C O N T E X T 1 7 3 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 51 Notes from the chair A balance of interests It gives me great pleasure to be able to contribute to this issue of Context. It has been a long time coming, but dealing with diversity in all its manifestations is groundbreaking for the journal and the IHBC as a professional institute. The range of topics covered is impressive, and I am indebted to Peter de Figueiredo for taking the lead in assembling this issue. I would particularly like to draw readers’ attention to Alice Ullathorne’s article on equity, diversity and inclusion in the heritage sector (page 17). It sets out some challenges for the IHBC on which I will be working with her and others. It is not usually the role of the IHBC chair to talk about politics, but issues around equality, diversity and inclusion have a political dimension. By the time this issue of Context is published, we will have a new prime minister and cabinet. Questions arise about the passage of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, but outside that, a current issue relating to climate change intrigues me, particularly as I am writing this during record-breaking summer temperatures. In his former role as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove called in a planning application by Marks & Spencer to redevelop its Marble Arch flagship store in London’s Oxford Street. This is interesting not only because the decision will be taken by his successor (at the time of writing Greg Clark), but also because the controversy surrounding the application has been centred on the carbon implications of the development. In simple terms, the developer wishes to demolish the existing building and rebuild it for retail and other uses, and has provided evidence that indicates that there will be less carbon used than if Controversy around the planning application by Marks & Spencer to redevelop its Marble Arch flagship store has centred on the carbon implications.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjgyMjA=