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Latest: BEFS has recently facilitated a
workshop on the marine historic environment in the context of
the forthcoming Scottish Marine Bill and current SHEP
(Scottish Historic Environment Policy) consultation. The
report will shortly be available on the BEFS website.
BEFS has also held a workshop on 'Healthy Places' which
explored the linkages between the built environment and mental
health and well-being, as part of the Scottish Government's
consultation 'Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland'.
To learn more, you can read the report from the workshop on
the web at http://www.befs.org.uk/issues.htm.
This Bulletin includes links to a number of
key documents including a European consultation on VAT rates,
the draft Heritage Protection Bill, the draft UK Marine Bill,
and the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan.
If you are interested in getting involved in discussions at a
strategic level on Scotland's built environment - you can do
so through BEFS - please get in touch to find out more.
If you have been forwarded this Bulletin but
would prefer to receive it directly into your inbox, please
click here for details on how to be added to the distribution
list. For further information on BEFS, visit http://www.befs.org.uk/ .
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Short-cut to
sections:- Consultations |
Publications
| Scottish Government news releases | News
releases | Recent parliamentary questions
| Recent parliamentary answers | Other parliamentary
activity | Events | Training
| Job vacancies
Consultations
Forthcoming Consultations:
Scottish Climate Change Bill building energy efficiency and
carbon impact - spring 2008
Implementing the Housing Scotland Act 2006 (Parts I and II) -
spring 2008
Review of Building Standards - section 2 (fire), section 5
(noise), sections 0, 3 & 4 - spring 2008
Current Consultations:
VAT - review of existing legislation on reduced rates (European
Commission 13/03/08)
The European Commission has launched an
online consultation to ascertain the views of the public and
businesses on the review of the existing legislation on VAT reduced
rates. The consultation is based on a document that sets out the
current Community legal framework for VAT reduced rates and the
context of the ongoing political debate. The document aims to seek
the views and opinions of all stakeholders on the potential
components of, on the one hand, a first limited legislative proposal
to be presented in 2008 and, on the other hand, a subsequent more
comprehensive revision of the scope of VAT reduced rates.
Deadline for responses: 12th May 2008.
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/article_4850_en.htm
Draft Heritage Protection Bill (DCMS 02/04/08)
The draft
Heritage Protection Bill has been published for pre-legislative
scrutiny. This is a draft Bill for England and Wales, which sets out
the legislative framework for a unified and simpler heritage
protection system that will be more open, accountable and
transparent. The new system has been designed to provide more
opportunities for public involvement and community engagement in
understanding, preserving and managing our heritage.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Publications/archive_2008/pub_drafthpb.htm
Consultation on the draft Marine Bill (DEFRA 03/04/08)
The
draft UK Marine Bill has been published. Environment Secretary,
Hilary Benn said: "Our seas are already showing the effects of
climate change and with increasing use of the sea by many competing
interests we must make sure that the marine environment can cope
with changing conditions. We have a duty to look after our seas for
future generations.
Deadline for responses: 26th June 2008.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marinebill/
Forest Enterprise Scotland Framework Strategic Plan and Forest
District Strategic Plans (SG 17/03/08)
To inform stakeholders
that Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES) has drafted a National
Strategic Framework and individual Forest District Strategic Plans
that describe how FES intend implementing the Scottish Forestry
Strategy through their management of the national forest estate.
Deadline for responses: 9th June 2008.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6pelhd
Eco-towns: Living a greener future - consultation paper (DCLG
03/04/08)
Eco-towns offer the opportunity to achieve high
standards of sustainable living while also maximising the potential
for affordable housing. This consultation document seeks the
public's views on the vision for eco-towns and the shortlisted
locations proposed.
Deadline for responses: 30th June 2008.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture
The Future of Building Control: Consultation paper (DCLG
18/03/08)
This consultation paper sets out and seeks views on
proposals by Government for changes to the building control system
in England and Wales. The changes proposed in this document are
designed to address weaknesses in the current system, as identified
by users of the system and the building control industry itself.
