Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
The final vote on the Planning (Scotland) Bill took place on 20th June 2019 after 3 days of vigorous debate. The Bill passed 78:26, supported by the SNP and Conservative MSPs, with Labour, Liberal and Green Party members voting against. All Amendments, with the decisions made in each case, can be found in the document, here. One week on, BEFS Director Euan Leitch, reflects on responses to the Bill.
Prior to the debates, BEFS issued a Stage 3 briefing for MSPs, based on previous work by the Planning Taskforce and comments in relation to refreshed and new topics of interest to BEFS Membership.
The Scottish Parliament debated a motion on the recommendations of the Working Group on Tenement Maintenance yesterday. MSPs recognised that the issue needs addressed and Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Planning and Housing, has committed to a substantive response from the Scottish Government to the recommendations in the autumn. The consensual, non-partisan nature of the working group was recognised by all side in the Chamber and appreciation of the hard work of the stakeholders acknowledged. Watch the full debate here or read the transcript.
BEFS responded to the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland consultation. The response highlights the importance of accurate EPC ratings for all buildings, the necessary time needed for the skills-supply chain to be in place, and the necessity for education around behaviour change. It also highlights the need for mandatory adaptations to truly enable holistic, substantial and significant change. BEFS sits on the Short Life Working Group in relation to this area.
BEFS also responded to Historic Environment Scotland’s Climate Change & Environmental Action Plan Consultation. BEFS response was in the form of a workshop report compiled after a recent Historic Environment Working Group (HEWG) meeting, which explored the questions raised with BEFS Members. The ‘actions’ in the current plan were thought to tend more towards achievable than ambitious goals. Respondents raised whether this was enough given the declared climate crisis.
Have you submitted your project as a best practice case study for our data base and the next Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report? Deadline for submissions is 26th July.
RTPI President Ian Tant shares his impressions of his recent visit to Scotland in this week’s blog: Awards, beliefs & communities in Scottish planning.
Save the date! The Climate Heritage Network Global Launch is taking place in Edinburgh in October. Find out more about the aims of the network and the launch event here.
Finally, don’t miss Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum (ETBF) and partners at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The 11 events in August range from traditional building skills demonstrations to maintenance and energy efficiency seminars.
Consultations
Consultation on the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development
Opened 26 Jun 2019 and closes 19 Sep 2019.
Consultation on the Enhanced Heating Regimes within the new definition of Fuel Poverty
Opened 24 Jun 2019 and closes 16 Aug 2019.
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019
Opened 17 Jun 2019 and closes 13 Sep 2019.
Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Closes 5 Jul 2019.
Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Closes 8 Jul 2019.
Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.
Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.
Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Closes 31 July 2019.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.
Consultation Responses
Publications
TThe Practice of Kindness: Learning from the Kindness Innovation Network and North Ayrshire (Carnegie UK Trust 25/06/19)
Planning (Scotland) Bill [AS PASSED] (SP 20/16/19)
Backing the Bedrock – Five Heritage Fiscal & Funding Priorities 2019 (THA 20/06/19)
Referendums (Scotland) Bill – SPICe Briefing (SPICe 19/06/19)
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019: guidance (SG 17/06/19)
Rent affordability in the affordable housing sector: literature review (SG 17/06/19)
Game of Homes: The rise of multiple property ownership in Great Britain (RF 15/06/19)
Update on current workstreams: Chief Planner letter (SG 14/06/19)
Marshalled List of Amendments selected for Stage 3 – Planning (Scotland) Bill (SP 13/06/19)
Scottish Government News Releases
Tackling climate change (SG 24/06/19)
The Scottish Government has committed significant funding to help repair and restore Scotland’s peatland areas, which store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.
Culture to strengthen Scotland’s global links (SG 23/06/19)
The unifying power of culture will be used to emphasise Scotland’s global connections in the face of Brexit.
Communities given more say in planning (SG 20/06/19)
Communities will have more say in shaping the future development of their areas in a radical shake-up of planning laws.
The Big Climate Conversation (SG 19/06/19)
A nationwide conversation to discuss action to tackle the global climate emergency will take place in Scotland this summer, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
Household numbers continue to rise (SG 18/06/19)
The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase to 2.48 million in 2018, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
Young people and families helped to buy their own homes (SG 18/06/19)
More than 30,000 households have been helped to buy their home through Scottish Government support schemes since 2007.
International Creative Ambition Programme (SG 14/06/19)
Scotland’s cultural links around the world will be strengthened thanks to Scottish Government investment of £150,000.
News Releases
Public asked which significant Scots should be recognised (HES 25/06/19)
Nominations have opened for this year’s national Commemorative Plaque scheme, it was announced today (25 June 2019).
Edinburgh’s tourism industry urged to act to avoid ‘backlash’ (Scotsman 25/06/19)
An official report on the future of tourism in Edinburgh has urged industry leaders to encourage visitors to leave the city to help ease the impact of its “growing pains” amid warnings it is running the risk of a “backlash” from residents
Toads, Romans, Railways and Inverkeithing (Herald 25/06/19)
Toads, railways and a museum dedicated to Roman history in Scotland have received more than £3m from the National Lottery.
Thousands of long-term empty homes brought back to life under Scottish scheme (Herald, 24/06/19)
Hundreds of empty homes are now being brought back into use in an effort to breathe fresh life into fragile and rural communities.
Scotland set for ‘more inclusive and collaborative’ planning system as MSPs back ‘radical’ reforms (SHN 21/06/19)
Planning minister Kevin Stewart said communities will have more say in shaping the future development of their areas after MSPs agreed to a “radical shake-up” of planning laws.
British Council & Heritage Alliance Travel Grant Scheme (THA 20/06/19)
The Heritage Alliance, in partnership with the British Council, is offering a second round of travel grants for heritage professionals to develop mutually beneficial international projects and partnerships for their organisations.
Public Choice Award (EN 20/06/19)
Vote for the 2019 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards.
Launch of £100 million Heritage Horizon Awards (NLHF 19/06/19)
The Heritage Horizon Awards will invest £100million over the next three years in ambitious, innovative and transformational projects that will revolutionise UK heritage.
Paris Wants to Grow ‘Urban Forests’ at Famous Landmarks (CityLab 19/06/19)
The city plans to fill some small but treasured sites with trees—a climate strategy that may also change the way Paris frames its architectural heritage.
7 Most Endangered programme 2020 (EN 19/06/19)
If you know of an important heritage site in Europe that is endangered – such as a historic monument or archaeological site, a place of worship, an industrial complex, a historic park, a museum or a movable heritage asset, nominate it for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2020.
FutureTown Design 2019: Open for Applications! (STP 19/06/19)
What changes would you like to see in your town or city neighbourhood? Share your vision in this innovative national competition!
National Trust and National Lottery team up for Future Parks initiative (NLHF 17/06/19)
Eight towns and cities have been selected to take part in Future Parks, an £11million initiative that aims to secure the future of our urban parks and green spaces.
Europa Nostra and the Global Heritage Fund join forces through a transformational partnership (EN 14/06/19)
Europa Nostra and the Global Heritage Fund (based in San Francisco) are joining forces to support the communities protecting endangered cultural heritage, initially in Europe, and eventually around the world.
Scottish Government appoints Indigo House to research short-term lets (SHN 13/06/19)
The Scottish Government has commissioned consultancy firm Indigo House to undertake research into the positive and negative impacts of short-term lets.
National Trust awarded Independent Research Organisation status (NT 06/06/19)
The National Trust has been awarded Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status enabling it to collaborate further with researchers across culture, history and the natural environment.
Opinion & Comment
Scotland’s Planning Bill – who will “frontloading” work for? (Cliff Hague, 21/06/19)
Democracy Versus the Climate? (RSA 21/06/19)
Introduction of statutory Chief Planning Officers welcomed by RTPI Scotland (RTPI Scotland 20/06/19)
What’s Wrong With Modern Buildings? Everything, Starting With How They’re Made (Bloomberg 19/06/19)
Planning (Scotland) Bill Stage 3 (Tammy Swift-Adams, Homes for Scotland 18/06/19)
‘Historic’ opportunity for planning reform but more funding needed (RTPI Scotland 18/06/19)
Architects Declare is a remarkable call-to-arms on climate change (Hattie Hartman, AJ 30/05/19)
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 S5W-23989: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24/06/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its commitment to deliver 50,000 affordable homes in the current parliamentary session.
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 S5W-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (07/06/2019)
Motions
Motion S5M-17892: Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24/06/2019
Working Group on Tenement Maintenance
That the Parliament appreciates the work of the Working Group on Maintenance of Tenement Scheme Property and the publication of its Final Recommendations Report; acknowledges that the group had cross-party representation and has gathered views from across the Parliament and that of the housing sector; notes that the report acknowledges the important action that has already been taken to improve the condition of Scottish tenements; recognises the challenges that must be met to ensure that Scotland’s housing stock can continue to provide safe and sustainable homes for the future, and believes that the group’s recommendations merit serious and careful consideration.
