BEFS NEWS

Hot off the press! BEFS Joining the Dots series explores the interconnected nature of a wide range of policy agendas and how these relate to Scotland’s built environment. Making up around 40 per cent of Scotland’s housing stock, tenements are a unique feature of our urban landscape. Many however require urgent repair. For the third edition of Joining the Dots, Mike Heffron, CEO of BEFS Member Under One Roof, outlines the important role that good maintenance of Scotland’s tenements plays towards goals for Net Zero. Under One Roof works with tenement flat owners across the country, providing common repair and retrofit support. Read the article on the importance of improving tenement maintenance here.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Apprenticeships, Affordable Homes, Flood Risk, and Wind Turbines.

CONSULTATIONS

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee’s consultation on the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries in Scotland aims to enhance understanding of how inquiries are established, managed, and how they deliver value for money. The inquiry will explore the purpose and framework for establishing public inquiries, assess their transparency and cost control mechanisms, and consider alternative models and examples of good practice.
Closes 9 May 2025

New Towns Inquiry
UK Parliament
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements. Over a series of short, targeted modules, the Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if so, how to ensure they are successful. They are now inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence for our first module, Practical Delivery. The Committee intends to take oral evidence between April and July 2025 and will publish its report on this module later in the year.
Closes 12 May 2025

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: call for evidence
UK Parliament
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which is currently passing through Parliament? Submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee. The bill would make changes to the law around planning and infrastructure to support ambitions in the government’s Plan for Change. These ambitions include delivering 1.5 million homes and deciding 150 nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) before the end of the 2024 parliament. The bill would extend to England and Wales, with some provisions for infrastructure also extending to Scotland.
Closes 22 May 2025

Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee wants to hear your views on the?Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. This Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government on Wednesday 20 March 2025.  The Scottish Government says the purpose of this Bill is to ensure that CWB is implemented consistently across Scotland as an economic development tool. The Bill proposes to do three things: It would place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to publish a CWB statement which sets out the measures they will take to facilitate CWB. It would require local authorities and ‘relevant public bodies’ to publish and implement a CWB plan for their area. It would require ‘specified public bodies’ to have due regard to CWB guidance when developing their corporate plans and associated delivery strategies. The Scottish Government would like to hear views as to whether the Bill might achieve its aims, on the public bodies proposed, potential unintended consequences, and about benefits to local communities.
Closes 23 May 2025

Heritage Science Data Service: User Needs Survey
National Heritage Science Forum
The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is undertaking a User Needs consultation on behalf of Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS), as part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme. Heritage science is uniquely inter-disciplinary, covering disciplines including archaeology, conservation, materials science, art history, physics, robotics and computer science. The new HSDS provides core digital research services as part of the RICHeS programme, the UK’s Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science. If you create or use heritage science data as an employee, volunteer or student, you are encouraged to complete this survey. Your feedback will help shape and build the HSDS. The survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete and you can respond as either an organisation or an individual. A PDF version of the survey questions is provided to support those collecting views from colleagues to inform an organisational response.
Closes 31 May 2025

Developing an ecosystem restoration code for Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is seeking views on developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) for Scotland as a new high-integrity market mechanism to attract responsible private investment into nature restoration and biodiversity projects. This commitment, outlined in the 2024 Natural Capital Market Framework, is being delivered via a Scottish Government-NatureScot partnership project. An Engagement Paper has been published summarising the results of the Discovery Phase and setting out key issues to be explored during co-development with stakeholders. Responses to the survey will be analysed, alongside evidence from Engagement Phase events, to inform a series of recommendations for developing/writing the ERC during the later stages of this project.
*NEW* Closes 29 June 2025

Skills Survey for Historic Environment Employers
Historic Environment Scotland
HES is seeking input from employers, sole traders and organisations in the heritage sector about skills needs, gaps, and training provision. The survey aims to monitor the skills health of the sector and inform planning for support programs. This follow-up to the 2023 survey will help track trends and prioritise actions outlined in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment (SIP) published in April 2024. HES particularly wants to hear from those working in archaeology, heritage architecture, conservation, museums, traditional building skills, and related fields. Results will influence the direction of the SIP over the next four years.
*NEW* Closes 30 June 2025

