IHBC NewsBlogs

The Historical Metallurgy Society (HMS) has issued a call for papers for its 2015 conference, with a deadline of 28 February.

HMS writes:
The scope of the conference is not limited to any particular period. Although any relevant contribution will be considered, the organisers are particularly hoping for papers on the following themes:

• What is street furniture? – case studies, artefact types and development.
• How was it made? – manufacturing and manufacturers.
• Exploring the past – contextualising street furniture in its contemporary environment.
•  The future for our street furniture – issues such as recording, repair, preservation and conservation, now and in the future.

While offers of papers or posters are welcome on any aspect of street furniture, we are looking especially for those that fit the themes above.

View full details of the ‘Celebrating Street Furniture’ conference and how to submit papers

IHBC newsblogs on historic ironwork

IHBC calls for papers website

Artist Jeremy Deller has created a digital animation, showcased on the Guardian website, which details the 33 stages of creating a roll of William Morris wallpaper.

View the animation

IHBC newsblogs on historic interiors 

IHBC’s Context on historic interiors

The Law Commission has now published its final report with recommendations on reform into the ‘right for light’ affecting developments in England and Wales.

The Law Commission writes:
We commenced this project in March 2012 and published a consultation paper on 18 February 2013.  We have now published our final Report, Rights to Light (Law Com No 356), which contains our recommendations for reform.

Our key recommendations are:

• a statutory notice procedure which would allow a landowners to require their neighbours to tell them within a specified time if they intend to seek an injunction to protect their right to light, or to lose the potential for that remedy to be granted;
• a statutory test to clarify when courts may order damages to be paid rather than halting development or ordering demolition;
• an updated version of the procedure that allows landowners to prevent their neighbours from acquiring rights to light by prescription;
• amendment of the law governing where an unused right to light is treated as abandoned; and
• a power for the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal to discharge or modify obsolete or unused rights to light. 

Press release and documentation 

IHBC newsblogs on Law Commission proposals

The Wales Bill 2014 has received Royal Assent, which introduces the Wales Act 2014, renames the ‘Welsh Assembly Government’ as the ‘Welsh Government’ and introduces new financial powers.

The Welsh Government writes:
First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones has today welcomed the Wales Bill receiving Royal Assent. Now called the Wales Act 2014, it delivers new financial powers for Wales by:

• enabling the National Assembly to develop Welsh taxes to replace UK stamp duty land tax and UK landfill tax;
• allowing Welsh Ministers to borrow up to £500 million to invest in capital projects, with further borrowing of up to £500 million to manage short-term budget fluctuations arising from tax devolution;
• establishing a mechanism to create new taxes on a case-by case basis; and
• granting the Assembly the power to call a referendum on the introduction of a Welsh rate of income tax.

The Act also:

• provides for Assembly elections to take place every five years, thereby avoiding future Assembly elections clashing with Westminster elections;
• removes the restriction on standing as both a constituency and a regional candidate in an Assembly election, and provides that MPs are disqualified from being AMs;
• renames the ‘Welsh Assembly Government’ as the ‘Welsh Government’; and
• enables the Welsh Ministers to refer law reform proposals to the Law Commission directly. 

News release

The Rural Coalition has issued a call for rural priorities to be recognised by the next government in a document entitled ‘The Rural Challenge 2015’, focusing on the rural economy, affordable housing and access to essential services. 

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) writes:
With the autumn statement due to announce a ‘roads revolution’ and a focus on fracking, the priorities of rural communities risk being sidelined, says Lord Robin Teverson, Chair of the Rural Coalition.

Calling for recognition of the national importance of the countryside and our rural communities, the Rural Coalition is today (3 December) urging Government to address three core areas to support them: the rural economy, affordable housing, and health and social care services. The Rural Challenge 2015 outlines a new set of rural priorities for the next Government. 

Lord Teverson adds: ‘In the build-up to the 2015 general election, we want to make the case for a healthy and flourishing countryside. Despite the enormous environmental, social and economic contribution that rural areas make to this country, they are in danger of being overlooked on key issues like housing, health and economic growth. That is why we are following up our 2010 report with a new Rural Challenge that asks the next government to do more to address rural concerns.