Deadline for responses: 10th June 2008.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/futurebuildingcontrol
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Publications
Planning Advice Note: PAN 84 Reducing Carbon Emissions in New
Development (SG 10/03/08)
A key role of the planning system is
to support a move towards low and zero carbon development through
the use of energy efficient, micro-generating and decentralised
renewable energy systems. This Planning Advice Note provides
information and guidance on implementing the target in Scottish
Planning Policy (SPP) 6, Renewable Energy.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/06133051/0
Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning and Designing Places
Award: Report of the Judges 2007 (13/03/08)
Report of the
judges.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/26111949/0
Infrastructure Investment Plan 2008 (SG 28/03/08)
The
second Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment Plan, setting
out the Government's proposals for sustainable, capital investment
across our nation - with particular reference to investment in
infrastructure and place.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/28122237/0
Timetable for Implementation of The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act
2006 Updated: March 2008 (SG 31/03/08)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/03/27073058/0
Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland: An Analysis
of Responses - Research Findings (02/04/08)
A summary of the
analysis of responses to the Government's discussion document on
future housing policy.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/02094124/0
Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland: An Analysis
of Responses (02/04/08)
An analysis of responses to the
Government's discussion document on future housing policy.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/04/02094036/0
Historic Environment Policy Launched by Ministers (28/03/08)
Government policy on Gardens and Designed Landscapes and
Properties in Care has been launched by Scottish Ministers. The
programme of Scottish Historic Environment Policy papers (SHEPs)
sets out Ministers' policies to ensure sustainable use and
management on diverse areas of the historic environment.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/news/news_article.htm?articleid=17661
Minister launches policy on Scheduled Monument Consent (17/03/08)
Policy on the consent process for the country's 8,000 Scheduled
Monuments has been launched by Scottish Ministers. The Scottish
Historic Environment Policy (SHEP) sets out Minister's policies on
works affecting scheduled monuments, which are archaeological sites,
buildings and structures of national importance.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news_search_results.htm/news_article.htm?articleid=17249
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Scottish Government news releases
More marine powers required (SG 03/04/08)
The right solution
for Scotland's sea and coastal communities is the devolution of more
marine powers Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the
Environment Richard Lochhead has reiterated. Speaking after the
publication of the UK Marine Bill consultation Mr Lochhead called
for Ministerial-level discussions on who rules Scotland's seas. The
Scottish Parliament has already backed demands by the Scottish
Government, the fishing industry and conservationists that control
of the marine environment 12 to 200 nautical miles off-shore be
devolved to Scotland.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/04/02162546
Building more homes (SG 11/03/08)
Scotland's Communities
Minister has called on the housing sector to embrace Scottish
Government plans to deliver more houses for the thousands of Scots
in need of a home. Mr Maxwell, speaking at the Chartered Institute
of Housing (CIH) Conference in Aberdeen, said it was essential to
see greater numbers of homes for the significant amount of money
invested in social housing in particular.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/11101649
Role of third sector in Scotland's future (SG 12/03/08)
Charities and voluntary groups have a vital role to play in
determining Scotland's constitutional future, representatives were
told today. Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said the views of
the Third Sector - comprising groups from national and international
charities to small neighbourhood organisations - had a vital role to
play in responding to 'Choosing Scotland's Future', the Scottish
Government's National Conversation about Scotland's constitutional
direction and urged them to join the debate.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/12100654
Recognising planning excellence Recognising planning excellence
(SG 13/03/08)
The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2007
were presented in Edinburgh by Finance Secretary John Swinney. This
year's overall winner is the Kilmarnock Conservation Area
Maintenance Guide, which provides property owners with practical
advice on enhancing the historic environment - such as dealing with
defects on their properties and organising repairs. It was hailed by
the judges as "an innovative regeneration and conservation project".
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/13122322
Cairngorms National Park (SG 13/03/08)
The southern boundary
of Cairngorms National Park is to be extended to include Blair
Atholl and parts of eastern and Highland Perthshire. The move
follows sustained campaigning by local communities to be included in
the Park. Speaking in Parliament, Environment Minister Michael
Russell also announced that both of Scotland's National Parks (the
other is Loch Lomond and the Trossachs) will be reviewed to ensure
they are being run as efficiently and effectively as possible.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/13145812
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News releases
A+DS Responds to Rural Housing Inquiry (A+DS 03/04/08)
Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS) has responded to the
Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs and Environment committee inquiry
into Rural Housing. In the A+DS submission it is said that:
"A+DS recognizes that the Committee's major concern relates to 'the
obstacles preventing people in different parts of rural
Scotland from gaining access to appropriate and
affordable housing to rent or buy'; however we
recommend that the committee also considers the
quality of the places that are being created through
increasing the supply of affordable housing".
