stone once it has been sold on.

But Dr Paul Kelly, of the University’s Chemistry Department, said his research team are in the early stages of trialling a new technique which could prove to be a useful weapon in the fight against stone theft.

The procedure involves extracting a chemical blueprint from stone using a gelatine sheet (the sort normally used to lift developed fingerprints or footprints). The sample is then scanned using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

The group has previously shown that the LIBS/gelatine lift combination is effective in metal theft detection and can create a ‘map’ of metal traces that are present on a suspect’s hands. It is this method which Dr Kelly and his team believe has the potential to be used to trace the geographical location of stone by analysing the residual traces on the gelatine sheet.

‘We believe our non-invasive technique could provide a much needed link between suspected stolen stone and its original geographical location, but it is very early days’ said Dr Kelly.

‘This technique of lifting a sample from the surface of stone and scanning it could ultimately lead to us feeding the results into a national database, providing an indication of where geographically that sample came from. This can be done by comparing the stone samples with other stone located across the country and could prove to be a useful point of reference for those tackling stone theft.  Our preliminary work has produced some encouraging results, and it is possible that our chemical blueprint technique could be the missing piece to the stone theft puzzle.’

View the press release

IHBC NewsBlogs on heritage crime

Mosaics by Eduardo Paolozzi, which were the subject of a recent C20 society petition are to be transferred from London to Edinburgh for restoration, with around 5% then retained in the sculptor’s home town. 

Transport for London writes:
Iconic mosaic work by one of the country’s greatest post-war sculptors will be reborn, as London Underground (LU) yesterday confirmed that a number of pieces will be transferred to the Edinburgh College of Art for restoration.

Around 95% of the mosaics at the station are being retained in their original locations as the vital Tube interchange undergoes a huge expansion to meet the needs of London’s rapidly growing population. As many of the original tiles as possible, installed in 1984, have been reused, with new tiles of the same colour, produced using the same process as the originals, commissioned to replace any damaged since they were installed at the station. The famous mosaic piece from the former Oxford Street entrance will be conserved and carefully relocated within the new station.

The remainder of the mosaics will now be carefully transported to the world-renowned art institution in Eduardo Paolozzi’s home city, where he studied in 1943 and later became a visiting professor. The University Art Collection will use the mosaics in teaching students and in conservation training, and a new undergraduate programme, Edinburgh Collections, will incorporate the Paolozzi mosaics project from the next academic year. In the next few years, the pieces will be photographed and digitally mapped, allowing experts to virtually reconstruct the art work before they are physically reassembled by students, researchers and ceramics conservators for public display.

The mosaics are an important part of the Tube’s heritage and LU has worked closely with the Paolozzi Foundation, historians and design and conservation professionals, to protect and renovate them and find a fitting home for the last pieces.

Neil Lebeter, University Art Collections curator, said: `I am delighted that we are able to provide a future for this work. The mosaics will be a very important addition to the Art Collection both in terms of Paolozzi’s significance and his links to Edinburgh. We see the murals becoming an important part of the campus; a destination in the city for students and public alike. The possibilities for creative engagement through this project are hugely exciting.’

Around 150,000 people currently use Tottenham Court Road station daily, but this is expected to rise to over 200,000 when TfL-run Crossrail serves the station in 2018. The station is currently much too small for modern demand, and is being transformed with new spacious ticket halls and entrances, eight new escalators, five new lifts and other improvements. The Tube station will be part of the same complex as a brand new Crossrail station

Public art will play a prominent part of the architecture of these new combined stations, with four major pieces compared to one now. In 2016 Paolozzi’s mosaic pieces will be joined at the Underground station by major work by Daniel Buren, widely considered to be France’s greatest living artist and one of the most significant contributors to the conceptual art movement.

Buren’s colourful pieces, which play with simple concepts, including shapes, colours and his trademark stripes, will become a major feature of both the two new entrances from Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road and also feature inside the new ticket hall.

Renowned artists Douglas Gordon and Richard Wright have also been selected to create large-scale artworks in the Crossrail part of the station. Richard Wright’s commission will see gold-leaf hand-gilded on the vast ceiling above the eastern ticket hall. The pattern, which echoes the tile patterns of historic underground stations, will appear to change, fading in and out, depending on the light and viewpoint.

