Search the archive
-
IHBC’S NewsBlogs usually only summarise third party reports. Links to other sites may not be active so you may need to contact the host site for the original text.
Unless made explicit, IHBC NewsBlogs are not IHBC endorsements.
Categories
Monthly archive
Links
-
Recent posts
- Spotlighting IHBC’s latest Council: A paper you might have missed… Adam Dyer on ‘Green upgrades for London’s heritage homes’ 17/04/2026
- IHBC is planning for growth, so grow with us by volunteering, with our Committees, Boards and Branches, or Panels, Groups and more as suits – just let us know! 17/04/2026
- IHBC ‘Intervention’ Signpost: SAVE Britain’s Heritage Buildings at Risk Register 17/04/2026
- IHBC Director’s pick from HESPR’s £2.4M costed works: Public body seeks Heritage etc. consultant for iconic project, to 16/04 & £1.3+Mn 17/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (valued?) doorstep’: Edinburgh’s Argyle House qualifies for listed status – but won’t get it 17/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (under-valued?) doorstep’: Developer fights to keep new features on church 17/04/2026
- Launch of new fund with ‘more flexible terms’ in AHF’s 50th year of lending: inaugurated by Cadw with £500K 17/04/2026
- HSE: ‘Consultation on the Control of Lead at Work Regulations’ to 24 May 17/04/2026
- Icon launches Conservation Skills at Risk project 17/04/2026
- AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) opportunity on ‘Spaces of Health: Connecting Past and Present Experiences of Health and Wellbeing in Heritage’, open to 1 May 17/04/2026
- Local people take the lead in ‘Pride in Place’ across 40 more communities 17/04/2026
- Join the ‘Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2026’ in Malta | Apply by 15 May 17/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: Judge halts above-ground construction of Trump’s White House ballroom 17/04/2026
- WM Branch’s ‘CPD Competence Suite No.2’ on IHBC’s YouTube: ‘The Conservation Hour: Series 2’ – Competence-based learning (open to non-members) with thoughts sought on a Series 3 14/04/2026
- Top marks for IHBC’s latest Council as LA Conservation service talks, papers & film get 10/10 from nearly 20% of 120+ delegates, shaping the survey for our new parliamentary push 14/04/2026
- IHBC is planning for growth, so grow with us by volunteering, with our Committees, Boards and Branches, or Panels, Groups and more as suits – just let us know! 14/04/2026
- IHBC opens Corporate Plan 2026-30 (‘CP30’) development with CP25 consultation, noting Charter, Parliamentary 5 Commitments, volunteer investment & more – to 28/02 & after 14/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Philosophy’ CPD Signpost: The UK Stained Glass Repository… finding stained glass windows new homes 14/04/2026
- IHBC’s ‘Evaluation’ CPD Signpost: HE launches two short films that explain the role of the HERs 14/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (community) doorstep’: Some half of homes with planning permission since 2012-13 not yet built says Local Councils Network. 14/04/2026
- IHBC features ‘Heritage from the (Church) doorstep’: Catholic Bishops Conference welcomes £400K to unlock historic potential of former Catholic seminary 14/04/2026
- Museum of London demolition legal challenge dismissed in court 14/04/2026
- Government Publishes ‘partial response’ to Energy Performance of Buildings Consultation 14/04/2026
- APPGEBE: ‘Government must not sacrifice quality in drive to build 1.5 million homes’ 14/04/2026
- DWP consults on merger of training bodies 14/04/2026
Tag Archives: policy
CPRE: Fixes for England land use crisis ‘already exist but… fragmented and…neglected’ argues report
A new CPRE report warns that the government’s Land Use Framework will not solve the fundamental question of what gets built where, arguing that policy tools to guide better land-use decisions already exist but remain fragmented and largely neglected.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged countryside, CPRE, government, planning, policy
Comments Off on CPRE: Fixes for England land use crisis ‘already exist but… fragmented and…neglected’ argues report
IHBC’s ‘Practice’ CPD Signpost: CIAT via DB – Beyond the render… embedding AI tools into architectural education…
image for illustration Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way technologists and architects design, visualise, and share ideas, and for graduates architectural education must adapt quickly to ensure the next generation is confident in using these technologies.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged AI, architecture, building, education, expertise, guidelines, policy, skills
Comments Off on IHBC’s ‘Practice’ CPD Signpost: CIAT via DB – Beyond the render… embedding AI tools into architectural education…
HE Publishes Planning Bulletin Supplemental on NPPF
Historic England (HE) has published a Planning Bulletin Supplemental to the Historic England monthly Planning Bulletin, raising awareness of Historic England’s response to the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged consultation, draft, government, HIstoric England, local authorities, NPPF, planning, policy
Comments Off on HE Publishes Planning Bulletin Supplemental on NPPF
Respublica reports on ‘A Modest Proposal for the Restoration of Neighbourhoods’
Research & policy body Respublica has issued a report offering ‘A Modest Proposal for the Restoration of Neighbourhoods’.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged civic, economy, neighbourhoods, policy, research
Comments Off on Respublica reports on ‘A Modest Proposal for the Restoration of Neighbourhoods’
IHBC ‘Management’ Signpost: Turley on ‘Grey Belt – What have we learned’
The introduction of ‘grey belt’ has been one of the most debated changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024 while an article from Turley consultants considers what has been learned from its first year in … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged government, Green Belt, housing, NPPF, planning, policy
Comments Off on IHBC ‘Management’ Signpost: Turley on ‘Grey Belt – What have we learned’
IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Westminster Council launches ‘Retrofit First’ policy & more in City Plan Partial Review
Westminster City Council has published its ‘City Plan Partial Review’, setting out strengthened planning policies on retrofitting, affordable housing, with a new Retrofit First policy, requiring developers to explore options for retrofitting etc. before seeking permission for demolition etc.’
