IHBC NewsBlogs

The IHBC is delighted to co-sponsor, with BEFS and others, the forthcoming ‘Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts…’ (RSA) heritage session at its ‘Festival of Ideas’, to be held 20-21 March in Edinburgh, featuring debate and discussion with internationally acclaimed speakers as well as IHBC members.

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘We are particularly pleased to support this event and help bring high profile speakers – including Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture from 2010 to 2014, and Piet Jaspaert for EUROPA NOSTRA – to generate quality debates around heritage topics among the widest audience.  Early booking is highly recommended!’

RSA Scotland Chairman Ann Packard said: ‘This session has been made possible by the much valued generosity of IHBC, BEFS and others, demonstrating high levels of purposeful collaboration within the sector.  Particular thanks must go to BEFS and IHBC for contributions towards speaker travel and overnight costs. We look forward very much to welcoming IHBC members and supporters to the Festival.’

The heritage session of the Festival of Ideas is organised by the RSA Fellows ‘Media, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage’ (MCICH) Network, as part of a 36-hour Festival of Ideas in the St Stephen Centre, St Stephen’s Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Invited speakers include:

• Francesco Bandarin – UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture from 2010 to 2014, and is now Professor of Urban Planning at the University Institute of Architecture of Venice. He was formerly Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Secretary of the World Heritage Committee. He is trained as an Architect (Venice 1975) and Urban Planner (UC Berkeley 1977) and has pursued an academic career as Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Venice (IUAV) and a professional career as consultant for international organizations in the field of urban conservation and development. He was actively involved in the Venice Safeguarding Project and in the preparation of Rome for the year 2000 Jubilee. As Director of the World Heritage Centre he promoted the revision of the UNESCO recommendations on historic cities, and has contributed to development of the debate on the role of contemporary architecture in historic cities, on the management of their social and physical changes and on the role of communities in the conservation of historic values.
• Piet Jaspaert (Brussels) on behalf of EUROPA NOSTRA: he has been a Board Member of Europa Nostra for six years.  A graduate in Political and Social Sciences (Ghent University 1972) and the Eisenhower Fellows (Philadelphia, USA, 1990), Piet started his career as a language professor in Brussels. After being the first lay spokesman for the Diocese of Antwerp for two years, he became the first Director of the Cultural Center of Hasselt, a position held for 14 years. In 1986, he joined the Kredietbank and, later, the KBC as Director of Communication & Marketing. The Flemish Government has called upon him to take on national tasks, such as the Presidency of (i) the Youth Council and (ii) the Advisory Board for Theatre and Tourism Vlaanderen. He returned to the heritage sector, taking responsibility for organisations such as VCM, Erfgoed Vlaanderen and, more recently, HERITA. In 1989 he was one of the three founders of Heritage Days in Flanders. On his retirement from KBC, he accepted the position as President 2003-2013 of JEP (Jury for Ethical Practices in Advertising). He became Vice-president of EASA – European Organisation for Self-regulation in the Advertising World (2009-2013). In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of (i) Concertgebouw Brugge, (ii) Cultureel Centrum Leuven, (iii) Festival van Vlaanderen Brussel (iv) La Petite Bande and (v) Kom op tegen kanker. In 1986, Her Majesty The Queen of The Netherlands appointed him Officer in The Order of Orange-Nassau for his commitment to the cultural cooperation between Belgium and The Netherlands. He was also appointed Commander in The Order of King Leopold

Other subjects being covered include’

• the Future of Festivals Funding in Scotland
• a presentation on the 20th on Creativity by Professor Pier Luigi Sacco (IULM, Milan) and on the 21st
• Surveillance & Privacy
• Land Use including shale gas and Devolution to Communities
• Professor Jeffery will address ‘The General Election and the Union’.

The event takes place at Edinburgh’s St Stephen Centre, St Stephen’s Street, Stockbridge EH3 5AB

St Stephen’s Street, Stockbridge is easily accessed by Lothian bus routes 23, 24, 27, 29, 36 and 42.

For full information re registration and ticket purchase see the website

For the RSA see www.theRSA.org

If you run a heritage based business but are not taking the opportunity to be listed on the IHBC’s HESPR scheme, you may be missing out on the many benefits this brings, including regular bulletins of current tender opportunities in all areas of conservation-related practice, and sometimes running into the millions! 

IHBC’s HESPR (Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition) is a quality assurance and promotional service for businesses that work to conservation and service standards expected by the IHBC.   Practices recognised under the IHBC’s HESPR agree to observe the institute’s standards through maintaining a corporate link to the IHBC in the person of their Designated Service Adviser, a nominated Full Member of the IHBC, agreed by the IHBC.

Tasters of headline projects offered in the current update include:

• Historic battlefield research (£8000-10,000)
• Consultancy work relating to HLF funded community projects
• Renovation of a Grade 2 listed former library (£100,000)
• Interdisciplinary conference on Anglican church interiors (£8000-12,500)
• Quantity surveying to the Mackintosh Restoration Project
• A framework agreement to cover the supply of Architectural design, survey work and other advisory services at the British Museum (£700,000-1,250,000) 

If projects such as these – and a huge range of others – might be of interest to your practice or employment, take a closer look at HESPR and how to join. 

Benefits of HESPR listing include:

• Searchable online service with hosted and managed web pages for each HESPR business, containing full contact details and links
• Web links from IHBC’s Home Page, the starting point for IHBC’s 30000 page web resource with 1/4million hits per month
• HESPR company listings published in IHBC’s Yearbook, circulation 5000+ (including planning authorities & other heritage regulators and leaders)
• Free tender notification service (see archive )
• One free ‘Jobs etc.’ advert, social networks & email package p.a. (worth up to £400)
• Dedicated search facility for HESPR-related events on IHBC’s events calendar (email for details)
• HESPR fliers circulated at select IHBC events, such as the IHBC’s Annual School, and IHBC-partnered events
• HESPR promotion on IHBC networks, including social media 

NB: IHBC Full membership of a staff member is a pre-requisite of HESPR listing

Check out our members and services on offer at HESPR

See other benefits  & How to join HESPR

A new video has been added to the IHBC’s You Tube channel, with students attending the IHBC’s Course Connections Day, held last November in Birmingham, talking about their background and courses. 

We asked those who attended to tell us how they got into historic buildings as a career choice, and what they were studying on their course.

The video reveals the huge diversity of career paths taken by conservation practitioners, current and future, as well as the passion felt for their work.

Many thanks to those who featured in the video.

View the video

More on the November 2014 Course Connection Day

IHBC learning opportunities

A proposal for a business park near Coventry Airport, previously approved by neighbouring Coventry City Council and Warwick District Council has been refused after call in by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who assessed that the overall proposal would ‘give rise to substantial Green Belt harm’ (para. 32 of decision notice).

IHBC members may also be interested to note that section 18 of the decision letter relates to heritage matters, with the assessment that the ‘overall degree of harm to the significance of Lunt Fort would be slight and certainly less than substantial’.   Landscape reports were developed assessing any potential impact on the heritage walk at Lunt fort (para 198), and the effects on nearby conservation areas assessed, with no objections from English Heritage received (para. 96).  The heritage assessment concluded that the development proposal did not directly affect any designated heritage asset (para. 266-280).

The letter summarises the decision made thus: ‘taking all of the benefits of the proposed development into account, both on an individual basis and cumulatively, the harm to the Green Belt has not been clearly outweighed, and very special circumstances do not exist to justify allowing the inappropriate development’ (para. 33).

Coventry and Warwickshire LEP writes:
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: ‘We are extremely disappointed and perplexed that this decision has been made by the minister, and we wait to see what decision the developers plan to do in terms of continuing to take the plans forward.  The LEP has long-viewed Gateway as a nationally-significant employment site in Coventry and Warwickshire – with real potential of attracting major development from inward investors and expanding companies.

‘We believe the case is very strong to bring this development forward, and both local authorities directly involved also gave it the green light.  In fact, the case for development has been strengthened during that time by the positive take-up of other key employment sites meaning this development has even more significance.

‘Around 10,000 jobs could be created at Gateway which will allow us to continue to build a successful and vibrant economy – the whole reason for the existence of the LEP.  The CWLEP has backed the Gateway’s plans since we came into force in 2011 because we firmly believe this would have further strengthened Coventry and Warwickshire’s reputation as a driving economic force in the UK as the heartbeat of the technology, manufacturing and logistics sectors.’ 

Read the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP statement 

Download the decision letter 

IHBC members who deal with procurement for construction works will be interested in the newly launched Local Government Association (LGA) local government construction procurement strategy, which has been praised by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), who note that the changes should help small and medium enterprises compete more readily. 

Members may also be interested to note the figures wihin the report on the top 20 house builders by size, leading construction companies and businesses by turnover. 

