Overview of the recent Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) workshop delivered in Edinburgh – the CVI is a rapid assessment tool developed to assess climate change impacts upon World Heritage properties.
BEFS extends thanks to all those involved in producing this detailed overview of the process, learnings and potential outcomes, with special mention to Yann Grandgirard (EWH) and Jenny Bruce (CEC).
Intro – The Climate Vulnerability Index
The Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) is a rapid assessment tool developed to assess climate change impacts upon World Heritage properties. It is distinct from other vulnerability assessments in that it evaluates both the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) Vulnerability and the Community Vulnerability for all types of World Heritage properties – natural, cultural, or mixed.
Why we did it
The idea of applying the CVI process to the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site (ONTE) originated after its implementation in Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site in 2019. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) was keen to expand this trial to the rest of Scotland’s World Heritage Sites, in conjunction with the CVI developers from James Cook University (JCU), Australia. Meanwhile Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) was informing its one-year climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) project*. This provided the perfect opportunity to apply the CVI methodology for the first time in an urban World Heritage property and complement EWH’s CCRA project.
How we did it
Due to the pandemic and the time zone differences between UK and Australia, a virtual workshop was arranged over five mornings. We were fortunate to have over 40 attendees from different sectors engaging with the process, from representatives of Edinburgh’s community councils and the visitor sector at local and national levels, to natural and built heritage experts and climate change specialists from universities, the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and local, national and international organisations.
The CVI process is based on a combination of plenary sessions, involving all participants, which introduced the concepts and discussion topics, provided background information and then synthesised results, with four facilitated breakout groups responding to the questions posed.
The process itself is based on identifying what is special about ONTE, based upon eight key values derived from the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV). The current condition and trend of these key values were evaluated, from a baseline of 1995 when ONTE was World Heritage listed. The economic context of ONTE and the social and cultural connections with the community were also assessed.
Considering the climate projections for Edinburgh until 2050 under a ‘business as usual’ high-emissions scenario, the three primary climate stressors predicted to impact ONTE were: increased temperature, increase rainfall and increased frequency and intensity of storm events including extreme rainfall events. We then considered the potential impacts and adaptive capacity of ONTE in relation to these three main climate stressors, for the key values and Economic, Social and Cultural dependencies.
The workshop determined that the OUV Vulnerability was Moderate (which means “some loss or alteration of some of the key WH values will occur, but not causing a significant reduction of OUV”). It also determined that the Community Vulnerability was Moderate, acknowledging the relatively high level of adaptive capacity within the community.
Needless to say, we worked hard behind the scenes as a collective to bring the workshops together. Our biggest challenges included working across global time zones, which meant a 7am (BST) start for many of our Steering Committee meetings!
Learnings/what we got out of it
The strength of the process relied on acknowledging the crucial links between ONTE and its community: bringing people from various backgrounds and sectors together prompted rich discussions thanks to the diversity of opinion and viewpoints expressed. Expanding those discussion to non-heritage experts was critical in ensuring comprehensive results.
The diversity of factors and issues to consider was also highlighted by the process, illustrating the complexity of assessing climate change impacts on a World Heritage property located in an urban context, echoing the complexity of the challenges faced in historic city management more broadly. Intangible values associated with the ONTE, in particular Economic, Social and Cultural dependencies between ONTE and its local community, proved to be the most difficult values to analyse and will require additional research.
The CVI methodology, while rapid and systematic, is also relatively comprehensive! Therefore, facilitation proved to be the cornerstone of a successful CVI process. The structure of the workshops ensured there were opportunities at key stages to allow for reflection and to review results and ensure they were site specific to ONTE. We are grateful to our Australian colleagues who fully demonstrated their skills and experience in this area!
Overall, the condensed format of the workshop allowed discussions to remain focused and progress, while the well-structured process encouraged reflection and response to challenging questions. This led to the successful delivery of a communal assessment of the vulnerability of the ONTE and its community. This comprehensive but inclusive process was as valuable as the outcomes of the workshop.
Considering the principles underpinning this repeatable framework for rapid assessment of World Heritage properties raises the interesting question of whether the methodology could be applied to other types of conservation areas on a similar basis. While applying the methodology to different heritage ensembles, at a different scale, will necessarily need some adjustments, CVI’s key principles such as focusing on values, relying on science and engaging the local communities in the discussions around climate change should be embedded in any management process of any given heritage asset.
Integration in management process
The results of the CVI workshop, and the qualitative data that the process provided, have sharpened our focus. They support and enhance EWH’s current efforts to understand the various threats posed by climate change to ONTE. They also identified gaps in research, policy and guidance. They will be written up into a report helping inform ONTE management partners to define sensitive adaptation solutions to preserve the OUV for future generations.
The CVI outcomes will be incorporated into a dataset of evidence of future climate change impacts on and associated vulnerability of ONTE that is currently being built as part of EWH’s ongoing Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) project.
A draft climate action plan covering ONTE will be informed as part of the CCRA project, discussed with ONTE management partners to inform policies, and then incorporated into the review of ONTE Management Plan process. Additionally, this climate action plan will be used by EWH to inform the pipeline of actions and projects required to deliver its Climate Emergency strategy and support its advocacy programme for the next three years.
In short, the CVI results will allow us to help shape the next iteration of ONTE Management Plan expected in 2022 by adding a layer of understanding of the current condition of ONTE, provide baseline data to support forthcoming actions, and pull together all of these strands to ensure that the OUV and significant local values of ONTE are considered in CEC’s overall 2030 Climate Strategy consultation (currently live until 12 September 2021).
Additional benefits for the heritage sector
More broadly, building capacity amongst the heritage sector in Scotland, the UK and internationally was a crucial aspect of the implementation of CVI in Edinburgh. Various heritage professionals attended the workshop as participant or observer with a view to applying CVI to their own World Heritage property. The outcomes from the CVI were also presented during a public event, as part of the EWH ‘in conversation’ series in June 2021.
Finally, while demonstrating that the heritage sector is critical to informing the discussion on climate change, this CVI workshop also reinforced the importance of the links between a World Heritage property and its local community. On this basis, it has refreshed our thinking and started a conversation with ONTE’s community to discuss how we continue to ensure the WHS and its values – both the Outstanding Universal Value and other local values – are preserved for future generations through a climate change lens.
* Note on the Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site project
The CCRA project is supported by the Place-Based Climate Action Network and the ATLAS World Heritage project. It will understand and define the challenges to Edinburgh’s WHS posed by climate change by engaging widely with its stakeholders affected by climate change impacts to inform appropriate mitigation/adaption solutions relevant to its international and local values. An extensive bottom-up approach will be tested to identify the impacts of climate change on Edinburgh’s WHS from the point of view of its stakeholders, using various methodologies including the trial, for the first time, of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) on a ‘urban’ World Heritage property. The expected outcomes include a robust dataset of stakeholders’ evidence that will inform a draft local climate action plan, a replicable and integrated approach to climate change risk assessment, learnings dissemination and new research opportunities.
Image shows a selection of the first page of the 40+ virtual attendees from across the sector, including some of the workshop leaders and facilitators.
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BEFS News
Last week the Conservation Officer’s Group (COG) met for the first time with the purpose of creating a forum and network for knowledge sharing and good practice. BEFS is the secretariat and ‘host’ to this neutral space for discussion, with the aim of enhancing policy capacity and advocating for the sector. It is intended there will be 3-4 (virtual) meetings per year and all those working with a built heritage and conservation remit within a local and planning authority context are encouraged to take part. Find out more and get involved.
This week, the Places of Worship Forum (POWF) met for the first time. POWF is a non-denominational, strategic forum, for organisations that are considering the transition pathways, and collectively seeking sustainable future uses (within, and beyond worship) for places of worship within Scotland. Membership is open to any overarching organisation that owns, manages or runs places of worship; any national organisation that does/could fund places of worship; any national organisation that has an interest in the sustainability of communities who may become owners of places of worship, and national bodies giving advice relevant to places of worship. Find out more.
BEFS will be responding to the Local Place Plan consultation closing this Friday, details will be on the BEFS Consultations page shortly after. Thanks to all Members sharing their views to inform BEFS response.