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged development, housing, local authorities, planning, policy, retrofit
Comments Off on IHBC features ‘Heritage from the doorstep’: Westminster Council launches ‘Retrofit First’ policy & more in City Plan Partial Review
IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: ICOMOS at COP30: Heritage, Culture, and Global Climate Action
ICOMOS took part in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which was held from 10-21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, to reaffirm its commitment to climate action within heritage conservation practices.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, cultural heritage, global, heritage, ICOMOS, policy
Comments Off on IHBC features ‘Heritage from the Global doorstep’: ICOMOS at COP30: Heritage, Culture, and Global Climate Action
IHBC’s Context 185 under the spotlight: Accessible CPD for Conservation Professionals, with Alexandra Fairclough’s ‘Law and Policy update’
IHBC’s members’ journal Context No. 185 is under the spotlight and for this NewsBlog round we feature Alexandra Fairclough’s ‘Law and Policy update’ as she looks across the UK at changes, case law, appeals and call-ins.
IHBC urges ‘risk-based approach to retrofit’ with Government’s ‘Warm Homes Plan’ – ‘biggest home upgrade plan in British history’
image for illustration: IHBC The IHBC has welcomed Government’s £15Bn ’Warm Homes Plan’ – to ’help millions of families benefit from solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation…’ – but says it must ‘ensure that retrofit is done properly’.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, government, heritage, planning, policy, retrofit
Comments Off on IHBC urges ‘risk-based approach to retrofit’ with Government’s ‘Warm Homes Plan’ – ‘biggest home upgrade plan in British history’
RTPI & TCPA: ‘Planning for the Climate Crisis – A guide for local authorities’, 5th Edition
The RTPI and The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have published the fifth edition of their joint guidance on planning for climate change.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, government, guidance, local authorities, planning, policy, resources
Comments Off on RTPI & TCPA: ‘Planning for the Climate Crisis – A guide for local authorities’, 5th Edition
IHBC’s Research signpost: ‘… synergy… of historic building retrofit and the heritage of traditional building craft practices…’
A new research paper – An investigation in synergy: The intersection of historic building retrofit and the heritage of traditional building craft practices’ in the UK – asks: ‘… is there opportunity for greater synergy between historic building retrofit and … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged conservation, expertise, heritage, policy, skills
Comments Off on IHBC’s Research signpost: ‘… synergy… of historic building retrofit and the heritage of traditional building craft practices…’
UK Government urged to step up maintenance to safeguard ageing infrastructure: Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering has urged the UK Government to step up maintenance to safeguard ageing infrastructure, as the ‘Reviving our Ageing Infrastructure’ report by the National Engineering Policy Centre calls for the maintenance and renewal of existing assets … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, engineering, expertise, infrastructure, policy, safeguarding, skills
Comments Off on UK Government urged to step up maintenance to safeguard ageing infrastructure: Royal Academy of Engineering
IHBC Toolbox’s latest Guidance Note update now out: ‘Local Planning Authorities in England on Consulting the National Amenity Societies’
The IHBC’s Toolbox resource has had its latest Guidance Note update, on ‘Local Planning Authorities in England on Consulting the National Amenity Societies’, issued as a reminder to ‘local planning authorities of their statutory duty under the 2015 Direction’.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged amenity, conservation, consultation, expertise, government, heritage, localauthority, planning, policy, societies
Comments Off on IHBC Toolbox’s latest Guidance Note update now out: ‘Local Planning Authorities in England on Consulting the National Amenity Societies’
IHBC features ‘Heritage from the global doorstep 2: ‘Europa?Nostra on new Culture Compass for Europe – ‘When Culture wins, Europe wins’
Europa?Nostra, the pan-European Voice of Civil Society committed to Cultural Heritage, also in its role as Leader of the European Heritage Hub, welcomes and strongly endorses the Culture?Compass for Europe.
