Monthly Archives: May 2012

Issue 20 of the ‘Public Service Review’, a key publication for the public policy sector, carries an article by IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly highlighting the environmental value of conservation, and how improving fiscal support for maintenance could help this ‘Conservation … Continue reading →

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage (EH), set out the organisation’s plans for the year ahead in a speech he gave on 22 May at Apsley House, London, including announcing EH’s proposed development of an indicator for Local Authorities. … Continue reading →

Research shows that street furniture, barriers, parks, public spaces and neighbourhood architecture can stir up powerful emotions in local residents, and this should be taken into account in programmes designed to reduce tensions and foster community cohesion. Four cities – … Continue reading →

Putting green infrastructure such as parks, gardens and trees at the heart of neighbourhoods can bring significant economic benefits, according to a Natural England study. The work showed that far from being an expensive luxury in difficult economic times, devoting … Continue reading →

The Welsh Government has set out plans detailing a pipeline of capital projects worth £15bn over the next decade. Building Co UK Article: LINK

A new web survey by sustainability consultant Georgie James, into the extent that environmental assessment methods are appropriate for refurbishment of historic buildings, is now open for responses. Georgie James writes: My research is into the extent that current environmental … Continue reading →

New Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) projects in the South West aim to bring Georgian pleasure gardens to life and explore the cemeteries of the future as projects explore groundbreaking ideas for new heritage experiences. AHRC writes: Six projects … Continue reading →

A new industry-wide forum has been set up to improve the employment of women, minorities and the disabled within the construction industry. CITB-ConstructionSkills writes: The new Construction Industry Leadership Forum for Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR), has been established on … Continue reading →

The Association of Building Engineers (ABE) has launched the British Building Maintenance Awards for 2012, to recognise excellence, achievement and innovation in building maintenance management and estate services, including conservation. ABE writes: We like to welcome entries from both public … Continue reading →

The Historic Chapels Trust has announced that Roland Jeffery will be its Director from 25 May. He takes over from Dr Jennifer Freeman, who retired at the end of March having been the Director from the Trust’s inception in 1993. … Continue reading →

The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) has condemned the withdrawal of VAT relief for key heritage construction works, saying it will undermine the future improvement of many of the UK’s listed buildings while threatening much-needed growth, especially in construction … Continue reading →

Letters to the press from members of the ‘Cut the VAT’ campaign and Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) have hit the papers, adding to the public campaign by heritage luminaries such as Loyd Grossman. See the letter from ‘Cut the … Continue reading →

Parliamentary questions raised on behalf of Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), of which the IHBC is a member, confirm that the Scottish Government considers the move ‘deeply regrettable’, and ‘in the opposite direction from the approach that the Scottish Ministers … Continue reading →

The Chancellor has agreed an extra £30 million to help resolve the damage to the future of listed places of worship by the budget’s recent heritage ‘VAT raid’, a subvention only confirming the high-level recognition of the damage caused by … Continue reading →