The Scottish parliamentary committees have been named and membership proposed. The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee’s (previously the Culture, Tourism, Europe & External Affairs Committee) remit covers: the Scottish Government’s EU and external affairs policy; policy in relation to the UK’s exit from the EU; the international activities of the Scottish Administration, including international development; and any other matter falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and any matter relating to inter-governmental relations within the responsibility of the Deputy First Minister. This suggests the remit for tourism will move back alongside enterprise, mirroring the ministerial set-up. This committee change is proposed as temporary until 31 Dec 2021 or until a motion making the change permanent is brought forward from the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments, when formed.
Consultations
RTPI Digital Skills Online Survey
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Draft 2030 Climate Strategy – Edinburgh
Opened 14 Jun 2021 and closes 12 Sep 2021.
Consultation Responses
Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland: consultation analysis
Publications
Housing: subject profile (SPICe 14/06/21)
Tourism Recovery Plan (DCMS 11/06/21)
Annual Operating Plan 2021-22 (HES 11/06/21)
Beyond COP26: The UK’s Green USPs (PE 09/06/21)
Edinburgh publishes draft climate strategy (ECC 07/06/21)
Open for Business: Gaining business support for transforming city centres (Transform Scotland 06/21)
The future of the planning system in England – First Report of Session 2021–22 (HoC 27/05/21)
Scottish Government News Releases
New fund opens for island communities (SG 17/06/21)
Businesses and community groups located across Scotland’s inhabited islands are now able to apply for grants of up to £150,000 through the new Island Communities Fund (ICF) for projects focussed on supporting sustainable island economies and the journey towards net zero.
Sustainable economic recovery (SG 16/06/21)
An initial 25 projects designed to help meet skills needs in a range of sectors will receive a share of up to £20 million as part of the second phase of the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF).
More than 100,000 affordable homes delivered (SG 15/06/21)
Scotland has delivered more than 100,000 affordable homes since 2007, marking a major milestone on the path to a fairer, more equal nation.
New plan sets out how historic environment will support Scotland’s recovery (HES 11/06/21)
We have published our new Annual Operating Plan for 2021/22, which sets out how the organisation will champion the role of the historic environment to bring positive social, environmental and economic impacts for communities across Scotland
Accelerating green growth (SG 09/06/21)
A new investment programme to help deliver Scotland’s just transition to a net-zero emissions economy has been launched.
Strengthening links with Europe (SG 08/06/21)
Researchers based in Scotland and Europe can apply to a new £3 million scheme aimed at repairing research links with the EU following the damaging impact of Brexit.
Funding to restore Scotland’s iconic peatlands (SG 05/06/21)
Projects to restore Scotland’s peatlands will get a share of £22 million this year to significantly reduce carbon emissions and support biodiversity as part of the government’s climate change plan.
Climate campaign launches (SG 02/06/21)
The Let’s do Net Zero campaign highlights the benefits a net zero society will bring for our economy, health and environment.
News Releases
Scotland’s Summer Dig Season is Back (DigIt! 21/06/21)
From 21 June to 22 September, #ScotlandDigs2021 will shine a spotlight on our world-class archaeology by bringing together events and live updates from Dumfries & Galloway to Shetland.
HEF COP26 Task Group: Call for climate change and sustainability case studies (EHF 21/06/21)
Inspired by the COP26 summit’s aim to ‘unite the world to tackle climate change’ the Historic Environment Forum created a task group to focus on heritage and climate change, using COP26 as a catalyst. The task group will create a sector and public-facing shared statement on climate change and collate best practice case studies to support and strengthen this work.
A&DS and RIAS Scottish Student Awards for Architecture 2021 (A&DS & RIAS 18/06/21)
The student awards are a mark of the continuing high standards of Scottish architectural education and ensure that both construction professionals and the public can enjoy the creativity and vision of Scotland’s future architects.
Greener Towns Focus for New Strategic Partnership (STP 14/06/21)
A new strategic partnership has been announced between Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the Green Action Trust which is set to boost environmental outcomes in towns the length and breadth of Scotland.
New plan to drive rapid recovery of Scottish tourism sector (DCMS 11/06/21)
Measures including a rail pass for UK “staycationers” and a voucher scheme for tourist attractions are part of the plan to boost tourism across the country.
New heritage toolkit to improve community input in conservation (STIR & HES 09/06/21)
A new toolkit for heritage professionals is helping them understand and assess how people and communities value and relate to Scotland’s historic environment.
2021 SURF Awards Formally Open for Applications (SURF 03/06/21)
The prestigious national 2021 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were launched today (03/06/21) by the Scottish Government at an online event, in partnership with the Glasgow Canal Co-op and the ‘Year of Coasts and Waters’.
Search for the next UK City of Culture launched (DCMS 29/06/21)
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has today launched the competition to find the UK’s next City of Culture. The competition is now live and applications are encouraged from towns and cities across the UK. Winner will have baton passed to them from Coventry – UK City of Culture 2021.
Introducing a new content hub – http://MyLand.Scot (SLC 06/21)
Connecting Scots to the land around them & inspiring them to talk about all things land related. Shining a light on various local orgs that are making a positive impact to their community .
Opinion & Comment
Reflecting on the DCMS Tourism Recovery Plan (Heritage Futures 14/06/21)
How has the pandemic changed the way we look at our places? (A&DS 06/21)
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government 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”.
Question S6W-00574: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10/06/2021 R
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any workforce shortages in the housebuilding sector that is impacting on the construction of affordable homes, and what support it can provide to that sector to identify and train new staff.
Question S6W-00694: Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 14/06/2021 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has established the necessary governance process and a monitoring framework to assess progress towards the vision of its Housing 2040 (H2040) strategy.
Question S6W-00749: Craig Hoy, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 15/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government how many homes in each local authority area in the South Scotland parliamentary region have been returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, in each year since 2011.
Question S6W-00967: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that increasing the Scottish Land Fund significantly in the early years of the current parliamentary session will be the most effective way of ensuring that communities can compete for the ownership of land, given that there is an increasing number of wealthy private owners expressing interest in buying land.
Question S6W-00968: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers current land ownership patterns to be socially and economically just.
Question S6W-00969: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that increased community ownership of land and other assets will increase community wealth, and if so, how it considers that this will be achieved.
Question S6W-00971: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 22/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government when it will carry out a consultation on its proposed Land Reform Bill.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S6W-00440: Pam Gosal, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether planning regulations need reforming, and what its response is to reports of decisions by East Dunbartonshire Council being overturned by Ministers, leading to pressure on local infrastructure and loss of greenbelt land.
Answered by Tom Arthur (16/06/2021)
Question S6W-00917: Kaukab Stewart, Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 18/06/2021
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with introducing the Single Building Assessment, which was announced in a ministerial statement on 19 March 2021.
Answered by Shona Robison (18/06/2021)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Belief, Burial, Tombs & Tourists: the past & future of Greyfriars Kirkyard
Date & time: Sat, 26 June 2021 from 10:00 – 16:00.
Online.
Greyfriars Kirkyard is famous worldwide for the lasting impressions it makes on researchers and visitors alike. This conference celebrates the role of Greyfriars in shaping Scottish history, religion and architecture and shines a light on the site’s value to visitors today, captivated by links to Harry Potter, Greyfriars Bobby, and dark tourism. Through a wide-ranging programme, the kirkyard’s past, present and future will be explored by leading academics, community researchers and heritage professionals. At the heart of the discussion will be the question: how can the enduring appeal and value of Greyfriars be harnessed to create a sustainable future for this unique and treasured historic greenspace?
Study Day: The Hill House and Hermitage Park, Helensburgh
Date & time: 31st July 2021, 10.30am – 3pm.
Cost: £18.00 – SGLH Members / £25.00 – Non-members.
An opportunity to visit The Hill House in the morning and walk the Hill House Box gantries, with lunch provided at The Hill House on the roof-top cafe comprising soup, sandwich, tea, coffee and a sweet treat. After lunch there is a guided tour of the town’s recently restored Hermitage Park led by project landscape architect Jon Simmons, CMLI between 1.30-2.30pm. Mackintosh’s Hill House is a half mile walk up hill from the main line Helensburgh train station. A taxi rank is located at the railway station. Hermitage Park is a half mile walk down the hill. Meet at the park Pavilion from 1pm onwards. The guided walk, or walks depending on numbers, will begin at 1.30pm.
Training
CPD: An Introduction to Architectural Conservation with Dr. Cristina Gonzalez-Longo
Date & time: Monday 28th June 2021 | 12.30-1.30pm.
Online: GCHT Zoom Meeting.
