IHBC NewsBlogs

A landmark archaeological discovery has been made in Derry Londonderry, which predates the walled city 

The Department of the Environment Northern Ireland (DoeNI) writes:
Environment Minister revealed details of a building pre-dating the walled city and believed to have been burnt down during the O’Doherty rising of 1608.

The building, only a very small part of which has survived, had stone foundations and a cellar above which the upper floors were constructed of timber. When the building burnt down its wooden walls and roof collapsed into the cellar where they have now been found just over 400 years later.  A collection of artefacts was also unearthed during the dig including musket balls, a small cannon ball, pottery sherds, clay pipes and, a rarity on archaeological excavations, a number of intact wine bottles. The earliest find was a sherd of medieval pottery dating to AD1200-1400.

Minister Durkan said: ‘This is a truly exciting and important discovery. Archaeologists working for the Apprentice Boys have uncovered the earliest dated building in Derry and it is fitting that some of the artefacts uncovered will now go on display in the new museum.  The building’s alignment is east-west and has been dated to the early 1600s. The east-west alignment is radically different to our present day Walled City street pattern. This clearly shows the building reflects the earlier street pattern based on the ecclesiastical settlement that pre-existed the plantation town of Londonderry. The building was burnt down prior to the construction of our Walled City and the ‘best-fit’ event for that fire would seem to be the 1608 O’Doherty rebellion when all the houses in Derry were burnt by Cahir O’Doherty’s troops.

‘A very small fired-clay tobacco pipe that dates to the period of Elizabeth I has further helped to date the early building. A small cannon ball from the time of the O’Doherty rebellion in 1608 was also found on the cellar floor of the early building but we may never know if it was fired in anger.  Although the dig doesn’t appear to have found any remains dating to the 1689 Siege of Derry, rare finds have been uncovered including two complete glass bottles and near complete plates dating from the 1700s.  These important discoveries will add value and content to the information discovered on the successful NIEA led community dig at Bishop Street car park in 2013.’

Billy Moore, General Secretary of the Apprentice Boys Association, said: ‘It has been fascinating to see what this archaeological dig has uncovered. We hope that once the archaeologists have had a chance to review their findings, we will be fortunate to identify that some of the artefacts relate to the period of the Great Siege.  We are pleased and delighted that the dig has added significantly to the history of Londonderry. We eagerly look forward to placing the information uncovered and some of the artefacts on display in our new visitor centre, which we anticipate will open in the summer of 2015.’

The building and artefacts were discovered during an eight week excavation in the area formerly occupied by the Walker Memorial Garden on Society Street. The dig, undertaken by commercial archaeology firm Gahan and Long under licence from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), was a requirement of planning conditions ahead of the new Apprentice Boys of Derry’s visitor centre.

The project is supported by a variety of funders including almost £2.4 million from the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) Peace III, a £1million grant from NITB and funding from the Apprentice Boys of Derry and DOE’s Northern Ireland Environmental Agency.

View the press release

IHBC newsblogs on Derry Londonderry

IHBC newsblogs on archaeology 

A community initiative which helps pubs provide vital services for local rural settlements has been allocated £452,000 over the next three years from the Big Lottery Fund.

Pub is The Hub writes:
Pub is The Hub has received confirmation this week that funding for its popular advice, guidance and training service for England has been secured for a further three years by the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme. The organisation will receive £452,000 over the next three years enabling its Regional Advisors to continue work with interested local authorities whereby they match community priority needs with additional services which can be provided by the local pub and a good licensee.

This new funding follows the success of the first three-year programme launched in 2011 which inspired a variety of projects around England across eleven local authorities which resulted in a range of twenty-seven different services from shops and libraries to help for elderly residents.

Inspired by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in 2001, Pub is The Hub operates as a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation dedicated to offering advice and support to licensees, rural pubs and community services as well as to communities considering the options for acquiring their local pub and the range of responsibilities involved.

