IHBC NewsBlogs

Transport for London (TFL) is adopting a new approach to its property management portfolio, inviting tenders to take forward sites with development potential within the capital, including many listed buildings and brownfield sites.

Transport for London (TfL) writes:
The Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have launched a search for property development partners as part of an ambitious programme to generate £3.4bn in non-fares revenue over the next decade. The revenue generated will be reinvested back into the transport network and help TfL and the Mayor to bear down on fares.

TfL owns around 5,700 acres of property in London, making it one of London’s largest landowners. To realise the maximum value of its assets to generate long-term revenue to reinvest back into the transport network, it has launched a tender through the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) to identify a number of Framework Development Partners.  The tender will enable TfL to take forward 50+ sites with development potential across the capital. TfL will be seeking submissions from organisations who can demonstrate their capability as developers to support the strategy of delivering the homes, offices and services that London needs. The sites that TfL will bring forward will have around 10 million square feet of development potential.

TfL has a unique range and scale of assets within its property portfolio which include:

• Listed buildings that offer the opportunity for residential conversion;
• Mixed use and residential developments over stations and depots;
• Major regeneration schemes in urban centres;
• Brownfield developments in inner and outer London.

With London’s population at a record high of 8.6m and forecast to reach 10m by 2030 it is vital that public authorities such as TfL use their assets to develop the full range of infrastructure requirements that will be needed, whilst generating revenue to keep the growing population moving.  Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: ‘TfL’s role is to look to the future, ensuring that transport continues to support jobs, homes and economic growth across the capital and the UK. The ambitious plans to redevelop some of TfL’s land and assets presents a fantastic opportunity to support this important work and ensure public land creates homes for Londoners.’

Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at TfL, said: ‘We have a large number of fantastic assets in superb locations across the capital, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for leading developers to help us transform this city. We’re looking for developers who will help us realise the long-term value of our estate whilst creating the houses, jobs and economic growth to support London’s growing population.’

The TfL Property Partnerships framework is worth up to £3.6bn. Over the next ten years TfL is expecting to generate net proceeds of £3.4bn to reinvest back into its transport network, of which a third is currently assumed from property development. Other members of the GLA group will also be able to use the framework for their own sites.  From today (6 February 2015), interested parties wishing to be considered for the framework must complete a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) via TfL’s eTendering portal. The deadline for completing the PQQ is 19th March 2015.  Invitations to the second stage of the procurement process will be issued to parties that have passed the initial PQQ. Those that are shortlisted will be asked to participate in competitive dialogue, then a selected number will be invited to submit final tenders. TfL expects to appoint partners in late 2015.

View the press release

TfL eTendering portal

View more information, including a video about the new approach to property management

Urban design and planning links

IHBC newsblogs on transport

IHBC newsblogs on procurement

IHBC London branch

The Rt Hon John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Transport, as part of a ‘new vision for roads and the architectural features on and around them’, has looked to history to help improve a dystopian present, as he called for the aesthetics and good design to be taken into account when planning new infrastructure and so ‘banish ugly design from new road schemes’.

The Minister referenced lessons from history – feats of Roman engineering and the 1970s novel Concrete Island by JG Ballard, as well as the value of learning lessons from the past in implementing and managing new schemes – in a speech marking his vision stating that ‘… today. Right here. Now, we have an opportunity. To banish ugly design from new road schemes. And make sure it never returns’

Access the full speech

IHBC newsblogs on transport

IHBC newsblogs on design 

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has queried the Government plans to attract £600 million from external funders to bolster flood defences, stating DEFRA needs to demonstrate exactly how it will achieve this level of investment.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee writes:
Committee Chair, Anne McIntosh MP commented: ‘The Government has committed £2.3 billion in capital funding for six years’ investment aimed at protecting 300,000 properties, but that plan relies on external contributions of £600 million.  We support the principle that the private sector should help to fund new flood defence schemes, but we have repeatedly expressed concern about the relatively small amounts of private sector funding secured to date under the Partnership Funding approach, with only £40 million of the £148 million secured up to 2014-15 coming from sources beyond local government.

It is unclear how the £600 million target can be met, and we want Defra to demonstrate how it intends to obtain that money and to explain the impact on its investment programme if the money does not come forward.’

