IHBC NewsBlogs

Minister of State for Housing and Planning Brandon Lewis has announced changes to developer contributions following the recent consultation, including the power for Local Authorities to implement a lower threshold in National Parks. 

The DCLG writes:
For designated rural areas under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985, which includes National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, authorities may choose to implement a lower threshold of 5-units or less, beneath which affordable housing and tariff style contributions should not be sought. This will also apply to all residential annexes and extensions. Within these designated areas, if the 5-unit threshold is implemented then payment of affordable housing and tariff style contributions on developments of between 6 to 10 units should also be sought as a cash payment only and be commuted until after completion of units within the development.

These changes in national planning policy will not apply to rural exception sites which, subject to the local area demonstrating sufficient need, remain available to support the delivery of affordable homes for local people. However, affordable housing and tariff style contributions should not be sought in relation to residential annexes and extensions.

A financial credit, equivalent to the existing gross floorspace of any vacant buildings brought back into any lawful use or demolished for re-development, should be deducted from the calculation of any affordable housing contributions sought from relevant development schemes.  This will not however apply to vacant buildings which have been abandoned.

We will publish revised planning guidance to assist authorities in implementing these changes shortly. 

Ministerial statement by Brandon Lewis

IHBC newsblog on section 106 agreements

Wales Online has published an article from Mark Baker (member of the National Trust Wales Advisory Board) that criticises the effects of austerity measures implemented by the UK Government on Welsh Councils dealing with the conservation of historic buildings, as cuts can result in insufficient budgets for heritage and conservation works.

Wales Online article

The winners of the 2014 SURF Scotland’s independent regeneration network awards have been announced, alongside the launch of a publication showcasing the winners and nominees that gives examples of best practice in regeneration.

SURF (Scotland’s independent regeneration network) writes:
Each year, SURF and the Scottish Government team up to deliver the national SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration. The purpose of the annual SURF Awards process is:

• To recognise and reward best practice and innovation in community regeneration;
• To promote and disseminate best practice across Scotland as means of sharing knowledge and experience, and thereby enhancing future policy and practice;
• To highlight the role that regeneration projects have in improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities.

The SURF Awards are open to any project or initiative, taking place in Scotland, which is currently in place or which has been completed within two years of the closing date for entries. Nominations for 2014 were assessed by a panel of 20 independent judges, who are drawn from national regeneration-related organisations and community groups.

Five category winning projects were announced by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Community Justice and Legal Affairs, at a celebratory presentation dinner event in Glasgow’s Radisson Hotel on Tuesday 2 December.

The 2014 SURF Awards featured five thematic categories. Winning projects were selected from a shortlist of three per category:

• Preparing for Employment- Winner WorkingRite Pioneers (Edinburgh), Also shortlisted Aberdeen Foyer Training & Hospitality, Glasgow Marriott/Clyde Gateway Hotel & Hospitality Academy
• Town Centre Regeneration- Winner Glengate Hall (Kirriemuir, Angus) Also shortlisted Beyond the Finish Line (Glasgow), Super Saturdays (Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire).
• Infrastructure & Social Benefits- Winner Every1’s Garden(Dundee), Also shortlisted Athletes’ Village – City Legacy (Glasgow), Regeneration of Stane Gardens & South Calder Water (Shotts, North Lanarkshire)
• Creative Regeneration- Winner: North Edinburgh Grows, Also shortlisted AFLOAT (Coigach, Wester Ross), The Stove Network (Dumfries & Galloway)
• Community Led Regeneration- Winner Horshader Community Growing (Lewis), Also shortlisted The Glencorse Centre (Auchendinny, Midlothian), Isle of Jura Community Shop

SURF Awards 

Showcase 2014 download 

IHBC newsblogs on regeneration

A new report on Skills in London and the South East says the areas is facing a major skills crisis as 20% more are workers required to meet the pipeline of around £96 billion of construction projects in 2014-17.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) writes:
With 20% more workers required to meet the pipeline of around £96 billion of construction projects in 2014-17, the London and South East is facing a major skills crisis. This could impact the wider economy as early as April 2015, when a total of over 600,000 workers will be needed on site to deliver major projects currently in planning, according to a new report by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and KPMG.