The (LGA) writes:
Local Government Association’s (LGA) newly launched local government construction procurement strategy sets the framework for improving public procurement for small and micro firms, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The LGA launched the Construction Category Strategy earlier this month. It is intended to support a more focused approach to what is a key spending area for local government and a major source of employment across the country. The LGA hopes the strategy will highlight new developments and ideas which can help to support improved procurement practices, collaboration and strategic co-ordination of the local government’s annual spending on construction.

After commissioning a report into procurement, the LGA launched its National Procurement Strategy (NPS) in 2014. Construction was selected as a priority category as part of work underpinning the NPS. It identifies what is needed under four themes: maximising savings, supporting local economies, modernisation and demonstrating leadership.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: ‘Local government wants to build long-term partnerships with suppliers who we believe can help us deliver significant local growth, increased skills and jobs. The Strategy is the first step in addressing the need for a strong collaboration between industry and local government to make sure that local people have the skills required to deliver these projects.  The strategy outlines a general ‘call to arms’ for local government so as to enable increased efficiencies through collaboration and partnering. Construction permeates virtually all other industries, is a major source of employment and is a foundation of a prosperous society.’

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: ‘With 41 per cent of construction SMEs failing to win nine out of 10 public sector contracts they bid for, the Local Government Association (LGA) focus on making procurement processes more SME-friendly is extremely welcome. The new Strategy, which is the first of its kind, is right to highlight how increasing the amount of construction work awarded to construction SMEs is key to maximising local economic growth. I urge all local authorities to analyse their own processes against the key objectives contained within the Strategy and ensure their own approach isn’t needlessly blocking small firms.’

Berry concluded: ‘When it comes to applying pro-SME procurement practices, some local authorities are better than others so the work the LGA does to provide an overarching set of principles is crucial. Relatively simple changes – such as always using PAS 91 as the basis for any construction pre-qualification questionnaires – can make a huge difference to reducing the bureaucratic burden on SMEs and encouraging more small firms to bid for public sector contracts.’

View the news article

Download the strategy 

IHBC newsblogs on procurement

IHBC newsblogs on construction

The third meeting of the Place Alliance’s Big Meet, sponsored by the IHBC and to be addressed by culture Minister Ed Vaizey, will take place in on 24 February at University College London.

IHBC Education Secretary David McDonald said: ‘The IHBC is delighted to be able to play such a positive enabling role in this critical new initiative that has arisen out of the Farrell Review.  As conservation is acknowledged by the Review as being central to the place management processes on which it focused, it is only right that, as IHBC is the UK’s lead conservation body for places, we should step forward with our support to help progress the kind supportive partnerships for which our heritage sector is especially well respected.’

The Place Alliance writes:

THE PLACE ALLIANCE: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
A new movement
Brings together organisations and individuals who share a belief that the quality of the built environment – the places in which we live work and play – has a profound influence on people’s lives. We believe that through collaboration we can create and maintain better places. To this end, we share knowledge and support each other to demand and realize buildings, streets and spaces that enhance the quality of life for all.

Our vision is:

1. That place quality has a value that is recognised by all
2. That the quality of buildings, streets, and spaces is always given a high priority by those who have the power to shape them
3. That national and local government recognises the vital contribution of the quality of place to the economic, social and cultural life of the nation and to achieving environmental sustainability
4. That the professionals responsible for making and managing places, work constructively together and with local communities to shape high quality local environments.

Place quality refers to:
The recognisable and desirable qualities that the most successful parts of our villages, towns and cities share. They are: friendly (open, cherished and characterful); fair (inclusive, healthy and low impact); flourishing (adaptable, dynamic and diverse); fun (vibrant, playful and stimulating); and free (safe, accessible and democratic) (see Place Matters).

The Place Alliance aims to:

• Inspire and raise aspirations for places.
• Support dialogue and collaboration to improve place quality
• Build and share evidence, knowledge and resources
• Influence policy, practice and behaviour to achieve better place quality
• Be open and accessible to all interested individuals and organisations.

Download the details of BigMeet3

For more background see IHBC NewsBlogs

These seminars will address current and contentious topics within the historic built environment, fostering academic dialogue, professional practice, and providing an arena in which the public, private, civic and academic sectors can engage in heated and healthy debate about all aspects of the topic in hand. 

Tomorrow’s seminar:

• 19 February Dave Chetwyn, Urban Vision Enterprise CIC, on Living Heritage – planning for the 21^st century (kindly sponsored by the IHBC)

Further details….