ECHOES Consultation
European Cloud for Heritage Open Science
The ECHOES project is building a shared digital space, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), designed to support heritage professionals and researchers across Europe. To ensure this platform meets real-world needs, ECHOES has launched a consultation survey to better understand the priorities, challenges, and expectations of the cultural heritage community. The consultation is open to all cultural heritage stakeholders, including professionals, researchers, computer scientists/developers, umbrella organisations and institutions with a vested interest in the development and application of the Cultural Heritage Cloud. Each participation will be instrumental in shaping the future of digital cultural heritage.
Closes end of June 2025

Housing (Scotland) Bill: consultation
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on how powers within the Housing (Scotland) Bill could be used to exempt certain types of properties from rent control, circumstances where rents could be increased above the level of the rent cap and clarify how joint tenancies in the private sector are ended. The Bill brings forward a package of reforms to help ensure people have a safe, secure and affordable place to live. It includes measures that provide a framework for a long-term system of rent control in Scotland. The consultation addresses three main areas: properties that should be exempt from rent control area restrictions; properties that should be subject to modified rent control area restrictions; and clarifying how joint tenancies in the private rented sector are ended.
*NEW* Closes 18 July 2025

Rural Tourism in Scotland Survey
Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates
Member properties of Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates are invited to complete this survey to provide data for a major report on rural tourism in Scotland. The survey aims to gather evidence on the impact of rural tourism businesses on Scotland’s economy and address challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The report will feed into VisitScotland and the Scottish Government’s aims for growing tourism across Scotland in a sustainable way. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

NEWS RELEASES

SFHA calls for housing to be priority ahead of Programme for Government (SFHA 30/04/2025)

SCVO response to 2025/2026 Programme for Government (SCVO 06/05/2025)

Europa Nostra wins the prestigious Empress Theophano Prize 2025 ( Europa Nostra 06/05/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

Learning Estate Investment Programme Shared Learning Event: energy reporting and monitoring (Architecture and Design Scotland 11/03/2025)

Indicators of house building, UK: permanent dwellings started and completed by country (ONS 25/04/2025)

Progress in climate change adaptation: 2025 report (Climate Change Committee 30/04/2025)

Scottish Tourism Alliance: Visitor Levy Implementation Review Paper (STA 30/04/2025)

Place skills for plan-making (Architecture and Design Scotland 2025)

Design elements for school grounds: ideas to inspire (Architecture and Design Scotland 2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2 consideration delayed (Scot Parl 22/04/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Programming subcommittee meeting (UK Parl 23/04/2025)

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Land Value Capture evidence session (UK Parl 23/04/2025)

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Consultation paper on rent control exemptions and joint tenancies (Scot Gov 23/04/2025)

The benefits of pre-application discussions and processing agreements (Scot Gov 24/04/2025)

Scottish Government publishes Equality Outcomes update (Scot Gov 24/04/2025)

Community Rights to Buy Land guidance (Scot Gov 24/04/2025)

Building Control: The UK Government announces appointment of Independent Panel members (UK Gov 25/04/2025)

Social Justice and Social Security Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 consideration (Scot Parl 25/04/2025)

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026: Your Scotland, Your Finances – a guide (Scot Gov 25/04/2025)

Economy and Fair Work Committee: Skills Delivery – Clerk’s Note (Scot Parl 25/04/2025)

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee: Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill update (Scot Parl 25/04/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Amendments to reduce pre-consultation period (UK Gov 25/04/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Evidence session on infrastructure planning (UK Parl 25/04/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Additional evidence session with planning organisations, local government and housing representatives (UK Parl 25/04/2025)

Planning: Proportionality of Assessments Short Life Working Group minutes: March 2025 (Scot Gov 25/04/2025)

Affordable Housing Supply Programme briefing (SPICe 28/04/2025)

Built Environment Committee: New Towns – Practical Delivery evidence session (UK Parl 29/04/2025)

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Planning and Infrastructure Bill evidence sessions (UK Parl 29/04/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Council Tax revaluation recommendations (Scot Parl 29/04/2025)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 29/04/2025)

Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 29/04/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1 timetable (Scot Parl 30/04/2025)

Planning – 2025 progress update: Ministerial and Chief Planner letter (Scot Gov 30/04/2025)

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee: Stage 1 evidence on Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 30/04/2025)

Warm Homes Plan: new heating technology options (UK Gov 30/04/2025)

Westminster Hall debate: Parthenon marbles and the British Museum Act 1963 (UK Parl 30/04/2025)

Scottish Government publishes evidence review on cruise ship levies (Scot Gov 01/05/2025)

Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 02/05/2025)

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Marshalled list of amendments (Scot Parl 05/05/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill: super-majority clarification (Scot Parl 06/05/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 consideration (Scot Parl 06/05/2025)

Just Transition Fund: application form and guidance (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

‘It’s very hands-on’: Commonhold flats offer alternative to leasehold system (The Guardian 23/04/2025)

New proposal could see tenants allowed to withhold rent if major repairs to the property are not carried out (The Herald 29/04/2025)

Can this built heritage war room save a crumbling Glasgow? (The Herald 01/05/2025)

‘Tenement timebomb’ warning amid fears of forced evacuations costing Glasgow £10bn (Daily Record 03/05/2025)

Galloway National Park: renewables report warns of economic impact (The Sunday Times 04/05/2025)

Programme for Government: Five things we can expect in John Swinney’s strategy (The Scotsman 04/05/2025)

Scottish housing charities urge Swinney to commit to homebuilding pledge (The Herald 06/05/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-17216
Submitted by: Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 24/04/2025
That the Parliament acknowledges the reported presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in council and former council housing in Aberdeen’s Balnagask, Dundee, Monifieth and throughout Scotland; understands that, in Torry, around 150 of these properties are privately owned; expresses concern that the buy-back offers proposed by councils may value these properties at less than they were bought for; notes reports that the Scottish Government does not believe that it has a liability to compensate or financially assist affected homeowners; regrets what it sees as the attempt by the Scottish Government to divert responsibility, by reportedly trying to pin responsibility on the UK Government for this devolved matter; further regrets reports of the reluctance of the Minister for Housing to meet the Torry RAAC campaign group and that he has not met with other campaign groups, including those in Dundee, and notes calls on MSPs to utilise all available powers to explore solutions for affected homeowners, including initiating an urgent committee inquiry.

S6M-17305
Submitted by: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 28/04/2025
That the Parliament welcomes Forth Valley College receiving £259,000 from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board to attract future engineers; notes the college will purchase augmented reality welding simulators, run training courses, support outreach activities, and cover staffing costs including a project manager; acknowledges the focus on delivering STEM workshops for women to address gender imbalances in welding careers; and commends Forth Valley College and the ECITB on their innovative efforts to engage young people in engineering and construction.

EVENTS

VACANCIES

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Administrator
Salary: £23,600 p.a. – pro rata 0.6
Status: Fixed term, part-time
Location: Kinghorn, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust’s (FHBT) mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife.
Their work is expanding, and this is a great opportunity to bring your skills and experience to FHBT. They are looking for a friendly and organised individual to provide administrative support to staff, and assist with all aspects of administration. This post has been made possible thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme and National Lottery players. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 13 May 2025

Govanhill Baths – Board Members
Govanhill Baths is at a crucial stage in its journey toward reopening, and they are looking for dedicated individuals to join their Boards and help bring this vision to life.
They are seeking individuals with expertise in:
– Facilities operations
– Health and safety
– Human resources
– Fundraising and capital fundraising
– Marketing
– Building conservation
– Project management
How to Apply
Download Application Form or to find out more, come along to: The Board Recruitment Information session: Tuesday 13 May; 6-8pm at The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale Street, Glasgow G41 2PZ. If you are interested in attending this event, please email volunteer@govanhillbaths.com
Closing date: 9am on Monday 19 May 2025