The Report, ‘Skills to build’, outlines the labour requirements to deliver construction projects in London and the South East between 2014 – 2017 and the gaps in training that must be filled to meet this demand.

The industry has experienced great difficulties in recruiting enough skilled workers, for both professional roles and manual trades, to keep pace with new work. According to the report, a 51% increase in training provision would be required to meet demand for skilled labour between 2014 and 2017 to plug a gap of nearly 15,000 people.

Unless the supply of construction labour is increased, house building targets will not be met and the delivery of large infrastructure projects will be jeopardised. With 255,000 workers needed on site to deliver the 2015 pipeline of housing and 400,000 of the workforce expected to retire in the next 5-10 years, change to the industry has never been more pertinent.

The report includes the following recommendations to help fill the skills gap:

• Infrastructure UK should drive a commitment to embed skills and employment requirements in public procurement contracts, aimed at both Tier One contractors and suppliers.
• Government should ensure schools provide obligatory, quality and unbiased careers advice from Year 7, and submit annual careers reports evaluating the range of careers and training options covered.
• Local authorities should maintain and share a pipeline of future projects, with skills responsibility and funding devolved to the most appropriate level of functional economic activity, to enable the commissioning of demand-led training provision.
• The Skills Funding Agency should convene industry bodies and representatives to redesign training and apprenticeship frameworks to reflect modern methods of construction, and disseminate them for adoption by training providers.

LCC Report

CIC Policy update

‘Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe’ (CHCFE) is a two-year project funded by the EU Culture Programme (2007-2013) that aims to raise greater awareness on the multiple benefits of cultural heritage and present policy recommendations for tapping into heritage’s full potential.

CHCFE writes:
As the CHCFE project gains momentum analysing existing evidence of the many impacts of cultural heritage in Europe, the project consortium would like to present you with the latest project news and updates.

You are invited to share this information with your colleagues and through your networks. Together we can ensure cultural heritage makes an even stronger contribution to a sustainable Europe

Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe website

BEFS have published a blog post on their website about the recent Cross Party Group on Architecture & the Built Environment group meeting, summarizing the key points and debates from the CEB.

BEFS notes summarise the key points from presenters:

• Strategic View – Derek Mackay MSP – The Minister For Local Government And Planning
• Council View – Stephanie-Anne Harris, Strategic Development Manager, Culture And Sport, City Of Edinburgh Council.
• Community View – Ian Menzies, Treasurer Locus Breadalbane
• Discussion from attendees 

BEFS article

IHBC newsblogs on Community Empowerment Bill

The Galleries shopping centre in Wigan will be redeveloped after Wigan Council approved a £60m privately funded scheme to modernise the facility and re-establish the town’s old street pattern, moving Wigan Market back to its original location on Market Street.

Wigan Council writes:
A £60million masterplan that could transform Wigan town centre and create 400 jobs has been given the go-ahead.

The privately-funded scheme to turn the Galleries shopping centre into a modern retail destination including space for a cinema, gym, restaurants and leisure complex has been approved by Wigan Council.

The plans also include re-establishing the town’s old street pattern and moving Wigan Market to Market Street, where it was originally located.

The application was approved by the council’s cross-party planning committee today (Tuesday 11th November). The developers, Vale Retail, plan to rename the Galleries the Makinson Quarter and spend £60m on plans to revitalise a major part of Wigan town centre. Rather than rebuilt, the shopping centre would be reconfigured and remodelled creating the larger retail units modern retailers require.

Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: ‘I’m delighted councillors on the planning committee have agreed with our officers that this is a wonderful opportunity for Wigan and one not to be missed.’

‘That a private developer wants to invest such a large sum of money into the town centre is a tremendous vote of confidence in Wigan. This will provide a big boost to the local economy and demonstrates the huge potential of this area.’

The plans include relocating the historic Wigan Market to its original home on Market Street. The new location would be directly opposite Wigan bus station, which is also due to undergo a £16m revamp.

Meanwhile, Market Place in Wigan town centre will get a £1.3m make-over next year. The council is funding work to remove the current walls and benches in the public area and replace them with a water feature, an open seating area and trees. The aim is to make Market Place fit to host large events.

Richard Waterfield, chair of Waterfield’s Bakery and the Wigan Forward Board, the private/public partnership that works to promote the borough’s economy, said: ‘These are exciting times for Wigan town centre. We all know the economic climate is tough and changing retail habits are having an impact on the high street.

‘But Wigan town centre is already coping comparably well in this climate. The fact private developers want to invest such vast sums in the town speaks volumes about its potential and its underlying strengths.

‘I think the plans for the Galleries will make Wigan one of the best shopping destinations in the North West and I look forward to seeing these proposals become a reality.’

Wigan Council article

The Scottish Government (SG) has announced details of a £14 million boost for regeneration under capital grant funds, including £350,000 to the Uist Heritage Regeneration Programme and £1.8 million for a category B listed building  

The Scottish Government writes:
A £14 million cash boost to transform disadvantaged areas in Scotland has been announced by Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess and Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability.

A total of 18 local projects will receive a share of £14.343 million from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF). This is the second round of funding to be delivered under RCGF, which is already providing 22 projects with £27.6 million in grant support.

The fund has been developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities to deliver new and improved infrastructure in deprived areas.  Overall, £50 million is being invested through the fund in the period 2014/15 and 2015/16.

This includes £8 million set aside for Urban Regeneration Companies (URCs) to further support the successful regeneration of some of our most disadvantaged communities.

Awards to be made in the latest funding round include:

• £1.4 million towards the Denny Town Centre regeneration project, which will help create a redeveloped town centre square combining a contemporary library with enhanced IT and community facilities.
• £1.3 million to support the delivery of a community campus in the Menzieshill area of Dundee that will provide a new GP surgery, library, learning centre and community space.
• £1.63 million to support the Middlefield Community Project in Aberdeen by developing state of the art purpose-built accommodation as an addition to the existing Henry Rae Community Centre. It will provide childcare places, youth facilities, as well as a space for local community services, adult learning and recreational community activities for all groups.
• £1.8 million towards the restoration of a derelict and vacant landmark B-listed building in Parkhead, Glasgow. The building will be converted into a local enterprise centre and skills and employability hub by housing a flexible community space and office suites capable of accommodating businesses at all stages of development.
• £350,000 to the Uist Heritage Regeneration Programme, which comprises a suite of three community-led interlinked heritage developments that will collectively enhance the fragile and peripheral islands economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.
• £397,308 to a Horticultural Training and Community Facility in Greenock, a community initiative supported and facilitated by Inverclyde Council. The building will comprise training, meeting, and office space, along with a hall area and café. The facility will support individuals and help move them back into sustainable employment.

Mrs Burgess said: ‘Regenerating disadvantaged communities is a key priority for the Scottish Government, and I am delighted to join with COSLA in announcing this £14 million investment in 18 projects under the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.  Not only will these projects help transform neighbourhoods and deliver real benefits to local communities, but they will also contribute to stimulating economic growth by supporting and creating jobs.’

‘This announcement brings the total number of projects to receive funding under RCGF to 40, and increases our overall joint investment to £50 million over a two-year period.  I am pleased that COSLA continues to work with us on this initiative. It is a great example of how by working together Scotland’s public bodies are delivering real improvements in local communities for the benefit of those who live there.’

Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability said: ‘I am pleased that again the joint COSLA and Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is helping to improve the physical, economic, and social outcomes across communities in Scotland, resulting in long term strategic and transformational change.  Such large scale regeneration projects help deliver wider impacts of employment, land remediation, and improving existing infrastructure, along with levering in additional funding from a variety of sources.  Local authorities remain committed to regeneration activity, and funds such as the RCGF allow communities to achieve their vision for enhancing their local areas by delivering viable and sustainable regeneration outcomes.’