Conservation is a growing area of work within architecture. As well as creativity and design skills, it requires specialist education and training in conservation to be able to develop in practice the competences required. Architecture is by nature an interdisciplinary field and a specialisation in conservation requires further multidisciplinary knowledge and skills, as well as a collaborative and critical approach. The most difficult aspects in a conservation project are not the resolution of technical problems, but the capacity to make good judgements about the buildings and their settings and to develop a specific intervention criteria that allows to take good project decisions, based on an appropriate understanding of the philosophy of conservation and a scientific analysis of the evidence. Join us for this CPD with Dr Cristina Gonzalez-Longo to explore the challenges of conserving built heritage, the philosophy of conservation and a look at some case studies of Dr Gonzalez-Longo’s work, highlighting the importance of history, design ideas, innovation, scientific approach and care.
Architectural Conservation CPD: Statutory Protection and Managing Change to Listed Buildings
Date & time: Wed. 30 June, 12:30-13:30 (from 12:15).
Online via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The third session in the 6-part CPD programme focuses on listed buildings and the legislative framework that protects them. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Head of Designations Elizabeth McCrone, this session will cover the role of designation, recent reviews, applying for listed building consent and general approached to managing change to listed buildings with examples. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving traditionally constructed buildings, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wed. 25 August, 12:30-13:30 (from 12:15).
Online via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving traditionally constructed buildings, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Director of Scotland’s Churches Trust
Due to the retirement of the present post holder at the end of 2021, it is looking to recruit a Director who will be responsible for the day to day running of the Trust and related activities, and who will report to the Board of Trustees.
Closing Date: 1 September 2021.
Volunteer with ?Glasgow Doors Open Days
Become a part of one of Glasgow’s largest annual cultural events, by volunteering with Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival! Meet new people, boost your CV, get involved in our city’s heritage and help others enjoy their time at the festival.
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BEFS News
BEFS is delight to welcome our new Policy & Strategy Manager, Hazel Johnson, into post. Hazel has previously worked for Historic Environment Scotland and has extensive experience in both the arts and heritage. Find out more about her professional background here.
As a new member joins BEFS team, an old one departs. After 5 years as BEFS Communications Manager, Saskia Smellie is off to pursue her research interests full time. Therefore, we are now seeking a new Communications & Membership Advocate. Find out details and how to apply here.
In the last few weeks BEFS has attended events that speak to the bigger actions (climate) and that consider the bigger picture (indicative Regional Spatial Strategies) for our places. The Climate Vulnerability Index, designed by specialists at James Cook University, now working with Edinburgh World Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, has meant that this innovative process is being run in an urban setting for the first time. These intense workshops look at both the outstanding values of the Old & New Town World Heritage Site and consider what effects climate change may have within that context. We look forward to sharing more thoughts once the series of events is complete.
BEFS was also delighted to take part in the Place element of a series of Scottish Government run events on indicative Regional Spatial Strategies (iRSS) in relation to NPF4, facilitated by Kevin Murray Associates. These well attended round-tables involved rapid prototyping of specific issues related to pre-determined geographic areas (different spatial iterations being formed for events relating to Place, People, Carbon and Work); which will then inform both each other, and be considered alongside the iRSS previously submitted for consideration.
RTPI Scotland are working with Digital Planning and Ekos to examine the operating environment to embed digital planning in Scotland. They are asking people working in or with the Scottish planning system to fill out a short online survey.
Opening this June, Scotland’s only independent architecture festival the Architecture Fringe invites you to explore, interrogate and (un)learn about the world of architecture, as it could be. Returning in a new biennial hybrid format across in-person and digital platforms, the festival responds to the thematic provocation of (Un)Learning, bringing together a vibrant and diverse range of practitioners and activists from across the world. Find out more here.
Want the latest updates from world-class Scottish archaeological research? Visit the Archaeological Research in Progress (ARP) to discover brochs, Romans, prehistoric rock art and more. The APR is a conference presenting new research findings and best practice in archaeology covering all periods from across Scotland and beyond. It is organised in alternate years by Archaeology Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
In 2016 BEFS supported research carried out by Volunteer Scotland on volunteering in Scotland’s historic environment sector. Key findings indicate that 17,100 people gave their time for free during 2015 and that 46% of organisations surveyed would not exist were it not for volunteers. It is estimated that this figure would now be higher. So, this #VolunteersWeekScot we celebrate and thank the fantastic and dedicated volunteers that work tirelessly to protect, maintain and sustain Scotland’s built and #historicenvironment for all of us to enjoy!
Consultations
The Role of LABSS within the Building Standards System
RTPI Digital Skills Online Survey
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Publications
Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme: Progress Report 2021 (SG 27/05/21)
AHF 2020/21 Impact Report (AHF 26/05/21)
National Outcomes: planning and architecture contribution (SG 26/05/21)
Building Standards Self-assessment Tool for Verifiers April 2021 (SG 24/05/21)
Building Standards (Fire Safety) Review Panel 2021 (SG 05/18/21)
Scottish Government News Releases
A major TV, radio and digital campaign to encourage people across Scotland to come together to tackle the climate emergency has been launched ahead of COP26 in Glasgow later this year.Promoting tourism (SG 28/05/21)
Tourism organisations will be able to apply for funding to promote key visitor destinations in a responsible and sustainable way, helping the sector to recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Engagement on Local Place Plans proposals (SG 26/05/21)
Just before the recent Scottish Parliament election we published proposals for regulations to support the development of Local Place Plans. Accompanying the consultation paper, we published a draft ‘How to’ Guide and asked people to send us comments. You can find out more at www.transformingplanning.scot.
The Role of LABSS within the Building Standards System – Customer Survey (SG 25/05/21)
Optimal Economics is undertaking a research project for the Building Standards Division (BSD) of the Scottish Government to identify and quantify the role and contribution Local Authority Buildings Standards Scotland (LABSS) makes to the delivery of the building standards system in Scotland.
News Releases
Is your organisation making reopening plans & excited about welcoming back visitors in the coming months? Participate in Doors Open Days in September to be part of a Scotland-wide festival that celebrates places, architecture and culture! Doors Open Days 2021 will be both in-person and online, so get in touch to find out more.Scotland’s historic environment can lead the way to net-zero (HM 31/05/21)
As the world’s attention turns to Scotland while it prepares to take centre stage for the international climate change summit of COP26 in November, at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) we want to seize this opportunity to demonstrate that the historic environment will be fundamental to achieving net-zero.
Reflecting on Black Lives Matter one year on (HES 25/05/21)
A year ago today, the murder of George Floyd in the US sparked a wave of protest under the banner of Black Lives Matter that would ripple across the globe. Here in Scotland, the movement brought into sharp focus the issues of racism and representation within our history and heritage that were crucial for us to confront.
Europe’s Top Heritage Honour 24 Exemplary Achievements from 18 Countries (EN 25/05/21)
The European Commission and Europa Nostra have just announced the 2021 winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, the EU prize for cultural heritage funded by the Creative Europe programme.
Save Egyptian Halls (SCT 05/21)
Scottish Civic Trust is spearheading a new attempt to save Glasgow’s A-listed Egyptian Halls. The building was recently listed as one of Europe’s most endangered historic buildings by Europa Nostra, a pan-European heritage organisation. The Civic Trust is setting up a charitable body composed of developers, architects and conservation experts to investigate buying and refurbishing the building.
Helping to protect the things we love about Scotland (NTS 05/21)
By joining our new SCOTTISH HERITAGE LOTTERY you’ll not only have the opportunity to win great prizes but you’ll also be helping us to care for the things we all love about Scotland. It costs JUST £1 PER ENTRY – and each week your entry will go towards ensuring that our history always has a home and that our countryside remains unspoilt.
Rebuilding Heritage (RH 05/21)
The Rebuilding Heritage programme is providing free 121 and group support for organisations and individuals in the heritage sector. Round 5 (to receive support Jul-Aug) is now open for applications. Deadline: 11pm, Tuesday 1 June 2021.
More high streets set for funding boost as reopening accelerates (MHCLG 19/05/21)
Further 57 English high streets to receive a share of over £830 million to improve transport links, build new homes and transform underused spaces.
My Place Awards 2021 – Entries close 29 August (SCT 05/21)
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. The 2021 Awards have two categories: the general Award honours recently completed projects (2018-2020); and the Sustainability Award honours projects completed between 2001 and 2011 that demonstrate continued fitness for purpose, as well as having a robust approach to climate readiness.