Supported by: Andy Wightman, Aileen Campbell, Graham Simpson, John Mason.
Read the full debate in Chamber on 26/06/2019.
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Scotland 2030: A Sustainable Future for Urban Scotland
Date & time: Wednesday 26 June, 6pm to 8pm.
Venue: The Scottish Parliament.
Life in Scotland’s towns and cities is forecast to change significantly in the coming decades. Cities are set to continue to grow, facing the challenge of providing housing and services for new populations, while the role and place of towns in Scotland remains uncertain as traditional high streets disappear and services are increasingly centralised. Join an expert panel to consider how we can build a sustainable future for urban Scotland, putting communities at the heart of regeneration.
Meet the Makers – Traditional Craftsmanship in the Modern World
Date& time: 2nd July 6pm.
Venue: 54 Bell Street.
Think masters, journeymen, and travelling apprentices in ancient crafts are a thing of the past? Welcome to the world of the French Compagnons, an ancient traditional still very much alive… And we’ve brought them to Glasgow! Traditional travelling apprenticeships are still very much alive, with thousands of craftspeople travelling around Europe every year honing and sharing their skills. In France they are called compagnons, an ancient tradition that still produces master craftspeople who make art, furniture, and buildings we use and cherish. Glasgow City Heritage Trust is pleased to welcome three traditional craftspeople in the French compagnon tradition, who will speak to us about craft, tradition, and the unbelievable journey taken in the pursuit of craft mastery. This event, for enthusiasts as well as students and craftspeople, aims to inspire enthusiasm for studying and honing traditional building crafts.
End of the Line: Photographs of Glasgow by John R Hume
Date & time: Friday June 28th, 6pm-8pm.
Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell St, Glasgow, G1 1LQ.
John R Hume first started documenting Glasgow’s industrial buildings in 1964. Wandering the city by bicycle, he was determined to get images of as many of the city’s decaying industrial buildings as possible before they disappeared. He was just in time. The photographs in End of the Line represent the enormity of the loss of Glasgow’s industrial heritage since the 1960s and 1970s. They shed a light on Glasgow’s industrial decline as the buildings fell in to gradual disuse and were demolished.
Training
Practical CPD: Stone Cleaning
Date & time: 24th July 12:30-1:30
Venue: CBC Stone 119 Whitefield Rd, Glasgow.
Cleaning stone buildings can be a double-edged sword: It can bring beauty and elegance to facades and streetscapes, but it also can have disastrous unintended consequences if the wrong materials or techniques are used. Graeme Frame, director of CBC Stone and member of the national Stone Federation, will cover the appropriate and inappropriate applications of different stone cleaning methods. At CBC Stone’s premises near Govan, participants will learn through a combination of lecture and hands-on activity, testing and trying different methods out in the stone yard. This session will be valuable to enthusiasts and homeowners, as well as to professionals. Please note: This practical CPD session will take place off-site, at 119 Whitehill Rd. Light lunch and all PPE will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes. All GCHT CPD sessions are recognised by the IHBC, and attendees can obtain a CPD certificate upon completion. £20 per person /£15 for students, including light lunch and PPE
Claim that funding!
Date & time: Wednesday 28th August, 9.30am – 4pm
Venue: The Acorn Centre, Inverurie.
Full Cost Recovery and Measuring Impact – two of the most challenging areas of a built heritage project. Join us for training in both topics from Pamela Redpath and come armed with any queries that you would like answered! We will also hear from local heritage case studies, including the team at the Garioch Heritage Centre, whilst making sure that there is plenty of time for attendees to network, problem solve and share their news. This is a joint event run by the Heritage Trust Network and the Scottish Civic Trust.
Vacancies
Traditional Buildings Inspector
Stirling City Heritage Trust are looking for a new inspector to join our Traditional Buildings Health Check team.
The closing date is Monday 15 July 2019.
Post-Brexit environmental governance in Scotland
LINK is currently seeking an individual (or organisation) to undertake a research project, on post-Brexit environmental governance in Scotland.
Deadline for tenders: 29 June 2019.
Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.
Scottish Land Commission Internship
Scottish Land Commission are looking for an intern to research and develop at least two innovative community funding models for the Scottish context.
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2019.
BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, reflects on responses to the Planning (Scotland) Bill since it was passed.
It has been a week since the Planning (Scotland) Bill was passed, after 3½ years of intensive activity across professional organisations, third sector groups and communities. When the “root and branch” review of the planning system was announced for the Scottish Government’s programme in 2015 it had the following aims:
- Ensure that planning realises its full potential, unlocking land and sites, supporting more quality housing across all tenures and delivering the infrastructure required to support development.
- Streamline, simplify and improve current systems and remove unnecessary blockages in the decision-making process.
- Ensure that communities are more engaged in the process.
- Continue to meet our statutory and international obligations in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s nature and environment.
Has the Bill achieved those aims? On the evidence of the Bill alone, it seems doubtful and most commentators await secondary legislation.
There have been very few press releases to date (or at least published) and most positive comments are in response to individual aspects of the Bill. RTPI Scotland welcome the introduction of Chief Planning Officers and retention of regional spatial strategies but question the availability of funding new aspects – Local Place Plans and Mediation? Calum Macleod of Community Land Scotland welcomes parts of the Bill that address rural repopulation. The BBC provided a summary of the Bill, as did CommonSpace and Lesley Riddoch covered aspects in a podcast, but complained that no national newspaper was interested enough in planning to publish a piece on it. Cliff Hague has offered perhaps the most detailed analysis and comment. Neil Collar of Brodies’ summation concludes that while not a reforming piece of legislation, “useful conversations have been started”.
Anderson Strathearn held a breakfast seminar yesterday primarily attended by the development industry with presentations from Lichfields, Gladman Land and Playfair Scotland. The consensus was relief at not totally losing regional spatial strategies, fears about losing influence in the gatecheck process for local development plans and further relief that land value capture had not been fully introduced. There was no strong conviction that it would result in the delivery of more housing or that local place plans or the introduction of mediation would satisfy community needs. While this sounds downbeat, it was more of a ‘phew’ that no new obstacles had been introduced, and the defeat of third party right of appeal, described as a “victory” for industry, with that being attributed to the successful lobbying of the Scottish Property Federation. One industry representative was more positive, citing the housing target being in the National Planning Framework as of benefit, but followed that by encouraging developers to “pretend to trust” planning authorities when engaging with them.
It is perhaps telling that there is little comment on the Bill as a whole, just praise for individual aspects reflecting a particular interest or disappointment that certain amendments were voted down. What is notably absent is any community group recognising greatly improved engagement as a result.
Perhaps the blueprint for a streamlined and more engaging process will be revealed in secondary legislation, although as observed by Alastair Mckie yesterday, they may well be mutually exclusive goals. Secondary legislation was the answer to many questions as the Bill proceeded though committees at Stage 2 – will it be jam tomorrow?
Postscript: commentary has subsequently been published by Planning Democracy, Scottish Green Infrastructure Forum and Heads of Planning Scotland. 09 July 2019
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RTPI President Ian Tant shares his impressions of his recent visit to Scotland.
Originally publish on the RTPI website on 25 June 2019
On a sunny midsummer morning, there are few more dramatic sights than that of approaching Stirling with the Castle sparkling above and the Highlands gleaming in the background. The view from Dumyat Path in the Ochil Hills is equally stirring, stretching across the city from the Highlands in the west to the Forth and Grangemouth in the east.
Stirling Enhanced Landscape Mitigation Project
It’s into this spectacular landscape that Scottish Power Energy Networks had the task of inserting a major power line on 604 high towers. How to mitigate its impact on the landscape? The identified solution was a progressive programme of engagement with the nine local communities.
Ideas were drawn up with each of the community groups, leading to tree and woodland planting in some areas and improved access in others, such as new paths and cycleways and footpath improvements. Connecting places and improving accessibility were seen as a key priority in all the communities.
At Dumyat Path, the project has involved a new car park, rebuilding several kilometres of dry stone wall, and footpath enhancements on the hillside. It’s little wonder then that the Stirling Enhanced Landscape Mitigation Project won this year’s RTPI award for Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment.
Dargavel Village – excellence in large housing delivery
Equally impressive is Dargavel Village, winner of the Large Housing category at the Awards. Occupying 964 hectares of a former Royal Ordnance Factory on the edge of Bishopton, the village is developed according to a masterplan and design guides produced through partnership working between the owners, BAe Systems, Renfrewshire Council and the local community. The result is a truly high quality development that makes a major contribution to meeting housing needs of the area and regenerating a major derelict site.