‘With demands for essential services increasing, as well as calls for more housing, it is vital that the needs of rural populations are considered alongside those in urban areas. Last year, 486,000 rural businesses had a combined turnover of £369 billion. It is time that the contribution of rural areas is formally recognised by integrating rural considerations more effectively in national policy.’

Acknowledging the difficulties facing rural populations in maintaining essential services, the Rural Challenge 2015 shows how, despite contributing 31% of Gross Value Added, rural areas are often overlooked in national policy. The Rural Coalition believes it is crucial that central Government retains the capacity to properly assess the impact of all policies on rural communities.

Despite recent moves by government to devolve decision-making powers away from Westminster, such as the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships, rural economies remain vulnerable and are often overlooked in national and regional policies. The Rural Coalition is calling for a greater acknowledgement of the role of rural areas, and a commitment to supporting rural business by rolling out high speed broadband and encouraging small enterprises.  At the same time, those on lower incomes are being squeezed out of the rural housing market, leading to a talent drain from rural areas and difficulties for local businesses and services. To help counteract this trend, the Rural Coalition advocates a number of measures, including targets for affordable housing in small communities and more flexible public investment.

Against a backdrop of the increasing cost of public service delivery and growing numbers of elderly residents, the Rural Coalition is also calling for greater coordination of health provisions and improved systems of funding to ensure better access for those in isolated communities. 

Press release

Download ‘The Rural Challenge 2015’ 

Plans for a £2 billion and 7000 home development forming a new garden city (Plasdwr, meaning waterfall) have been launched in Cardiff by developer Redrow Homes. 

View the Plasdwr Garden City

Plasdwr developer articles ‘Garden City Proposed for Cardiff’

Wales Online articles:

‘Revealed: 7,000 home garden city project planned on 900 acres of land in north west Cardiff’

‘Cardiff ‘garden city‘ plan of 7,000 homes blasted by councillors warning of transport chaos if 900-acre development goes ahead’

IHBC newsblog on garden cities

IHBC members with an interest in Historic Environment (HE) research and education will be particularly interested in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results assessing the quality of research in HE throughout the UK.

View the results for different units of assessment:

• architecture, built environment and planning results
• Geography, environmental studies and archaeology
• Culture
• All subjects

IHBC newsblogs on education

IHBC recognised courses

IHBC learning pages

The Department for the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) has released statistics showing approval rates and the number of renewable energy applications received in the most recent quarter, and launched a new financial support scheme for switching to renewable energy this week, entitled the Renewable Heat Initiative.

The DoENI writes:
If you want to switch from a conventional heating system to using a renewable heating source, you can get long-term financial support. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme is open to both non-domestic and domestic properties. 

All households are encouraged to consider the advantages of switching to a renewable heating source.

Renewable heating sources include biomass (wood, straw, poultry litter or energy crops), heat pumps and solar thermal.  If switching for your home, you’ll be able to get upfront assistance plus an annual payment over a seven-year period.  The scheme will also support installations commissioned since 1 September 2010.

News release

More information on the initiative

DoENI guide to renewables

DoENI announcement in reduction of renewable energy applications (July to November 2014 quarter)

IHBC newsblog on renewables

The Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (CIfA) was formally launched during an event held at the Museum of London on 9 December.

Heritage Alliance writes:
CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeology in the UK and its successful application for Chartered status, winning an order of grant from the Privy Council in February 2014 and the Charter itself in June, provides recognition from the state that the profession of archaeology is working in the interests of the public.

The CIfA hopes that becoming a chartered institute will significantly raise its profile and that of the archaeological profession, while bringing them a step closer to other chartered professions such as architects, planners, surveyors and engineers etc.

Peter Hinton, Chief Executive commented: ‘As we approach the midway point in our Strategic Plan, the launch of CIfA provides a strong assurance to members that the Institute is heading in the right direction.  CIfA will continue to promote professionalism in archaeology and pursue our ambitious strategic aim.’

‘Becoming Chartered has increased the influence of the Institute, which will greatly help us meet that aim.’

For the CIfA see www.archaeologists.net and the Charter

The World Monuments Watch have launched their latest call for nominations, with a closing date of 1 March.

World Monuments Fund launched the Watch in 1996 to bring international attention and secure financial support for heritage sites at risk across the globe.