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/344_a-ds-responds-to-rural-housing-inquiry
CABE launches new housing quality 'tool-kit' (CABE 18/03/08)
Housebuilders need to speak the same design language as the
planners and funding bodies that assess their proposals. A new
online 'tool-kit' helps both groups discuss objectively the design
merits of a housing development.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2402
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Recent parliamentary questions
Answers will appear in a subsequent Bulletin, with questions
reproduced.
S3W-11154 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive what
targets it will set for domestic energy efficiency improvements in
(a) new and (b) existing buildings. (SP 20/03/08)
S3W-11156 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive what
progress it has made in taking forward the recommendations of the
Sullivan Report, A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for
Scotland. (SP 20/03/08)
S3W-11254 Jamie McGrigor: To ask the Scottish Executive whether
it has any plans to extend the Rural Empty Properties Grant scheme.
(SP 26/03/08)
S3W-11356 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Executive what
sources of public funding area are available to public/private
partnerships involved in urban regeneration projects. (SP 27/03/08)
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Recent parliamentary answers
Q S3W-10398 George Foulkes: To ask the
Scottish Executive what the timetable is for introducing Scottish
charitable incorporated organisations under the Charities and
Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005. (SP 27/02/08)
A Answered by Fergus Ewing (05/03/08):
Sections 49 to 64, which provide for the creation of Scottish
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs), will not be brought
into force until the introduction of the subordinate legislation,
necessary to set out the detailed operational arrangements of the
regime. SCIOs are a new legal form, and the policy development
process will require detailed planning and extensive stakeholder
engagement to ensure that it is fit for purpose but not overly
resource-intensive for charities or for the Office of the Scottish
Charity Regulator. Under current plans, which allow for a number of
phases of engagement, we would not expect to bring sections 49 to 64
into force before the end of 2009.
Q S3W-10562 Jamie Stone: To ask the
Scottish Executive whether it will make recommendations to Her
Majesty's Government regarding an exemption in VAT rates for the
renovation of listed buildings. (SP 29/02/08)
A Answered by Linda Fabiani (07/03/08):
The setting of rates of VAT is a reserved matter, but the government
is aware of concerns around these particular VAT rules and will
continue to bring them to the attention of the UK Government.
Q S3W-10591 Alison McInnes: To ask the
Scottish Executive what plans it has to conduct research to review
the performance achieved in use and any issues found for buildings
designed to be low energy, low carbon, zero energy or zero carbon,
as recommended in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for
Scotland. (SP 03/03/08)
A Answered by
Stewart Stevenson (10/03/08): I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief
Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to
answer. His response is as follows: Options are currently being
considered with regard to this research. This may include research
which is currently on-going on behalf of Communities Scotland to
evaluate sustainability features of several projects that were built
with Housing Association Grant in the last 10 years. This will
include a literature review covering schemes from other parts of the
UK and Europe.
Q S3W-10597 Alison McInnes: To ask the
Scottish Executive what plans it has to set up a working group to
look at reducing carbon emissions in existing domestic buildings, as
recommended in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for
Scotland. (SP 03/03/08)
A Answered by
Stewart Stevenson (10/03/08): I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief
Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His
response is as follows: A review of the energy standards in Scottish
building regulations has recently commenced. A Building Standards
Advisory Committee, energy working party has been convened. Part of
its remit is to consider the energy standards and guidance that
should apply when building owners elect to do work on existing
domestic buildings.
Q S3W-10599 Alison McInnes: To ask the
Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce primary
legislation to allow Scottish ministers the opportunity to extend
the provision and type of energy performance certificates, as
recommended in A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for
Scotland. (SP 03/03/08)
A Answered by
Stewart Stevenson (10/03/08): I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief
Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His
response is as follows: A consultation paper is currently being
drafted on proposals for reducing the carbon emissions associated
with existing buildings. This work is being done in conjunction with
other parts of Scottish Government, including Historic Scotland.
Legislative changes will be dependant on the outcome of this
consultation.
Q S3W-10771 Malcolm Chisholm: To ask the
Scottish Executive whether there has been any change in the
department and minster with responsibility for architecture policy.
(SP 07/03/08)
A Answered by Linda Fabiani
(13/03/08): Ministerial responsibility for architecture remains with
me. In February, a new Directorate for the Built Environment was
established, drawing together the Architecture Policy Unit, Building
Standards and Planning. This change was one of the proposals
contained within the First Minister''s statement on 30 January 2008
on simplifying public services to deliver more effective government,
and allows us to develop and strengthen the clear synergies and
linkages between various elements of built environment policy work
streams within a clear organisational framework. Ministerial
responsibility for building standards and the land use planning
system remains with Stewart Stevenson.