But it has also taken perseverance in the face of challenging economic circumstances and serious contamination issues for the scheme to be delivered.
Over 1,000 of the 4,000 homes have been built and a new village centre is nearing completion close to Bishopton railway station, one of the key links between the existing and new villages.
Innovation is playing its part too. Taylor Wimpey have chosen Dargavel for the company’s Project 2020 scheme – new architect-designed homes meeting a brief set by customer survey and incorporating modern methods of construction, flexible interior layouts and low-carbon energy systems that look ahead to the zero net carbon target.
My visit to the Scottish Parliament coincided with the chance to witness the passing of the new Planning Bill, a major reform of the Scottish Planning System.
Containing many positive provisions including the statutory requirement for Chief Planning Officers, the Bill has proven controversial with the passion behind the debates highlighting the importance of planning to the politicians and communities of Scotland.
Excellence in planning for health and well being
Communities lie at the heart of the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park, winner of the RTPI Planning Excellence Award for Health and Wellbeing. Here, the Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company has worked closely with South Lanarkshire District and Glasgow City Councils, the Forestry Commission and local communities to deliver a country park right alongside the East End of Glasgow.
The park stands on what was wasteland – literally, in that the ground is filled with rubble (and worse) overspilling from the city. Masonry blocks come to the surface and are reused as sculptural features. A new footbridge over the Clyde links the former Commonwealth Games athletes village, now converted to homes for the local community, to the footpaths, riverside boardwalks and open spaces of the park.
Whilst holding firm to a vision of a place that could improve health and wellbeing, Clyde Gateway planners have shown that adaptivity is an important part of the planners’ toolkit. The park continues to develop, with new features planned and exploration for ground-source heat underway in a corner of the site.
Dundee Waterfront
Finally, all credit for the award-winning Dundee Waterfront development lies firmly with the planners and councillors of the City Council, who have worked hard to instil belief and confidence in the reshaping of this former industrial area. The use of digital technology has been at the heart of public engagement over the masterplan and proposals.
The exciting new building of the V&A Dundee provides an inspiring centrepiece to new public realm and there is huge optimism that new hotels and offices are on their way to complete this important regeneration project.
Planning lies front and centre in each of the impressive RTPI award-winning schemes, demonstrating yet again the vision, leadership, community engagement, determination and adaptability of our important profession.
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BEFS Policy Lead provides a brief and concise overview of Stage 3 amendments to the Planning (Scotland) Bill.
It is now confirmed that Stage 3 debates on the Bill will take place in the Scottish Parliament on 18, 19 June with the final decision potentially being made on 20 June 2019. All documentation can be found on the Bill’s page.
Stage 3 has proven to be as complex and ‘guddle’ making as Stage 2. The below is the very briefest of overviews – highlighting only a few of the changes which had previously been discussed by the BEFS Planning Taskforce. A full document of Stage 3 Amendments is linked here, and details of past work can be found on BEFS Planning page.
Many changes have been made along the way – with new roles suggested for Planning Improvement Coordinator and a person to assess Planning Authority/Authorities performance, but no further detail provided on the Chief Planning Officer role.
A purpose for planning has been reduced somewhat, and perhaps points more at the pragmatic housing delivery need expressed than the wider aspiration for planning (such as the UN-SDGs of New Urban Agenda).
The National Planning Framework has been through two iterations at Stage 3 alone, with multiple amendments expanding the reach in terms of policies referred to, and consultees needed. The second iteration added the need to meet any targets relating the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases – which given the declared climate emergency feels like a step in an appropriate direction.
Strategic Development Plans have been removed (again) and replaced with Regional Spatial Strategies.
The Local Development Plan has also been through multiple changes. The formation of such plans no-longer includes children and young people, community engagement requirements appear to have been reduced in relations to responsibilities placed upon planning authorities, cultural zones have been removed and the agent of change principle remains in flux as Stage 3 amendments both remove, and return it in various forms.
What has been removed for LDPs, also seem to apply in part to the Local Place Plans – where there is no duty to provide assistance to communities in forming a LPP. There is also the addition of the community to ‘identify land and buildings that the community body considers to be of particular significance to the local area’. Perhaps giving the opportunity to form a sort ‘local list’.
Land Value Capture has morphed into the potential for Land Value Sharing. (Recent Scottish Land Commission recommendations can be found here.)
Rights of Appeal, on which BEFS did not take a stance, have several variations at Stage 3.
Training for Planning Authorities has been put back in at Stage 3.
New topics have also come to the fore:
- Mediation
- Annual Reporting for Planning Authorities (as well as the new roles mentioned previously)
- Forestry/Ramsar and Biodiversity Amendments – as well as renewable energy, cycling facilities and small scale renewables.
BEFS will be preparing a briefing for MSPs based on previous work, and new comments from the Planning Taskforce and looks forward to what may well be a lively few days of debate.
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
The Scottish Parliamentary cross-party Working Group for Tenement Maintenance, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariat, has published its report of recommendations. The report calls for regular building inspections, the establishment of compulsory owners’ associations and Building Reserve Funds to be written into legislation to protect the future of Scotland’s tenement buildings. More information and the full report can be found here.
We are looking for case studies of projects or initiatives undertaken between April 2018 and March 2019. Your project could feature in our Historic Environment Case Studies database and be linked to the Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report 2019. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your work within the national strategy for the historic environment, contributing to the case for continued government support for the sector. Further information on what we are looking for and how to submit your project here.
The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre. Part of Historic Environment Scotland, it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public. Complete this short survey to inform an evaluation of the delivery of activities to date and to share your views on priorities for the future.
The Scottish Government have published a version of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 showing how it would look if the amendments to the Planning (Scotland) Bill were accepted. It is also now confirmed that stage 3 debates on the Bill will take place in the Scottish Parliament on 18, 19 and 20 June 2019. BEFS Policy Lead provides a brief and concise overview of Stage 3 amendments.
Young Placechangers – last chance to get your Idea funded! The final deadline for the Young Ideas Fund is 21st June. Groups can apply for up to £3000 to involve their local community to develop their idea and deliver changes on the ground. So, if you are between 12-25 years old or support/work with young people and you have an idea to how to change your local place for the better, now is the time to put pen to paper.
The 2019 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration, in partnership with the Scottish Government, are now open for applications. The SURF Awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious in the field of Scottish community regeneration. This year, there are five categories of entry: Scotland’s Most Improved Place; Housing and Regeneration; Creative Regeneration; Supporting Youth Employability and Community Led Regeneration.
The Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum will be delivering a traditional building skills demonstration during this year’s Royal Highland Show at the end of the month.
The Architecture Fringe 2019 is now in full swing. Check out their fantastic programme of events.
Consultations
A consultation on proposals to designate four Marine Protected Areas in Scottish waters
Opened 7 Jun 2019 and closes 30 Aug 2019.
Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Opened 6 June. Closes 31 July 2019.
Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation
Closes 17 Jun 2019.
The future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings: a call for evidence
Closes 17 Jun 2019.
Climate Change and Environmental Action Plan 2019-24
This HES consultation will close at 12pm on Wednesday 19 June.
Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Closes 5 Jul 2019.
Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Closes 8 Jul 2019.
Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.
Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.
A Scottish Government consultation on Implementation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
Closes 4 Aug 2019.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.
Publications
Heritage and Immigration Brexit Briefing Update (THA 06/06/19)
Archaeology and Immigration – Position Statement Briefing (CIfA 05/19)
High Streets in Great Britain (Office for National Stats 06/06/19)
OS data supports Britain’s high streets – Interactive Map (OS 06/06/19)
Planning Bill stage 3: proposed amendments (SG 31/05/19)
Scottish climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2019 (SG 31/05/19)
Brexit Update – Breifing (SPICe 30/05/19)
Empty Housing (England) – Briefing (HoC 29/05/19)
Adapting European Cities to Population Ageing: Policy challenges and best practices (EPSON 04/19)
Scottish Government News Releases
New Bill to lift households out of fuel poverty (SG 11/06/19)
The Fuel Poverty Bill enshrines in law the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty and transform homes to be warmer and more energy-efficient.
Number of new build homes completed tops 20,000 for the first time in a decade (SG 11/06/19)
There were 20,255 new build homes completed across all sectors over the year ending December 2018, an increase of 15% on the previous year, and the highest number of annual completions since 2008.
More affordable homes completed (SG 11/06/19)
The Scottish Government is on track to hit its ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.
Rural skills plan (SG 10/06/19)
A new strategic approach to support the skills needs of rural Scotland has been launched.
Rural tourism investment (SG 06/06/19)
Projects to benefit from a share of nearly £2.9 million. Some of Scotland’s most iconic, rural and island tourist sites will receive funding for new facilities to further enhance the experience of visitors.