Scottish Gov press release 

IHBC newsblogs on regeneration

IHBC newsblogs on funding

The College of St George has been working in partnership with the City and Guilds of London Art School in establishing an imaginative carving programme which is producing exciting new grotesque sculptures for St George’s Chapel at Windsor.

The replacement sculptures aim to reproduce the scale and detail of the original mediaeval conception whilst allowing students the opportunity to be inventive in designing new carvings. The new grotesques replace heavily eroded Victorian grotesques which themselves replaced medieval carvings of unknown design.

In architecture the term ‘grotesque’ means a carved stone figure. Grotesques are often confused with gargoyles, but the distinction is that gargoyles are figures that contain a water-spout through the mouth, while grotesques do not. This type of sculpture is also called a chimera. Grotesques and Gargoyles experienced their heyday in the Gothic period. 

Students were encouraged and mentored throughout the process. Visits to the Chapel by City & Guilds students included a close up look at some of the 15th century wooden carvings in the Quire to help fire their imagination; visits to the City & Guilds by some of the Chapel team and the Sculpture Group of the Fabric Advisory Committee helped the dialogue remain fresh and exciting.

Among the really imaginative designs is a recreation of the famous ear-mouse from 1997, which had a human ear protruding from its back. Other designs are a fish with a human head, the earth mother and a the Hindu elephant god, Ganesha. Not all designs were accepted by the dean, though. For instance a pair of feet with sneakers was rejected. However, according to the Guardian the dean and canons feel elated by the charm of the new gargoyles laughing down from high up on the outer wall of the chapel. The new carvings are in a creamy Syreford stone from the Cotswold.

The college and church of St George were founded by Edward III in 1348 at the same time as the Order of the Garter. However, the present chapel is a light-filled wonder of late Gothic architecture, which was commissioned by Edward IV in 1475, who was also buried there. Despite the fact that it is full of royal tombs including those of Henry VIII and Charles I the college of St. George is ain fact an independent institution. At its heart it is a community of people who live and work together to offer worship to God, prayers for the Sovereign and the Order of the Garter, service to the society and hospitality to visitors.

 Medieval Histories article

Edinburgh Castle has been named the UK’s Best Heritage Attraction for a record fourth year running at the 2014 British Travel Awards (BTAs).

Historic Scotland writes:
This year’s prestigious BTAs – the largest consumer voted awards in the UK – saw the castle, Scotland’s number one paid for visitor attraction, once again lift the title, following a public vote.

With over one million public votes cast as part of this year’s awards, the accolade of Best UK Heritage Attraction tops off a bumper year for the world-famous Scottish landmark, following a record-breaking summer season for the castle, which welcomes over 1.4 million visitors annually.

Commenting on the Award, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: ‘With its dramatic setting, centuries of colourful history and panoramic cityscape views over the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Castle continues to enthral visitors from around the world.  To be named the winner of this prestigious award for the fourth year running reflects the enduring appeal of this iconic Scottish landmark, which plays a key role in promoting Scotland to visitors both at home and overseas.’

Scotsman article

English Heritage (EH) has published a news report that outlines trends in policy and practice in historic towns and cities, as well as major developments anticipated in 50 settlements. 

EH writes:
The Sustainable Growth of Cathedral Cities and Historic Towns was commissioned to look at the implication of proposed development on cathedral cities and historic towns, some of our most precious places.

This report investigates the effectiveness of local plan-making in protecting England’s heritage at the scale of the character and setting of smaller cathedral cities and historic towns.  It explores how current policy and practice address potential tensions between meeting local development needs and giving proper weight to conserving the special qualities of historic settlements.

It contains case studies that show how some of the cities and towns are addressing the issues on balancing heritage protection against economic growth and how others are having to make difficult decisions.

View information on the report and download a copy

A documentary exploring the work of the Scottish Ten 3D digital scanning project has been released online.