The Committee also repeats its call on Government to move to a total expenditure classification for flood risk management and flags that revenue funding would benefit from a six-year funding commitment alongside capital. The Committee believes revenue and capital spending must be balanced to ensure both receive the same priority.

View the Commons Select Committee news release

IHBC newsblogs on funding

IHBC newsblogs on coastal areas

Building firms have been urged to make the most of the skills which female workers can offer, by supporting a new Government Campaign: NotJustForBoys initiative

CITB writes:
This campaign represents an effort to encourage young women to enter sectors which may have been dominated by men in the past.

This campaign will aim to tackle the stereotypes which are still sometimes applied to industries like construction and manufacturing.

Speaking in support of the scheme, Employment Minister Esther McVey said as many as 12 million new job opportunities could emerge in areas of the economy like the engineering and building trades over the coming 10 years.

She added: ‘Despite a record number of women in work, they are still under-represented in many of the industries, for example engineering, science and construction, where they can be the role models in traditionally male-dominated jobs for the next generation.’

In a speech made as part of a jobs road show in the West Midlands, the politician said that up to 150,000 new start-up businesses would be created, if women set companies up at the same rate as men.

It is estimated that around 260,000 women work within the UK’s construction sector at present, with this figure rising by 14,000 over the last 12 months or so.

In the West Midlands alone, roughly 18,000 women are thought to be employed by building firms.

In national terms, official data has previously shown that a record 14.4 million women are now employed across all industries.

During the Birmingham event, Ms McVey said that today’s women are increasingly benefiting from career options which their mothers and grandmothers would have struggled to gain.

But she said that in order to fully break down barriers, the perceptions of industries like construction still have to change.

Rather than only knowing about Bob the Builder, the minister concluded that she wants young children to learn about the work of ‘Becky the Builder’ as well.

Employers and young women are now being encouraged to voice their support for diverse workforces by following the #NotJustForBoys campaign on social networking site Twitter. 

CITB news

The Category A listed Britannia Panoptican in Glasgow is the oldest surviving music hall in the world, and has launched an appeal to help rescue the historic stage, asking for donations to ‘sponsor a plank’ (with donors names etched into the history of the stage) to help secure the future of the venue. 

Judith Bowers of The Britannia Panoptican writes:
What music hall or theatre would be complete without a stage; a simple platform it may seem, but upon it stands hopes and dreams, tragedy and comedy, love and passion – all of life glimpsed on simple wooden boards. The Britannia has seen it all and more!

But where is our stage now? Where once upon a long time ago the greats of the music hall delighted and appalled 1,500 hard-working folk every show. Where Stan Laurel made his fumbling début and Sir Harry Lauder dodged a barrage of well-aimed rivets. Where Cary Grant (as Archie Leach) showed off his acrobatic skills and in times of crisis Glasgow’s men and women were recruited. Where is it?  It is buried beneath a 1960’s toilet and now the time has come before it is too late to rescue what survives of that hallowed and historic set of boards.  Become a part of history and let your name live on through time etched on the floor of the stage for future stars to entertain.

For £100 you can help bring the stage back to life by sponsoring a plank. Your name will be hand-etched onto the board you sponsor so your name will forever be placed beside the stars that trod the boards in the Britannia’s heyday.  If you don’t have £100 but you still want to help, donations of any amount can be made to the ‘Raise the Stage’ fund via our PayPal donation button at the top of this page adding the note ‘Raise the Stage’. If you don’t want to pay online, cheques can be made payable to ‘Friends of Britannia Panopticon and sent to: ‘Raise the Stage’, Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, 1st Floor, 117 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HD.

In exchange we will send you a beautiful certificate with our grateful thanks and when the stage is complete, your name will be etched on the board you sponsored and included on the sponsors list in the auditorium. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who loves Glasgow’s history and the performing arts to be a patron to one of the most unique venues in the world. 

View the appeal notice

View the history of the building and some of the theatrical and musical artists who have played the venue

Theatres Trust information on the Britannia Panoptican

IHBC newsblogs on theatres

IHBC newsblogs on crowdfunding

The Natural History Museum has announced that their famous Diplodocus skeleton will be replaced with that of a blue whale, but is it the right move asks the Guardian?

Guardian article

Opponents of a controversial Oxford University student housing scheme have lost a vote to get the height of some of the blocks reduced.

The Oxford Times writes:
DEFIANT campaigners are vowing to continue opposing the Castle Mill student flats after suffering a crucial blow.