News Releases
Saltire Society Housing Design Awards 2019 (SSS 11/06/19)
The Saltire Society Housing Design Awards have celebrated good housing made for the people of Scotland for over 80 years and we are pleased to announce the 2019 shortlist.
New partnership for Orkney’s World Heritage Site (HES 11/06/19)
An ambitious new partnership to shape the future direction for Orkney’s World Heritage Site has been unveiled today.
Planning system widening North-South wealth divide (Centre for Cities 11/06/19)
The restrictive planning system has made urban homeowners in the Greater South East more than £80,000 richer over the past six years than those elsewhere in England and Wales, Centre for Cities has found.
Celebrate landscapes greatest legacies at this year’s Landscape Institute Awards (LI 11/06/19)
2019 is the Landscape Institute’s 90th anniversary. Up from one open category last year, we now have three that are open to everyone – including the Landscape Legacy Award. There are also opportunities for leaders in the sector to join our judging panel.
Government plans new regulator for building safety (SCN 07/06/19)
The UK Government has proposed the creation of a new national regulator for building safety as part of a series of reforms in response to the Hackitt report.
Building excellence celebrated at FMB Scotland Awards (SCN 07/06/19)
High-quality building work, fantastic craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and building excellence were recognised last night the Federation of Master Builders’ Scotland Awards.
High streets in Great Britain – ONS & OS releases data analysis & interactive maps (ONS 06/06/19)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Ordnance Survey (OS) have collaborated to identify high streets in Great Britain, what types of properties and businesses are on high streets as well as how the number of businesses and employment have changed in recent years.
Architecture on Shortage Occupation List (RIBA 06/05/19)
RIBA responds to MAC’s recommendation to add architecture to Shortage Occupation List (RIBA 06/05/
Clearer plans needed on climate change (SP 05/06/19)
Clearer plans are needed on how climate change will be addressed according to a new report issued today by Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
100 miles of new paths celebrated across Scotland (SNH 05/06/19)
More than 100 miles of new and improved paths will be created across Scotland as part of a scheme to boost outdoor access.
My Place Mentoring (SCT 03/06/19)
We are delighted to be able to offer community groups across Scotland the opportunity to build their skills and capacity through our free mentoring programme.
RIAS Award Winners 2019 (RIAS 29/05/19)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) announced 10 winners for its 2019 Awards, representing the very best of current Scottish architecture.
Opinion & Comment
How we can make tourism work in Scotland (Herald 09/06/19)
Coming Soon…….more of the same? (Duncan Smith 07/06/19)
The role of heritage in uncertain times (NLHF 07/06/19)
SPAB Scotland working party (Lucy Stewart SPAB 29/05/19)
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 S5W-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.
Other Parliamentary Activity
The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2019:
- 30 June to 1 September 2019 (inclusive)
- 12 to 27 October 2019 (inclusive)
- 21 December 2019 to 5 January 2020 (inclusive)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Gosford House Tour & Picnic
Date & time: 11am Saturday 15th June
Venue: Gosford House, Longniddry, East Lothian
Gosford House is an imposing neo-classical mansion which was one of the last great architectural commissions of the celebrated Scots architect, Robert Adam. Constructed for the seventh Earl of Wemyss, the building was completed in 1800 – eight years after the architect’s death – and is recognised as an outstanding example of the later period of his work. This private tour will be given by Lord Wemyss, and is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand from the owner about this splendid building.
Johnstone School Kirkcudbright
Date & time: 18 June, Tuesday, 18 June 2019 at 12:00PM – 2:00PM.
Venue: Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2PF.
Don’t miss this fascinating presentation from Andrew Ward telling us about the Kirkcudbright Development Trust’s journey to secure ownership of Johnston School in Kirkcudbright and the plans for its future including developing it into a dark skies visitor centre and how Creetown Initiative took ownership of the Barholm Arms in Creetown and what they have done with it
Historic Environment Scotland kick off European Space Agency project
Date & time: Fri, 28 June 2019, 09:30 – 13:30.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) kick off ESA Business Applications project to address challenges faced in managing / maintaining assets affected by coastal erosion, ground movement and climate change. Speakers will cover the challenges faced in managing and maintaining historically important assets and how they presently manage the situation. This will include an overview of technologies that are currently being used and how satellite capability may assist. An overview of the Engine Shed and importance of educational / school curriculum / showcase aspects will also be provided. The workshop will also provide an overview of the satellite and space market and why it is important to the Scottish and UK economy. Speakers from representatives of the Scottish Government and Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications (SoXSA), The Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh and the European Space Agency will provide an update on what is going on in this important sector.
Walter Scott’s Romantic Landscape : Abbotsford Gardens Study Day
Date & time: 27 July 2019, 11am – 4pm
Cost: £20.00 SGLH Members, £30 Non-members
Since 2014 Gardens Heritage Development Manager Pippa Coles has been overseeing the rehabilitation of the gardens and policies at Abbotsford. With Pippa as our guide for the day, we shall begin with a brief introduction, followed by an examination of the formal gardens and terraces surrounding the house. After lunch in the Ochiltrees Café, we shall explore the wider landscape created by Walter Scott as the setting for his romantic creation. This will be an opportunity to see work in progress, and to discuss the challenges of managing this iconic landscape. For further information or to book, please contact info@sglh.org
Training
Scotland Branch: Contemporary Design in Historic Places – case studies in Dunfermline
Date & time: 19 June – 10:00 – 16:00.
Venue: Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Abbot Street, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7NL.
IHBC Scotland Branch 2019 CPD Training, jointly with Fife Council, takes the theme of contemporary design in historic places. Case studies in Dunfermline will stimulate discussion on issues that IHBC members regularly face in the adaptation of old buildings into new uses; the contemporary alteration or extension of a historic building.
An introduction to dendrochronology in Scottish archaeology, buildings and landscapes
Date: 20 June
Location: Dalkeith
The day will introduce you to the principles and techniques involved in using dendrochronology to date and investigate archaeological sites and historic buildings, using mainly Scottish examples. This will help participants recognise when dendrochronology could be applicable in their projects.
A presentation and practical session in the morning will be followed by a related site visit in the afternoon. This workshop will suit professional archaeologists, students of archaeology and interested individuals from other walks of life.
Vacancies
City Mills Development Officer
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking an enthusiastic and driven historic buildings conservation professional to join their team.
Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 13 June 2019.
Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.
Submit your project as a best practice case study to illustrate the breadth of activity undertaken in the historic environment in Scotland.
We are looking for case studies of projects or initiatives undertaken between April 2018 and March 2019.
Your project would feature in our Historic Environment Case Studies database and be linked to the Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report 2019. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your work within the national strategy for the historic environment, contributing to the case for continued government support for the sector.
We would be particularly interested in submissions that demonstrate evidence of the following OPIT Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- KPI 2 (CO2 emission reduction)
- KPI 3 (informed decision making – evidence that historic environment evidence informs priorities)
- KPI 4 (leadership and shared working – evidence of an increase in joined up working on strategic investment across public, private and voluntary sectors)
- KPI 8 (Effective and proportionate protection and regulation – evidence that the outcomes of management, including designation, reflects what people value)
- KPI 10 (Ensuring capacity – evidence of improved capacity by supporting communities through community empowerment and engagement)
Please submit your case study via the link below by Friday 26 July 2019.
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A report is calling for regular building inspections, the establishment of compulsory owners’ associations and Building Reserve Funds to be written into legislation to protect the future of Scotland’s tenement buildings.
The report has been published by the Working Group on Maintenance of Tenement Scheme Property, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariats. The Working Group was established in March 2018 and is comprised of sector experts and MSPs from all parliamentary parties. In January 2019, the group published its interim recommendations report and then formally discussed stakeholder and public responses to the report, which were received via consultation. The Working Group on Maintenance of Tenement Scheme Property Final Recommendations Report was published on Tuesday 4 June.
The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, said:
“This report brings together views from across the Scottish Parliament and housing stakeholders, and its recommendations merit serious and careful consideration.
“We welcome that it acknowledges the important action we have already taken to improve the condition of Scottish tenements, and recognises the challenges that must be met to ensure that our housing stock can continue to provide safe and sustainable homes for the future.”
Recommendations cover three areas: building inspections, owners’ associations and Building Reserve Funds, and how these aspects could function and be implemented.
- The “scheme property” of all tenements should be inspected every five years with a report prepared that will be publicly available to existing or prospective owners and tenants, neighbours and policy makers.
- Establishing compulsory owners’ associations are an essential element of tenement maintenance by providing leadership, effective decision-making processes and the ability for groups to enter into contracts.
- Building Reserve Fund (BRF) should be set up, with funds used for maintenance – as defined in Schedule 1 of the 2004 Act – including repairs and replacement, the installation of insulation, cleaning, gardening, painting and other routine works, the day to day running of a tenement and the reinstatement of a part (but not most) of the tenement.
