Welcome to the BEFS e-Bulletin
Latest:
Last week the Government published the long awaited
consolidated SPP and the Scottish Parliament
passed the Marine (Scotland) Bill, which
included a general duty to protect and enhance the marine area and powers
to select and manage Marine Protected Areas to enhance marine
biodiversity and preserve historic assets. We've also seen the publication
of a second, more extensive, consultation into permitted development
rights for domestic micro-wind turbines and air-source heat pumps.
Upcoming BEFS meetings:
4 March, 3pm: General Meeting,
the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace,
Edinburgh
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Consultation
Extending
Permitted Development Rights for Domestic Micro-Wind Turbines and
Air-Source Heat Pumps (SG 05/02/10)
On
15 January 2010 Scottish Ministers consulted on draft proposals to extend
permitted development rights to micro wind turbines and air source heat
pump installation on domestic buildings and laid an Order in the Scottish
Parliament on 5 February giving effect to an amendment of the GDPO. Scottish
Ministers are now able to take forward a consultation on much more
wide-ranging proposals for the extension of permitted development rights to
MWT and ASHP. These proposals are based on research 1 for the Scottish
Government, which was published in December 2009. Read more.
Consultation period 05/02/10 - 30/04/10
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Publications
Working for Sustainable Development through Single Outcome
Agreements (SE LINK 11/02/10)
Scottish Environment LINK has published a
report on priority issues for the Single Outcome Agreement process aiming
to help ensure that the SOA process works towards a more sustainable future
for Scotland. It addresses ten
priority topics - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ecological Footprint,
Education/Volunteering, Historic and Built Environment, Landscape, Physical
Activity/Health, Recreational Access, Transport, Water and Flooding. Report
New consolidated Scottish Planning Policy (SG 04/02/10)
The Scottish Government has launched a document which sets
out planning policy on nationally important land use planning matters such
as housing, wind farms, flooding and the natural and built environment. Publication and press release.
Scottish Planning Series: Planning Circular 1 2010: Planning
Agreements (SG 04/02/10)
Planning Circular 1/2010: Planning agreements. Circular
providing guidance on the processes for determining the need for, and
negotiation of, planning agreements. Read more
Scottish Government News Release
New era for Scotland's seas (SG 04/02/10)
The Marine Bill has been backed by Parliament, 'heralding a new era' for Scotland's seas. Main
measures in the Bill, which was passed by MSPs on
Thursday 4 February, include:
. A National Marine Plan to give greater clarity to decision
making in the marine environment and encourage investment
. A simpler licensing system to cut bureaucracy and
introduce efficiencies to encourage economic investment and growth
News Release
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Recent Parliamentary Questions
Parliamentary
Questions
Questions marked with a triangle are initiated by the Scottish
Executive in order to facilitate the provision of information to the
Parliament.
Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked
with an "R".
S3W-31723
Karen Gillon: To ask the Scottish Executive whether
it will publish guidance for applicants for new World Heritage sites. (SG 11/02/10)
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Recent Parliamentary Answers
Questions
marked with a ^ are initiated by the Scottish Executive in order to
facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Q S3W-31225 Liam
McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list those public
authorities that will be subject to the duty in section 11(1) of the Marine
(Scotland) Bill to take authorisation or enforcement decisions in
accordance with the appropriate marine plans unless material considerations
indicate otherwise. (SP 01/02/10)
A Answered by
Richard Lochhead (10/02/10): The Scottish
Government cannot say definitively which authorities will be covered but
does not think that there will be many cases where there will be any real
doubt as to whether an authority is covered or not.
Q S3W-31226 Liam McArthur: To
ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list those public authorities
that will be required to comply with the requirements of section 71 of the
Marine (Scotland) Bill by virtue
of section 71(1) of that Bill. (SP 01/02/10)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead (10/02/10): I refer the
member to the answer to question S3W-31225 on 10 February 2010.