John Longden, Chief Executive of Pub is The Hub said: ‘We are so delighted to have the recognition and support from the Big Lottery Fund which will help the organisation to fill a very important role in advising great licensees to provide a variety of much needed and vital services within their small local communities. We only exist through donations and grants such as this so fundraising is always uppermost in our thoughts. To have this long term support also gives us the confidence and ability to continue to raise funds directly for good licensees who just need that small financial leg-up to diversify their services.  We will continue use our experience gained from fourteen years’ work to help identify priority services needs by working closely with individual communities and their local authorities.’

The funding will not be spent in direct support for the pubs themselves so Pub is The Hub will continue to work with other sources of private and public funding as well as fundraising for its own Community Services Fund which gives grants of up to £4k per project direct to pubs separately.

View the press release

Find out more about Big Lottery funding

IHBC newsblogs on pubs as community assets

Following the summer survey, the OASIS (Online Access to the index of archaeological investigations) site has now been redesigned and the project team are seeking your views on the mock up site by 8 February. 

The OASIS blog writes:
Thank you if you responded to the OASIS redevelopment survey over the summer, we have now produced a selection of scenarios which reflect the survey responses. We will be making the survey responses available in due course.

The mock up is divided into different scenarios for different types of user: Contractor, HER, Museum etc and each page has a comment area at the bottom. Please use the comments area to leave any feedback you have, positive or negative, as if we don’t know your thoughts now we cannot accommodate them in the final design. We would appreciate your comments even if you are not a user of the current system. The mock up will be open for comments until Sunday 8 February.

Providing feedback will give you a real opportunity to influence the redevelopment of OASIS.  If you have any questions about this, or the project in general, please contact the ADS via Jo Gilham on jo.gilham@york.ac.uk or 01904 323937. 

View the site mockup

More information on OASIS

IHBC newsblogs on OASIS

IHBC newsblogs on archaeology 

Research into the provision of appropriate sites in the land us planning system to meet the needs of the gypsy and traveller communities has been carried out and published by the Equality & Human Rights Commission this week. 

The Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) writes:
The Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has yesterday published research on how local authorities have successfully developed and maintained Gypsy and Traveller sites in Scotland. The research was commissioned in direct response to claims from some Scottish local authorities that they were unable to secure land or planning permission to build new permanent or transit sites. 

Speaking yesterday Alastair Pringle, Director of the EHRC Scotland said ‘Over the last year we have seen once again tension in some parts of Scotland concerning the development of temporary or permanent sites for Gypsies and Travellers, either in private or public ownership. This ongoing lack of provision is forcing many Gypsies and Travellers into ‘pulling in’ at the roadside, often in high profile areas and then risking eviction and local hostility.’

The research shows that with planning and care it is perfectly possible to develop new Gypsy and Traveller sites in Scotland – examples like Falkirk Council’s approach to private sites or South Ayrshire’s refurbishment of their existing sites show that you can balance the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community with concerns of the settled community.

Phil Brown, Professor of Social Change at the University of Salford, who conducted the research, said ‘The location of the site is paramount. Our research has found that whilst there may be concerns at the start of process from locals living nearby, proper management of the site rarely leads to ongoing concerns. As with most new developments communication between the council, local residents and the Gypsy and Traveller community is also key, as is support for local councillors who will be the final decision makers. Taking a strategic rather than ad hoc approach is also recommended as the more transparent the Council is the more likely they will have public support.’

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights Alex Neil said: ‘Decisions about the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites are best made at the local level, by those with local knowledge and accountability.  This research provides useful examples of good practice for those involved in making those decisions, including the importance of communication and dialogue when establishing a new site, and selecting the right location.’

The Scottish Government has already strengthened local strategic planning for accommodation in relation to the needs of Gypsy and Travellers, by publishing revised guidance for Housing Need and Demand Assessments and Local Housing Strategies.  This is to help make sure that the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers are fully taken into account by local authorities as they plan accommodation provision in their area.