Stirling City Heritage Trust – Manager
Salary: £45-50,000 depending on experience
Status: Full time. The Trust will be applying for HES funding which will extend to March 2031
Location: Cameron House, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This is a great opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s key heritage organisations.
As Trust Manager you would:
– Be responsible for all the operational activities of SCHT and act as the pivotal link between SCHT staff, its Board, its funders and key external stakeholder groups.
– Provide strong, decisive, clear and consistent leadership of SCHT.
– Manage the budgets, funding reporting and staff.
– Ensure effective delivery of all SCHT projects.
This role is suitable for an individual with:
– Degree or Postgraduate qualification in Architecture, Building Conservation, Planning, Building Surveying or other relevant discipline.
– Experience of organisational leadership, staff management and leading a team.
– Technical expertise in building conservation; knowledge and practical experience of traditional building materials, techniques and projects.
– Sound financial management experience and excellent numerical skills.
– A passion for Scotland’s traditional buildings and an enthusiastic approach to feed into the development of the service.
For an informal conversation about the role, please email Lindsay Lennie.
Closing Date: 12pm on Monday 19 May 2025

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Dunfermline City Project Officer
Salary: £32,000 p.a.
Status: Fixed term, full time
Location: Kinghorn & Dunfermline, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) is a charitable building preservation trust, who have helped deliver over £50m in historic environment regeneration projects – supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities. Their mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife. They are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual with good heritage, project management and people skills to develop a pipeline of FHBT projects in Dunfermline and deliver their participation in the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme. This post has been made possible thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme and National Lottery players. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 May 2025

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Finance Officer
Salary: £32,000 p.a.
Status: Permanent, full time or job share
Location: Kinghorn, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) is a charitable building preservation trust who have helped deliver over £50m in historic environment regeneration projects – supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities. Their mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife. They are looking for an experienced finance officer to control FHBT’s finance systems, including coordinating annual budget setting and annual accounts. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 May 2025

BEFS NEWS

BEFS is delighted to be one of seven projects to receive funding through Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Partnership Fund. The award will support BEFS in its core activity and work over the next three years, encouraging cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration to benefit the resilience of Scotland’s historic and existing built environment, and in delivering Our Past, Our Future, Scotland’s strategy for the Historic Environment. With continued HES support BEFS looks forward to working with Members, stakeholders and partners – towards a resilient and sustainable sector and sustainable places for the future!

The Partnership Fund was created in 2021 to help Scotland’s third sector promote, celebrate, and enhance the country’s rich and diverse heritage. Amongst other recipients were BEFS Members Architectural Heritage Fund, Archaeology Scotland, Scottish Civic Trust, Historic Churches Scotland and BEFS associate War Memorials Trust. Learn more here.

This month Historic Environment Scotland published their new 3 year operating plan, setting out the detail of delivering their corporate plan, Heritage For All. Key focuses include opportunities to further harness the contribution of Scotland’s historic environment and for further investment in the wider heritage sector, which generates an estimated £6bn for the Scottish economy. Read the full operating plan on Historic Environment Scotland’s website.

In planning news, the National Planning Improvement team has published a further five case studies generated through the National Planning Improvement Framework process. These studies aim to showcase good practice that others can learn from:

• Children and Young People Engagement by East Lothian Council
• Local Development Plan Early Engagement by Renfrewshire Council
• Conservation and Adaptation by City of Edinburgh Council
• Planning Application Timeline Tool by Fife Council
• Recruiting and Retaining Staff by North Lanarkshire Council

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding housing, heritage, culture and museums.

CONSULTATIONS

Glasgow Visitor Levy Scheme
Glasgow City Council
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 gives local authorities in Scotland the power to introduce a levy that is charged on the purchase of overnight accommodation at a percentage rate. A local authority can determine a number of elements of the Visitor Levy Scheme, including percentage rate set, geographical area where it applies and local exemptions for paying the levy. After initial discussions with a number of key business sectors across Glasgow, the Council would like to gather the views and opinions of all stakeholders, residents and visitors on the proposal which has been developed. To find out more about Glasgow’s proposed Visitor Levy Scheme, please visit their website here.
*NEW* Closes 2 May 2025

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee has launched a consultation on the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries in Scotland, aiming to enhance understanding of how inquiries are established, managed, and how they deliver value for money. The inquiry will explore the purpose and framework for establishing public inquiries, assess their transparency and cost control mechanisms, and consider alternative models and examples of good practice.
Closes 9 May 2025