Mike Brooks writes:
Mike Brooks, Historic Scotland’s photographer, followed the Scottish Ten team from Historic Scotland, the Digital Design Studio at The Glasgow School of Art and CyArk as they digitally document Scotland’s World Heritage Sites and international heritage sites.

The film delves into the reasons behind the project and what the 3D data resources can be used for.

View the film 

More information on the Scottish Ten project can be found at www.scottishten.org

The campaign to save Preston’s bus station from demolition and the project to rescue the derelict Howsham Mill, near York, have scooped joint wins at the Heritage Alliance Heroes Awards.

In the fifth year of the Heritage Alliance Heroes Awards, the Preston Bus Station campaign was named joint winner with a project to rescue the derelict Howsham Mill, near York.

Lancashire Evening Post writes:
Heritage Alliance chairman Loyd Grossman presented the award to John Wilson from the Save Preston Bus Station campaign, during The Alliance’s Annual Heritage Day at the Glaziers Hall in Central London today.

Loyd Grossman said: ‘It is fantastic to award this year’s heritage heroes award to both Howsham Mill and Preston Bus Station who represent the power and passion of volunteers throughout the heritage sector. The Save Preston Bus Station Campaign demonstrates the hard work and tenacity of volunteers in saving a formerly unloved and unprotected example of Brutalist architecture. While the volunteers were often diffuse and expressed within a range of social networks, their coming together of interests represents a public re-evaluation and democratisation of the building’s value.’

Campaigner John Wilson said: ‘To be recognised nationally by The Heritage Alliance and winning this award is a tremendous achievement for everyone connected with our campaign to save Preston Bus Station. It has been a long hard campaign, at times it looked like we had lost the battle when the second listing application failed. Several members faded away, but we took on the challenge to fight Preston City Council head on.’

‘After English Heritage sent in their own team to assess the building we knew we had a chance to turn this result around, with Angela Brady in London, there was only going to be one winner. On this special date, September 23 2013, the bus station was awarded Grade II listed status. We were bursting with pride: it was like scoring the winning goal in added on time and winning the FA Cup.’ 

For Howsham Mill see http://howshammill.ning.com and Yorkshire Press

For Preston Bus Station see Lancashire Post article

Changes to section 106 negotiations, performance thresholds for major applications and new proposals for compulsory purchase have been put forward as part of Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement 2014.

Section 1.141 of the HM Government budget report states:
The government has taken significant steps to speed up planning decisions. Building on this progress, the government will take further action to speed up the end-to-end planning process for major and minor applications, and to support SMEs, including:

• ensuring that the principle of development need only be established once, to give greater certainty and allow locally-supported development to proceed more quickly
• taking steps to speed up section 106 negotiations, including revised guidance, consulting on a faster process for reaching agreement, considering how timescales for agreement could be introduced, and improving transparency on the use of section 106 funds
• keeping the speed of decisions on major applications under review, with the minimum performance threshold increasing to 50% of major decisions on time as performance continues to improve
• publishing new data on local authorities’ performance in meeting their statutory duty to process smaller planning applications within 8 weeks
• working with industry and local authorities to test whether more can be done to support the approval of small sites in the planning system
• publishing proposals for consultation at Budget 2015 on making the Compulsory Purchase Regime clearer, faster and fairer, with the aim of bringing forward more brownfield land for development 

Download the full budget report 

 Autumn Statement

IHBC newsblogs on budget reforms

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced proposals to ‘clamp-down’ on landowners who pose a ‘barrier’ to development as part of land reform in a consultation that closes on 5 February 2015.

She also said business rate exemptions for shooting and deerstalking estates would be scrapped as part of a series of ‘radical’ land reforms.

Sturgeon highlighted plans for a Land Reform Bill as she outlined her administration’s priorities and latest legislative programme.

This measure would give ministers power to intervene ‘where the scale of land ownership or the conduct of a landlord is acting as a barrier to sustainable development’.