Shadow housing and planning minister, Graham Simpson MSP, said:
“The final report from the Working Group on Tenement Maintenance is the result of hard work and dedication to this matter. We set out, knowing there is a ticking timebomb on building maintenance across the country.
“We have produced a timely report with some challenging recommendations, but government can be assured that there is cross-party and cross-sector support for what we are suggesting.
“This report is not the end of the road though and we hope the Scottish Government will take up our final recommendations and put in place practices to help keep tenements safe, energy efficient and well maintained.
“I would like to thank all members for their contributions and I look forward to seeing our hard work become policy and practice, improving the lives of the people living in tenements across Scotland.”
The issue of tenement maintenance has grown in prominence in Holyrood, with cross-party support for action to make changes to existing legislation and practice. Numerous debates have taken place in the chamber over the last 18 months; the first of which led to the establishment of the Working Group.
Hew Edgar, RICS Interim Head of Policy, commented:
“Following the publication of the interim recommendations report in January, the group has consulted widely on the three recommendations – through cross-party working and extensive stakeholder engagement – and updated the final recommendations based on feedback received.
“The recommendations are interlinked, and while each recommendation has its own benefits, the required transformative change to improve the fabric of Scotland’s tenement property can only arise through the implementation of all three.”
“RICS welcomes all recommendations within the report and we will continue to work with the Working Group, Government and interested parties to help implement these robust solutions to help future proof Scotland’s historic residential property.”
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
In January 2019, the Scottish Parliament’s Tenement Maintenance Working Group, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariats, published its interim recommendations report. Since then, the group has discussed stakeholder and public responses to the report, which were received via consultation between January and March. The group will be launching a final recommendation report at an event on 4th June. There will also be the opportunity for you to ask the report’s authors questions during a panel session.
BEFS responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee’s call for written views on a new inquiry into empty homes in Scotland. BEFS response highlights a lack of appropriate knowledge and understanding around traditional buildings and the forthcoming proposals for improvement in this area by the Scottish Parliamentary Tenement Maintenance Working Group.
The final stage, Stage 3, of the Planning (Scotland) Bill is rumoured to be scheduled to take place on 18, 19 and 20 June in the Scottish Parliament. For information about the Bill and to see amendments submitted for Stage 3 so far, visit the Bill page.
Climate Ready Clyde and Adaptation Scotland have collaborated to produce a toolkit for assessing and addressing climate risks in the development of built environment and infrastructure projects. Download the full toolkit and individual tools here.
After a clamour of interest following its initial launch earlier this month, BEFS Vice-Chair, Professor Ian Baxter (Heriot-Watt University), introduces his new Heritage Career Guide in association with BEFS and The Heritage Alliance, in this week’s blog.
Consultations
Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Opened 28 May 2019 and closes 5 Jul 2019.
HES and Our Role in the Planning System
This survey will close on Thursday 6 June at 5pm.
Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.
The future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings: a call for evidence
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.
Climate Change and Environmental Action Plan 2019-24
This HES consultation will close at 12pm on Wednesday 19 June.
Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Opened 18 Apr 2019 and closes 8 Jul 2019.
Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Opened 24 Apr 2019 and closes 17 Jul 2019.
Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Opened 28 Apr 2019 and closes 19 Jul 2019.
A Scottish Government consultation on Implementation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
Opened 13 May 2019 and closes 4 Aug 2019.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill (SP 14/05/19)
A proposal for a Bill to protect private sector tenants by introducing measures to limit rent increases and to increase the availability of information about rent levels.
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.
Publications
Housing conditions and standards (SPICe 29/05/19)
Scotland’s finances 2019-2020: key facts and figures (SG 28/05/19)
Options for Land Value Uplift Capture – Advice to Scottish Ministers (SLC 17/05/19)
New housing and future construction skills: report (SG 17/05/19)
Housing to 2040: stakeholder engagement report 2018 (SG 17/05/19)
Recovery of possession of adapted properties: guidance for social landlords (SG 16/05/19)
Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future (CA 10/05/19)
Scottish Government News Releases
Rise in European visitors (SG 24/05/19)
The number of European visitors to Scotland increased by 19% in 2018, according to official statistics released today.
Thousands of new homes supported by Building Scotland Fund (SG 21/05/19)
Almost £70 million has been invested in housing projects through the Building Scotland Fund (BSF) since its launch last year.
Developing the construction workforce (SG 17/05/19)
Housing construction skills gaps will be addressed following the recommendations of a new industry report.
News Releases
Launch of Great British High Street Awards 2019
The 2019 competition has been launched in reigning high street champion Crickhowell, and nominations are now open, with a winner to be named in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as there being an overall UK winner.
‘Ground-breaking’ Housing Fund launched for charities and social enterprises (SHN 29/05/19)
An impact led social investor has launched a new fund that will invest in the provision of safe, stable and appropriate homes for vulnerable people and their families in the UK.
Kevin Stewart MSP: Putting people and places at the heart of future planning (SCN 28/05/19)
As the Planning (Scotland) Bill reaches the final phase of the Parliamentary process, local government, housing and planning minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, outlines the reasons behind his Stage 3 amendments.
Young Placechangers – last chance to get your Idea funded! (GS 27/05/19)
If you are between 12-25 years old or support/work with young people and you have an idea to how to change your local place for the better, now is the time to put pen to paper!
Community ownership study finds that a mix of funding is needed for success (SLC 27/05/19)
Communities have many options to secure and develop land, but the full range of financing models is often not widely known, and there is more scope to develop innovative finance models to support community ownership, a new report says.
EAA Awards 2019 winning projects revealed (UR 23/05/19)
The Edinburgh Architectural Association has published the names of half a dozen diverse winners of its 2019 awards programme, including a data-driven innovation hub and a barnstorming residential development
New guidance on Housing First published for social housing professionals (SHN 23/05/19)
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland and Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) have launched new joint guidance for Scotland’s social housing professionals on Housing First.
Building Scotland Fund reaches £70m new home investment milestone (SHN 21/05/19)
Almost £70 million has been invested in housing projects through the Building Scotland Fund (BSF) since its launch last year.
European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019: Winners announced (EN 21/05/19)
The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019 were announced today by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage network.
Fundamental rethink needed for Scotland’s approach to land development (SLC 17/05/19)
The Scottish Land Commission is calling for a “fundamental rethink” of Scotland’s speculative and market-driven approach to identifying and allocating land for development.
New grants launched for research into arts for the built environment (SCN 16/05/19)
Churchill Fellowships will be available for professionals in this growing area, including architects, for non-academic studies of the best ideas and practice to be found anywhere in the world.
Work underway to create Wales’ own planning inspectorate (WG 09/05/19)
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James has today announced work has begun on the creation of a new separate, dedicated planning inspectorate for Wales.
Protecting the Scottish countryside: apply for funding (Innovate UK 07/05/19)
Organisations can apply for a share of £250,000 for projects that support developer decisions in the Scottish countryside.
Opinion & Comment
Our planning system is woefully ill-equipped to tackle climate change (AJ 28/05/19)
Should Notre-Dame be reconstructed faithfully? (Apollo 28/05/19)
This is what’s causing Edinburgh’s housing crisis (Cliff Hague in Scotsman 28/05/19)
Can Design Help Save the Planet? (Jim MacDonald in CaCHE 22/05/19)
Climate emergency means it’s time for architects to step up (RIBA 21/05/19)
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 S5W-23339: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the to answer to question S5W-2124 by Fiona Hyslop on 1 February 2019, by what date in 2019 it will publish its Culture Strategy for Scotland.
Question S5W-23355: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what forms of direct financial support it offers to those local authorities not included within its Vacant and Derelict Land Fund for the purposes of redeveloping waste land.
Question S5W-23358: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £11.4 million budget allocated to its Vacant and Derelict Land Fund for projects in 2019-20 has (a) been fully committed and (b) yet to be allocated for the development of vacant and derelict sites.
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 S5W-22967: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many units have been constructed with support from the Scotland Self-Build Loan Fund, and what plans it has to expand the fund.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (10/05/2019)
Question S5W-22980: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes were built in 2018-19, broken down by local authority.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/05/2019)
Question S5W-22983: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning applications for new build residential properties have been refused by a planning authority but successfully appealed to the Scottish Ministers since 2007, broken down by (a) planning authority, (b) year, (c) applicant and (d) size of proposed development.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/05/2019)
Other Parliamentary Activity
The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2019.
- 30 June to 1 September 2019 (inclusive)
- 12 to 27 October 2019 (inclusive)
- 21 December 2019 to 5 January 2020 (inclusive)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
“High and Mighty”: our new tour of the finest sculpture in the Old Town
Date & time: Wednesday 12 June 2019; 6pm – 8pm.
