Category Archives: Sector NewsBlog

Starting in February 2021, ‘Steps to Sustainability’, a new National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) programme delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, will provide a pathway to ‘help your organisation to be ambitious, forward-thinking and deliver exciting new projects’, with round … Continue reading →

Ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, Scotland’s national amenity and civic body, the Scottish Civic Trust, has published an action plan that outlines five priorities for the new Scottish Government.

Europa Nostra – the European voice of civil society committed to cultural and natural heritage – and its partner organisation, the European Investment Bank Institute (EIBI), has announced the 12 most threatened heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for the 7 … Continue reading →

Rare sand dunes on the Aberdeenshire coast have lost their conservation status following the construction of the Trump International Golf Links course at Menie Estate. image: for illustration purposes only

The Scottish economy could benefit to the tune of more than £200m over the next ten years by introducing digital planning services, according to a study by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in Scotland. image: for illustration purposes only … Continue reading →

Two historic streets in Coventry city centre have been transformed over the last few months as part of an ambitious £2 million project ahead of the festive season.

The Historic Environment Forum (HEF) has issued an infographic for 2020 to inform a ‘positive look ahead to 2021’. …infographic on our highlights from 2020… Francesca Benetti writes, on behalf of the HEF team: ‘We hope that next year will … Continue reading →

The German Presidency of the Council of the European Union has delivered on its promise to renew the EU’s principles of sustainable European cities through a New Leipzig Charter (NLC), adopted on 30 November 2020, which updates the principles of … Continue reading →

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has announced the appointment of three new trustees to the AHF Board: Greg Pickup, Carole-Anne Davies and Neal Shasore.

Completion of the restoration of Stowe House’s North Hall, largely funded by World Monuments Fund (WMF), came a step closer this summer with the installation of a statue of Mercury opposite the imposing Laocoön group installed last year.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced two new incentives to increase apprenticeships and create opportunities for young people, including a £25 million support package. image: for illustration purposes only – Open Government Licence v3.0

The Retrofit Accelerator for homes is part of the Mayor’s Energy for Londoners programme, and is designed to speed up the pace of cutting carbon emissions and achieving zero carbon by 2050.

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) is calling on early career professionals and students to join a new Built Environment Future Leaders’ Forum

The 2020 John Betjeman Award for excellence in conservation at places of worship of all denominations and faiths drew a range of impressive entries in the England & Wales category. image: SPAB website, Tenterden Methodist Church, Kent by Rachel Morley

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed the 15 successful bidders for investment under the second round of the Restoring your Railway Fund.

Return to Work – Planning seeks Local Authority (LA) sign up to this return to work scheme – developed by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Government Equalities Office (GEO) – offering free support for people with experience in … Continue reading →

Scotland’s Digital Strategy for Planning strategy defines a long-term strategic direction for how Scotland’s planning system will digitally transform, embracing the opportunities new digital technologies and data present.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has published a report entitled ‘Mental health and town planning: Building in resilience’, focussed primarily on RTPI members.

Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical has launched ‘the Heritage Barometer’ 2020 to help heritage organisations consider the risks and opportunities of embracing technology.

In tandem with the Spending Review, the UK Government released the National Infrastructure Strategy (the NIS), setting out its plans to deliver ‘an infrastructure revolution’ that included the requirement that all infrastructure projects have a board-level Design Champion, while NewsBlog … Continue reading →

Stronger collaboration between councils, health bodies, and business could set out ambitious visions for housing and economic growth in county areas, filling the strategic planning void if the duty to co-operate is axed, a new report commissioned by the County … Continue reading →

Statement of regret follows high-profile withdrawals from climate pledge. Architects Declare has made a peace offering to Zaha Hadid Architects and Foster & Partners after they pulled out of the climate commitment signed by more than 1,000 practices.

The Association of Detectorists is aiming to become an Institute, a ‘Community Interest Company’ planned with an ‘asset lock’ to the proposed Charity ‘The Detectorists Foundation’’.

Up to 2,000 new rooftop homes could be built across Southwark without having to demolish any existing buildings, according to research by Fruition Properties and Knight Frank.

The Scottish Government has released a Position Statement that sets out its current thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing Scotland’s fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).