WMF’s biennial advocacy campaign is now in its 10th cycle, and to date has included nearly 700 sites on all seven continents that face a diverse range of issues such as neglect, vandalism, conflict or disaster. Watch listing provides an opportunity for sites and their nominators to raise public awareness, foster local participation, secure valuable partnerships and instigate positive change. Past UK sites have included Stowe House, Gorton Monastery, Strawberry Hill and Coventry Cathedral.

Submitting a nomination is a two-step process.  Anyone interested in submitting a nomination to the 2016 Watch should fill out the initial inquiry form to be found on our website A username and password for accessing the secure online nomination form are then provided.  All nominations must be submitted through the online process.  If a nominator cannot do so, he/she should contact WMF’s New York office directly at watch@wmf.org

The deadline for nominations is 1st March 2015.  The timetable beyond this point consists of a period of reviewing the submissions which takes place between March and September 2015, with the final selection and press announcements anticipated in October 2015.

For more information please contact WMF Britain’s Project Manager Melissa Marshall (melissa@wmf.org.uk)or Project and Publicity Officer Sophie Buchanan (sophie@wmf.org.uk), 0207 251 8142.

Nomination guidelines

Initial inquiry form

IHBC newsblogs on world monuments fund

https://newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk/?s=WMF

Further details at LINK www.wmf.org/watch

The new chair of BRE has been appointed, James Wates CBE, taking over from Sir Neville Simms.

BRE writes:
Chairman of Wates Group, James Wates CBE has been appointed as Chairman of the BRE Trust the UK’s largest charity dedicated to advancing knowledge and education on the built environment for public benefit. He takes over from Sir Neville Simms who has been in the role since 2005.

CEO of BRE Group Dr Peter Bonfield said ‘James, like his predecessor Sir Neville, is a highly respected and influential figure in our industry. He understands the challenges faced by the sector and the key role that research and science can play in helping us meet them. We look forward to a new era of leadership and strategic direction for the BRE Trust.’

Along with his role at Wates Group, James is also Chairman of Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) where his remit is to encourage new talent into construction with stimulating skills training programmes and initiatives. He is also Chairman of the UK Contractors Group (UKCG), the primary association for contractors and their supply chain partners in the UK.  Members account for a third of construction output in the UK, advocating safe, ethical and sustainable practices in the sector.

Speaking about his appointment, James said ’This role with the BRE Trust is a great opportunity to connect the research and science outputs of the charity with the skills agenda of CITB  and the construction delivery and supply chain through UKCG. Our industry is growing but we have fewer resources to work with, we have a significant skills gap and we continue to be challenged by carbon reduction and climate adaption – innovation underpinned by science is the key and this is what the Trust does so effectively.

Peter Bonfield concluded ‘I would like to thank Sir Neville for his magnificent contribution to the BRE Trust. As well as giving us the benefit of his great experience as a captain of industry, he has been instrumental in the creation of the Trust’s five University Centres of Excellence in Bath, Cardiff, Brasilia, Strathclyde and Edinburgh who are conducting world class built environment research in key areas like energy, fire and security, sustainable materials and social cohesion. The centres collectively have 150 staff, 140 studentships and a collective research portfolio of over £60m.’

View the BRE press release

A London Council could be implementing a first in the policy world as proposals to prevent people purchasing housing as an investment and then leaving them empty (dubbed ‘buy to leave’) are to be consulted on.  

Islington Council writes:
Islington Council is to consult on pioneering planning policies that would require new homes to be regularly occupied – in an attempt to halt the rise of so-called ‘buy-to-leave’ properties in the borough.  Islington has seen an increase in ‘buy-to-leave’ properties – new homes sold as investments, often marketed off-plan overseas, and left to stand empty – especially in the south of Islington near the City.

According to council research, as many as a third or more of homes in some new developments are potentially vacant.  The council is concerned that empty new homes are ‘wasted supply’, making no contribution to meeting Islington’s need for new places to live.  Following initial consultation earlier this year, the council has now set out draft planning measures that would stop new homes standing empty and becoming ‘wasted supply’ – requiring that owners of new properties make sure they are occupied. The draft measures represent the first time a local authority has tried to tackle ‘buy-to-leave’ using planning powers.

Under the proposals, new homes could not be left unoccupied or unused for longer than three months, and would have to be occupied for at least 14 days in any three-month period.  If a property is left unoccupied for more than three months, the council would be able to take legal action such as seeking an injunction from the High Court against the owner.  Persistently breaking the injunction could lead to a fine, prison and even seizure of the empty property.

Cllr James Murray, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: ‘In Islington, as across London, there is a desperate shortage of housing. It’s wrong when new homes sit there empty purely as investments, when Londoners are desperately trying to find somewhere to live.  Our new proposals would make sure that all new homes in Islington are occupied – we want to send a message that ‘buy-to-leave’ is unacceptable.’

The new planning proposals would not affect existing homes, but would be applied to new properties.  Consultation on the proposal launches on Monday December 8 and runs until Friday 30 January 2015. 

View the press releases

Nominations for the Creative & Cultural Skills (CCS) Awards 2015 are now open, celebrating exemplary individuals, organisations, apprentices and interns in the creative and cultural industries, with a closing date of 9 January.

CCS writes:
The Creative & Cultural Skills Awards recognise those who have demonstrated a commitment to passing on skills and improving routes into work for young people.

Deadline for all nominations is 5pm on Friday 9 January 2015.

Awards will be made in the following categories:

• The Design Skills Award
• The Music Skills Award
• The Craft Skills Award
• The Jewellery Skills Award
• The Cultural Heritage Skills Award
• The Theatre Skills Award
• The Training Provider of the Year Award
• The Apprentice of the Year Award
• The Intern of the Year Award

Six sector-specific awards will recognise individuals who have shown an outstanding commitment to passing on and developing creative skills, and who make a difference to the lives of young people entering the creative industries.  These could be:

• Mentors
• Managers
• Tutors
• Facilitators
• Course Leaders

The Training Provider of the Year Award will celebrate a business or education institution which has demonstrated an innovative approach to developing creative talent.

The Apprentice of the Year Award and The Intern of the Year Award are particularly prestigious honours.The awards will recognise two young people from across the creative sector who have demonstrated the ambition and talent to make a real difference in his or her workplace.

Nominees must be a current apprentice or paid intern, or must have completed their apprenticeship or internship after 5 March 2014.

further details…

English Heritage (EH) is looking for Trustees to join the Board of the new charity which will take over responsibility for the care of its collection of historic properties in April 2015, with a closing date of 2 January.

EH writes:
We are looking for candidates with a variety of skills to help develop an organisation with nearly 900,000 members, over 5 million paying visitors and 420 sites which, from Stonehenge to Dover Castle and from Tintagel Castle to Hadrian`s Wall, have provided the backdrop for much of England`s extraordinary history.

We hope to hold interviews week commencing 2nd February 2015 and appointments are expected to commence in spring 2015. 

Further details…

The Place Alliance – a link group inspired by the Farrell Review’s ‘PLACE’ agenda, which also highlights the central role of conservation in place-making – is seeking your input into an urban design and built environment mapping exercise through a short survey, available until the end of December. 

The questionnaire covers different types of activities:

• Knowledge resources
• Education
• Campaigning for place quality
• Certification or review
• Direct assistance to places 

Complete the survey

IHBC NewsBlogs on urban design

IHBC newsblogs on placemaking 

IHBC newsblogs on the Farrell Review

For background see IHBC NewsBlog

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Commons Select Committee have now concluded the initial review of the first two and a half years operation of the NPPF, highlighting a number of concerns on its application that include particularly the effect on town centres. 

The Commons Select Committee (summary) states:
We have suggested a number of changes that should be made both to the NPPF itself and to the way it is applied.

• First, we must take steps to ensure that the planning system delivers the sustainable development promised in the NPPF. We should ensure that the same weight is given to the environmental and social as to the economic dimension; that permission is only given to development if accompanied by the infrastructure necessary to support it; and that the planning system places due emphasis on the natural environment.
• Second, all councils must move much more quickly to get an adopted plan in place: this will give communities increased protection against the threat of undesirable development. We call for a statutory requirement for councils to get local plans adopted within three years of legislation being enacted.
• Third, we must address the complex issue of land supply. Provisions in the NPPF relating to the viability of housing land are leading to inappropriate development: these loopholes must be closed. There also needs to be clearer guidance about how housing need should be assessed. In addition, local authorities should be encouraged to review their green belts as part of the local planning process.
• Finally, changes should be made to ensure the NPPF gives greater protection to town centres. The internet has changed the way we shop; town centre planning policy must therefore evolve too. We call for an end to permitted development that allows shops and buildings used for financial and professional services to become homes without planning permission, a policy which is undermining the local planning process. 

