Monthly Archives: March 2012

The IHBC has greeted England’s new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) with some relief, highlighting both the substantial improvements from the first draft and welcoming the potential the NPPF offers for people to lobby for improved capacity in local authority … Continue reading →

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) just launched by the Coalition government relinquishes central control for the detailed interpretation of sustainable development to local authorities, once again putting the decisions into the hands of the decision-makers. This was the … Continue reading →

The NPPF has placed final responsibility for the care of local places firmly in the hands of local people, and if they want to succeed, specialist support inside local authorities is essential: a conservation officer! Following the publication of the … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, is providing guidance on how you can identify your local Conservation Officer (CO) or service, if you still have one, and how important … Continue reading →

Anyone who cares about their local places must get to grips with their local plan, as the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) offers only a short window of 12 months to get the plan fit for purpose under the … Continue reading →

Following the publication of the NPPF, and the withdrawal of other national planning policy, if there is a dispute over the interpretation of policy, the only other place it can be worked out will be in the courts, says the … Continue reading →

The Planning Inspectorate, which recognises the IHBC as an ‘Approved professional body’, is recruiting additional Inspectors to help deliver the national planning and appeal service. Highly-motivated professionals from a range of backgrounds and with expertise in planning and/or other land-use … Continue reading →

The Church of England (CoE) has written to the Chancellor to request an exemption for places of worship in the extension of VAT to alterations in listed buildings, claiming the Budget measure could cost the Church up to £20m per … Continue reading →

A family who illegally built a wooden house in Surrey woodland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have been granted a Certificate of Lawful Use by Mole Valley District Council. Horse trainer Daniel Brown, his wife Jessica and … Continue reading →

Scottish planning minister Derek Mackay has confirmed plans to link increases in planning fees for local authorities to performance levels, as part of wider plans to streamline the planning system. Search Planning Resource: LINK

An ambitious multi-billion scheme to regenerate 60 hectares of dockland in Liverpool has been approved by the city council’s planning committee, subject to a legal agreement. The outline application from Peel Holdings has been referred to the Government. Council leader … Continue reading →

Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s childhood homes in Liverpool have been listed at Grade II, celebrating the huge cultural and historic associations that the two houses have as the place where The Beatles composed and rehearsed many of their early … Continue reading →

A nationwide competition to find the UK’s City of Culture 2017 will be launched later this year, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has announced. Derry-Londonderry will be the first ever UK City of Culture next year and will stage a series … Continue reading →