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government 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”.
Question S6W-00113: Annie Wells, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 20/05/2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to support homeowners who are facing difficulties in selling their properties due to building cladding.
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Date & time: 03 June 2021 at 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Online: GoToWebinar
An introduction to Dundee’s City Centre Strategic Investment Plan will be provided by David Gray, Senior Manager in Planning, Dundee City Council. Serge Merone, Enterprise and Investment Manager at Perth and Kinross Council will also present on the Perth Smart Energy City Programme. This will be an interesting update with an opportunity for Q&A on some of the exciting work being undertaken in the cities of East of Scotland.The Big Volunteers Week Quiz
Date & time: 5 June, 12pm – 1.30pm
Online: Zoom
Short description: Does your heritage organisation involve volunteers? Celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2021 by rewarding your volunteers with a free virtual pub quiz. At this event, you can meet other heritage volunteer organisers and heritage volunteers and compete for prizes and bragging rights. This event is delivered by Make Your Mark, a new campaign to increase the number and diversity of heritage volunteers in Scotland, and the Eden Project Communities Big Lunch.
RTPI Scotland Member Drop-in: Local Place Plans
Date & time: 07 June 2021 at 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Online: GoToMeeting
Scottish government is consulting on secondary legislation for Local Place Plans. In introducing the paper Scottish Government say that “Local Place Plans offer the opportunity for a community led, but collaborative, approach to creating great local places. LPPs can support community aspirations on the challenges for a future Scotland such as global climate emergency and tackling inequalities. It is vital that local people have the opportunity to engage meaningfully and have a positive influence in the future planning of development in their areas”. RTPI Scotland has a member drop in to bring together planners from across sectors to explore how this can be done. The session will be chaired by RTPI Scotland Convenor Barbara Cummins who will introduce contributors from different organisations.
Addressing Inequality in Heritage
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June, 10am-12pm
Online.
Heritage Trust Network in partnership with the Make Your Mark campaign, will explore ways that our projects and organisations can promote equality and connect with new audiences. We are delighted to be joined by Lisa Williams from the Edinburgh Caribbean Association and Cat Telford from the National Trust for Scotland, who will share their experience and guidance for grassroots heritage organisations. The speakers will look at how we can all strive for best practise and make holistic changes for the better.
Business Briefing – General Tax Update for the Culture Sector
Date & time: Wednesday, 9 June 2021 | 12:00 to 13:00.
Online: via Zoom
In this webinar, Kirsty Murray and Scott Craig from Azets will explain the tax issues and opportunities associated with new activities and highlight tax changes that will affect cultural organisations. They will cover – digital activities and online supplies, international activities, trading and subsidiaries to fundraising, partnerships, capital works and VAT savings.
Granton Waterfront – Collaboration, engagement & climate resilience – presented by AECOM and Collective Architecture
Date & time: 10 June 2021 at 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM
Online: GoToWebinar
The City of Edinburgh Council has outlined proposals to transform one of Scotland’s largest brownfield sites, Granton Waterfront, into a new coastal town with around 3,500 homes. At this event, members of the design team will present the Vision, Principles and Strategic Development Framework for Granton Waterfront. They will cover how they collaborated and developed the Framework outlining the engagement process and addressing climate resilience in the design.
June Lecture “The Public and Private Worlds of Sir Walter Scott”
Date & time: June 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Online: Lecture via Zoom
This event will be focusing on the lesser-known aspects of Sir Walter Scott – his life, career and interests, hosted by both the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Chaired by Professor Gerry Carruthers FRSE, this talk will be carried out by two speakers from the societies, Dr Iain Gordon Brown FSA FRSE FSAScot and Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot, who will be discussing: “Sir Walter Scott and the Scottish Antiquarian Tradition: Mr Oldbuck in Context” by Dr Iain Gordon Brown FSA FRSE FSAScot; and “Chewing the Cud of Sweet and Bitter Fancy: Navigating the Unquiet Mind and Life Philosophy of Walter Scott”, by Kirsty Archer-Thompson FSAScot.
Culture & Business Fund Scotland Roadshows: A source of support for COVID-19 recovery and renewal
Date & time: Tuesday, 29 June 2021, 11:00 – 13:30.
Online: via Zoom
Due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, we are taking our Culture & Business Scotland (CBFS) Roadshows online. These free webinars will give attendees from across the arts, heritage, third, public and business sectors the opportunity to learn about the fund, and how we have adapted the criteria to provide more flexible support for the sectors through a period of recovery and renewal throughout 2021 and beyond.
Training
Date & time: 2, 16, 23, 30 June at 1pm – 3.30pm
Online: Zoom
These free workshops offer tips on how to share heritage digitally. Whether you want to create a virtual tour, video, or podcast, these 2.5-hour-long workshops will help you with the skills you need to share your buildings, landscapes, and stories. Each session will include an overview of the technology, practical guidance, tips and tricks, and where to find free software for your project. Delivered by the Scottish Civic Trust and the Centre for Archaeology, Technology & Cultural Heritage at the University of St Andrews.IHBC CPD Circular – Continuing Professional Development opportunities and much more
As part of the IHBC’s commitment to providing our members and their networks with up to date information on continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities and information, this monthly service includes upcoming Branch and National Events, CPD opportunities, Awards, Placements, Bursaries & Scholarships, Calls for Papers and more from across the UK and beyond.
Inverkeithing Stone & Slate Survey Findings Zoom Seminar
Date & time: Jun 18, 2021 08:45.
Online: Zoom.
This Survey will give a better understanding of the condition and conservation needs of Inverkeithing’s significant architectural heritage and will identify the types of building stone and roof coverings historically used in Inverkeithing. This CPD seminar is being offered for FREE through funding grant/scheme. By registering, you agree for your personal details (Name and email address) to get passed on to FHBT for the purpose of providing evidence for their funding grant.
Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 25 August, 12:30-13:30.
Venue: Online via Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Operations Manager
We are looking to recruit an Operations Manager who will be responsible for ensuring integration and co-ordination across PAS and developing the organisation’s delivery of services in collaboration with the Chief Executive, and other members of the management team. Deadline for applications: 23.59 on Monday 14 June.
Communication and Engagement Officer
Under One Roof are looking for someone from a communication or architectural background whose skills will help expand the organisation’s reach and impact, particularly with tenement flat owners.
Applications received after noon on the 14th will not be considered.
Volunteer opportunity – Shetland Doors Open Days coordinator
Doors Open Days is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer or group of volunteers to help coordinate Doors Open Days in Shetland. This is a great opportunity to help people in your local area freely access heritage sites and events, network with professionals across Scotland’s heritage sectors, and develop skills in project management, communication and website management. You will be supported by a friendly national network of Doors Open Days coordinators.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
The First Minister is returned to post, Cabinet Secretaries have been announced, and new Ministers have been appointed. It’s all change for culture, heritage and our existing and built environment. BEFS give an overview of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election outcomes, and consider the initial implications of the changes we’ve noted so far – read more here.
BEFS response to Historic Environment Scotland’s consultation on Managing Change Guidance Note: Working on and near to scheduled monuments supports and reiterates points made by Member organisations. Read the full response here.
IHBC have been considering inclusion and the barriers to engagement and learning: What started as an enquiry from the IHBC, in relation to a conference where BEFS Director had already booked a place – has turned into a blog from IHBC Director, Sean O’Reilly. IHBC were keen to raise awareness across BEFS’ community and voluntary-sector membership, especially of the new access and outreach opportunities at their virtual day conference ‘Historic Places: People Places’. The barriers towards engagement can often tied to past legacy, tradition, and expectation. BEFS was keen to participate and thought that BEFS Bulletin readers could benefit from hearing more about the approach the IHBC have taken. Both in how they’ve framed their approach to a virtual conference, including their innovative approach to the ‘learning’ marketplace, and their pricing structure.
The programme for the Architecture Fringe 2021 (Un)Learning is now live! With 58 projects and events across Scotland and online, from 4 to 20 June, you are invited to (un)learn, to interrogate your own behaviours, beliefs and biases, to acknowledge how the world really is to then reimagine how it could be. Full details here.
Check out the range of fantastic built environment events coming up in the events section below of via our online calendar.
Consultations
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
Closes 8 August 2021.