House of Commons report & summary

Commons Select Committee info

UK Local Gov on the reforms ‘developers exploiting planning reform loopholes’

FMB reaction to the NPPF review ‘Council planning budgets should be ring fenced’

IHBC newsblogs on NPPF

Following the recent Draft Corporate Plan consultation, the new Historic England (HE) Action Plan is now out for consultation, with views being sought by 23 January 2015.

EH writes:
We are developing a Corporate Plan for Historic England. The Plan will set out Historic England’s purpose, role and values and include its strategic priorities for the period from 2015 to 2018.

The consultation on our draft Corporate Plan has now closed. We are very grateful for your views; these will inform the Plan which we expect to publish in Spring 2015.  We are also grateful to everyone who responded to the consultation on the new governance model for English Heritage and the consultation on the National Heritage Protection Plan held earlier this year. The views gathered from a wide range of our partners and our staff over the summer have also informed our draft Plan.

Finally, we promised to consult on our Action Plan that identifies the areas of work we will focus on over the Corporate Plan period. The Action Plan also sets out the contribution Historic England will make to Heritage 2020, the historic environment sector’s plan for its priorities between 2015 and 2020. The draft Action Plan is now available and we would appreciate any comments you would like to make via actionplan@english-heritage.org.uk by Friday 23 January.

EH press release on changes

Draft Corporate Plan

Draft Action Plan for consultation comments

IHBC newsblogs on Historic England

Built Environment Forum Scotland has announced that its new chair will be Dr Graeme Purves OBE, former Assistant Chief Planner in the Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division, succeeding Professor Emeritus Cliff Hague at the end of his 3-year term.

BEFS writes:
We are pleased to announce that, following our AGM on 11 December, Dr Graeme Purves OBE has been elected as BEFS new Chair. Graeme was the Assistant Chief Planner in the Scottish Government’s Planning and Architecture Division until September 2013 with extensive experience in urban regeneration and rural development issues and an expert on the pioneer Scottish planner, Sir Frank Mears.

Graeme said: ‘The quality of our built environment is of crucial importance to our wellbeing and economy.  I am looking forward to working with BEFS member organisations to safeguard and enhance our built environment and highlight the roles which planning, design and creative conservation can play in building a better Scotland.’

The AGM also marked the close of Professor Emeritus Cliff Hague’s 3 year tenure as BEFS Chair.  BEFS Director, John Pelan said: ‘Professor Emeritus Cliff Hague has been an inspirational Chair for BEFS. His leadership, expertise and intelligence along with the high esteem in which he is held across the sector has enhanced BEFS’s profile and reputation.  His work on the Small Towns Initative and Measuring Success in the historic environment sector has been particularly exemplary. I have enjoyed working with Cliff over the last three years and, on behalf of the Board and staff of BEFS, wish him well in his many pursuits and interests.’

‘We welcome our new Chair, Dr Graeme Purves.  Graeme’s experience of Scottish Government, his passion for the built environment, historic and contemporary, and strong record of project delivery will be of enormous benefit to BEFS’.

Craig McLaren and Sean O’Reilly stood down from the Board at the AGM and BEFS are grateful to them both for the direction received. Sean was instrumental in creating BEFS and his guidance and support in his 14 years as a member of the Board have been invaluable.

Two further appointments were made to the Board were Torsten Haak for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation and Nikola Miller for the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland.

BEFS news

The Deputy Prime Minister has announced greater powers for housing, transport, employment and business support for the city region of Sheffield under the Northern Futures Programme. 

The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office writes:
The Deputy Prime Minister in Sheffield confirmed a city devolution deal which will shift power from Whitehall to the combined authorities locally, giving the city greater control over transport, skills, housing and business support. This historic deal for Sheffield will allow the city to introduce ‘oyster-style’ travel cards, and local councils and businesses will have control over the majority of the skills budget for the area for the first time.