Research by the Scottish Government recently confirmed that in 2014 there were 59 sites in 18 local authority areas in Scotland – a change from the 53 sites in 23 local authority areas reported in 2009. Altogether there were 763 pitches available in public or private ownership.

Commenting further Mr Pringle said ‘We look forward to the publication of the Governments Gypsy and Traveller strategy later this year as what is needed is a coordinated and coherent approach to the development of sites across Scotland rather than the current ad hoc arrangements where local authorities make decisions in isolation. We hope that this report will provide some inspiration to those charged with locating and providing sites. Without proper provision the community is likely to continue to face hostility and councils are likely to waste more money on avoidable evictions.’

View the press release

View the report

IHBC newsblogs on traveller sites 

Visitors to the Isle of White can now stay in the English Heritage (EH) property that was once Queen Victoria’s family retreat, in a new heritage tourism development to open up a new area of Sovereign’s Gate.

EH writes:
Holidaymakers to the Isle of Wight will soon have the chance to live like a royal – as English Heritage opens up an exclusive area of Queen Victoria’s family retreat as a holiday cottage.

Two luxury cottages have been developed within ‘Sovereign’s Gate’ at Osborne – a ceremonial entrance to the royal retreat once reserved exclusively for Queen Victoria and her family as well as lords, ladies and heads of state.  From this month guests can book a three, four or seven night stay at Sovereign’s Gate, which also includes exclusive use of the grounds at Osborne, which include Queen Victoria’s private beach and gardens, and free entry to other English Heritage sites on the Isle of Wight.

View the press release

Find out more about the property and its history

The owner of a London Grade II listed building (LB) in Hampstead Garden Suburb, who repeatedly ignored Barnet Council officers’ advice while carrying out building work, has been fined £45,000 at Willesden Magistrates’ Court.

Search Planning Portal

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has confirmed that business support company TerraQuest is the preferred bidder to take over the running of the Planning Portal.

Planning Portal writes:
Mr Lewis said the move would increase investment in the Portal service and ensure it continues to deliver a high quality service for years to come.

More than 85 per cent of applications in England and Wales now go through the Planning Portal system.

The Government announced last year that it was open to investment from a commercial partner who could continue to develop the service.

After a competitive tendering process, TerraQuest has been chosen as the preferred bidder. As part of their bid, TerraQuest will now look to form a new company with the Government which will take on the management and delivery of the Planning Portal from early this year.

The current Portal will remain while the new service is developed.

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: ‘More than 85 per cent of planning applications are being submitted through the Planning Portal – it was essential that we found a way to secure its long-term future.  So I’m pleased that TerraQuest has been appointed as the preferred bidder to take over the running of the Planning Portal to build the business further and ensure it continues to play a vital role in the planning system for years to come.

Geoff Keal, managing director of TerraQuest, said: ‘We are thrilled to have been identified as DCLG’s preferred Joint Venture partner in relation to the Planning Portal, and are very excited about taking the Portal to the next level.’

Search Planning Portal

A Service of Thanksgiving for Sir Jocelyn Stevens, former Chairman of English Heritage 1992-2000, will be held at 3.00 pm on 5 February in St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge, 32a Wilton Place, London SW1X 8SH.

See an obituary

Historic England intends to continue its support to the sector using funding to build capacity in accordance with the sector plan Heritage 2020, but a new or revised programme needs to be launched in 2016, if new funding agreements are to be in place for 1 April 2017, so an evaluation of English Heritage’s support for capacity building to date is being launched.

These developments are intended to make sure that lessons learned from the existing National Capacity Building programme are applied to any future programme, and that management processes are reviewed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of funding are maximised.

The project is being commissioned by English Heritage, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The aim of the evaluation is to:

1. Review the quality and effectiveness of current and previous projects and statutory consultee activity, identifying what works.
2. Identify future programme challenges, opportunities, priorities and infrastructure, taking into account the changing sector context.