Consultation Responses
Scottish Enterprise’s position statement response to the NPF4 consultation (SG 10/05/21)
Publications
Building standards – verifiers: professional competency framework (SG 10/05/21)
Community right to buy – re-registering a community interest in land: form (SG 09/05/21)
Strategy to address racism against people of colour (SCT 05/05/21)
Mainstreaming and 2021-25 Equality Outcomes Report (HES 30/04/21)
Doors Open Day 2020 Report (SCT 05/21)
Brexit, Intellectual Property Rights and Heritage: What you need to know (HD 03/21)
Bennet Institute for Public Policy, Townscapes, the Value of Public Infrastructure (BIPP 05/21)
Working Better Together in Place – collaborative report from Inspiring Scotland (IS 05/21)
Scottish Government News Releases
Scottish Government release details of new cabinet.
News Releases
Conservation experts fighting for the future of a Glasgow architectural masterpiece have announced the establishment of a charity to take forward discussions about restoration.No evidence of boom in sight for Scottish tourism according to industry body (STA 12/05/21)
Research published by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the representative body for tourism business in Scotland paints a stark picture for the sector in contrast to recent speculation that tourism in Scotland is set for a boom this summer.
European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2021 (EN 12/05/21)
Heritage professionals, volunteers, journalists and supporters from across Europe and beyond are invited to join us for the Live Announcement of the 2021 Winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards on 25 May (11:00-12:00 CET).
Foundation Grants for Maintenance (NCT 12/05/21)
As churches come out of lockdown they will be facing increased maintenance costs. NCT’s Foundation Grants Programme provides grants of up to £5,000 towards maintenance costs and they are particularly keen to see more applications from Places of Worship in Scotland.
Property sector urges immediate political action on key challenges (SCN 10/05/21)
The Scottish Property Federation and RTPI Scotland have welcomed the new cohort of MSPs to Holyrood following the Scottish Parliamentary Elections 2021 and have called for immediate action on key challenges for the sector.
Update: Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour (SCT 05/05/21)
As part of our Strategy to Address Racism Against People of Colour, Scottish Civic Trust issues six-monthly updates on our anti-colour-based-racism work. This ensures that we are transparent about our progress and helps to sustain a sector-wide commitment to addressing racism against people of colour.
My Place Awards 2021 – Entries close 29 August (SCT 05/21)
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. The 2021 Awards have two categories: the general Award honours recently completed projects (2018-2020); and the Sustainability Award honours projects completed between 2001 and 2011 that demonstrate continued fitness for purpose, as well as having a robust approach to climate readiness.
New plan to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (HES 04/05/21)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has set out its vision to tackle inequalities and increase access to and participation in Scotland’s historic environment with publication of its new Equality Outcomes for 2021-25.
Events
Date & Time: Thu, 20 May 2021, 15:00 – 16:30 BST.
Online: Zoom.
As part of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland’s Museums project and the wider approach to embedding anti-racist practice in the Scottish museums sector, Museums Galleries Scotland is looking at how the sector could work together to manage negative comments on social media. This includes the development of a glossary and set of FAQs that can be used to respond to the types of queries that museums often receive (and that they anticipate receiving in the future). They’re particularly keen on developing a consistent message and a wider shared approach for Scottish heritage organisations exploring these issues – this is where you come in.What if…?/Scotland Opening Event
Date & time: Fri, 21 May 2021; 12:00 – 13:00.
Online.
What if…?/Scotland – Shared hopes, dreams and wishes for the future of the places where we live. The Scotland + Venice partnership invites you to join the launch of What if…?/Scotland. Award winning Edinburgh based architecture and design practice 7N Architects in partnership with Architecture & Design Scotland, will present their Scotland + Venice commission What if…?/Scotland at V&A Dundee from Saturday 22 May until Sunday 21 November 2021.
Date & time: Wed, 26 May 2021; 18:00 – 19:30.
Online.
Crafts, as indeed all Intangible Cultural Heritage, face immense challenges, some inevitably augmented during the pandemic. The MCICH Network wishes to raise awareness of both, and, by illustrated presentations, offer a cornucopia of slides to inspire.Addressing Inequality in Heritage
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June, 10am-12pm
Online.
Heritage Trust Network in partnership with the Make Your Mark campaign, will explore ways that our projects and organisations can promote equality and connect with new audiences. We are delighted to be joined by Lisa Williams from the Edinburgh Caribbean Association and Cat Telford from the National Trust for Scotland, who will share their experience and guidance for grassroots heritage organisations. The speakers will look at how we can all strive for best practise and make holistic changes for the better.
Engineering Climate Conference
Date & time: 15&16 June; 9.30.
Online.
This conference will look at how our engineering community is managing, developing and enhancing opportunities to improve the ways we address our climate emergency. The first day will focus on ‘Transport’, the second will highlight progress on ‘Energy’ aspects.
Young People and Place Online Festival
Date & time: 16 & 17 June 2021.
Online.
Through presentations, films, workshops and training sessions, the Festival will celebrate the achievements of young people, youth workers and groups who have taken part in the Young Placechangers Programme. As a participants you can can join us for the whole event or attend specific sessions of interest to you! There are also sessions taking place in the evening for people who are not able to come during the day. The event is for you if you work in a local authority, national agency, third sector or a community organisation/group, and want to include Young People in discussions and decisions about Place, but may not be quite sure where to begin.
The Tallest Timber Building in Scotland
Date & time: 22 July; 18.00-19.00.
Online.
The Ellerslie Crescent Project led by CCG Scotland Ltd. in Yoker, West Glasgow is the Tallest Timber Building in Scotland. This is a mid-market rent residential building with 42 flats, mostly 2-bedrooms constructed in 2016 and 2017. The entire superstructure is made from Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) including the lift shaft and communal staircase areas. The talk will kick-off with an introduction to the UK market relevant to the need for CLT, leading onto a simulation-based occupational health and safety analysis of the CLT panels and connectors installation. The event will conclude with a look into the full extents of construction operations on the project.
Training
Date & time: Tuesday 25th May 2021 | 11.30am-12.30pm.
Online: Zoom.
Glasgow currently has around 130 historic buildings listed on the Buildings at Risk Register, half of which have been there for over a decade. Pre 1945 buildings make up more than 40% of Glasgow’s housing stock, and within this, 64% have disrepair to critical elements and 84% have some kind of disrepair. With Glasgow hosting the 2021 COP26 conference, and the city focussing in on Climate Change and Sustainability, GCHT are passionate about highlighting the Buildings at Risk Register and what we can do to tackle this crisis.Digital Skills Day
Date & time: 10 June, from 10am – 5pm.
Online.
Presented by the Arts Marketing Association, this free training day is for anyone working or volunteering for small to medium-sized UK heritage organisations to build their digital skills and engage new & more diverse audiences. It is part of the Digital Heritage Lab programme which is funded through the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.
Digital Heritage Workshops
Dates: multiple dates in May & June.
Online.
Since the onset of COVID-19, heritage organisations across Scotland have experimented with new technology and virtual ways of connecting with audiences. These free workshops offer tips on how to share heritage digitally. Whether you want to create a virtual tour, video, or podcast, these 2.5-hour-long workshops will help you with the skills you need to share your buildings, landscapes, and stories. Each session will include an overview of the technology, practical guidance, tips and tricks, and where to find free software for your project.
Architectural Conservation CPD: Timber Decay and Repair in Traditional Buildings
Date & time: Wednesday 25 August, 12:30-13:30.
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The more technical second half of the 2020 CPD programme opens with this session on timber decay and repair. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Technical Research Manager Roger Curtis, this CPD will look at the use of timber in traditional construction, decay processes, remedial measures and repair techniques to structural and finishing timber. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a Conservation Projects Officer to play a key role in the conservation of our remarkable historic city. The purpose of the role is to support the delivery of a diverse range of conservation projects.
Closing date Monday 31st May 2021 at 5pm.Join our Grants Committee
The National Churches Trust are currently recruiting 2 new members to its national Grants Committee. We are particularly interested in applications from professionals with church heritage experience in Scotland.
Scottish Civic Trust seeks Heritage Administration Officer
SCT are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person to support the administration of Scottish Civic Trust and the delivery of our projects.
Closing Date 5pm on Friday 28th May 2021.
BEFS overview of Cabinet Secretary & Ministerial changes relevant to the built and historic environment sector.
Now the dust is starting to settle and those coming into the Scottish Parliament, whether as returnees, or new entrants, are beginning to get to grips with the task ahead of them, BEFS welcomes all those entering into public service within the Scottish Parliament.
We’d suggest both that BEFS Members and interested readers alike consider both the Manifesto overview produced prior to the elections and BEFS Advocacy toolkit. If you’ve got a point to advocate on, a case to make, or a success to celebrate this information can direct you to which party might be most interested, and who is representing the appropriate local area. And with the local area in mind, I’d also recommend the new SPICe Constituency Dashboard which provides excellent constituency level data and information.
How parties ‘did’ for positive or negative is a value judgement left to (many) other commentators, BEFS concern is how our existing built and historic environment can be represented in the coming years.
In summary the parties within the Scottish Parliament are represented across the 129 MSPs as follows:
- Scottish National Party – 64 MSPs – Leader, Nicola Sturgeon
- Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party – 31 MSPs – Leader, Douglas Ross
- Scottish Labour – 22 MSPs – Leader, Anas Sarwar
- Scottish Green Party – 7 MSPs – Leaders, Patrick Harvie & Lorna Slater
- Scottish Liberal Democrats – 4 MSPs – Leader, Willie Rennie
- No Affiliation – 1 MSP – Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone
The changes to numbers of MSPs per party since the 2016 election have been relatively minor, but those minor changes to numbers have reduced the Liberal Democrat voice as they will no longer have the right to representation on Committees, or a guaranteed question at First Minister’s questions. The pro-devolution stance of the Green Party, as well as their increase in MSPs, implies their voice may carry additional clout within this parliament as the SNP doesn’t hold a majority, and the Greens and SNP have worked together before.
There are substantial changes across the Cabinet. Not only in the reduction of Cabinet Secretary roles, two fewer than previously, but with the rearrangement of many portfolios.
It’s all change for Culture with a new lead in the form of Angus Robertson, he finds an altered brief which partially echoes the role as it was in 2009-2020, where Economy, Fair Work and Culture sat most recently, we how have: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. This broad portfolio is now supported by Jenny Gilruth, Minister adding Culture, to the Europe and International Development brief she held previously.
Whilst much of the detail is still to be revealed, but we might assume that ‘Culture’ still includes, as it did previously: creative industries / culture / architecture and built heritage / broadcasting / co-ordination of bringing major events to Scotland, and National Records.
Tourism: where previously there was a Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for Tourism and Rural Affairs, there has been a significant change, Tourism now sits within a busy Ministerial portfolio (Ivan McKee) including it with Business, Trade, and Enterprise. A move the industry itself will be better placed to comment upon directly; but perhaps one indicating the scale of financial impact felt from tourism and related industries contraction during the covid pandemic.
Environment ,in its broad description now has no Cabinet Secretary post, but is within the remit of two Ministers, with indications of cross portfolio working as seen in the details below. Land Reform follows the same pattern. Climate change also loses a Cabinet Secretary – but it could be assumed that this is to an extent replaced by new description within Michael Matheson’s role relating to Net Zero, Energy and Transport.
Skills: There is renewed potential for skills relating to the built environment to be seen as complementary to the work towards Net Zero as within Michael Matheson’s portfolio there is a new Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (Richard Lochhead), who will also work cross-portfolio with Finance.
Housing, a matter close to BEFS work over the last few years, seems to have received a promotion – making it into the headlines for Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government. Interestingly, it has been de-coupled from Planning (an area where much implementation is still due to occur, not least Local Place Plans) – which finds itself in the Ministerial portfolio of Tom Arthur sharing space with Public Finance and Community Wealth (overseen by Kate Forbes). This raises initial questions as to whether, within this framework, planning is seen as fiscal, rather than spatial?
Cabinet and related Ministerial posts are as follows:
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon
- Minister for Drugs Policy, Angela Constance
John Swinney – Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery
(with numerous responsibilities, but only those with a more direct connection to the built/historic environment highlighted below)
- Government strategy
- Cross government coordination of Covid Recovery policies
- Delivery and outcomes across portfolios
- Public service reform
- Cross government co-ordination on UN treaty incorporation
- National Performance Framework
- Local governance review and democratic renewal
- Minister for Parliamentary Business, George Adam
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes
- Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Richard Lochhead
- Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee
- Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, Tom Arthur
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf
- Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd
- Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville
- Minister for Children and Young People, Clare Haughey
- Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn
Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson
- Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Rural Affairs Secretary), Màiri McAllan
- Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work (who will also work alongside the Finance Secretary), Richard Lochhead
- Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon
- Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (who will also work alongside the Net Zero Secretary), Màiri McAllan
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Keith Brown
- Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, Shona Robison
- Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie
- Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Ben McPherson
Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson
- Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Jenny Gilruth
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IHBC introduces Heritage MarketPlace as a forum for professional, community, trust and amenity bodies to benefit from a wide range of outreach opportunities.
Connecting the community and cultural stakeholders with those in practice is a core objective shared by BEFS and the IHBC. The IHBC’s charitable role, as the professional body for built and historic environment conservation specialists, means we have conservation outcomes as our primary charitable objective. For that to be effective, we know we have to connect our members with all the players – communities, charities and volunteer – as much as with clients and practitioners.
As co-founder and first Treasurer of BEFS I have long been aware of the challenges faced in such ambitions. The legacy of polarisation across so much heritage sector engagement – originating in the historic planning model that relies on ‘objections’ to manage inappropriate change – means there is sometimes little opportunity to secure common understanding. BEFS works to bridge that gap, as does the IHBC. For us our virtual conference – which this year includes our virtual ‘Heritage MarketPlace’ and ‘Stallholder Listing’- is designed to offer a whole new bridging strategy.
We were inspired by the familiar marketplace or exhibition hall, but with ‘virtual stalls’. Here, though, we’ve innovated, and made ‘learning’ a priority, in its broadest sense; whilst still including networking and understanding, as well as services. IHBC MarketPlace stalls can tie their content to a wide range of outreach – education, information, showcasing services, as well as highlighting priorities for planning, or promoting advocacy or membership benefits. In the MarketPlace, any organisation or individual (quality assured by the IHBC) can engage directly with delegates and IHBC Members on matters of mutual interest. Each stall also gets its own Social Media digital networking link – their MarketPlace Billboard. To see what that might look like, the IHBC’s can be seen here.
As the MarketPlace engagement happens in the shared environment of conference discourse – not the potentially siloed setting of casework, regulation or planning – it offers a real chance to share perspectives and build a common awareness, and mutual understanding. That is not the only solution to divergences in our heritage world, but it may well help.
Historically, the barrier to such experiences has been the fees. But now, the ‘virtual’ world with which we have all become so familiar (perhaps currently too familiar) offers the potential for more equitable access. The unavoidable costs of live events almost disappear in virtual environments, so specialists, communities and volunteers can participate, together, and on a more level playing field, without the ‘cheque book’ drawing demarcations. With this in mind the IHBC’s conference costs, benefitting from the light infrastructure of virtual environments, are kept as low as possible to encourage participation across all players. Costs that are intended to remove some of the barriers to active participation in the kind of inclusive discussion we want to promote. (About £25+VAT for day delegates, and about £100+VAT for stalls offering sector-wide outreach.)
That agenda of inclusion is encapsulated in the School’s title – linking history, people and places. It is not our only strategy though: that aspiration to connecting conservation is also represented in the IHBC’s next issue of the our membership journal Context. Context is always available free online, but in the next issue we highlight how people across community, voluntary, public and private sector roles can actually maximise the ‘public good’ and amenity on offer in our places. Do keep an eye out for it on the IHBC website.
But for now, our 2021 School MarketPlace is the location and platform we are offering for affordable and accessible engagement and outreach beyond the well-trodden, often siloed, terrain of planning, consultations and individual policy perspectives. Many organisation are on board, BEFS included (BEFS note that their place at the Conference is funded by BEFS, but thank the IHBC for a complimentary Marketplace Stall in return for offering to share this topic with Bulletin readers). But, if hosting a stall is not for you, why not enhance your personal capacity to make a difference by contributing to discussions as a School delegate, and connect better in the future by hearing what others are saying today!
From: Seán O’Reilly, Director IHBC
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications, Consultations And More.
BEFS News
BEFS is delighted to welcome Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week. Coming from a cultural-heritage project management background, Ailsa has wide-ranging experience with partnership working and stakeholder collaboration across Scotland. Find out more about her background here.