New Towns Inquiry
UK Parliament
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has launched a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements. Over a series of short, targeted modules, the Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if so, how to ensure they are successful. They are now inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence for our first module, Practical Delivery. The Committee intends to take oral evidence between April and July 2025 and will publish its report on this module later in the year.
Closes 12 May 2025

Planning and Infrastructure Bill: call for evidence
UK Parliament
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill which is currently passing through Parliament? If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee. The Bill would make changes to the law around planning and infrastructure to support ambitions in the government’s Plan for Change. These ambitions include delivering 1.5 million homes and deciding 150 nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) before the end of the 2024 parliament. The bill would extend to England and Wales, with some provisions for infrastructure also extending to Scotland.
*NEW* Closes 22 May 2025

Climate Change Duties – Draft Statutory Guidance For Public Bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee wants to hear your views on the?Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. This Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government on Wednesday 20 March 2025. The Scottish Government says the purpose of this Bill is to ensure that CWB is implemented consistently across Scotland as an economic development tool. The Bill proposes to do three things: It would place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to publish a CWB statement which sets out the measures they will take to facilitate CWB. It would require local authorities and ‘relevant public bodies’ to publish and implement a CWB plan for their area. It would require ‘specified public bodies’ to have due regard to CWB guidance when developing their corporate plans and associated delivery strategies. The Scottish Government would like to hear views as to whether the Bill might achieve its aims, on the public bodies proposed, potential unintended consequences, and about benefits to local communities.
Closes 23 May 2025

ECHOES Consultation
European Cloud for Heritage Open Science
The ECHOES project is building a shared digital space, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), designed to support heritage professionals and researchers across Europe. To ensure this platform meets real-world needs, ECHOES has launched a consultation survey to better understand the priorities, challenges, and expectations of the cultural heritage community. The consultation is open to all cultural heritage stakeholders, including professionals, researchers, computer scientists/developers, umbrella organisations and institutions with a vested interest in the development and application of the Cultural Heritage Cloud. Each participation will be instrumental in shaping the future of digital cultural heritage.
*NEW* Closes end of June 2025

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Community Benefits from Net Zero Energy Developments
In participating in a Scottish Government consultation on the provision of community benefit schemes from onshore and offshore renewables, BEFS drew attention to the rich potential of utilising more resources from a massive and growing industry towards the protection and enhancement of the built and historic environment. BEFS argued that existing Good Practice Principles could be extended to a wider range of renewable technologies, and said regional approaches could be adopted to enable more places to benefit from access to funding. (BEFS 11/04/25)

PETITIONS

The No Galloway National Park Campaign has submitted a response to PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 12/03/2025)

The Law Society of Scotland has submitted a response to PE2006: Review and simplify the legislation in relation to dismissal of property factors (Scot Parl 08/04/2025)

NEWS RELEASES

The Quality Scheme for Scottish Attractions, Activities, and Experiences (ASVA 27/03/2025)

New book explores the history of Art Deco design in Scotland (HES 10/04/2025)

Nominations open for 2025 RIAS Elections (RIAS 10/04/2025)

£3.9 million to third-sector organisations (HES 11/04/2025)

John Swinney to launch Programme for Government early (Holyrood 14/04/2025)

AHF Scotland grant programmes have re-opened with additional funding of from HES’s Partnership Fund (AHF 14/04/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

The Risk List 2025: highlighting outstanding 20th and 21st century buildings across the country that are at risk from demolition, dereliction or neglect (C20 09/04/2025)

Circularity: a material development in economic innovation (Zero Waste Scotland and EDAS 10/04/2025)

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Pilot (Net Zero Carbon Buildings 11/04/2025)

Living with Rain – Planning for Everyday Life in Glasgow (RTPI and University of Glasgow 07/04/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Net zero and the UK’s historic building stock (UK Parl 12/02/2025)

Vacant shops to be filled as high streets revitalised (UK Gov 06/03/2025)

Correspondence between Edward Mountain and the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy concerning the Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 04/04/2025)