Scottish Gov summary and Consultation

The Planner article

The Scotsman consultation article  and article on Nicola Sturgeon

Search Planning Portal

A Planning Inspector has approved Council policy for banning basement alterations to Listed Buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council writes:
The Council has today (Tuesday 2 December) won its historic battle to limit the scale of basement development in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

In its report just published, the Government’s Planning Inspector declares the Council’s proposals for tougher policies to be sound.

Basements will still be permitted but strict guidelines will now set limits on their scale. Highlights include a reduction in the maximum extent basements can extend under the garden, from 85 per cent to 50 per cent, with that 50 per cent being a single area of space; a restriction to a single storey in most cases (with exceptions for large sites); an outright ban on basement developments under listed buildings and a requirement for Construction Traffic Management Plans to be submitted alongside planning applications to help protect residents from the disturbance caused by these developments .

Commenting on the Planning Inspector’s announcement, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, Cllr Tim Coleridge, said:

‘Basements have been the single greatest planning concern our residents have expressed to us in living memory. Many have experienced years of misery from noise, vibration, dust and construction traffic.

‘Two years ago we started drafting a policy to try and strike the right balance between addressing our residents’ concerns and the genuine need for people to expand their homes. It hasn’t been easy and basement developers have aggressively opposed us every step of the way. We are delighted that the Inspector agrees that we have got it right while at the same time praising us for our extensive public consultation. This ruling is a victory not only for the Council but also our residents who have been overwhelmingly supportive of what we have been trying to do.’

The new guidelines will formally be adopted on 21 January at the next Full Council meeting.

RBKC press release and Basement policies

Guardian article on basement alterations 

Architects Journal on the basement alterations policy

Planning resource article

IHBC newsblog on basements

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced the provision of a locally-led garden town at Bicester, new targets for homes on publicly owned land and additional measures aimed at affordable housing.

DCLG writes:
Thousands of new homes will be provided following a range of government measures announced today (2 December 2014).

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said these new measures would support locally-led efforts to get the country building, building on the momentum gathered since 2010 which has seen house building levels rise to a 7-year high.

Today the government announced:

• a locally-led garden town at Bicester, backed by the council and local MP, which will provide up to 13,000 new homes
• the provision of 10,000 new homes on surplus public sector land at Northstowe in Cambridgeshire
• a new target to release enough formerly-used surplus public sector land for 150,000 new homes between 2015 and 2020
• government support to provide 11,000 new homes at Barking Riverside in East London, and 7,500 new homes as part of the redevelopment of Brent Cross

The government also announced measures that will provide thousands of new affordable homes:

• an affordable homes programme that will provide 275,000 new homes between 2015 and 2020 – the fastest rate of affordable house building in 2 decades
• the first 4 housing estates to be shortlisted for a share of £150 million to kickstart their radical regeneration

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: ‘We’ve seen how getting the country building has been key to our long term economic plan – helping hard-working people become homeowners and creating thousands of construction jobs.  Today we’re offering a blueprint for how we maintain this momentum, supporting local communities to deliver the homes they want to see, making the best possible use of brownfield land and protecting the Green Belt.  Taken together with our plans for a new programme of affordable house building, these measures could deliver over 200,000 new homes across the country.’

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: ‘Since 2010 we’ve pulled out all the stops and got the country building, delivering the highest levels of house building for 7 years.  Today’s package of measures will ensure we go further, delivering up to a quarter of a million new homes – including thousands of new affordable homes.  And in doing this, we’ll support the construction industry – a key part of our growing economy – long into the future by creating thousands of new jobs.’

UK Gov press release 

IHBC newsblogs on housing

Leighton Andrews, Welsh Minister for Public Services has released a statement confirming those local authorities proposing to merge under new measures to change government structures. 

Leighton Andrews, Minister for Public Services, said: ‘This is a unique opportunity for Local Authorities to influence the future shape of local government across Wales. I am encouraged by those that have grasped this opportunity. By engaging in this process, they recognise the opportunity voluntary mergers offer them to be at the vanguard of shaping the future role of local government in Wales.’

The Welsh Government received three Expressions of Interest by the deadline. These are from:

• Conwy County Borough Council & Denbighshire County Council
• Bridgend County Borough Council & The Vale of Glamorgan Council
• Torfaen County Borough Council & Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

The Welsh Government will be reviewing these expressions of interest over the coming weeks. 

For more background see IHBC NewsBlogs 

Search Planning Portal

Welsh Cabinet Statement

New research is to be commissioned by Department for the Environment Northern Ireland (DoENI) into economic impacts of developer contribution schemes, following a consultation that ran earlier this year. 

The DoENI writes:
Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, and Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, are to commission research on the likely economic impact of Developer Contributions Schemes.

Developer Contributions Schemes are a means of providing additional numbers of social and affordable housing units, often alongside new owner-occupied housing, in mixed income communities and are already in place across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The Department for Social Development (DSD) and the Department of the Environment (DOE) consulted on the possible introduction of a Developer Contributions Scheme in Northern Ireland. The consultation ran from 3 June 2014 to 23 September 2014.

DoENI press release

IHBC newsblog on section 106 agreements

Two UK cities have joined another 26 worldwide to form part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network; York is now UK City of Media Arts and Dundee is UK City of Design.

UNESCO writes:
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, designated 28 cities from 19 countries, as new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The network aims to foster international cooperation between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and enhanced influence of cultural in the world.

The following cities are new members of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network:

• Bilbao (Spain) – Design
• Busan (Republic of Korea) – Film
• Curitiba (Brazil) – Design
• Dakar (Senegal) – Media Arts
• Dundee (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) – Design
• Dunedin (New Zealand) – Literature
• Florianopolis (Brazil) – Gastronomy
• Galway (Ireland) – Film
• Granada (Spain) – Literature
• Gwangju (Republic of Korea) – Media Arts
• Hamamatsu (Japan) – Music
• Hanover (Germany) – Music
• Heidelberg (Germany) – Literature
• Helsinki (Finland) – Design
• Jacmel (Haiti) – Crafts & Folk Arts
• Jingdezhen (China) – Crafts & Folk Arts
• Linz (Austria) – Media Arts
• Mannheim (Germany) – Music
• Nassau (Bahamas) – Crafts & Folk Arts
• Pekalongan (Indonesia) – Crafts & Folk Arts
• Prague (Czech Republic) – Literature
• Shunde (China) – Gastronomy
• Sofia (Bulgaria) – Film
• Suzhou (China) – Crafts & Folk Arts
• Tel Aviv-Yafo (Israel) – Media Arts
• Tsuruoka (Japan) – Gastronomy
• Turin (Italy) – Design
• York (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) – Media Arts

‘The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is a tremendous tool for cooperation, it reflects our commitment to support an amazing creative and innovative potential to broaden the avenues of sustainable development,’ said UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova.

By joining the Network, cities commit to collaborate and develop partnerships with a view to promoting creativity and cultural industries, to share best practices, to strengthen participation in cultural life, and to integrate culture in economic and social development plans.

The Network covers seven thematic areas: Craft and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. It aims to promote international cooperation and encourage the sharing of experiences and resources in order to promote local development through culture and creativity.

With these new designations, the number of UNESCO Creative Cities Network members now totals 69.  The next meeting of the Creative City Network is scheduled for May 2015 in Kanazawa (Japan).

UNESCO press release

Creative Cities Network –  further details…

New energy saving measures and renewable energy power will benefit Scotland’s Mar Lodge estate (including the house and stables) after the introduction of a new biomass system at the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) property. 

The NTS writes:
On Wednesday the 12 November the boilers for a new biomass scheme at The National Trust for Scotland’s (NTS) Mar Lodge Estate, near Braemar, were fired up for the first time. The newly installed biomass will provide heat to: a house, the stable block (containing offices and staff accommodation), Mar Lodge itself and the famous Stag Ballroom, saving the NTS £120,000 per year and reducing CO2 emissions by 450 tons per year on heating alone. 

View the full blog entry including details and pictures of the biomass boilers  on the NTS website