At a meeting of Oxford University’s ‘parliament’ on Tuesday, dons snubbed a motion to reduce the height of the buildings in a vote of 210 for and 536 against.

Afterwards the motion’s author Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch and his allies said they would consider whether to call a postal ballot of members not present.

For background see BBC news   Oxford Mail Oxford Times

Search Planning Resource

A redevelopment project in Lichfield has won global recognition as The Malt House built in 1891 and previously part of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries  has been converted into apartments and has triumphed in the Residential Retrofit Design category at the Society of British and International Design (SBID) Awards.

Lichfield Live writes:
Andrew Hayward, director at Brownhill Hayward Brown, said they were keen to be respectful of the Grade II listed site’s legacy, while still meeting the demands of modern living. He added: ‘The Malt House is a prime example of the industrial architecture from the Victorian era and was home to one of the three surviving malt house kilns in the country, so only a highly sensitive design to respect the industrial archaeology would be accepted.

‘We have great experience with conservation projects such as this, where high-quality design can transform a rundown building. The loft apartments were designed to respect the structure of the building and we’ve been respectful to the many original features throughout The Malt House.

‘These vary in each apartment, but that is part of the charm of the spaces. To win such a reputable international award, which is focused on the excellence of the design, is a proud moment for us. To go up against the rest of the world and come out on top is the perfect present before Christmas.’

The development of 25 one, two, three, and four bedroom apartments and duplexes was shortlisted at the ceremony, which saw projects from 30 countries across five continents make the cut across its 15 categories.

Lichfield Live article

The Lake District National Park (LDNP) recently advertised a number of properties for sale, including Stickle Tarn, as part of an ongoing sales and acquisitions review.

The LDNP writes that this is:
… to make sure our properties are managed effectively within the current financial climate.

In line with this, and following consultation, we have agreed that the sites advertised are no longer required for our property needs and are suitable for sale by formal tender. We have put measures in place to ensure the responsible disposal of these properties, all of which are subject to the planning framework of the Lake District National Park.

We have safeguarded and strengthened public access where it already exists and included other special conditions to protect the special qualities.

The proceeds of any property sales will be reinvested into improving or maintaining other National Park properties we own. This work is in support of the agreed vision and plan set out with our partners to jointly manage the National Park.

Lake District National Park currently owns or manages nearly 9,000 hectares of land within the National Park, comprising about four per cent of the total land area.

Lake District news

Most UK-based employers and students believe architecture graduates are not prepared for the realities of working in practice, according to an industry survey.

Research undertaken by RIBA Appointments – the recruitment arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects – has found that 80 per cent of employers and 75 per cent of students think that architectural education puts theory above practical ability.

The majority of both groups also believe graduates lack the knowledge to build what they design.

de zeen article

Value added tax on refurbishments should be cut to discourage inappropriate council estate demolitions, the London Assembly has said in a report on estate regeneration schemes, Knock It Down or Do It Up?

The report said estates were being demolished and redeveloped by London boroughs for tax reasons rather than because this was either technically essential or in line with residents’ wishes.

Building Co UK aticle

The James Hutton Institute have been commissioned to study the potential of 3D technology in helping people understand and interpret development proposals, and are seeking help in completing the research in the form of a short questionnaire.

The James Hutton Institute writes:
The James Hutton Institute has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake a study into the use of 3D visualisation technology for wind farms and other development proposals. The aim is to provide information, and examples through case studies, to aid understanding of the potential for 3D visualisations to inform decision-making, and how the associated technology can improve community engagement, understanding and acceptance of proposals for development.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Identify what visualisation technology is currently available
2. Identify how it is used with respect to planning by local and central government, using case studies of wind farms, city centre infill developments, and major housing developments.
3. Consider other types of development which might benefit from the use of visualisation technology
4. Assess likely financial and technological benefits and challenges to developers, decision-makers and community engagement
5. Identify the potential technology likely to be available in the near future and how it might best be used
6. Recommend how 3D visualisation technology can become used or common practice within the planning system.

In support of this project we would appreciate a few minutes of your time to answer some questions on this subject. A copy of those questions is attached, together with a brief introduction to the aims of the study.