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: grant determinations 2025 to 2026 (UK Gov 08/04/2025)

European structural funding in Scotland-—what’s the latest? (SPICe 08/04/2025)

Single Building Assessment programme: spending information (Scot Gov 09/04/2025)

Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 10/04/2025)

Scottish Housing Market Review: Q1 2025 (Scot Gov 11/04/2025)

Architecture: Professions (UK Gov 11/04/2025)

Communities to nominate UK traditions for new inventory (UK Gov 12/04/2025)

Delivering 1.5m new homes and investing in public infrastructure – Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee publishes written evidence for land value capture inquiry (UK Parl 14/04/2025)

Climate change and the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee – Arts and Culture (SPICe 14/04/2025)

Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 15/04/2025)

The Housing (Scotland) Bill – daily list of amendments (Scot Parl 15/04/2025)

Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records (UK Gov 19/04/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 11th meeting  – Building safety and maintenance, Cladding remediation programme, Housing inquiry, National Planning Framework 4 annual review – clerk’s note (Scot Parl 22/04/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Arts funding: Why now is the time for philanthropy (Arts Professional 11/03/2025)

How £1 billion of National Lottery cash has enriched Scotland’s heritage (The Scotsman 08/04/2025)

Planning system over-stretched and under-resourced, says Labour (STV News 09/04/2025)

Revised clean heating plan still ‘undeliverable’, warns plumbing federation (Daily Record 09/04/2025)

Families ‘spending less’ during arts and heritage visits (Arts Professional 09/04/2025)

Swinney to announce government policy plans early (The BBC 14/04/2025)

Swinney: Recession ‘risk’ for Scotland over Trump tariffs (The Herald 14/04/2025)

Threats to nature in Labour’s planning bill (The Guardian 15/04/2025)

Tax breaks, mergers and overseas opportunities: New thinking on arts funding (Arts Professional 15/04/2025)

Ditch ‘dishonest’ just transition and back nuclear energy, Findlay tells Swinney (The Scotsman 17/04/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-17201
Submitted by: Annie Wells, Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: 16/04/2025
That the Parliament congratulates all those involved in the successful £1.5 million refurbishment of the Eglinton Street and Salkeld Street rail bridges in Glasgow, led by Network Rail; acknowledges the extensive work undertaken, including the removal and replacement of deteriorating rivets, essential steelwork repairs, and ballast retention measures, which has transformed these 140-year-old structures from deteriorating to dependable; recognises what it sees as the vital importance of preserving historic infrastructure for its heritage value, environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness compared with new construction; believes that the refurbishment, carried out by Network Rail in partnership with principal contractor Story, has significantly enhanced the appearance of these key rail links, while extending their lifespan by at least 20 years, thereby contributing to the reliability of the West Coast Main Line and other major routes in and out of Glasgow, and understands that this project forms an important part of a broader £2 billion bridge modernisation programme designed to improve the resilience, performance and safety of Scotland’s railway network for many years to come.

EVENTS

SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches – Pettinain (Lanark)
Date & Time: Monday 28 April 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Pettinain Village Hall, Village Square, Lanark ML11 8SS
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. This free introductory one-day course will explore how your historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it. You’ll be able to put your new knowledge into action right away, with a practical exercise looking at the host building inside and out to identify maintenance issues and areas of vulnerability. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your building with the course tutors and others attending. Armed with a new understanding of how traditional buildings were constructed, how they work, and how they decay, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence you need to spot and tackle common problems that put your old building at risk.

HES/Engine Shed – Researching Scotland’s Buildings
Date & Time: Thursday 8 May 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
A key need when approaching a repair or conservation project is to understand the cultural significance of the building or site. To be able to do this you must be aware of its history and historical associations. The first talks will introduce you to methods for dating and understanding the development of Scotland’s traditional architecture. The morning will conclude with a talk on the ways Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is revolutionising architectural research in Scotland. A networking lunch will provide the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. You will then be invited to view a display of rare archive material including cast iron foundry catalogues, builders’ treatises, construction textbooks, architectural guides and other unusual items from the HES Archive, the Engine Shed library and the speakers’ personal collections.