For more information and to submit an expression of interest, see the English Heritage website

The latest issue of the National Trust (NT) ‘Arts, Buildings and Collections Bulletin’ (‘ABC’) profiles the very practical ‘building design guides’ that highlight real life case studies from work carried out at their properties, while discussing how sensitive design and specification issues have been addressed.

The NT writes:
From visitor facilities and holiday cottages to bird hides and breweries, these case studies provide a comprehensive guide to how some of our buildings have been refurbished, adapted or a new structure built, often using green technology. They include details from the project brief and construction through to invaluable lessons learnt. Our aim is to share knowledge and best practice, which in turn helps to inform the planning and design of other projects, improving cost-effectiveness and sustainability. 

View the design guides featuring properties throughout England and Wales

View back issues of NT ABC

Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, in the Welsh Government, has issued statements highlighting the intended way forward for new heritage legislation, and also stressed the importance of new protection for archaeology within the Bill.

The Welsh Government writes:
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, yesterday outlined plans for the first Wales-only legislation to better protect and care for our historic environment, and pointed to some of the exciting and innovative ways this is already being done.

The Heritage Bill will be introduced to the Assembly this spring and will give more effective protection to scheduled monuments, including powers for the Welsh Government to halt harmful works and take effective action if a monument has been damaged or destroyed.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Deputy Minister said the proposals for the Bill were a response to far-reaching public engagement and consultation and would result in more transparent and accountable management of the historic environment, so that people will be able to appreciate and learn from it for generations to come.  The Deputy Minister said: ‘If the historic environment is to continue to deliver its many benefits to Wales, it must be safeguarded for the long term. This Bill, the first of its kind specifically for Wales, will enable everyone who plays a role in caring for our heritage — from the Welsh Government, to local planning authorities, to the thousands of people who own, work or live in historic places — to look after those things that make Wales special.  The fact there has only been one successful prosecution for unlawful damage to an ancient monument in Wales in the last 25 years, despite a number of significant cases, shows that this is an area that needs to be improved. We received a significant response from the public to our consultation, which reflects the importance of the historic environment to the people of Wales. We have listened to these views and I am pleased we are addressing many of these in our Bill proposals.’

The Heritage Bill also proposes to:

• allow owners of listed buildings and scheduled monuments to negotiate partnership agreements with consenting authorities for a period of years, eliminating the need for repeated consent applications and encouraging more consistent, long-term management of the historic assets;
• secure a more stable future for Wales’ historic environment records, which provide detailed information and advice on the historic environment to local planning authorities and the public;
• establish an independent panel to advise on historic environment policy and strategy at a national level in Wales.

During his statement, the Deputy Minister also identified the £19million EU-funded Heritage Tourism Project, which includes schemes like the Great Orme Copper mines, and the Castles from the Clouds project, as examples of how historic sites can be made relevant today, attract visitors and benefit the economy.  He also paid tribute to the many different organisations and individuals who help care for Wales’ historic environment and praised the Open Doors events in Wales in September 2014 where 343 properties across Wales, with almost 34,000 visitors, took advantage of over a thousand events.  The Deputy Minister said it was clear Wales’ historic environment was generating as much interest as ever, with many sites reporting a rise in visitors last year, a 14% increase in Cadw membership and a busy Easter with a 30.6% increase in visitors to Welsh Government-managed sites.  However, if the historic environment is to continue to deliver its many benefits to Wales, it must be safeguarded for the long term.

The Deputy Minister added: ‘We recognise that, while our historic environment needs to be protected, it cannot be frozen in time and must respond to the requirements of modern life. This Bill is about allowing the historic environment to meet these challenges without losing its special qualities. These messages will be reinforced by a range of guidance documents that are being produced to complement the Bill.  From boosting the economy, through providing opportunities for learning, to making important contributions to regeneration, investment and renewed community confidence, our historic environment is something we must cherish.  It belongs to all of us and I am proud that we are taking necessary action to better protect our past for the Wales of tomorrow.’