IHBC NewsBlog on these seminars

The IHBC has welcomed the news that the UK EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) at University College London’s Institute for Sustainable Heritage, has new opportunities in heritage science, with a deadline of 1 March.

SEAHA writes:
SEAHA will support your career along three typical Paths.  We have started recruitment for our 2015/2016 studentships, please continue to check the website over the coming weeks for new opportunities.  Information on how to apply can be found in the project adverts below. You may also wish to consider registering your interest by sending an email to the SEAHA Manager.

Current opportunities available to start in 2015:

• ‘Comparison of painting lining methods for historic house environments’
• ‘Spectrally dependent light sensitivity of modern materials’
• ‘Extracting epidemiological data from collections’
• ‘Strain modeling in historical tapestries’
• ‘Dynamic Equilibrium methods used in fabric simulations’
• ‘Hyperspectral imaging for heritage: From books to bricks’

The UK EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) is an 8 year initiative (2014 -2022) to establish an infrastructure to meet challenges set by the heritage sector, industry and government.  Working with heritage and industry partners, SEAHA students will create, innovate or use sensors, instrumentation, imaging, digital and creative technologies to improve our understanding of heritage, to develop science and engineering capabilities and to benefit the economy.

Any enquiries should be emailed to Selina McCarthy, SEAHA Centre Manager, UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, Central House (manager@seahacdt.ac.uk)

For more information on SEAHA, please visit the website

View more details on the studentships

See more about the students

Institute for Sustainable Heritage

IHBC learning opportunities

IHBC members who work in the construction field may be interested in the new datasets being collected by the ONS, whose latest survey work of 40,000 businesses in manufacturing, energy production, construction and waste collection aims to quantify the contribution of the green economy to society.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) writes:
How many UK businesses are involved in the production of low carbon and renewable energy and how much does the sector contribute to the economy as a whole? The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is launching a major new survey that will assess the value of the ‘green economy’.

The Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economic Survey is part of ONS’s work to value areas of the economy not captured by traditional indicators. Its findings can help to inform policies on jobs, growth and investment.

Glenn Everett, Director of the Measuring National Well-being programme, said: ‘The use of green energy is rising and is now around six times higher than it was two decades ago. ONS’s mission is to create the most comprehensive picture of the UK economy, so it’s important to measure the impact this growing sector is having.’

In 2012, 9.6 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) of energy was consumed from renewable and waste sources, 4.5% of total energy consumption in the UK. This has grown steadily from 1.3 Mtoe 1990.

The new survey has been welcomed by many involved in the environment sector, who say it will provide important information.  Will McDowall, from University College London’s Energy Institute said:  ‘This new survey will provide much-needed, robust evidence on the strength, size and dynamics of Britain’s low-carbon and renewable energy sectors. It will provide crucial insight into understanding how the UK economy is responding to the challenges of developing new, low-carbon and renewable energy industries.’

View the ONS news release and more information on the surveys

Browse current ONS statistic sets by theme

IHBC newsblogs on energy 

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced the latest successful awards under the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funding scheme, and the IHBC is delighted to report that IHBC members were key to successful bids in Wales and elsewhere, spurring heritage-led regeneration practice that can be highlighted at the IHBC’s stand at Regen 2015, in Liverpool on 24-5 March. 

IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘We are delighted to hear of the dedicated work by IHBC members producing successful applications for funding.  In many of these cases IHBC members are using their skills to help advise as part of their statutory duties, but also going beyond that duty to seeking out ways to support the regeneration and long term sustainability of local communities and the historic environment.’

‘We are delighted to welcome the funding for successful bids throughout the UK, as this HLF funding is often the key to the regeneration of historic areas, providing critical support for repairs, unlocking new business spaces and opportunities, and upskilling heritage skills among local tradespeople.’

‘Be assured that we will be promoting our members’ roles in successes such as these at our stand at the regeneration sector’s key event this year, Regen 2015, in Liverpool’s St George’s Hall on March 24-5, so please be sure to encourage all your colleagues along there to find out more!’

The HLF writes:
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced an investment of £19.3m in 13 historic areas spread across England, Scotland and Wales.

This money will encourage effective partnerships between local authorities and small businesses so that repairs and restoration work can be carried out.

HLF’s regeneration advisor, Ben Greener, said: ‘Regeneration involves transforming places. Heritage is often central to this process, whether in the form of restoring a much-loved landmark or refurbishing boarded-up buildings.

‘We believe that historic townscapes are the beating heart of local places. Past research shows that even small changes, such as improving shop fronts or restoring a building’s historic features, can make a real difference.’