Q S3W-31228 Liam
McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question
S3W-30269 by Richard Lochhead on 27 January 2010,
whether the group of public authorities to which the Marine (Scotland) Bill
will apply will be most similar to the group of bodies defined as public
authorities in (a) section 6(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998, (b) section 3
of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, or (c) section 322 of
the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 or defined as public bodies or
office-holders in section 58 of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act
2004. (SP 01/02/10)
A Answered by Richard Lochhead (10/02/10): The Scottish Government is of the
view that any authority which is public for the purposes of the legislation
referred to and which has devolved functions is also likely to be a public
authority for the purposes of the bill.
Q S3W-31229 Liam
McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question
S3W-30269 by Richard Lochhead on 27 January 2010,
whether it will give an example of an Act in which the term public
authority is undefined that might serve as a precedent to determine the
meaning of the expression in the Marine (Scotland) Bill. (SP 01/02/10)
A Answered by Richard
Lochhead (Wednesday, February 10, 2010): Acts frequently refer to public
authorities without listing which authorities are covered, or defining them
in detail. The Human Rights Act 1998 is a good example. It contains no list
or basic definition of public authority, and there is case law relative to
the meaning of public authority in that act.
Q S3W-31486 (^)
Shirley-Anne Somerville: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide
further permitted development rights for domestic micro-wind turbines and
air source heat pumps. SP 05/02/10)
A Answered by Stewart
Stevenson (05/02/10): Following our initial consultation on permitted
development rights in January 2010, an Amendment Order setting out a
limited range of permitted development rights for domestic micro-wind
turbines and air-source heat pumps will be laid in the Scottish Parliament
(05/02/10). A further consultation which sets out additional proposals for
extending the scope of permitted development rights for domestic micro-wind
turbines and air-source heat pumps has been issued (o5/02/10). Copies of
the consultation have been placed in the Scottish Parliament's Information
Centre (Bib number 50132).
Q S3W-31132 Marilyn
Livingstone: To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support universities
offering degrees in architecture, built environment and planning following
the proposal from the Scottish Funding Council to reduce the funding for
these degrees by 22%. (SP 28/01/10)
A Answered by
Michael Russell (04/02/10): How to allocate
funding for teaching in universities is a matter for the Scottish Funding
Council, rather than Scottish ministers. We have however ensured that the
Funding Council is aware of the views of the professional bodies for
architecture, built environment and planning about its proposed reforms for
teaching funding. The Chief Executive of the Funding Council met the
Scottish Government's Chief Planner and Chief Architect on 27 January 2010 to discuss this
matter.
Q S3O-9415 Linda Fabiani: To ask the Scottish Executive what support it
gives to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. (SP 28/01/10)
A The Minister for Culture and
External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop): According to the
2008-09 review of the commission's centenary year, the Scottish Government
provided 75 per cent of the commission's total income as direct funding in
that year. In addition, Historic Scotland provided approximately £221,000
in grants for specific projects as part of the remaining 25 per cent of the
commission's income.
R Linda Fabiani:
Does the minister acknowledge the value and importance to Scotland of the work that
has been done by RCAHMS over the past 100 years of collecting? Does she
join me in congratulating the commissioners, staff and volunteers on the
successful celebration of their centenary through the treasured places
exhibition, and welcome the commission's future plans as the first port of
call for anyone wanting to find out about Scotland's places?
R Fiona Hyslop:
Yes, I do. I understand that members have been sent the report from the
commission's centenary year. We should recognise the initiatives that took
place in that year and the on-going work that RCAHMS does for the benefit
of Scotland. I urge people to
engage. (SP 04/02/10)
Other Parliamentary activity
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Events
Building
Scotland - Celebrating Scotland's Traditional Building
3 - 4 March 2010, The Assembly Hall, The Mound, Edinburgh
Historic Scotland will be hosting a two day conference to mark the launch
of the book, celebrating the materials used to construct Scotland's
Traditional Buildings. Specialist speakers will outline how fourteen
materials have been utilised over time, their geographical variations
throughout the country, their properties and examples of their use. Read more
Meeting the Challenges Climate Change Presents to Scotland's Historic Environment
16 -17 March 2010, Fyvie Castle, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
A two day education/training programme directed towards
providing participants with highly useful information, as well as practical
advice and guidance, concerning the interventions required in order to meet
the Challenges Climate Change Presents to Scotland's Historic
Environment. This two day event cost £150 and places are limited and on
first come bases. For further information contact email or by telephone
on 01888 511 347.