RIBA & partners call for raise the age of eligibility for Level 7 apprenticeship funding
With funding for Level 7 apprenticeships soon to be only for those aged 16 to 21, the has led an open letter to government asking them to raise the age of eligibility for funding to 25 years old for built … Continue reading
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged apprenticeship, government, learning, partnership, policy
Comments Off on RIBA & partners call for raise the age of eligibility for Level 7 apprenticeship funding
Government consultation: ‘Reforms to the statutory consultee system’, to 13/01/2026
Government UK are seeking views on reforming the role of statutory consultees in the planning system in England. This consultation closes on 13 January 2026.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged consultation, environment, heritage, planning, policy, safety, transport
Comments Off on Government consultation: ‘Reforms to the statutory consultee system’, to 13/01/2026
Gardens Trust on ‘Government Consultation on Removal of the Gardens Trust as a Statutory Consultee’
The Government has launched a consultation including the removal of the Gardens Trust as a statutory consultee, running until mid-January.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged charity, conservation, consultation, expertise, gardens, government, heritage, policy
Comments Off on Gardens Trust on ‘Government Consultation on Removal of the Gardens Trust as a Statutory Consultee’
IHBC’s ‘Professional’ Signpost: Update on the ‘Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill’
The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Sarah Boyack MSP on 27 March 2025, and this new Parliamentary Research Briefing summarises the situation as of 8 October.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged development, expertise, government, policy, skills, sustainability, wellbeing
Comments Off on IHBC’s ‘Professional’ Signpost: Update on the ‘Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill’
RIBA on ‘Build it Together’ – Progress and planning towards gender equity in the architecture profession’
Commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and independently produced by the Fawcett Society, a new ‘landmark report and action plan’ looks at gender equity in the architecture profession.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged architects, expertise, gender equality, government, organisations, policy
Comments Off on RIBA on ‘Build it Together’ – Progress and planning towards gender equity in the architecture profession’
IHBC’s ‘Professional’ Signpost: Submit representations to HM Treasury on Autumn Budget 2025, by 15 October
HM Treasury ‘welcomes representations as part of the policy-making process…’ they may be made on the Autumn Budget 2025 by October 15. as a written submission, commenting on government policy or suggesting new policy ideas to be considered in the … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged budget, economy, employment, government, policy, treasury, value
Comments Off on IHBC’s ‘Professional’ Signpost: Submit representations to HM Treasury on Autumn Budget 2025, by 15 October
New report calls for long-term placemaking to create vibrant communities
The ‘Place Building – Developing Homes & Communities’ report advocates a shift from short-term housing targets to long-term placemaking, as aligning policy incentives with on-the-ground innovation and community insight lets the built environment sector transition towards a true place-building approach.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged building, community, environment, expertise, placemaking, planning, policy, skills
Comments Off on New report calls for long-term placemaking to create vibrant communities
IHBC‘s ‘Research’ Signpost: Assessment of priority skills to 2030 report published
The Assessment of priority skills to 2030 report offers a detailed analysis of future employment needs across ten critical sectors, aligned with the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, and highlights the scale of demand for apprenticeships and broader … Continue reading
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged apprenticeship, employment, expertise, policy, report, skills
Comments Off on IHBC‘s ‘Research’ Signpost: Assessment of priority skills to 2030 report published
Parliamentary Committee call for permanent VAT Relief for LPOW
Culture Media and Sport Committee calls for permanent VAT Relief for Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme(LPOW).
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged church, heritage, policy, VAT
Comments Off on Parliamentary Committee call for permanent VAT Relief for LPOW
Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change… survey by the ESPON GILL project. We want to learn from you! Submit your local greening plan
The ESPON GILL project collects examples of planning documents by local authorities relevant to Green Infrastructures (GI)… so submit your local greening plan as an exemplary case for local authorities.
Posted in Sector NewsBlog
Tagged climate change, environment, expertise, nature, planning, policy
Comments Off on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change… survey by the ESPON GILL project. We want to learn from you! Submit your local greening plan
IHBC’s ‘Research’ Signpost from RTPI: Data integration could be the key to joining the dots in Scotland’s complex policy landscape
In the fourth of BEFS ‘Joining the Dots’ series exploring interconnected policy agendas for Scotland’s built environment, Dr Caroline Brown, Director for Scotland, Ireland and English Regions at the RTPI, explores how data integration could transform policy implementation and decision-making.
Posted in IHBC NewsBlog
Tagged building, conservation, environment, expertise, heritage, planning, policy, Scotland
Comments Off on IHBC’s ‘Research’ Signpost from RTPI: Data integration could be the key to joining the dots in Scotland’s complex policy landscape