This investment will provide an economic boost and vital employment and training opportunities, from start-up spaces for small businesses to enhanced public places for residents and visitors. The uniting factor in all the schemes is that they are part of a wider strategy for improving the UK’s high streets and conservation areas.

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: ‘We know from the pride and enthusiasm that people have for their high streets that they are an essential part of many communities. Projects like these can bring enormous benefits to town centres and provide a catalysis for wider regeneration that creates more businesses and jobs.’

The successful projects are:

• Boston Townscape Heritage Project, East Midlands – earmarked grant of £1m, including £73,000 development funding
• Wisbech High Street Project, East of England – earmarked grant of £2m, including £108,600 development funding
• Barking Town Centre Conservation Area, London – earmarked grant of £1.4m, including £101,400 development funding
• NE1 Bigg Market Project – Giving a Historic Heart Back to Newcastle, North East – earmarked grant of £1.8m, including £202,800 development funding
• Skelton Villages Civic Pride Community-led Townscape Heritage, North East – earmarked grant of £1m, including £94,800 development funding
• Gladstone’s View – Northgate Townscape Heritage Project, Blackburn, North West – earmarked grant of £1.5m, including £50,000 development funding
• Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative, Scotland – earmarked grant of  £1.8m, including £50,000 development funding
• Fraserburgh Town Centre Heritage Regeneration Scheme, Scotland – earmarked grant of  £1.8m, including £58,000 development funding
• Paisley Town Centre Townscape Heritage Project, Scotland – earmarked grant of  £2m, including £113,300 development funding
• Holyhead Townscape Transformation, Wales – earmarked grant of £1.6m, including £39,000 development funding
• Dolgellau Townscape Heritage, Wales – earmarked grant of £1m, including £31,400 development funding
• Dudley Historic Core Townscape Heritage Scheme, West Midlands – earmarked grant of £1.2m, including £44,000 development funding
• Bridlington Quay Townscape Heritage Initiative, Yorkshire – earmarked grant of £981,500, including £50,700 development funding

The Isle of Anglesey County Council writes:
A major project to restore Wales’s oldest port town is in line for a massive £1.55 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For almost 2,000 years Holyhead, on Anglesey, has been a safe haven for Roman galleys, Viking longships, Irish ferries and tourist cruise ships and the grant is one of only two successful applications in Wales.

The money committed will continue a significant makeover of the town centre which has been carried out through the Holyhead Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) delivered by Isle of Anglesey County Council.

It has already seen the conservation of the listed Cenotaph, the installation of a memorial to the Dutch sailors who served in the port during the Second World War and the regeneration of important historic buildings in the town, including the former Kwik Save on Market Street, 1 Stanley Terrace and the Empire Cinema, amongst others.

The THI has also supported the training of local construction tradesmen in traditional building skills to enable them to carry out building conservation work.

The Lottery money will be added to £900,000 already committed by the Welsh Government and other funders, to take the total amount to be spent in Holyhead over the next four years to over £2.5 million.

Holyhead Councillor J Arwel Roberts, Deputy Leader of the Isle of Anglesey Council and Portfolio-holder for Planning and the Environment, said: ‘I’m delighted that we have been successful in securing this major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  This will enable us to build on the excellent work already done in the town and which is hugely significant not just for Holyhead but for Anglesey and for North Wales.

‘Holyhead has a rich culture and history and it continues to be an important port and this project can bring more homes and jobs to the town and make the centre a vibrant place once more.’

Albert Owen, MP for Anglesey, said: ‘This is wonderful news. Out of 30 applications across the UK only 13 were granted this year and only two of them in Wales, with Holyhead as one, so it was highly competitive.  It will allow the continuation of the work that has been done in Holyhead and fund more housing and mixed use projects in the town centre.

‘The Welsh Government money is from their Viable and Vibrant Places programme and must be spent over the next two years’.

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty Lesley Griffiths said: ‘The Heritage Lottery Fund’s decision to invest £1.55 million in Holyhead is further fantastic news for the area.  This funding will complement the £7.5 million investment by the Welsh Government to regenerate Holyhead and support our vision for communities across Wales to be vibrant, viable places to live, work and socialise.’

A number of properties are targeted within the town centre conservation area and the project will see the Council working with the private sector to create homes, finding new uses for the historic properties while involving Mon Communities First to create apprenticeships and training opportunities, leading to potential jobs.