If you have any questions or concerns about the study, please do not hesitate to contact one of the following team members: David Miller, project coordinator (phone number: 01224 395000, email: David.Miller@hutton.ac.uk or Jose Munoz-Rojas [phone number: 01224 395263, email: jose.munoz-rojas@hutton.ac.uk).

Please note that all information gathered will be strictly confidential and none of the information that you give will be attributable to you, although unattributable quotes may be used in support of project reporting.

James Hutton Institute  http://www.hutton.ac.uk

Questionnaire

Parliamentary copyright images are reproduced with the permission of Parliament

IHBC members who have been following the ‘green deal’ debates will be interested to know that the issue of the installation and finance of cavity wall insulation was recently debated in parliament. 

On 3 February the Westminster Hall debated Cavity Wall Insulation under Backbench business proceedings.

Issues discussed included:

• Processes for surveying and installation
• Appropriateness of installations made
• Guarantee availability and applicability
• Difficulties in contractual arrangements between energy supplier and third parties

View the full text of the debate 

IHBC members working with finding funding for heritage may be able to help Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) and its partners, who are currently seeking information and case studies on projects that have used business sponsorship to help make a project a success.

BEFS writes:
Arts & Business Scotland (A&BS) are working to develop an increase in business sponsorship opportunities for the heritage sector. They are looking for some help in identifying sponsorship stories which would be used in training through the Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage (RSH) programme.

Help us, help you! If you believe that this is an important initiative which can provide much needed awareness raising and financial support for the heritage sector then A&BS would really appreciate hearing from you.  Information which would be useful includes:

• Heritage organisation title:
• Business sponsor title:
• Dates: Start and end dates of the sponsorship
• Sponsored Project title:
• Description of the sponsored project:
• Detail of how successful the partnership was and any challenges faced:

If you have a sponsorship story that you can share to help support this initiative, no matter what the cash or in-kind amount may have been, then please in the first instance email Carol Watt, Projects Officer carl.watt@aandbscotland.org.uk with your contact details and the following information. Deadline: Friday 20 February 2015

View more information on Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage

BEFS website

Arts & Business Scotland website

IHBC newsblogs on funding

Mia Scott of Highland Building Preservation Trust (BPT) has recently completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) looking at how the BPT movement can adapt to changes in funding regimes and maintain an entrepreneurial outlook to help projects work on the ground.

The UK Association of Preservation trusts (UKAPT) writes:
Mia Scott recently completed an MBA dissertation on how BPTs have approached recent changes in the funders criteria. The research shows how the sector must adapt to these changes and become more resilient if the track record of success is to continue. This article, written by Mia, is a summary of her key findings.

The first indication that something had changed in funding for BPT projects came in 2008, when both Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund refused Highland Building Preservation Trust’s applications for funding for the category A listed Townlands Barn in Cromarty. It proved to be the death knell for residential revolving fund projects in the Highlands and Islands, and undoubtedly contributed to the demise of Argyll BPT and Lewis and Harris BPT.

At the time I was the Project Director of Highland BPT and these decisions led to a significant restructuring of HBPT’s activities and ultimately the organisation itself. Whilst there was a steady stream of consultancy work for HBPT, working on behalf of community groups, it was the end of an era after a string of successful residential projects, including Forss Mill in Caithness, and the Sail Loft in Stornoway. I was curious as to how other BPTs in Scotland had adapted to the new funding climate, and having returned to university in 2010 to study for an MBA, I had the opportunity to research this further for my final year project.

I interviewed the twelve revolving fund BPTs in Scotland and six key stakeholders including Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Association of Preservation Trusts. What was particularly striking about the results of the data analysis was that the principal emergent theme was power: the power of the funders and the powerlessness of BPTs. Comments such as this were typical of the sense of duress BPTs were feeling: ‘We’ve now been forced into Full Cost Recovery, we’re now forced into a position where we can only claim what we spend…and when you have to do Full Cost Recovery there’s not enough money in the budget to cover the time you need to spend, so we’re being penalised on cash flow, we’re now being penalised because we’re not able to cover our costs because there’s no money in the project for it…we’re in a catch 22.’

There was also a strong sense of resignation that BPTs must continue to meet the demands of the funders as they were powerless to change anything:  ‘Whether consciously or unconsciously they want us to do more wonderful things but they don’t pay 100% of what it costs. I’m not knocking it because I don’t believe we can win arguments about this sort of thing, but what worries me about it is that if you try to start a conversation with them about it, they say, well if you want our money you have to do it.’