Douglas Gordon’s proposal for the station’s western ticket hall in Dean Street, Soho, will look to use images to evoke the history, culture and character of Soho.

Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground, said: `We’re proud of the Underground’s artistic and architectural heritage, and understand our key role in preserving this as we modernise the network and expand it so that we can meet the needs of our growing city.

`We have worked hard to ensure that 95% of the mosaics are retained at the station, and now have a fitting home for the remainder, through which the pieces will have a new lease of life.

`Tottenham Court Road station is richer for the Paolozzi mosaics, and will be even more so when they are joined by important new pieces by Daniel Buren, Douglas Gordon and Richard Wright. The fact that there will be four major pieces at the station, where now there is one, underlines our commitment to the role of truly great public art on London’s transport network.’

Toby Treves, the Paolozzi Foundation, said: `Eduardo Paolozzi was one of the most important British artists of the late twentieth century, whose art captured the breadth of the modern world. His work at Tottenham Court Road station has delighted Tube passengers for over thirty years and will continue to do so far into the future. The work with Edinburgh will provide a fitting home for the pieces that could not be accommodated at the station as it is modernised. It will also serve to further promote public appreciation of the fine arts and the extraordinary contribution of Eduardo Paolozzi’.

Henrietta Billings, Senior Conservation Adviser, Twentieth Century Society said: `It is great to see these Paolozzi mosaics given a new lease of life by the University of Edinburgh. We are very pleased that they will once again be on public display and re-erected as a major conservation project and celebration of Paolozzi’s work in Edinburgh. The processes developed will also inform the future conservation of other works of post war public art, many of which remain at risk.’

View the TfL press release

View information on the C20 campaign

IHBC newsblogs on public art

A new tool has been launched by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NAMBA) to help assess the impact of local markets on the economy, together with 6 case studies of Kingston-upon-Thames Ancient Market, Plymouth City Market, Ashton-under-Lyne market, Keswick market, Poulton-le-Fylde market and Market Harborough market. 

DCLG writes:
High Streets Minister Marcus Jones has welcomed new guidance published today (28 July 2015) that will help cities, towns and villages show the positive impact that markets can bring to their local area and economy.

Between 2012 to 2014 an estimated 1,000 people started businesses in their local market and this new guidance will provide better tools for analysing market place footfall and gauge the views of customers and traders helping market managers and operators decide which stalls will work best for them. This will not only aid in attracting modern consumers but will also help markets demonstrate the considerable contribution they make to the vibrancy of our high streets and town centres, supporting businesses, local jobs and enhancing community life.

Speaking on a visit to Plymouth City Market Marcus Jones said:  We have a proud heritage of markets in this country, but they also need to evolve with the changing high streets of today and adapt to modern technologies.  This is practical resource that will help investments in our markets both today and tomorrow and I would encourage all market managers and operators to use it.

National Association of British Market Authorities (Nabma) President, Councillor Mick Barker said: I am delighted to welcome this further addition to the range of resources that are being provided to retail markets to help them assess their performance, and show how much value they add to the local economy and community. Developed as part of our ‘Mission for Markets’ initiative, this guidance will help markets respond to the changing needs of the future.

The new ‘how to’ guidance comprises a series of assessment templates which look at:

• establishing surveys with shoppers, traders and market managers to establish the financial performance of markets
• how to record and project data on the number of people visiting or passing through a market to gain an estimate of spending customers

It was developed from work undertaken by ROI as part of their ‘Mission for Markets’ programme that examined the performance of 6 different markets, including Plymouth City Market included as an example of an indoor general market.

Plymouth City Market is a long-established, large and varied market open 6 days per week. Managed by Plymouth city council, the market is home to 150 stalls and 40 shops and a £3.5 million investment scheme has recently been confirmed to make some necessary modernisation to the building.

View the press release

View more information about NAMBA

View the case study publications

The latest House of Commons briefing paper concerns planning reforms in England, and gives an overview of current legislation, planned changes and manifesto commitments in this area. 

The authors write:
Reforms aimed at making the planning system quicker and simpler to use are high on the Government’s agenda, as set out in the Productivity Plan. The Conservative Party’s manifesto and new legislation announced in the May 2015 Queen’s Speech also propose changes. This note sets out both the outstanding reforms from the former Government and these new proposals. 