A number of long term derelict properties will be targeted including 3, Market Hill and the former Crown Restaurant site, which will complement other initiatives planned for the former Market Hall and the enhancement of St Cybi’s Roman Fort and its surroundings.

Holyhead builders DU Construction have taken advantage of the opportunities to train staff in traditional building skills through the nine of the workforce have been on courses.

DU Director Mark Blackwell has sent nine of his workforce on a variety of courses and he said: ‘It has meant we are now able to take on work which we previously would have been unable to carry out and been able to use these skills on those jobs.  Our staff have been on a number of different courses in traditional skills and now that we have the ability to work with materials like lead on roofs and with sash windows and lime mortar we can take on this sort of work.

‘It means that not only can we carry out work here on Anglesey but also across North Wales and that means jobs and apprenticeships here.’

Jennifer Stewart, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales, said ‘I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to give this initial support to the Holyhead Townscape Transformation project.  We’ve supported regeneration projects in the town in the past and have seen wonderful developments in recent years.  We want to help provide an economic boost to Holyhead, helping them to work with small businesses and communities to protect and bring alive their distinctive heritage and buildings – these buildings make up the very fabric of history.’ 

View the news release

HLF information on THI’s 

IHBC newsblogs on funding

IHBC newsblogs on heritage skills 

IHBC at Regen 2015

‘Regen 2015’: www.regen-2015.com

Lord Young, Enterprise advisor to the Prime Minister, has launched a report that reviews the changing face of small businesses in the UK over the past 5 years, with case studies and a review of changes to business legislation and education support measures, changes that may well help small businesses operating on the IHBC’s listing of conservation service providers, ‘HESPR’.

The survey highlights that there are now 5.2 million small firms in the UK which account for 48% of employment and 33% of private sector turnover.  Of particular interest to IHBC members may be the case studies (one featuring a surveyor and another of business who works with ‘pop up’ shops to make it easy to find premises) as well as information on recent changes to tendering procedures and ways of accessing finance for smaller firms.

If you are a provider of services relating to the conservation of the historic environment you may wish to consider joining the IHBC’s HESPR service (Historic Environment Service Providers Recognition). 

The benefits to a small business of joining HESPR include:

• Searchable online service with hosted and managed web pages for each HESPR business, containing full contact details and links
• Web links from IHBC’s Home Page, the starting point for IHBC’s 30000 page web resource with 1/4million hits per month
• HESPR company listings published in IHBC’s Yearbook, circulation 5000+ (including planning authorities & other heritage regulators and leaders)
• Free tender notification service (see archive)
• One free ‘Jobs etc.’ advert & email package p.a. (worth up to £400)
• Dedicated search facility for HESPR-related events on IHBC’s events calendar (email for details)
• HESPR fliers circulated at select IHBC events, such as the IHBC’s Annual School, and IHBC-partnered events
• HESPR promotion on IHBC networks, including social media etc 

Download the small businesses report 

Find out more about HESPR and the benefits of joining

Local Listed Building Consent orders (LLBCO’s) are to be implemented in the Little Germany conservation area of Bradford city, which the local press are reporting as the first area of the UK to adopt such measures, with the background summarised below for the convenience of IHBC members.

LLBCO’s were introduced under the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (ERR) Act 2013, and allow specified changes to take place without the need to apply for listed building consent.  The Little Germany LLBCO covers conversion works to alter the ground, basement, upper floors and roof spaces to residential, office, retail and leisure uses, subject to specified conditions within the Order, together with submission of an LLBCO Notice with heritage impact assessment and detailed programme of works.

Bradford City Council writes that the reasoned justification for the implementation of the order is as follows:  ‘The listed office and warehouse buildings of Little Germany are of largely homogeneous character, in terms of age, architectural style, building materials, architectural designers, original use and significance. A holistic rather than piecemeal approach to their regeneration will be by far the most effective tool for achieving the aspirations of the owners, existing residents and users, and that of the Local Authority. It will also be the most effective way in which the Local Authority can comply with its duty to preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the buildings which are the subject of the Order.’ (section 7 of the report to Executive committee).

View the Telegraph and Argus articles about the implementation of the LLBCO:

• Warehouse conversions
• ‘Little Germany first place in UK selected for new planning rules to help convert historic mills’

View the Bradford City Council Executive Committee papers relating to the implementation of the LLBCO 

Find out more about Little Germany, its architecture and business spaces

View the Bradford City Council Little Germany conservation area appraisal 

English Heritage web pages on guidance on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (ERR) Act 2013  

IHBC NewsBlogs on the ERR