Meeting point: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
The city’s monuments and public works of art mark Edinburgh out as a great capital city and are one of the reasons for our UNESCO World Heritage inscription. To celebrate the publication of art historian Professor Ray McKenzie’s new comprehensive reference guide, Public Sculpture of Edinburgh, you are invited to a specially curated tour of the Old Town’s most important sculptures.
Towns Tea Party 2019
Date & time: June 19, 2019; 1:30PM – 4:30PM.
Venue: Whitespace, Norloch House, 36 King’s Stables Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EU.
Join Scotland’s Towns Partnership for our annual meeting of all those involved in supporting towns and improvement districts. An opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s towns as places for local communities and businesses.
The Future of our Cities and the Role of Planning – Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture 2019
Date & time: Thursday 27 June 5:45PM – 8:15PM
Venue: Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QA
Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities explores the future of cities at the 2019 Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture in Edinburgh on 27 June. Centre for Cities is the leading think tank dedicated to improving UK city economies. Andrew has 20+ years of experience working on urban economic policy issues for development agencies, consultants and research institutes. He spent time in the US with the Churchill Foundation’s Fellowship Programme reviewing urban economic development in America. He is a regular media contributor chairing and speaking at conferences across the UK and Europe on urban and economic issues.
Summer Excursion to Biggar Museum and New Lanark
Date & time: Saturday July 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Join us for a fascinating tour of this unique 18th century mill village sitting alongside the picturesque River Clyde. Now one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers. In partnership with Robert Owen, a Welsh philanthropist and social reformer, New Lanark became a successful business and an early example of a planned settlement and so an important milestone in the historical development of urban planning. Workers enjoyed fair wages, free health care, a new education system and the first workplace nursery school in the world! In addition, Fellows of the Society will also be treated to a morning visit to Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum. This museum explores 14,000 years of rural and small town life in Upper Clydesdale. It focuses on the people who lived and worked in the area from prehistoric times up to the mid-20th century and illuminates a small part of their ordinary and extraordinary lives. Tickets cost £40 for Fellows and £45 for guests.
Walter Scott’s Romantic Landscape : Abbotsford Gardens Study Day
Date & time: 27 July 2019, 11am – 4pm.
Cost: £20.00 SGLH Members, £30 Non-members.
Since 2014 Gardens Heritage Development Manager Pippa Coles has been overseeing the rehabilitation of the gardens and policies at Abbotsford. With Pippa as our guide for the day, we shall begin with a brief introduction, followed by an examination of the formal gardens and terraces surrounding the house. After lunch in the Ochiltrees Café, we shall explore the wider landscape created by Walter Scott as the setting for his romantic creation. This will be an opportunity to see work in progress, and to discuss the challenges of managing this iconic landscape.
For further information or to book, please contact info@sglh.org.
Monuments in Monuments 2019
Date & time: Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 September 2019; 10am – 4pm
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Full ticket: £300. Day tickets: £120
This conference explores the conservation challenges facing carved stones and objects inside historic buildings. Hear from specialists from all over the world about how traditional skills, emerging technology and conservation science are helping to overcome these challenges. You can buy full conference or individual day tickets. Student rates are available. For more information and to book, please visit our website.
Training
Conservation Summer School 2019
Date: Monday 3 – Friday 7 June
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Full ticket: £450. Day tickets: £100
Only a few tickets remain for our Conservation Summer School 2019. Learn about the latest techniques from top conservation experts, get hands-on with traditional skills and materials, and see conservation in action on site visits. Day ticket options are available. For more information and to book your place, please see our website.
Reinforced Concrete Masterclass – New for Summer 2019!
Date & time: 28 June 2019, 09.30 – 16.00
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
Cost: £190 + vat. BLF, IHBC, RICS or RIAS members are eligible for 20% discount.
Come and join us to explore the fascinating world of reinforced concrete (yes, really really!) – learn what can be achieved with it, its constituents, its decay mechanisms and how it can be successfully repaired with a variety of methods and materials. Not all reinforced concrete buildings are carbuncles …CONCRETE can be COUTHIE! If we are listing more and more buildings and structures from the 20th Century, many of which will be of reinforced concrete construction, then we need to know how to fix them and prolong their lives. We have a huge variety of structures and buildings of reinforced concrete construction across the country. Research and analysis of these buildings has helped inform their appropriate repair, but there are many challenges ahead. Join us and learn from our gathered experts in this field for what should be a very informative and enjoyable
Vacancies
Mauchline CARS Project Officer
To co-ordinate and manage the Mauchline CARS Programme to increase local economic activity by revitalising and diversifying Mauchline Town Centre.
Closes: 31 May 2019.
Managing Editor
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is seeking an experienced and motivated Managing Editor to take overarching responsibility for the management, design, production and marketing of a mix of online and print archaeology and history resources.
Deadline for applications: 11pm on Sunday 9th June.
City Mills Development Officer
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking an enthusiastic and driven historic buildings conservation professional to join their team.
Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 13 June 2019.
Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.
Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).
If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or telephone BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.
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BEFS Vice-Chair, Professor Ian Baxter (Heriot-Watt University), introduces his new Heritage Career Guide in association with BEFS and The Heritage Alliance.
It is the time of the year when undergraduates are coming to the end of their courses and looking toward graduation and the big blue yonder beyond, and postgraduates are theoretically scurrying about collecting data and writing furiously for completion of their Masters dissertations over the summer. Regardless, both groups of students are wondering what the future will hold, and for those who have chosen to follow the noble path of heritage management – they are most likely wondering where on earth they are going to find a job to pay the bills.
The heritage sector might seem a small world, but it has a myriad of possibilities, given the uses to which heritage is put these days. In terms of careers and job hunting, this can be somewhat bewildering, with the ‘obvious’ heritage jobs of working in a museum or at a historic site both hard to spot and in relatively small supply in comparison to the number of heritage-related graduates the education system seems to be churning out.
Once upon a time, newspapers would be the obvious place to look for jobs, but with advertising budgets almost non-existent, signposting to the nooks and crannies of the sector where jobs may be found is all the more important. The Heritage Careers Guide has therefore been overdue: conscious that I am an academic in the sector helping to produce those heritage graduates, and mindful as a BEFS and Heritage Alliance trustee that the organisations could be doing more to link students, universities and heritage bodies – I finally spent a bit of time editing lists and tidying up bookmarks which have signposted students to jobs over the years, and compiled a focused guide on where to start the search.
Since it was quietly launched earlier in the month, the guide has been downloaded almost 500 times, which suggests that it is already proving to be a useful resource. I will develop it over time – and welcome feedback and suggestions for the next edition at @ibheritage / i.baxter@hw.ac.uk. Please feel free to re-use the resource, link to it, embed it in your website – and good luck in any job hunting!
Next on my agenda is a resource guide for the best heritage newsletters and bulletins to sign up for… (with the BEFS Bulletin and Heritage Update at the top of the list of course!).
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Events, Vacancies, Consultations And Publications In Our News Bulletin.
BEFS News
BEFS has responded to a number of consultations in the last two weeks. BEFS response to the Scottish Government’s Environmental Principles and Governance in Scotland consultation, reiterates points made previously about the importance of maintaining EU standards and principles in relation to environmental protections and governance.
BEFS also responded to the Scottish Community Development Centre’s call for views on UN-SDG 11. The UN-SDG 11 covers (but is not limited to): access to adequate housing, sustainable transport systems, inclusive urbanisation, access to green-space, support for planning, and is the only SDG which involves strengthening and safeguarding the world’s cultural and natural heritage. BEFS response supports the Scottish Government’s adoption of the UN-SDGs – but appreciates that meaningful change may only come from active leadership willing to make hard choices, supported and steered by a strong third sector.
As the Secretariat of the Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance, BEFS has also responded to consultations on Housing Beyond 2021 and the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland.
Looking for a job in the heritage sector? BEFS Vice-Chair, Professor Ian Baxter (Heriot-Watt University), has compiled an invaluable Heritage Career Guide in association with BEFS and The Heritage Alliance, which aims to list a range of useful places to check for vacancies in the sector. Also, check out the range of vacancies below.
Historic Environment Scotland are surveying stakeholders to see how well we think they are performing their role in the planning system. Responses will inform HES’ annual report for this year. Get involved by completing this short survey.
As part of their research into infrastructure planning, RTPI are asking local authority planners to complete a short survey on current approaches, barriers, challenges, and opportunities for a more integrated approach.
Calling applicants to the 20th Anniversary Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. The closing date for applications is tomorrow (17th May).
BEFS Policy Lead, Ailsa Macfarlane, explores the implications of climate change goals for policy in the built environment, in this week’s blog.
Consultations
Local Government Committee investigates empty homes
The call for written views will close on Friday 17 May.
Scottish Parliament Committee launches workplace parking levy survey (SP 09/05/19)
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee has launched an online survey to gauge views on the proposed workplace parking levy, which will run until 20 May.