View the press release

Full statement on the debate within the National Assembly for Wales

IHBC newsblogs on the Wales Heritage bill 

Houses in Bath were re-clad in natural stone after enforcement and the failure of a retrospective planning appeal by the developer who had used a reconstituted stone not approved in the original planning permission.

View the news story and pictures of the houses

The Adam Smith Institute has published a new paper entitled ‘The Green Noose: Green belts and proposals for reforms’, that makes controversial assessments of the impact of green belt designations, arguing that they are far from the undeveloped resource that people imagine.

Download the report

IHBC newsblogs on green belt

Are you involved in creative projects on heritage and culture? Arts Council England have launched a new fund which is designed to encourage collaborative working to explore the impact which arts and culture has on society, with a deadline for applications of 12 March.

Arts Council England writes:
We have just launched our new Research Grants Programme, which aims to provide opportunities for the arts sector to engage in collaborative research to explore in depth the impact that arts and culture can have on the cultural, social, educational and economic landscape. We want this work to enhance the existing evidence base.

We know that the arts and culture have a wider, more measurable impact on our economy, health and wellbeing, society and education. The funding will support the sector to explore these questions across artforms and regions, building collective knowledge and supporting the development of effective policy.

Following the 2014 publication of ‘The value of arts and culture to people and society – an evidence review’, we identified gaps for future research commissions and this is why we are now launching the Research Grants Programme to explore these in depth.

Successful applicants will promote greater collaboration and co-operation between the arts and cultural sector and research partners.  We expect that findings will be used to demonstrate to Government and local authorities a better understanding of the impact investing in culture has on cultural, social, educational and economic change.  Applications must be a joint collaboration between an arts and/or cultural organisation and a research partner.  The arts and/or cultural organisation must be the lead applicant.

A total of £700,000 is available for 2015-16, with indicative budgets of £900,000 available for 2016-17 and 2017-18.  Grants are available from £50,000 to £100,000 per year. Organisations can apply for funding for projects that last for up to three years and for up to £100,000 per year of the project.  Minimum match funding is not applicable to this fund however we will look favourably on applications that include other sources of funding, including support in kind.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday 12 March and decisions on 27 May 2015.

Find out more about the programme

Download ‘The value of arts and culture to people and society – an evidence review’, document

IHBC newsblogs on culture 

IHBC newsblogs on the arts 

IHBC newsblogs on funding

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has launched a new £1 million fund aimed at helping local planning authorities to deal with breaches of planning control. 

DCLG writes:
Councils are set to receive a £1 million boost to their efforts to crack down on unauthorised development and ensure everyone plays by the planning rules, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said today (10 January 2015).

The new Planning Enforcement Fund gives councils funding towards the legal costs in seeking a court injunction against those who flout planning laws and cause misery to local residents.

In the past councils had to shoulder the cost of court injunctions. Now, they can apply for up to £10,000 per case to secure a court injunction. Whilst most planning breaches are resolved without use of the courts, over the last 10 years local planning authorities in England have issued an average of 60 injunctions a year. These are typically for serious breaches of planning rules. The £1 million fund now provides a significant boost to the capacity of local authorities to take legal action against those flouting planning rules.

By taking decisive action at an early stage, councils can stop unauthorised development in its tracks – this saves money, avoids lengthy disputes and unnecessary upset for local residents.  A survey of councils identified the average cost of an injunction during 2011 to 2013 was around £13,000. The £1 million fund, with a maximum contribution of £10,000 to each case/council, could pay towards more than 90 court injunctions up to March 2016 – a real boost to councils’ capacity to take action against unauthorised development.   Those refusing to abide by a court injunction could face a jail sentence.  The fund will help tackle serious breaches of planning control such as unauthorised building developments and illegal traveller encampments.