The AHF articulated the essential conflict between BPTs and their funders: ‘Groups focus on saving buildings, not what a funder wants to see, we want to see deliverable outcomes.’  The AHF also acknowledged the impact of the increasingly complex outcomes expected from BPT projects: ‘I think also, some of the requirements of the Lottery, that they ask of applicants, you will end up with a project costing more’

Interestingly the HLF recognises the unique skillset of BPTs, that equips them well in to diversify into consultancy work in the future: ‘I see BPTs having an expanding role in helping other organisations. We prefer communities to use a BPT rather than build the capacity of their organisation.’

Historic Scotland was more critical of BPTs, although they also saw opportunities for them: ‘I don’t think the BPT movement has been savvy enough to change, to actually see how things have moved with funders and to take advantage of some of the opportunities that might be out there, and in particular CARS  and THIs.’

Despite the high levels of stress observed, most BPTs retained a commitment to the built heritage, an intensely loyal commitment to the BPT and a driving vision, which perhaps makes the extreme levels of stress more bearable?

There was also evidence of extraordinary entrepreneurialism amongst BPTs and an ability to adapt to a much more commercial culture:  ‘I think the future for the Trust is selling it services, both largely for the Council but we do some work for community groups. Whenever a director asks us whether we can help we say yes but we’ll have to charge a fee.’ 

It is clear from this research that life has changed considerably for the revolving fund BPT in Scotland, and that the 21st century BPT would be virtually unrecognisable to its forebears of the 1930s. It also reveals that despite the challenges of the current financial climate, there is evidence of extraordinary tenacity, vibrancy and entrepreneurialism in the sector. I conclude that there is hope for BPTs, and scope to learn from the innovative responses of their colleagues. Outlined below are some of the key drivers of viability emerging from my research:

1. Critical to success of the 21st century BPT are multiple income streams.
2. Fee paying consultancy work is a natural development for BPTs in terms of leveraging their skillset and expertise.
3. Development of a portfolio of property can provide regular letting income to help offset BPT overheads.
4. Partnership with local authorities offers project management opportunities and can complement the current conservation skills gap in local authorities, of mutual benefit to both partners.
5. ‘Unlocking the potential’ of a project can be a more cost efficient way of saving historic buildings, by developing them to a stage where they have planning permission and selling them on the open market as a development opportunity, rather than taking them through to completion.
6. Focussing on a discrete geographic area is important to create a visible track record of projects and build brand awareness.
7. Re-branding may be desirable as the name ‘building preservation trust’ no longer adequately reflects the activities of the 21st century BPT.
8. BPTs should seek to build influence by increasing BPT representation on the boards of key stakeholder organisations, and by collaborating with other organisations in the built environment sector.
9. Finally, BPTs and their stakeholders should reflect on their interdependence, and change the tendency for a ‘them and us’ culture to build relationships to their mutual advantage.

View the news release

View Mia’s dissertation

The world’s largest museum and research complex may be establishing a new overseas centre in London, in news revealed by the Smithsonian recently.

The Smithsonian writes:
The Smithsonian announced today that it is exploring the possibility of opening an exhibition space in London at the new cultural complex being developed at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, site of the 2012 Olympics. During its Jan. 26 meeting, the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents authorized Acting Secretary Al Horvath to develop terms for an agreement with the London Legacy Development Corp. (LLDC) that would establish a Smithsonian presence in the cultural centre, known as ‘Olympicopolis.’

If an agreement is reached, it will mark the first time in the Smithsonian’s 168-year history that the Institution has ventured beyond U.S. borders for a long-term exhibition venue. The 40,000-square-foot gallery is expected to open in 2021 and will feature permanent and rotating exhibits, programs and activities.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and the LLDC have secured initial contributions of $50 million to construct the facility and to bring Smithsonian exhibits and programs to the city. Admission will be free for the Smithsonian’s permanent exhibition. The Smithsonian’s annual operating costs will be covered by private philanthropy and revenue from temporary-exhibit admission fees and retail activities. The exhibition space will not be supported with federal funds.

‘This enterprising initiative from London Mayor Boris Johnson and the LLDC has tremendous potential,’ said John McCarter, Chair of the Board of Regents. ‘The proposal is impressive and exciting. The Smithsonian greatly appreciates the opportunity to participate in the development process.’