The Conservative Party 2015 Manifesto document contained several planning commitments, including proposals to ‘change the law so that local people have the final say on windfarm applications’ and to ‘let local people have more say on local planning and let them vote on local issues.’

In the Queen’s speech on 27 May 2015 two new bills were announced which would make changes to planning law: a Housing Bill which would introduce a statutory register for brownfield land and make changes to neighbourhood planning law; and an Energy Bill, which would remove certain onshore wind farms from the nationally significant development consent process. Instead of the final decision on development consent being taken by the Secretary of State, it would return these onshore wind projects to the planning application process where the decision is taken by the local planning authority in the first instance.

The Government’s July 2015 Productivity Plan, Fixing the Foundations: Creating a more prosperous nation, contained a number of proposed planning reforms including:

1. intervention by the Secretary of State over the production of local plans where local authorities are judged to be too slow;
2. a zonal system for brownfield land creating automatic permission for housing;
3. a tighter planning performance regime designed to encourage faster planning application processing times; and
4. new legislation to allow major infrastructure projects with ‘an element’ of housing to be considered as part of the Planning Act 2008 development consent regime.

The former Government made some major reforms to the planning system, with the introduction of the Localism Act 2011 and the National Planning Policy Framework. Changes were also made in the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013, and in the Infrastructure Act 2015, aimed at speeding up the planning system.

Outside of these Acts the former Government made a number of other announcements on planning reform, which have not yet been implemented. It is not yet known whether the new Government will continue to take all of these further. These outstanding proposals stem from Budget 2015, the Technical Consultation on Planning July 2014, Consultation: planning and travellers, September 2014, National Infrastructure Plan 2014 and Autumn Statement 2014, December 2014, which include:

• a proposed new permitted development right for the drilling of boreholes for groundwater monitoring for petroleum exploration (including for shale gas exploration);
• amending the definition of ‘travellers’ for planning purposes; and
• whether to extend the current temporary change of use permitted development right to convert office space into residential dwellings.

Since the May 2015 general election Brandon Lewis MP has been reappointed to his role as planning Minister in this new Parliament. Rt Hon Greg Clark has replaced Rt Hon Eric Pickles as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

This note sets out more information about the key planning reform announcements and an overview the proposals. Most of the proposals would apply to England only. 

Download the briefing

A historic mill which dates from 1806 and has been adapted for use to form a hub for arts, enterprise and tourism has been praised by the Northern Ireland government. 

The Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) writes:
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today visited Raceview Mill, Broughshane to see at first hand its restoration work.  Raceview Mill dates back to 1806. It is presently a centre for arts and crafts, enterprise and tourism.

The Minister also officially opened a new Hedgehog Habitat at the site.  Mark H Durkan said: ‘Raceview Mill is a shining example of how we can preserve our historic past for generations to come. It is a new innovative centre emerging from an old industrial building.  I was privileged to meet some of the entrepreneurs who have ensured that this is now a hub for arts and crafts, enterprise and tourism.

‘Preservation doesn’t just come in bricks and mortar though. We need to preserve our animal kingdom as well. I very much welcome the new Hedgehog Habitat at this site as it will encourage young and old alike to protect this gardener’s friend. There were 36.5million hedgehogs in the 1950s in the UK. There are fewer than one million now. The statistics speak for themselves. We need to wake up to this before hedgehogs disappear. I commend Raceview Mill for taking a lead in this and encourage others to provide similar hedgehog habitats.’

View the DoENI press release

View more information about the mill at raceviewmill.com

The latest strategy for the promotion of tourism in the UK has been introduced, which is a 5 point plan designed to help the needs of the growing tourism industry and also encourage tourism outwith London.

DCMS writes:
The Prime Minister today announced the government’s new Five Point Plan to boost tourism right across the UK – spreading the benefits of one of our fastest growing sectors beyond the capital, helping to create jobs and rebalance the economy.

A new inter-ministerial group will be formed to co-ordinate and align action across government to ensure that we have the right infrastructure in place to make it easy for visitors to discover the best of what this country has to offer.