Mr Pickles said ‘By putting power back into the hands of local people, we’ve seen support for new housebuilding soar over the past four years. But residents rightly expect fair play in the system and for their council to take action when people flout the rules.  This new £1 million fund gives councils the tools they need in the fight against unauthorised development, so they should not be afraid to go through the courts to tackle serious breaches of planning law.  We believe in putting power back in the hands of local communities and empowering councils to take action against those who do not play by the rules.  Councils should not be afraid of using court injunctions for serious planning breaches and this new £1 million enforcement fund gives councils extra resources in the fight against unauthorised development.  The public rightly expects fair play in the planning system. Law-abiding residents follow the rules and obtain planning permission so they find it galling to see others who don’t. That’s why we set up this new fund to help councils act swiftly to stop unauthorised development.’ 

Find out more about the fund and eligibility rules

UK Local Gov article and news

IHBC newsblog on Enforcement

The factory site at Huncoats in Lancashire that once produced the red NORI bricks which were used many global landmarks and regional properties has restarted production, 7 years after production ceased.

HM Treasury writes:
Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne today visited Hanson Building Products’ site in Accrington on the week that production was restarted, 7 years after the company was forced to close the Lancashire factory. The decision to reopen the factory, following a £1.6 million investment and the creation of over 30 new jobs, comes as the company tries to meet the soaring demand by the construction sector. The company also announced that it plans to create 20 further jobs at the site in 2015.

Construction was the worst hit sector of the economy during the recession. The sector contracted by 13% in 2009 and house building output fell to an all-time low. However the house building sector is now going from strength to strength, growing 18% over the last year.   With housing starts also seeing a dramatic upturn last year, fuelled by the government’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, Hanson reopened its nearby Claughton Manor plant near Lancaster and added additional shifts at its midlands factories at Kirton, Desford and Wilnecote.

The decision to restart production at Accrington comes as the company has seen demand for bricks continue to outstrip supply. The re-start will be carried out in 2 stages with phase one kicking off in January and phase 2, which will require further investment of around £350,000, following later in 2015. There is a plentiful supply of raw materials – the adjoining quarry has 30 to 40 years of clay reserves.  Bricks have been manufactured at the Huncoat site near Accrington since 1887. They are made from fire clay and are so strong and durable that they become known in the trade as iron bricks. At one time the works chimney had the letters IRON painted vertically on it with the N at the top, prompting locals to call it the NORI brick factory.  Red Nori bricks were used in the foundations of the Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building in New York as well as in thousands of houses, factories and schools throughout northern England.

Press release

IHBC newsblogs on construction

The first purpose built cattery in England has been listed Grade II.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) writes:
Whittington Lodge, originally a cattery at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, has been listed Grade II by Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey.  The Lodge, built around 1907, may be the first purpose-built boarding cattery in England and was designed by the architect Clough Williams-Ellis, creator of the Italianate masterpiece Portmeirion in North Wales. He wanted the Lodge to be memorable and visually entertaining, with whimsical detailing such as a weathervane, as well as a practical building to house the charity’s cats: it even had stoves for warmth during the winter.

In honour of the listing, Ed Vaizey named one of the kittens, Whittington, after the lodge. Ed Vaizey said: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is one of the nation’s best known and most loved institutions – a wonderful embodiment of this country’s love for our domestic pets. Historically fascinating and exquisitely designed, Whittington Lodge is certainly worthy of listing at Grade II, and my decision will further ensure the heritage of this highly iconic London landmark.

Whittington Lodge has been listed for a number of reasons including architectural interest due to its Arts and Crafts detailing that was intended to be both eye-catching and functional. It also has immense historical interest and the building represents a point in time when the care of lost and unwanted animals was gaining credence as an important social issue.

Roger Bowdler, Designation Director at English Heritage said: This building, Whittington Lodge is a wonderful example of eminent architect Clough Williams-Ellis’ work. The survival of such an early purpose-built cattery is extraordinarily rare and along with its intactness and historic interest, it fully merits listing at Grade II.