Sustaining and Reinventing Community Regeneration
24 - 25 March 2010, Edinburgh
This key Scottish regeneration event will look squarely at
the challenges ahead; but its concentrated and constructive focus will be
on linking people, projects and practice across the SURF network to examine
the real opportunities for supporting more sustainable community
regeneration in this time of change. Read more
Institute for Archaeologists Conference 2010
14 - 16 April 2010, Southport
Theatre and Convention Centre
The conference will have its usual range of information and
topical sessions including Heritage crime: issues and approaches,
Fairgrounds for debate: celebrating the heritage of amusement parks and
Where's it all going? The latest computing developments in heritage - the
IMSIG BARCAMP 2010. There will be a number of excursions and social events
including a walking tour of Southport, a tour of Churchtown, a wine reception and a social dinner and
party. The conference is likely to attract a large number of delegates, so
please remember to book early to secure your place. Further information
Training
Lime
Pointing for Homeowners
27 Feb & 20 March 2010, Penicuik House, Penicuik
This popular one day workshop is aimed at owners of traditional buildings
who would like to undertake repointing works as
part of a renovation project or simply as general maintenance. A practical
'hands on' training day, you will soon be able to undertake repointing works to your own building with confidence.
This course will give you a sound understanding of traditional building technology,
techniques and the materials to use when carrying out repointing.
P1 Introduction to Masonry Repair in Traditional Buildings
24-26 March 2010, Penicuik House, Penicuik
This is our most popular course for building professionals
and homeowners. Over the three days you are taken on a journey from
building your own lime kiln and processing the resultant materials and
learning how to use them correctly. You will gain an understanding of
traditional masonry construction and their repair requirements from wall
head to foundations and all the elements in between to ensure their wind
and watertight integrity. Learn to point with lime mortars, execute surface
finishes in lime mortars, have a go at traditional lime plastering and lime
washing techniques to effect authentic and seamless repairs. There is no
substitute for practical 'hands-on' experience, it will give you confidence
on site to check work and communicate to your building contractor exactly
want you want!
P2 Masonry Building Conservation -
Principles and Techniques
29-31 March 2010, Penicuik House, Penicuik
This 3 day workshop aims to provide confidence in the
relevant repair principles, materials and techniques for traditional
masonry buildings, covering mortar manufacture, practical repair methods
and techniques, and aftercare of lime based materials. To provide
sufficient underpinning and practical knowledge of these materials to
enable effective specification, application, supervision and snagging of
the conservation works.
For more information please contact Scotlime or
phone us on 01383 872722 or book online
Job Vacancies
Buildings
Administrator - National Trust for Scotland
Central office, Edinburgh, £16,456- £17,279
The National Trust for Scotland is looking for an
experienced administrator to join its Buildings team and contribute to the
smooth running of the Department. As our Buildings Administrator you will
provide efficient administrative and office support, maintain and develop
departmental systems and procedures (including databases, records and
files) and support the effective delivery of specific projects. To be
successful in the role, we will expect you to be a skilled user of
Microsoft Office products, have a proven track record in a similar position
and be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal, time management and
organisational skills. Although not essential, previous experience of
working within a buildings professional office, and an understanding of and
interest in Scottish cultural and architectural history are desirable.
For full job details and information about how to apply, go to NTS and click
on the "Vacancies" tab. Closing date 1 March 2010. Interviews are likely to take place at
Central Office in Edinburgh on 17 March 2010
Other updates
The UK Climate Impacts
Programme (UKCIP) eNews
The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) helps organisations
to adapt to inevitable climate change. While it's essential to reduce
future greenhouse gas emissions, the effects of past emissions will
continue to be felt for decades. The website provides a lot of information
relevant for the Built Environment. You can read their eNews
on-line or subscribe on their website.
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Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of
websites; including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish
Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Scotland
(HS); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council
for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE); Department of Communities
and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS);
Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for
Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish
Building Standards Agency (SBSA). For further
information, links are provided to the relevant documents.
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit
information to be included, please get in touch
with Anne Wilkinson awilkinson@befs.orguk or tel: BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241. We hope that
you find the Bulletin useful, however if you wish to be removed from the circulation
list, please get in touch.
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