The group, headed by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, and including ministers from across government, including the Department for Communities and Local Government, BIS, DEFRA, Home Office, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will focus on five key areas:

• A better co-ordinated sector: the sector is too fragmented – we want to see local attractions and tourism organisations collaborating to grow the sector for everyone not competing.
• Skills and jobs: Driving and retaining talent in the sector to encourage growth
• Common sense regulation: Reforming regulation sensibly to drive competition and improve the tourism offer for visitors
• Transport: Forging innovative links between the transport and tourism sectors to help visitors travel outside of the capital
• An improved welcome: Delivering a world class welcome at the Border

Ministers from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments are also invited to join the group when relevant.

The Prime Minister has also announced:

• A £1 million ‘Rail for Tourism innovation’ competition, which will call for ideas to transform the travel experience for visitors to the UK and make exploring the UK by rail more attractive to tourists. The competition will be run by the RSSB’s Future Railways Programme, and winners will receive funding to develop their ideas and carry out trials.

The plan will build upon the enormous success of the 2011 tourism strategy, which culminated in a record year for overseas visitors in 2014 and now sees the industry contribute £60 billion to the UK economy a year. By opening up new experiences to tourists, we can build on this and ensure more visitors travel outside London and experience the very best of Britain.

Continuing his visit to the South West today the Prime Minister, David Cameron, said:  Millions of overseas tourists visit the UK every year and most take in the sights of London. But Britain has so much more to offer, from the Cornish Riviera to the Scottish Highlands and everything in between.  For many areas tourism is a key industry bringing jobs, growth and security for working people. Tourism supports almost one in 10 jobs in the UK and we want to rebalance the economy to make sure this boost is felt right across the country.

Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, said:  Tourism is a vital industry that brings jobs and growth to local economies across Britain. There are so many world-class things to see and do in the UK, and we need to make sure visitors are experiencing as many of them as possible.  I am delighted to chair this new group which will put tourism at the heart of government and help to ensure that every part of the UK benefits by co-ordinating action across Government. We want every visitor to the UK, whether from home or abroad, to have a brilliant experience and shout about it, encouraging even more tourists to choose Britain.

The plan and funding announced today is in addition to new funds announced in March to boost tourism in both the South-West and the North. The £5 million fund for the South-West will position the area as a must-see destination, generating an additional £60 million in additional visitor spending, creating up to 1000 jobs and incentivising local partners to work together on improving the experience for visitors to the region. It will also be used to promote the South West in the USA and encourage greater connectivity to the region from the United States.

There is a £10 million fund to support Northern destinations to attract international visitors from around the world and ensure the North is on the map as a top tourist destination – a key part of our plan to build a Northern Powerhouse.

Tourism has grown quickly since the government’s previous tourism strategy in 2011. The direct contribution of the tourism sector to the economy in 2014 was almost £60 billion – up a fifth since 2010. Last year, international visitors spent a record £21.8 billion in local economies across the country, with nearly every region seeing a rise in visitor numbers or spend. In 2013, it was estimated that 9% of jobs in the UK were in tourism-related industries and jobs in the sector were growing at almost double the rate of other industries.

View the DCMS press release

Download the Five Point Plan

IHBC NewsBlogs on tourism

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have been hosting events designed to explore the arguments around the need for a spatial strategy for the North of England, leading up to a ‘Northern Summit’ in 2016, together with a call for evidence for everyone who has an interest in this matter to submit by 30 September. 

The RTPI writes:
Some 200 business and public policy leaders have attended roundtable events in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle to discuss what a strategic spatial planning framework for the north of England should be like, what its scope should be, and how it should be developed.

Roundtable events Manchester and Hull will continue to place over the summer, which will culminate in a ‘Northern Summit’ early next year.  The Northern Summit project is spearheaded by the RTPI in partnership with IPPR North to get the momentum behind developing the most appropriate approach to developing a strategic spatial planning framework across the North of England.

Bob Wolfe, Chair of the Northern Summit Project Board, discusses the origins of the project and shares his impressions on some of the ideas emerging from the roundtables in a blog.

From now to 30 September 2015, we are calling for evidence. Businesses, planners, academics, local councils, civil society groups – indeed, anyone living or working in the north of England – is invited to share their thoughts about whether we need a Great North Plan, and their ideas about what it should look like.