2015 sees Battersea Dogs & Cats Home celebrate its 155th year. Before receiving their own custom-built Lodge, the cats were housed in the same Victorian buildings as the dogs.  Claire Horton, Chief Executive from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said:  We are thrilled that Whittington Lodge has received listed recognition. It is a charming and much-loved aspect of our historic site. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home began accepting cats in 1883 and since then we’ve taken in more than 200,000 in need of our help. Our dedication to providing the best care possible for our animals means that we have always been at the cutting edge of building new facilities. We are currently building brand new kennels for our dogs – perhaps in a century they will be receiving the same great honour as Whittington Lodge: a Grade II Listing. 

Press release

IHBC newsblogs on listing 

The RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship is now open for entries, with a deadline of 24 April, offering architecture students the opportunity to travel and research a matter relating to ‘the survival of our cities and towns’.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) writes:
The 2015 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship has launched and is inviting applications from schools of architecture around the world. A £6,000 grant will be awarded to one student by a panel of judges which includes Lord Foster and the President of the RIBA Stephen Hodder.

Lord Foster said: ‘As a student I won a prize that allowed me to spend a summer travelling through Europe and to study first hand buildings and cities that I knew only from the pages of books. It was a revelation – liberating and exhilarating in so many ways. Today it is my privilege to fund the RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship, which I hope will have a lasting legacy – offering the chance for discovery and the inspiration for exciting new work – for generations to come.’

RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: ‘I urge our RIBA student members to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity provided by Lord Foster. The scholarship has been a vehicle for some remarkable pieces of work and I’m looking forward to reviewing the submissions.’

The deadline for submissions is Friday 24 April 2015. Further details and an application form can be downloaded from the RIBA website.

Enter the awards

More awards and opportunities at IHBC Awards etc

A new model for providing planning and building services is to be implemented by Cheshire East Council, in the form of a consultancy.

Cheshire East Council writes
Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to set up a building and planning support consultancy that will provide first class, unique and innovative services for the residents of Cheshire East.

The new company, owned and controlled by the council, will provide a one-stop shop for people who are seeking advice or planning to make investments.  A transformed, co-ordinated and commercial approach will reinvigorate the staff and enable innovation to create an agile, modern approach.

Private sector providers are moving into this market but there is evidence that the public feel more assured when these services are delivered through a council-led approach and this company will provide Cheshire East with a vehicle for doing so.  If the Council does nothing, it is estimated that the service will lose income to competitors, which could cost the authority £892,000 over the next five years.  However, by setting up the new company and tapping into new income streams this potential loss could be converted into a saving of £269,000 – a net benefit of £1.161m.

The proposal also opens up opportunities for partnership working with neighbouring authorities to generate benefits from economies of scale.  Services provided by the new company will include building control, local land charges and property searches, street naming and numbering, planning liaison, and planning support.

Cheshire East Council employees who transfer to the new company will be covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment Rights) Regulations 2013.  Cheshire East has already set up alternative service delivery vehicles (ASDVs) – operating companies that are owned and controlled by the council – to provide services in an innovative and enterprising way.  These include Orbitas, which manages cemeteries, crematoria and bereavement services, and Ansa, which is responsible for waste collection and recycling, streetscape services and street cleaning, grounds and parks maintenance, and vehicle fleet management.

Council Leader, Councillor Michael Jones, said: ‘We have long recognised the need to take a strategic commissioning role so that we can change the way services are provided in order to create opportunities for innovation and greater efficiency.  ‘This enables us to put residents first and take care of the people as well as the pounds and pence.  This new company for building and planning services will retain a high-quality, professional team to provide the fullest advice to those who wish to invest in Cheshire East through development or relocation.’

Press release 

The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (DBIS) has announced changes to the rules of apprenticeships in England, which will allow employers to control the funding attached to their apprentices. 

DBIS writes:
The government has today (13 January 2015) outlined the next step in apprenticeship reform, making the pledge to give employers direct control of funding for the training of apprentices.

Publishing the response to The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Funding Reform Technical Consultation, the government outlined its continuing commitment to making England’s apprenticeship system the best in the world.  Skills Minister Nick Boles said: ‘Last month we celebrated the start of the 2 millionth apprenticeship since 2010. This was an important milestone in the government’s long term economic plan. If we are going improve and expand our apprenticeship programme further we must put employers in the driving seat – and give them control of both the design and funding of apprenticeships.

I look forward to working with employer organisations and others to develop a funding model that is simple, transparent and easy for employers to use.

Giving employers control of apprenticeship funding will enable them to select the training that best meets their skills needs and will drive up the quality of apprenticeships. The government response outlines, that while putting employers in control of apprenticeship funding is a non-negotiable part of the reforms, it is clear from the feedback received that further detailed design work is needed before there can be a final decision on how this would work in practice. The government is committed to delivering a simple, effective funding process which works for employers of all sizes and further collaboration with the sector will take place to ensure this is achieved.

The funding reforms will continue to be developed alongside the trailblazer programme – giving employers control over the design of apprenticeships. Over 1,000 employers, of all sizes, are now part of the trailblazers scheme in industries including engineering, legal services and health and social care. Last month (December 2014) 22 new standards were published, with employers leading the design of apprenticeships in data analysis, aircraft maintenance and construction management. 

Press release 

View the documents relating to ‘The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Funding Reform Technical Consultation’

IHBC newsblogs on apprenticeships 

A historic South West Wales harbour will receive major investment to boost the port facilities, tourism offer and leisure facilities, including the provision of interpretation and a heritage trail.

The Welsh Government writes:
The First Minister visited Saundersfoot to announce that the project to redevelop the harbour has been awarded £463,500 European Regional Development Funding towards a £927,000 total project cost. Additional funding of £200,000 has also been secured via the Tourism Infrastructure Support Scheme fund.    The project extends Visit Wales’ existing coastal tourism activity funded via the EU Coastal Tourism Project working with the Saundersfoot Trust Port to further develop the facilities within Saundersfoot, making it an iconic tourism destination for South West Wales.

The First Minister, said: ‘I’m delighted to make this announcement today and to see the plans that the Harbour Commission has for future development and to raise the profile of Saundersfoot Harbour. Improved access is key  to competing on an international stage. I’m also delighted to see that the plans aim to make the most of the area’s rich maritime heritage by establishing a heritage trail and interpretation installations around the walkway. Tourism is a vital employer in Pembrokeshire, sustaining the local economy and culture and this development will create 24 jobs in the area. I wish all partners every success for the future.’

Philip Evans, Chair of the Harbour Commission, said: ‘This first phase of Marine Infrastructure is a critical installation that nearly doubles our mooring capacity and also triggers the exciting Marine Centre of Excellence programme which will bring 55 new jobs directly into this Port. Our strategy, and indeed challenge, was to create an Internationally recognised iconic leisure and commercial harbour. Thanks to the vision, ambition and support of Wales Government this £4m. programme is now achievable and will be delivered by the Commissioners and Executive Team here in Saundersfoot.’’

Visit Wales Coastal Tourism project  has seen  three Coastal Tourism Centres of Excellence receive a total of £18.3m of funding (£8.2m ERDF) since 2010.  The three centres are Pembrokeshire, Aberdaron and Swansea Bay. Completion of the Saundersfoot Harbour project in spring 2015 will complete the project.  

Press release 

English Heritage is seeking experts in London’s urban archaeology to apply for a position on the London Advisory Committee, with a closing date of Friday 27 February 2015.

The Committee advises English Heritage on historic environment issues in London which are novel, contentious, exceptionally sensitive, technically or intellectually complex or which raise broader policy issues.

The Committee meets five times a year and is chaired by the planner, Lynda Addison.

Anyone interested should email the Committee Administrator (Kathryn.lanning@english-heritage.org.uk), by Friday 27 February 2015 with a CV and covering letter. 

EH article