The London exhibition space offers the Smithsonian an international showcase for its vast expertise in history, art, culture and science. Some exhibits displayed in London will tour U.S. cities, expanding the Smithsonian’s reach on both sides of the Atlantic.  ‘We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to show the breadth of the Smithsonian in one of the most diverse cities in the world,’ said Horvath. ‘An exhibition space in London will enable us to share the Smithsonian with an international audience in a way we haven’t been able to before.’

‘It is a huge honour for London to be considered as the first location for the Smithsonian outside of the U.S.,’ said Johnson. ‘Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to be home to a dynamic new world-class cultural quarter. We believe it is the perfect location for the Smithsonian, a unique and pioneering institution founded on the philanthropy of British-born James Smithson, in a move that would strengthen further still the links between our great nations.’

Other partners in the Olympicopolis project are the Victoria and Albert Museum, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, University College London East and the University of the Arts London. The 4.5-acre site where the Smithsonian exhibition space may be located is expected to host more than 1.5 million additional visitors a year when it opens in 2021.  Negotiations over the terms of the Smithsonian’s lease will begin immediately. The final terms and conditions will be subject to the approval of the Board of Regents’ executive committee.

View the news release and videos of the proposals

Cross party support has been secured for the construction of a Holocaust National Memorial and world-class Learning Centre, with £50 million of government funding and an education programme, to marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The Prime Minister’s Office writes:
Britain will have a new National Memorial and world-class Learning Centre using the latest digital technology to commemorate and educate about the Holocaust Prime Minister David Cameron has announced at an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The National Memorial and Learning Centre are 2 of the recommendations made today by the cross-party Holocaust Commission set up by the Prime Minister which has spent the last year investigating how the country should ensure that the memory of the Holocaust is preserved and that the lessons it teaches are never forgotten

The Commission, which has been chaired by Mick Davis and included the Chief Rabbi, Helena Bonham Carter, Natasha Kaplinsky, Sir Peter Bazalgette and cross-party representation from Rt Hon Ed Balls, Rt Hon Simon Hughes and Rt Hon Michael Gove, has today recommended:

• a striking and prominent new National Memorial should be built in central London to make a bold statement about the importance Britain places on preserving the memory of the Holocaust and stand as a permanent affirmation of the values of British society
• a world-class Learning Centre should sit alongside the memorial. This should be a must-see destination using the latest technology to engage and inspire vast numbers of visitors. It would also be responsible for developing a physical campus and online hub bringing together a network of the existing Holocaust organisations across the UK and supporting them in driving a renewed national effort to advance Holocaust education across the country
• an endowment fund to secure the long-term future of Holocaust education – including the new Learning Centre and projects across the country
• an urgent programme to record and preserve the testimony of British Holocaust survivors and liberators

All 3 parties have agreed that government will commit £50 million to the creation of the National Memorial, Learning Centre and endowment fund.

Read the full news release

A newly established addition to social media profiles is ‘Heritage Hour’ which aims to get people discussing heritage issues for an hour a week, centred around different topics using the hashtag #heritagehour. 

Many chat ‘hours’ exist on Twitter for lots of different purposes and topics, and since the end of January there has been chat every Thursday between 8pm & 9pm GMT on heritage.  If you wish to join in you can tweet about your current projects, tips for heritage engagement, news items etc to people all around the world during that hour.  Next week’s topic is based around ‘why you love heritage’; why not try tweeting your reasons for getting into a heritage career or perhaps post a photograph of your favourite historic property?

Follow the ‘heritage hour’ account

Follow previous chats on the hashtag by searching Twitter for #heritagehour

IHBC newsblogs on social media

This week the DCLG has launched a new consultation on proposed measures to make it easier to build on brownfield land – with a closing date 11 March – and released news of how to bid for funding for works under the Local Development Order  (LDO).

DCLG writes:
The invitation to bid invites local planning authorities to bid for funding to prepare local development orders for housing on brownfield land. It highlights the vital role that brownfield land plays in meeting the country’s housing needs where land is in an area of sufficient demand and is attractive to developers.

Bids are encouraged from local planning authorities who can identify brownfield sites that are suitable for housing and capable of accommodating in the region of 100 units or more. It is anticipated that successful bidders would receive £50,000 per bid towards the costs incurred in delivering the local development order.