For further information visit the #GreatNorthPlan website.

Submissions and inquiries should be sent by email to infrastructure@ippr.org. 

View the RTPI press release

See more information on the ‘Great North Plan’ at greatnorthplan.com

View the RTPI blog on the ‘evolution of devolution’

View the call for evidence on the Institute for Public Policy Research website

Households with incomes higher than £45, 000 a year (1) are the most able to access beautiful places and green spaces, according to a new report from the independent think tank ResPublica, which includes a call for VAT relief on refurbishment costs, where a community calls for or takes a lead on improvement to a building.

‘A Community Right to Beauty’ is based on a poll of 2,164 people on their access to beautiful surroundings.

ResPublica writes:
Authors say the law must be changed to end this injustice.

Caroline Julian, report co-author and Deputy Director of ResPublica, says being surrounded by beauty should be a right for all not just for the privileged: ‘Our public poll is damning. It shows we are singularly failing the poor. A staggeringly high household income, more than £10, 000 above the national average (2), gives you better access to beautiful surroundings.’

‘This inequality has a significant impact on health and wellbeing as well as the way people behave within communities. Those who are surrounded by beauty are more likely to take care of it, become more involved in their communities. Uglier places see higher levels of anti-social behaviour, crime and more litter. We have to create a system by which we all have a Right to Beauty.’

Kevin McCloud MBE, designer, writer and presenter of Channel 4’s ‘Grand Designs’, commented: ‘We all of us instinctively recognise when someone, something or somewhere is beautiful. And we all have a right to it. Admittedly we’re all a little clumsy in our use of the language of beauty in the 21st century, but if we are to preserve such beauty as we have in our natural and built environments and if we are to see yet more of it in those places (and by the same token, see less ugliness) then we must clamorously shout out for it.’

‘We should demand more beauty in our parks, streets and housing because it is good for our souls and good for our health and our well-being.  This landmark report sets out how we can achieve that: by tidying up what we have, by democratising the Right to Beauty, safeguarding the cherished and valued of the everyday and by demanding that the word Beauty, and all that it magically means, are equitably woven through our planning system, our architecture and our built world.’

The report also found that less than half of those living in social rented housing, 45%, felt they had the same access to beauty.

Less litter was most commonly mentioned as the most important factor in making an area beautiful (36%). Less crime, vandalism and graffiti was mentioned by 35% and 23% said fewer vacant and run-down buildings was the most important factor in making their local area more beautiful.

To remedy inequalities, authors make a series of recommendations including:

Power to the people:

* The public should have the power to choose their preferred design and developer. Communities should be consulted on proposed new developments, a range of options should be subject to a local vote.

*Citizens’ Juries would oversee problematic developments. Residents supported by experts working within a public budget would make decisions that the local authority would be bound by.

*A Community Right to Reclaim land should be extended to buildings and other local assets to enable the public to challenge authorities to improve derelict or unsightly developments.

Financial incentives:

*To incentivise visual improvements that communities want there should be Capital Gains Tax relief for developers.

*VAT relief on refurbishment costs, where a community calls for or takes a lead on improvement to a building. For buildings listed as ‘Local Beauty Assets’ (see below) the relief should be greater.

*A system similar to Business Rates Retention, which helps economic growth, should be used to recognise the value a beautiful development adds to an area.

New areas of beauty:

*Areas of Outstanding Urban Beauty: Similar to Conservation Areas these would recognise beauty that isn’t just historic or green.

*Buildings, areas and spaces with local importance should be labelled ‘Local Beauty Assets’ and preserved and maintained.

*Areas without much visual appeal should be designated Community Improvement Districts. In these areas communities would be empowered to demand policies to tackle problems such as Litter Abatement Orders where litter is an issue.

Read the press release

Communities Secretary Greg Clark has allowed on appeal controversial proposals for a facility where beagles will be bred for use in animal experiments at Grimston near Hull originally refused by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The scheme involves listed building consent.

The inspector who held the recovered appeal had recommended that listed building consent should be allowed but argued that full planning permission for the erection of a new building and the demolition of existing buildings at the site should not be permitted.

Clark concluded that the scheme should be allowed as it was broadly in line with development plan policies and the harm to heritage assets would be of a low order.

View the decision