BEFS has compiled an overview of in the party manifestos that will have implications for Scotland’s built environment. Various heritage and built environment organisations, including a number of BEFS members, produced manifestos ahead of today’s election. The manifestos outline information on specific strategic issues, facts and details, and the corresponding language and messaging that can be adapted and adopted to advocate for the built environment with your newly elected parliamentarians. For advice on becoming an advocate for the built environment check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
BEFS outgoing Director Euan Leitch reflects on why retaining our existing built environment is beneficial and potentially transformative for communities and how crucial it is that we evidence the benefits that arise from investing in heritage going into a new parliament, in our first blog this week.
BEFS submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Scottish skills requirements for energy efficiency, zero emissions and low carbon heating systems, microgeneration and heat networks for homes. It strongly supports the primary focus around retrofitting existing buildings. BEFS also submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Heat in buildings strategy – achieving net zero emissions consultation, highlighting that Scotland’s home-owners, businesses, suppliers, and manufacturers need as clear an understanding as possible of who needs to do what, and by when. Both responses can be read in full here.
In a final contribution as Director, Euan Leitch, shares his observations about the extended permitted development rights consultation process, motivations, and unexpected outcomes in our second blog this week.
To help promote the reopening of museums and galleries across Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland have launched the #MuseumsAreGo reopening campaign, on behalf of and with the sector to help reassure and encourage people to visit, as well as support, their local museum and gallery and other museums across Scotland. We are also offering the sector marketing support to those museums who need it most, including an online toolkit and marketing support surgeries in May and June.
Consultations
Scotland’s Churches Trust: Helping Sustain Our Places Of Worship Survey
Working On and Near to Scheduled Monuments
Closes 6 May 2021.
Local Place Plan Regulations consultation
Closes 25 June 2021.
Petition: To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build
8 August 2021.
Publications
Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum – Hustings (CICV 14/21)
The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook (04/21)
Election Hub – Planning the Scotland We Need (04/21)
Housing in Scotland: Evidence for Scottish Government 2021-26 (UKCCfHE 04/21)
Context – Urban Design (IHBC March 2021)
News Releases
Short-term fixes with long-term consequences (Cockburn Association 03/05/21)
Our thoughts on the long-term implications of recently suggested short-term fixes for the Scottish planning system.
Flow Country: hopes of pressing case for world heritage site at COP26 (FMS 28/04/21)
The Flow Country Partnership is seeking to have the renowned area of peatland stretching across Caithness and Sutherland recognised alongside the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef as a natural world heritage site.
Volunteer army put tech boots on ground to save high street (FS 28/04/21)
A new ‘digital footfall’ scheme has been launched in an East Lothian town this week by a volunteer tech army in response to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the high street.
Archaeology Scotland’s Student Prize 2021 (AS 25/04/21)
Archaeology Scotland are delighted to announce that, thanks to a generous anonymous donation, we are running a competition to give recognition to excellence in written work on Scottish archaeology produced in the 2020–21 academic year.
Over £150 million funding to kickstart self-building revolution (MHCLG 24/04/21)
New ‘Help to Build’ scheme will make it easier and more affordable for people to build their own homes.
A New Chief Executive for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS 22/04/21)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is delighted to announce that Tamsie Thomson has been appointed as its new Chief Executive.
RTPI Awards for Research Excellence 2021 (RTPI 2021)
The RTPI Awards for Research Excellence are now open for entries. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Monday 17 May 2021. The RTPI Awards for Research Excellence recognise and promote high quality and impactful spatial planning research from RTPI accredited planning schools and planning practitioners in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and internationally.
Opinion & Comment
Podcast: Building Sustainability – Fellowships – Karen Ridgewell
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Midsteeple Quarter
Date & time: Sat, 8 May 2021, 14:15.
Online event.
Join Matt Baker, founder and board member of the Midsteeple Quarter project, for a talk on this innovative community-led initiative to revitalise Dumfries High Street! Midsteeple Quarter is a Community Benefit Society set up and run by the people of Dumfries. Their aim is to help shape a new future for our town centre; one that responds to the needs of our community and is run for their benefit. The core principle is that local people have the innovative solutions for our town and that a significant local stake in the future of the town through community ownership and control is the best route towards a sustainable prosperity that is shared fairly amongst everyone.
Insanitary City: Dr Henry Littlejohn and the condition of Edinburgh
Date & time: Thu, 13 May 2021; 18:00 – 19:00.
Online event.
In 1865, Dr Henry Littlejohn – Police Surgeon, Crown witness in murder cases and medical advisor to the Scottish Poor Law authorities – published his Report on the Sanitary Condition of Edinburgh. His meticulous research produced penetrating insights into the links between poverty, employment and public health in Victorian cities.It had a significance far beyond the city of Edinburgh and Victorian society. In our latest online event, Edinburgh World Heritage is delighted to welcome Richard Rodger, Professor of Economic * Social History, University of Edinburgh, and co-author of ‘Insanitary City: Henry Littlejohn and the Condition of Edinburgh.’ Please join us as he explores the terrible slum conditions of Victorian Edinburgh and the extraordinary work of Dr Henry Littlejohn.
Developing a heritage project – National Lottery Heritage Fund Webinar
Date & time: Tue 25th May 2021 at 10:00.
Online event.
Join the Scotland team online to find out more about our small grants programme – National Lottery Grants for Heritage £3,000 to £10,000. Are you interested in developing a heritage project? The National Lottery Heritage Fund Engagement team in Scotland are running an informal webinar session on Tuesday 25 May at 10am. At this event we will give an overview of our small grants programme (£3,000 to £10,000), guidance for developing a heritage project and information about our application process. There will also be an opportunity to share your project ideas and ask any questions.
(1) Church Recording and Volunteering / (2) Repair & Maintenance
Date & time: Thursday, May 27th at 10.00am
Online: Zoom
Scotland’s Churches Trust is involved, together with other bodies, in a project to record the contents of our historic churches. This is now more important than ever with buildings closing at a rate not seen before. This is done through photographs and detailed description and sent to a central database. Volunteers are always needed! A second event in conjunction with the National Churches Trust (date to be decided), will focus on fabric maintenance and repair of places of worship.
2021 SURF Awards Launch Event
Date & time: 3rd June, 2pm-3.30pm.
Online: Zoom.
The prestigious national 2021 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration will launch at a virtual event on the 3rd June in partnership with the Glasgow Canal Cooperative, as part of the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, to celebrate and promote the Scottish Government Year of Coasts and Waters. The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.
RIAS Inclusive Design Seminar
Date & time: Tuesday 8th June 2021, 1.00pm to 4.15pm.
Online: Zoom.
Cost: £5.00 / Free for RIAS Student Members
Join RIAS for this seminar which looks at planning for inclusivity at the outset to deliver high quality environments. Our speakers will cover a range of topics relating to inclusive design and how we can produce external spaces, buildings, interiors and products that are as accessible as possible for a diverse population. Speakers: Eugene Mullan, Smith Scott Mullan Associates; Annie Pollock; Colin Wishart, City of Edinburgh Council; Rick McCluggage, Smith Scott Mullan Associates, Emma Berry & Angel Morales Aguilar, LDN Architects, Joann Russell, Historic Environment Scotland; Lucy Richards, StudioLR.
Training
Architectural Conservation CPD: Historic Shopfronts
Date & time: Wednesday 26 May, 12:30-13:30 (log-on from 12:15).
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
Marking 10 years since ‘The Historic Shopfronts of Perth’ was published, the second session in the 2020 CPD programme is a historic shopfront feature delivered by shopfronts expert Lindsay Lennie. Whether you are starting out in a buildings related career, looking to refresh your conservation knowledge, encounter historic buildings as part of your work portfolio, or have limited knowledge of the best conservation practice to employ on a project involving traditionally constructed buildings, this is the CPD programme for you. Sessions are recognised CPD by the IHBC and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Architectural Conservation CPD: Statutory Protection and Managing Change to Listed Buildings
Date & time: Wed. 30 June, 12:30-13:30 (log-on with light refreshments from 12:15).
Online: Microsoft Teams, streamed live from Lower City Mills, Perth.
The third session in the 6-part CPD programme focuses on listed buildings and the legislative framework that protects them. Delivered by Historic Environment Scotland’s Head of Designations Elizabeth McCrone, this session will cover the role of designation, recent reviews, applying for listed building consent and general approached to managing change to listed buildings with examples. Sessions are hosted online with Q&A and networking opportunities and delivered using live and recorded content by industry accredited professionals and are recognised CPD by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) and Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF).