Archaeology Scotland – 2025 Summer School
Dates & Times: Tuesday 20-Friday 23 May 2025
Location: Easter Ross & the Black Isle (based in Strathpeffer)
This year’s Archaeology Scotland Summer School will be based in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer from where members and friends will explore the archaeology of the Black Isle and the glens of Easter Ross. The aim of the first day will be to look at sites and places that reveal what was happening in the Black Isle from about AD 900 to AD 1300. The second day goes back in time first to the advanced architecture of the Neolithic peoples and then forwards into the Iron Age, with hints of what is to come. See here for booking info and more information.

HES/Engine Shed – Documenting Scotland’s Historic Environment
Date & Time: Thursday 22 May 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
The recording of buildings is an essential component of heritage management. The primary purpose of this is to establish an accurate record, typically in 3D, of a building as the starting point for key decisions around repair and maintenance. The morning talks will introduce a range of 3D recording techniques, including survey methods and the latest innovations in digital documentation such as laser scanning and photogrammetry. They will also explore the benefits of different techniques and the types of outputs these forms of 3D data capture produce, which can be used for conservation and maintenance projects. A networking lunch will provide the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. You will then be invited to a hands-on demonstration of photogrammetry techniques for recording buildings. This will take place either inside or outside the Engine Shed, depending on weather.

SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches
Dates & Times: Wednesday 28 May 2025; 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: Lochgilphead Parish Church , Oban Road , PA31 8NE Lochgilphead
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. In this introductory one-day course, find out how historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times:  Wednesday 28 / Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10 / Thursday 11 September
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost is £495 for the two days.

HES/Engine Shed – Introduction to Building Conservation Week
Dates and Times:  Monday 2-Friday 6 June 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 5-day intensive course will be delivered by Historic Environment Scotland conservation professionals at the Engine Shed in Stirling. Through a series of lectures, activities and site visits, this series of informative and enjoyable days will explore the traditional building skills and materials used in conservation and repair projects throughout the Scottish built environment.
The cost is £495 for the full week or £110 per day.

VACANCIES

Edinburgh World Heritage – Director
Salary: £60,000
Status: Full time, permanent. Flexible, hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office
Location: Edinburgh
Edinburgh World Heritage are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to serve as Director. This is a unique opportunity to lead a globally respected organisation dedicated to preserving and enhancing the city’s World Heritage Site while promoting its positive role in a dynamic, living city. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Director will be responsible for providing visionary leadership, fostering a collaborative and inclusive organisational culture, ensuring financial sustainability, effective governance and the successful delivery of strategic objectives. They will serve as the primary spokesperson for the World Heritage Site, building strong relationships with key stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring experience in the culture or heritage sectors, strong communication and interpersonal skills, financial and fundraising knowledge, and a passion for Edinburgh’s historic environment. This role presents a chance to make a lasting impact on one of the world’s most celebrated World Heritage Sites.
If you would like to apply to this role, please submit:
– A CV outlining your employment history, academic and professional qualifications
– A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the requirements of the job description and person specification (no more than two A4 pages)
Applications to be sent by email to comms@ewht.org.uk with the subject line “Director Recruitment 2025”
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 28 April 2025

Stirling City Heritage Trust – Traditional Buildings Inspector/Trainee Inspector
Salary: £28-30,000 for Traditional Buildings Inspector or £26-28,000 for Trainee Inspector (salary and appointment level depending on experience)
Status: Full time
Location: Cameron House, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
The Traditional Buildings Health Check is a proactive building maintenance service operated by Stirling City Heritage Trust (SCHT), providing advice and inspection services to traditional property owners in Stirling.  SCHT are looking to recruit, depending on experience, either a Trainee Inspector or someone with more experience for the TBHC Inspector role. Both are early career roles and will provide extensive support and training. It would suit a person with either a degree in a property related course such as surveying or architecture, or a trades/craftsperson.
As Traditional Buildings Inspector/ Trainee Inspector you would:
– Carry out detailed fabric inspections on traditional buildings in Stirling.
– Use Small Unmanned Aircraft (drone) to aid inspections (training provided if needed)
– Identify, assess and prioritise building defects and repair requirements and present findings in a detailed report.
– Communicate defects and recommendations identified in the report in an online or in person follow up meeting, answering member questions and explaining next steps.
This role is suitable for an individual with:
– Qualification to degree level in a related subject such as surveying, architecture or heritage related; or
– Craft/construction experience of working on typical traditional Scottish buildings with minimum SVQ level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in roofing, stonemasonry or similar traditional building skill; and
– Excellent communication and ICT skills and a flexible approach to the role.
– The ability to self-manage a busy workload and strong organisational skills.
– A passion for Scotland’s traditional buildings and an enthusiastic approach to feed into the development of the service.
If you would like an informal chat about the job, please email Lindsay Lennie to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Closing Date: 12pm on Friday 2 May 2025