HES and Our Role in the Planning System
This survey will close on Thursday 6 June at 5pm.
Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.
The future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings: a call for evidence
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.
Climate Change and Environmental Action Plan 2019-24
This HES consultation will close at 12pm on Wednesday 19 June.
Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Opened 18 Apr 2019 and closes 8 Jul 2019.
Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Opened 24 Apr 2019 and closes 17 Jul 2019.
Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Opened 28 Apr 2019 and closes 19 Jul 2019.
A Scottish Government consultation on Implementation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
Opened 13 May 2019 and closes 4 Aug 2019.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill (SP 14/05/19)
A proposal for a Bill to protect private sector tenants by introducing measures to limit rent increases and to increase the availability of information about rent levels.
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.
Consultation Responses
Local Governance Review: analysis of responses to Democracy Matters (SG 15/05/19)
Infrastructure Commission call for evidence: Scottish Government response May 2019 (SG 10/05/19)
Publications
Compulsory purchase powers and listed buildings: case study (SG 16/05/19)
Overview of private rented housing reforms in Scotland (SPICe 14/05/19)
Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: delivery report 2017-2018 (SG 14/05/19)
Ten Buildings that Define Edinburgh (CA 05/19)
Planning (Scotland) Bill masterplan consent areas: Key Agencies Group joint statement (SG 09/05/19)
New HES Designations Application Form (HES 08/05/19)
Glasgow City Heritage Trust Event Brochure: May & June (GCHT)
Key data about The National Lottery Heritage Fund: 2018-19 (HLF 29/04/19)
News Releases
SCDC Supporting Communities Programme: People, Planning and Place (SCDC 16/05/19)
We’re offering help to community organisations involved in community-led action planning and strengthening community engagement.
Scotland’s changing housing landscape (SPICe 15/05/19)
Looking back at the first parliamentary debates on housing you might get a certain sense of déjà vu. Some of the problems MSPs spoke of, including a lack of adequate housing in rural areas, wouldn’t look out of place in a parliamentary debate on housing today.
Glasgow’s Historic Built Environment: A Snapshot (GCHT 15/05/19)
GCHT recently updated our interactive map for Glasgow’s historic built environment. It presents info about listed buildings, housing demographics, the Buildings at Risk Register and recent fires amongst other statistics.
Glasgow and Edinburgh fight to become the UK’s first ‘net-zero’ city (BBC 15/05/19)
Glasgow and Edinburgh are going head-to-head to try to become the UK’s first “net zero” city.
Here’s how Edinburgh aims to go carbon neutral by 2030 (Evening News 14/05/19)
The Capital will aim to become carbon neutral by 2030 after council leaders set one of the most ambitious targets globally – 15 years earlier than the Scottish Government’s ambition.
Post-Brexit environmental standards must be maintained (RTPI 10/05/19)
he Scottish Government’s proposed environmental watchdog must be strong enough to maintain high environmental standards after Brexit, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland has warned.
Help conserve Scotland’s historic sites – with your phone! (HES 10/05/19)
Learn how you can be a ‘citizen scientist’ at 20 of Scotland’s most evocative historic sites as part of an exciting new conservation project.
Scotland’s First Heritage and History Hackathon (HES 08/05/19)
Join us for Scotland’s first ever heritage and history hackathon – where entrepreneurs, designers and technologists will spend 75 hours exploring Scotland’s heritage through data and technology.
New £11.5m fund open: Investing in Communities (CC 05/19/)
A new Scottish Government £11.5 million fund is open to community groups to help tackle disadvantage, poverty and inequality in communities.
RTPI urges new approach to Scottish infrastructure funding (RPTI 03/05/19)
Decisions on funding infrastructure in Scotland should be based on long-term factors beyond the economy, says RTPI Scotland.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund releases its first batch of Open Data (Kion Ahadi HLF, 29/04/19)
The Open Data movement is growing, and more and more government departments, charities and funders are signing up to it. What does that mean for HLF?
Opinion & Comment
Let’s not forget the role of energy efficiency in homes (Herald Scotland 15/05/19)
Short term lets need regulation, regulation, regulation (Holyrood Magazine 08/05/19)
Can We Measure Culture in Cities (Economists Talk Art, 07/05/19)
Rethinking Sacred Spaces for New Purposes (Arch Daily, 07/05/19)
The house the robots built (Ben King, BBC)
Why does whole-life carbon matter for architects? (AJ 25/04/19)
Reusing Historic Buildings: The Green Choice (Steven Robb, HES 08/18)
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 S5W-22967: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many units have been constructed with support from the Scotland Self-Build Loan Fund, and what plans it has to expand the fund.
Question S5W-22980: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes were built in 2018-19, broken down by local authority.
Question S5W-22983: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning applications for new build residential properties have been refused by a planning authority but successfully appealed to the Scottish Ministers since 2007, broken down by (a) planning authority, (b) year, (c) applicant and (d) size of proposed development.
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 S5W-22438: Adam Tomkins, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 01/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the regeneration of vacant and derelict land, and how much it has allocated to each local authority in each of the last five years to deal with this.
Answered by Aileen Campbell (02/05/2019)
Question S5W-22769: Michelle Ballantyne, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 24/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that construction companies adhere to the established mortar standards in all new-builds.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (01/05/2019)
Question S5W-22782: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support house building and associated infrastructure.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/05/2019)
Question S5W-22783: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) affordable homes and (b) homes for social rent have been completed in each local authority area in each year since 2007, also broken down by how many have been (i) future-proofed to meet the needs of older people and an ageing population and (ii) adapted or built specifically to meet the accessibility requirements of disabled people, including wheelchair users.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (08/05/2019)
Question S5W-22785: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of brownfield land are available for house building, and how this equates to the capacity for building new homes.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/05/2019)
Question S5W-22786: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much surplus land is owned by (a) central and (b) local government, and how this equates to the capacity for building new homes.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/05/2019)
Question S5W-22788: Richard Lyle, Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 25/04/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to make (a) public and (b) private land available for house building in areas where there is a housing shortage but where market conditions act against this.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (03/05/2019)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Energy Efficiency and Project Management
Date & times: Monday 20th May, 10am to 4pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling.
Join Heritage Trust Network for a focussed training day in Stirling including sessions from Moses Jenkins, who will talk on Energy Efficiency and Adaptation and Colin Tennant who will speak on Project Management. Both topics will no doubt feature in your current or upcoming built heritage project, so we strongly recommend attending! The event will take place at Scotland’s Centre for Conservation, The Engine Shed and we are grateful to be hosted by Historic Environment Scotland for the day. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. You are welcome to send as many attendees from your organisation as you wish, including staff, volunteers and trustees.
Public Lecture: The Future of Urban Research in Bangladesh
Date & time: Tuesday 21 May, 14:00-16:00.
Venue: Yudowitz Lecture Theatre, Wolfson Medical Building, University of Glasgow.
In the face of uneven urbanisation, diverse critical urban challenges, and climate vulnerability of cities, Bangladesh must strengthen its urban research so that effective policies and practices can help build sustainable cities. With no national urban research institutes in place, universities are the incubators for crosscutting urban studies. In this public lecture, Professor Mohammad Fayek Uzzaman – Vice Chancellor of Khulna University, will share the potentials of urban research and challenges in creating a supportive research environment in Bangladesh. Professor Shamim Mahabubul Haque and Dr Shilpi Roy will share key findings and innovative research approaches from different collaborative urban research projects at Khulna University, such as the Centre Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods.
Archaeological Research in Progress 2019
Date & time: Saturday May 25 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ.
Ticket prices: Student / Unwaged places @ £20. Fellows / Archaeology Scotland Members places @ £30. Non-Fellows / Non-Members places @ £40.
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is managing the event this year (with our partners Archaeology Scotland) and the conference programme includes exciting new research findings and best practice in archaeology covering all periods from across Scotland and beyond. Event sponsored by: Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS), AOC Archaeology Group, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), GUARD Archaeology, Wessex Archaeology, LUC and SUERC.
Roads & Records – The Glasgow Motorway Archive
Date & time: Thursday, 06 June 2019, from 18:00 to 19:00 doors 17:45
Venue: Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, 74 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9DF
Talk by Stuart Baird, Chairperson of the Glasgow Motorway History Archive. The Glasgow Motorway Archive is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of records relating to the planning and construction of the city’s motorways and major roads. Glasgow has more miles of urban motorway than any other UK city, and it has many unique engineering and architectural features. The archive was founded by Stuart Baird, a professionally qualified civil engineer, working within the Scottish highways sector.