Q S3W-10864 Ian McKee: To ask the Scottish
Executive how many times in the last five years a building listed by
Historic Scotland has been de-listed and what the reason was in each
case. (SP 12/03/08)
A Answered by Linda
Fabiani (26/03/08): In the last five years 354 buildings have been
removed from the Scottish ministers lists of buildings of special
architectural or historic interest. Two hundred of these have been
removed because they no longer met the criteria for listing.
Ninety-six had been demolished. Thirty-four were scheduled monuments
and the separate designation of listing was not found necessary.
Eighteen subjects had been listed twice (mostly bridges previously
listed in two different boundary areas). Three had been destroyed by
fire or other severe damage. Three were reduced by court or by
parliamentary contract. Delisting occurs when a building no longer
possesses the necessary special architectural or historic interest
to satisfy set criteria. The criteria are broadly age and rarity,
architectural and historic interest, and close historical
association. The criteria may no longer be satisfied if, for
example, there was unauthorised work, fire damage, loss of features
or context, collapse, new understanding of the importance of the
structure within its building type, or where under different
legislations, there is overlap of listing and scheduling. Historic
Scotland endeavours to remove overlap, leaving a single designation
where appropriate. Each case is considered against set criteria and
if an insufficient case can be made for its retention following
consultation as appropriate then a subject will be removed from the
list.
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Other parliamentary activity
Debates
Scottish Government Debate: National Parks (SP 13/03/08)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0313-01.htm
Legislative Consent Motion: Housing and Regeneration Bill - UK
Legislation (SP 19/03/08)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0319-02.htm#Col7104
Scottish Labour Party Debate: Housing (SP 20/03/08)
Scottish Government Debate: Scotland's Marine Environment (SP
20/03/08)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-08/sor0320-01.htm
Motions
*S3M-1548 Michael Russell: National Parks-That the Parliament
notes the forthcoming strategic review of Scotland's two national
parks; welcomes the opportunities that the national parks give to
Scotland's citizens and visitors, and in particular commends their
contribution to the greener Scotland agenda. (SP 12/03/08)
*S3M-1603 Johann Lamont: Housing-That the Parliament regrets the
SNP government's lack of a coherent housing strategy; notes that the
Housing Supply Task Force has no timetable or remit to produce
recommendations for action; notes in particular the absence of
robust evidence on funding and efficiencies in delivering its
housing targets; further notes concerns about the impact of a single
regional developer model, as outlined in the Firm Foundations
consultation, on community-controlled housing associations and
housing co-operatives; agrees that the Scottish Government should
make a statement to the Parliament as soon as possible, clarifying
its plans for the clear SNP manifesto commitment on a £2,000
first-time buyers' grant, and urges the Scottish Government to act
to secure long-term improvements in housing rather than the
short-term appearance of change. (SP 19/03/08)
*S3M-1602 Richard Lochhead: Scotland's Marine Environment-That
the Parliament welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to
consult on proposals for the sustainable management of Scotland's
seas and coast, including coherent framework measures for marine
planning, conservation and sea fisheries, and believes that this
will enhance Scotland's stewardship of the seas, support sustainable
development and provide protection for the marine environment, so
ensuring that future generations of Scots will be able to enjoy the
many social, cultural and economic benefits that the seas deliver.
(SP 19/03/08)
*S3M-1653? Shirley-Anne Somerville: World Heritage Day-That the
Parliament welcomes World Heritage Day on 18 April 2008 as a
celebration of the 851 locations across the globe which have become
World Heritage sites and as an opportunity to raise public awareness
concerning the diversity of the world's heritage and the efforts
that are required to protect and conserve it; notes that the Old and
New Towns of Edinburgh are one of four World Heritage sites in
Scotland and have been one since 1995; celebrates the role that
Edinburgh's status as a World Heritage site has played in bringing
tourism to the capital, and invites residents and tourists to
celebrate World Heritage Day in Edinburgh by visiting sites of
historic interest in the city. (SP 28/03/08)
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Events
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Training
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Job vacancies
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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.
Back copies of the Bulletin are available approximately one month
after publication on the BEFS website.
If you
have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit
information to be included, please get in touch with Jo
Robertson jrobertson@befs.org.uk or call
the BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.
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