Vacancies
Creative Programme Manager, Creative Project Officer and freelance associates
greenspace scotland is looking to recruit an experienced and creative Programme Manager, Project Officer and freelance associates to lead the development and delivery of this important national initiative working with artists, cultural organisations and communities to commemorate and reflect on Scotland’s experiences during the pandemic.
Closing date for applications for both posts: 3pm on Wednesday 19 May 2021.
Development Officer for Northern Ireland
The Heritage Trust Network is recruiting for a new part-time post of Development Officer based in Northern Ireland. The Network has a varied range of members in Northern Ireland including major building preservation trusts in the cities, towns and villages and community and arts organisations.
The deadline for applications is Monday 24th May.
BEFS welcomes new Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week.
BEFS is delighted to welcome new Director Ailsa Macfarlane into post this week. Ailsa succeeds Euan Leitch who is taking up a new role as Chief Executive of SURF.
Ailsa, who first joined BEFS as Policy & Strategy Manager in 2017, previously managed the Resourcing Scotland’s Heritage project and worked for Museums Galleries Scotland. Coming from a cultural-heritage project management background, Ailsa has wide-ranging experience with partnership working and stakeholder collaboration across Scotland. She is widely respected throughout Scotland’s built environment sector, having delivered a strong programme of strategic policy work during her time with BEFS. This has included BEFS work on the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, Prioritisation work (informing the Sustainable Investment Toolkit on behalf of the OPiT Built Heritage Investment Group), and leading on sector responses to the COVID-19 crisis, through the COVID Historic Environment Resilience Forum.
The appointment was made by BEFS Board and BEFS Chair, Iain McDowall, said:
“The Board of BEFS are delighted to welcome Ailsa Macfarlane as the new Director. It was an extremely easy and unanimous decision by the Board and is clearly welcomed by any who know Ailsa and her work. We look forward to working with her in her new role, as BEFS continues to address the many challenges facing the sector.”
Director, Ailsa Macfarlane, said:
“It gives me great pleasure to be continuing BEFS collaborative and partnership based approach; making sure the sector is well represented, well understood, and evidencing delivery across nationwide strategies and national performance frameworks. None of this would be possible without the knowledge and support of the Board, BEFS Members, and the amazing staff team.”
Outgoing Director, Euan Leitch, said:
“Ailsa has been an excellent Policy & Advocacy Manager and I couldn’t be happier to pass the BEFS baton on to her. I’m really looking forward, now as an Associate Member, to seeing where Ailsa and the team take BEFS next, it can only be better.”
Further information on Ailsa Macfarlane’s background can be found here.
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BEFS Director outlines how crucial it is that we evidence the benefits that arise for communities from investing in heritage, going into a new parliament.
This article was first published in The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland’s Spring 2021 Magazine.
In a blog post from January this year, Ailsa Macfarlane, BEFS Policy and Strategy Manager, states: “Read any report, research output, press-release, or corporate statement involving heritage and ‘save’ will be prominent. Whether ‘saved’ for the nation, the community, or future generations – you can be certain that the heritage in question is to be made ‘safe’ from the evil it was perceived to be beset by. The funding has (sometimes) been found; the heritage has been ‘secured’ for the audiences. But such asks have unintended consequences – we’ve reinforced all sorts of notions about heritage. About it being ‘special’ and ‘expensive’ and ‘unique’ and ‘difficult’ and ‘old’. Suddenly heritage doesn’t sound like it has a role in a green recovery, a just recovery, a socially integrated recovery. Heritage doesn’t sound like it’s your house, your local street, the building your kids go to school in, the town-hall where the library is, the park you walked through on the way to work. Heritage can sound like it doesn’t offer what communities and politicians seek.”
Ailsa neatly captures how we as a heritage sector need to talk differently to our electoral candidates and soon to be newly elected members of the next Scottish Parliament. While restoring a decaying building back to beauty or preventing ugly window replacements may be a priority for you, elected officials will also be dealing with constituents who are now using foodbanks, are long-term unemployed or are unable to get a home of their own. If you were them, which would you pay more attention to? But these issues are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the former can be used to address the last two points. It comes back to a much wider and holistic understanding of why retaining our existing built fabric is beneficial and potentially transformative for communities.
In March BEFS joined the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland, Landscape Institute Scotland and Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland as signatories of ‘Building for Scotland’s Communities’. I confess that when we were initially invited to sign, my concern was that it could be seen as the professions seeking to secure a position in the rush to rebuild after Covid-19. But it is not. It’s a call for political leadership to work with the professions to deliver structural change that will: tackle climate change and achieve Scotland’s net zero carbon reduction targets; reduce health inequalities across Scotland; support a wellbeing economy, and; ensure a quality and affordable home for everyone who needs one.
These are people-centred aims. And heritage can also be part of delivering them. The joint statement was discussed at a relevant cross-party group, and of particular note was how all professions spoke of prioritising the maintenance of our existing built environment over building new; music to my ears. The retiring Convener, Linda Fabiani MSP, suggested it was time to end shiny new projects that fed egos and instead concentrate on investing public money where it can make a difference to more people that need it. Perhaps this idea could be extended to rebuilding lost Classical houses when we have so many existing buildings in use that need investment to remain wind and watertight.
It is crucial that we evidence the benefits that arise from investing in heritage and I would encourage you to look at the Advocacy Toolkit section of the Resources pages for our tips and ideas on how to do this. A new parliament is not a blank sheet, but it is a fresh opportunity to make the case for the historic environment. Ask your candidates what they think heritage can deliver in your area. More importantly, we need you to charm the newly elected MSPs with the many benefits heritage can deliver for their constituents.
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BEFS Director shares his observations about the extended permitted development rights consultation process, motivations and unexpected outcomes.
New, extended permitted development rights (PDR) came into force on the 1st April 2021 following two years of consultation. The new rights apply to digital telecommunications infrastructure, agriculture, peatland restoration and active travel (bicycle storage).
You can read a more detail account from the Scottish Government on this here. There are some observations worth making about discussions had during the consultation process, motivations and unexpected outcomes.
In early meetings about telecommunications apparatus the prime driver was clearly to improve the speed of the roll out of apparatus by removing the need for planning permission which was clearly deemed an impediment by mobile phone providers. Yes, most of us are glued to our phones and look forward to the roll out of 5G but what seems to be of less concern is the impact of the apparatus on the public realm. The provision of infrastructure for daily life has a long and positive design history – think of drinking fountains, post boxes, lampposts, telephone boxes, cast iron manhole covers, tram rosettes. A number of these features are a valued part of cultural heritage and the name of some of the designers and manufacturers may trip of your tongue. Contemporary telecoms infrastructure looks unlikely to become as valued, and at best attempts to be invisible or disguised. There seems to be no aspiration by the providers or public authorities to create apparatus that enhances the public realm, or even amalgamates a number of required pieces of infrastructure. These components are necessary for contemporary life and could contribute to good placemaking but remain an opportunity missed.
A repeated refrain across all elements of the extended PDR discussion was for designated areas to be spared from them. I found this a very difficult argument to make, not because I am against considered decisions for designated areas, but because I am against ill-considered decisions and inferior design everywhere else. Everywhere deserves good quality placemaking and infrastructure not just conservation areas, world heritage sites, the setting of listed buildings etc and arguing otherwise sounds like preferential treatment for some places, and therefore some people, over others. Is it preferable to have fewer or smaller masts within a conservation of the trade-off is taller/more masts outside a conservation area?
The consultation on extending PDR for the residential conversion of agricultural buildings was also interesting. There was a slight urban perception that these were going to be rustic barn conversions or stone built steadings with delightful arcades when the reality could well be the conversion of steel sheds built before 5th November 2020 – it will be fascinating to see how this new right is actually used by land owners.
There was broad support for PDR for cycle storage but one aspect still intrigues me. It was decided not to restrict the sizes of communal cycle stores to the rear of blocks of flats. That may be fine if the tenement has 8-12 properties but there are many tenements with far more and most properties would want to store more than one bike. Prepare for some big bike stores in your back green (and legal challenges over title deeds).
The Scottish Government promised “more detailed guidance and advice early in the New Year”, maybe it means 2022.
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