RICS Commercial Property Conference
Date & time: 6 June, 10:00am – 04:00pm
Venue: Radisson Blu, 80 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH
The commercial property market is in transition and joining fellow professionals from across the sector to network, discuss and analyse key issues and opportunities, is as important as ever. The RICS Commercial Property Conference returns to Scotland to cover the latest policy, market and technological changes to help you stay ahead. This year’s programme will bring together agents, occupiers and investors to strengthen your understanding of the current economic outlook, latest occupier trends, growth opportunities, and risks to the commercial property sector.
SNH Landscape Character Assessment Workshop
Date & time: Thursday 13th June 2019, 10.30 – 15.30.
Venue: Battleby Conference Centre.
In February 2019 SNH published a reviewed national Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) in digital format on its website. LCA is the process of identifying and describing variation in character of the landscape. It provides baseline information used in development planning, and in landscape design and development management. A follow-up LCA Workshop is primarily for landscape and planning practitioners. The event aims to explore ways to develop LCA and its usage in the future. Speakers and facilitators will include Professor Carys Swanwick, landscape consultants, and representatives from Landscape Institute Scotland, Scottish Forestry, Forestry & Land Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, SNH and local authorities. If you would like to attend please reply to LCA_REVIEW@nature.scot by 12 noon on Friday 31st May 2019.
Talks at the Lane present IF_DO on Architecture as a Social Art
Date & time: 14th June 2019 at 6.30pm
Venue: Custom Lane, Leith
Founded in 2014 by Thomas Bryans, Sarah Castle & Al Scott the practice has an interest in the wider repercussions of architecture which provides a catalyst towards creating sustainable and healthy environments in which to live, learn, work and play.
Thomas and his fellow founding Directors all studied at University of Edinburgh and this Talk at the Lane is also part of the Architecture Fringe 2019 programme of events. Thomas will be discussing their ongoing community projects, research and teaching on how design can promote social spaces as a means of addressing social isolation. For more info about the Talks at the Lane.
Icon Scotland Group – Salvage of library, archive and museum collections workshop
Date: 19th June
Venue: The University of St Andrews Library
Fee: £40-£90
Introductory workshop on the procedures for salvaging museum, library and archive collections. This course is suitable for anyone who might be involved in salvaging museum, library and archive collections in an emergency, including non-specialists.
The topics covered include preparing the salvage operation, setting up a triage point, moving damaged items and first-aid treatments for a wide range of materials. For more information about the course times, attendance options, prices and how to book please see the Eventbrite page.
The Planning Convention 2019: The future of planning – what’s next?
Date & time: 19 June, 8:30 to 18:00
Venue: County Hall, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB
The Planning Convention is the largest event in the planning profession’s calendar. Each year we gather over 400 practitioners, politicians, policy makers, developers and community and environmental professionals to address current industry issues. Delegates have the opportunity to hear from key influencers, network, discuss and find solutions to the most pressing problems facing the profession. We’ll examine the future for the planning profession. Examining good design, reimagining town centres and debating infrastructure, merging tech with practical, seeking solutions to the housing crisis, taking inspiration from successful cities and planning for a diverse society, what is next and where are we going?
RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland
Date & time: THU 27 JUN 2019, 07:00 PM – 11:00 PM.
Venue: Radisson Blu , 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8DL.
Join fellow property professionals for the RICS Annual Dinner 2019, Scotland – an opportunity to network with professionals in the region. The dinner will provide the ideal setting to entertain clients, socialise with colleagues and generate new business contacts. Ian Fergusson, RICS Chairman for Scotland looks forward to welcoming guest’s to this year’s Annual Dinner. Set to be held at the prestigious Radisson Blu in Glasgow, with return of this highly anticipated black-tie event, also comes your opportunity to meet up with fellow members, friends and business partners old and new. We have an evening of superb food, entertainment and networking lined up, so put the date in your diary and secure your place now to avoid missing out.
Summer Excursion to Biggar Museum and New Lanark
Date & time: Saturday July 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Join us for a fascinating tour of this unique 18th century mill village sitting alongside the picturesque River Clyde. Now one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers. In partnership with Robert Owen, a Welsh philanthropist and social reformer, New Lanark became a successful business and an early example of a planned settlement and so an important milestone in the historical development of urban planning. Workers enjoyed fair wages, free health care, a new education system and the first workplace nursery school in the world! In addition, Fellows of the Society will also be treated to a morning visit to Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum. This museum explores 14,000 years of rural and small town life in Upper Clydesdale. It focuses on the people who lived and worked in the area from prehistoric times up to the mid-20th century and illuminates a small part of their ordinary and extraordinary lives. Tickets cost £40 for Fellows and £45 for guests.
Retrofit 2019; Materials, Strategies, Innovations and Skills for the Future
Date & time: September 10th 2019, 9:20-12:55 (followed by a networking lunch).
Venue: The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
This event will explore technologies, practices, engagement strategies, design, funding opportunities and long term benefits that retrofitting can offer in Scotland and is an opportunity for those involved in the sector to engage with peers to tackle issues and create partnerships, to develop innovative strategies and solutions with other thought leaders while engaging with new potential partners, suppliers and clients.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Robin Webster, President, RIAS
- Dr Lori McElroy, Building Energy, Performance and Research Leader, BRE Scotland
- Dr Niall Kerr, Research Fellow, Energy Policy Effectiveness, University of Edinburgh
- Chris Morgan, Scottish Ecological Design Association
- Dr Mohammed Salah-Eldin Imbabi, Director of the Centre for Innovative Building Materials and Technologies, University of Aberdeen
- Phil Ford, Skills Planning Lead, Skills Development Scotland
Icon Scotland Group – Plenderleith Lecture 2019 – speaker announced, save the date!
Date: Thursday 28th November 2019.
Venue: Lighthouse, Glasgow.
Icon Scotland Group is delighted to announce that this year’s lecturer will be Liz Davidson IHBC, Hon FRIAS, OBE – Senior Project Manager, Mackintosh Building Restoration. This evening event will take place in Glasgow on Thursday 28th November 2019 at the Lighthouse, Glasgow. Booking details to follow on Icon website.
Training
CPD: Traditional Roof Slating (Edinburgh)
Date & time: Wednesday 22 May 2019, 13:00 – 14:00.
Venue: Architecture and Design Scotland, 146 Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DD.
This National Federation of Roofing Contractors CPD touches on many topics relevant to the maintenance and upgrade of tradition Scottish slate roofs. It will be presented by Graeme Miller from Bain & Irvine.
RICS CPD Day Aberdeen
Date & time: 20 June, 08:30am – 05:30pm
Venue: Hilton Hotel Aberdeen Treetops, 161 Springfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7AQ
Enhance your capabilities and knowledge around today’s ever-changing market trends, legislation, and technical guidance. Learn from leading industry professionals and take away practical solutions which can be implemented into your daily practice – benefiting both your business and personal professional development. 6 hours formal CPD
Icon Scotland Group 5-Day Practical Gilding Course
Date & time: 9th – 13th September 2019, 10.00 – 16.00.
Venue: Kelvin Hall,1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow
Fee: £350 – £ 550
Back by popular demand and extended to 5 days, this course aims to familiarise participants with the materials, methods and techniques of both water and oil gilding. The course provides opportunities to learn a variety of skills relating to gilding and the use of traditional materials and techniques.
The course is practical and theoretical, making it particularly useful to newly-qualified conservators. It is also suited to anyone with an interest in gilding – beginner, refresher or anyone with related experience. Tutor is Tim Ritson, Head of Paintings and Frames Conservation at the Royal Museums Greenwich. All tools and materials are included in the cost. The course will run from 10 – 4 each day.
Vacancies
Chair Recruitment
Cupar Development Trust is seeking to have a new Chair to take up post from December 2019.
Office Administrator
The Scottish Civic Trust is recruiting an Office Administrator (Maternity Cover).
Closing date for applications: 17 May 2019.
Senior Fundraising Officer
The Senior Fundraising Officer at Arts & Business Scotland will play a key role in developing the Fundraising strategy of Hearts and Minds.
Closing date for applications: Monday 27 May 2019.
Scotland Support Officer
The Architectural Heritage Fund has secured funding from Historic Environment Scotland to increase its capacity to deliver projects in Scotland through employing a new Scotland Support Officer.
Please send these by email only to recruitment@ahfund.org.uk by 5pm on Thursday 30th May.
Edinburgh World Heritage Communications Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint an ambitious and creative Communications professional to this important role within our team.
Closing date Friday 31st May 2019 at 5pm.
Archaeology Scotland Project Officer
Due to several successful funding applications, Archaeology Scotland is now seeking short-term assistance to assist the delivery of our two community archaeology initiatives Adopt-a-Monument and Attainment through Archaeology.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 2nd June at 12 midnight
Managing Editor
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is seeking an experienced and motivated Managing Editor to take overarching responsibility for the management, design, production and marketing of a mix of online and print archaeology and history resources.
Deadline for applications: 11pm on Sunday 9th June