He is confirming greater powers for Sheffield a month after the Northern Futures Summit, which brought together local people and businesses to share their vision for strengthening the economy in the region. The deal does not impose any specific form of governance over the city, such as a metro mayor.  The deal builds on the success of the City Deal and Growth Deal already agreed for the Sheffield City Region, which began the journey that sees the people of Sheffield put in charge of their own economic destiny.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: ‘It’s a historic moment for the great city of Sheffield, and I’m pleased to be bringing more power to the people of Sheffield today, after I’ve pushed for greater devolution to the North through my Northern Futures programme for so long.  Today’s deal will give council leaders clout to push forward local plans that strengthen the economy and the running of the city themselves, without waiting for Whitehall.  Putting the people of Sheffield in control of our city’s destiny will ensure local plans are in line with what local people want. From transforming travel across the city, to improving access to skills training, the deal will mean changes in the city are shaped by those who live there. Gone are the days of central government controlling all local decisions, and I’m proud to be at the forefront of these forward-thinking changes that see cities like Sheffield able to grow as they see fit.’

UK Gov press release

Northern Futures

City Deal info

Growth Deal info

IHBC newsblogs on English devolution

The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) has announced that it pledges to abolish the 20% VAT rate on Listed Building (LB) repairs introduced in the 2012 Budget, and instead replace it with a rate of 5%.

Heritage Alliance writes:
The announcement was made by UKIP Heritage spokesman, William Cash, on 8th December 2014 in a news item on the UKIP website. William Cash Jr, the son of Conservative veteran, Bill Cash MP, was appointed as Heritage Spokesperson for UKIP in October 2014.

In a statement he said: ‘None of the parties, other than UKIP, are committed to abolishing the VAT rate pledge in their manifestos.  Abolishing the 20% VAT rate is essential for maintaining Britain’s historic architectural heritage, which is the envy of the world.  Many buildings, from castles to cottages are crumbling away whilst the Treasury unfairly rewards developers of new buildings with zero VAT rates’.

In the run-up to the General Election 2015, UKIP has also pledged a number of policy positions broadly affecting the heritage sector. These include plans to abolish DCMS, the introduction of a British Single Farm Payment, the scrapping of HS2, planning changes to the NPPF, and the relaxation of VAT for the redevelopment of brownfield sites. 

UKIP news

‘Why I have accepted the role of heritage spokesperson’ – Blog 

BBC news on UKIP heritage pledge

Telegraph on UKIP heritage pledge

Heritage Alliance update 287 

IHBC newsblogs on tax

IHBC newsblogs on VAT 

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched a consultation and call for evidence regarding the application of lottery funding and the guidance which governs society lotteries (under the Gambling Act 2005). 

DCMS writes:
It has now been nearly a decade since the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 which governs society lotteries. In that time, and in recent years particularly, there have been rapid developments in the lottery and commercial gambling sector. Strong growth in society lotteries, a trend to online gaming and innovations in products and marketing have seen, arguably, a convergence in the market; the evidence available would suggest the characteristics that once made The National Lottery, society lotteries and the commercial gambling sector distinct, are now less clear.

The Government is committed to ensuring that all lotteries are able to maintain and grow their share of the market for good causes while upholding player protection. We are also committed to maintaining the health of the National Lottery. We are now calling for evidence to help us look more closely at the current position and consider if changes are required in light of that evidence.

We invite submissions from across the sectors, from The National Lottery, society lotteries, commercial operators, players and other interested parties and we encourage feedback to the questions asked in this document.

View the news release and access consultation documents via UK Gov 

IHBC newsblog on lottery funding

An open data challenge on the theme of Heritage & Culture has been launched by the independent charity Nesta (formerly the NDPB the ‘National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts’) with up to £50,000 equity-free funding to further develop their product and applications closing on 8 February.

NESTA writes:
The Heritage + Culture Open Data Challenge, run by Nesta and the Open Data Institute, invites teams to use ‘open data’ to build products and services that create social impact. The challenge question is: ‘How can we use open data to engage more people, and more diverse people, in UK heritage and culture?’

The winner of the Challenge will receive £50,000 equity-free funding to further develop their product.  The project forms part of a series of seven challenge prizes to invite businesses, startups and individuals to develop innovative solutions to social issues using open data. For each challenge, teams will be invited to build and test their ideas at a creation weekend where three team of finalist will be chosen to win £5000 each.

Applications are open from 4th November 2014 until midday 8th February 2015.

View more information on the challenge on the website

Open data for arts & culture