The document sets out the criteria for site eligibility and describes the process for assessing bids. Bids should be submitted by 11 March 2015. Local planning authorities can apply online or by completing the application form and sending the completed form to LDOFunding@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

A consultation has also been launched today (28 January 2015) seeking views on proposals for measures to make it easier to build on brownfield land that is suitable for housing.

View more information on the LDO funding 

Access the DCLG consultation

IHBC newsblogs on brownfield land

The Scottish Government (SG) has increased the People and Communities Fund by a further £5.6 million funding, which will allow more groups in areas of socio-economic deprivation to access funding for training, employment and community needs, including helping people to have more ‘say’ in their community development.

The Scottish Government writes:
A fund which gives community groups the power to tackle poverty and inequalities in their areas has been given a £5.6 million funding boost.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil confirmed community-led regeneration will be given extra support through the People and Communities Fund (PCF), on a visit to the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group in Edinburgh.  The People and Communities Fund will be increased from £9.4 million to £15 million as it benefits from support through the dedicated £10 million funding for Empowering Communities announced by the First Minister last November. This investment builds on the Government’s commitment to giving people the power to take charge and make changes in their own communities.

The additional funding will be allocated to a variety of projects, including community groups who are promoting change in disadvantaged communities through training, employment, healthy eating and volunteering opportunities.

Mr Neil made the announcement ahead of this afternoon’s Stage 1 Debate for the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. He said:  ‘We know every community in Scotland has different needs, and that we all have our own ideas about how we can make our areas better.  This Government recognises that by giving communities the power and confidence to shape their own futures, we can tackle poverty and address inequalities more effectively.  Through the People and Communities Fund we will provide money direct to community groups to help them tackle local issues on their own terms.  This new money will support the aims of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, which will give people a stronger voice in the decisions that matter to them and will help communities who wish to take over public land and buildings.’

Since PCF launched in 2012, 156 projects have received funding worth £18.3 million those projects include the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group which was awarded almost £30,000 to run cookery and exercise sessions which encourage local people to make healthy lifestyle choices.  The sessions have helped increase self-esteem and confidence among local people, many of whom had never cooked a meal from scratch before, and it has supported their skills development with some developing the confidence to move into local volunteering roles. Lucy Aitchison, from the Broomhouse Health Strategy Group said: ‘It’s been great to develop our health and wellbeing services, and you can see them making a real difference to people’s lives.  To give people the skills to be able to look after themselves and their family more healthily is really significant. We’re so pleased to have the support to be able to address these local needs.’

For more information about the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill

Details on The People and Communities Fund

IHBC newsblogs on the community empowerment bill 

IHBC newsblogs on regeneration

IHBC newsblogs on funding

The statutory powers that transfer new planning functions to district councils in Northern Ireland (NI) – and with these, local conservation officers and planning services – were passed on 28 January.

DoENI writes:
Commencement No 2 Order under the Planning Act was approved by the Assembly.

Welcoming Assembly backing for his legislation, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: ‘This is an important milestone. Backing for this Order keeps on track the transfer of planning functions to the 11 new district councils for April 2015. It will help see power moving closer to local people with stronger councils with more responsibility and local accountability for planning. Local planning decisions and plans being made by councillors responding to local needs with local solutions.

‘An enormous amount of work has been undertaken across the Department, local councils and a range of key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. As part of the programme the DOE has provided practical and financial support to ensure the new councils have the capacity to effectively deliver the transferred service.  Recent capacity building initiatives will equip councillors with the knowledge and skills to carry out their new role and to have the confidence, as well as the competence, to make sound planning decisions from day one.’ 

View the press release

Minister Durkan’s speech on new powers for Council’s

View the legislation

With less than 100 days to go until the general election, The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has launched an online general election resource to provide information about manifesto policies affecting planning, the timeline for the general election and links to relevant information on their own positions and ‘asks’ for government.

View the resource, including information about the main parties

The trade publications Construction News, Architects’ Journal and New Civil Engineer are working together with Stonewall to launch a new survey which aims to assess and capture attitudes to sexuality within the construction sector.

The survey is anonymous, and the results will be published within the second quarter titles of each publication.

Take the survey

Read more about the survey background, in Construction News

Download information from Stonewall

IHBC newsblogs on equality and diversity