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Administrator
Salary: £23,600 p.a. – pro rata 0.6
Status: Fixed term, part-time
Location: Kinghorn, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust’s (FHBT) mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife. Their work is expanding, and this is a great opportunity to bring your skills and experience to FHBT. They are looking for a friendly and organised individual to provide administrative support to staff, and assist with all aspects of administration. This post has been made possible thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme and National Lottery players. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 13 May 2025

Stirling City Heritage Trust – Manager
Salary: £45-50,000 depending on experience
Status: Full time. The Trust will be applying for HES funding which will extend to March 2031
Location: Cameron House, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This is a great opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s key heritage organisations. This post is being advertised as the current Trust Manager is retiring in late summer/early autumn 2025. It is anticipated that there will be some overlap to enable the new manager to have a handover period to support the transition into the role. The possible start date for the successful applicant is flexible but likely to be August or September 2025.
As Trust Manager you would:
– Be responsible for all the operational activities of SCHT and act as the pivotal link between SCHT staff, its Board, its funders and key external stakeholder groups.
– Provide strong, decisive, clear and consistent leadership of SCHT.
– Manage the budgets, funding reporting and staff.
– Ensure effective delivery of all SCHT projects.
This role is suitable for an individual with:
– Degree or Postgraduate qualification in Architecture, Building – Conservation, Planning, Building Surveying or other relevant discipline.
– Experience of organisational leadership, staff management and leading a team.
– Technical expertise in building conservation; knowledge and practical experience of traditional building materials, techniques and projects.
– Sound financial management experience and excellent numerical skills.
– A passion for Scotland’s traditional buildings and an enthusiastic approach to feed into the development of the service.
If you would like an informal chat about the job, please email Lindsay Lennie to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Closing Date: 12pm on Monday 19 May 2025

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Dunfermline City Project Officer
Salary: £32,000 p.a.
Status: Fixed term, full time
Location: Kinghorn & Dunfermline, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) is a charitable building preservation trust, who have helped deliver over £50m in historic environment regeneration projects – supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities. Their mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife. They are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual with good heritage, project management and people skills to develop a pipeline of FHBT projects in Dunfermline and deliver their participation in the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme. This post has been made possible thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme and National Lottery players. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 May 2025

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Finance Officer
Salary: £32,000 p.a.
Status: Permanent, full time or job share
Location: Kinghorn, Fife
Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) is a charitable building preservation trust who have helped deliver over £50m in historic environment regeneration projects – supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities. Their mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife. They are looking for an experienced finance officer to control FHBT’s finance systems, including coordinating annual budget setting and annual accounts. More info and application details can be found here.
Closing date: Tuesday 20 May 2025

BEFS NEWS

We start this edition of BEFS Bulletin noting with sadness the passing of Christina McKelvie MSP on the 25^th of March. In 2023 during Ms McKelvie’s time as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development she presented Our Past, Our Future, the strategy for Scotland’s historic environment, and championed the role of the historic environment in creating resilient, inclusive and sustainable spaces. BEFS extends thoughts and condolences to Ms McKelvie’s friends, family and colleagues during this time.

In the second of our Joining the Dots series, Jocelyne Fleming (CIOB) responds with a galvanising exploration of the need for holistic policymaking to successfully address Scotland’s housing crisis, deliver net zero, and achieve a Just Transition. The blog examines the importance of neighbourhood-scale retrofit delivery, the role of long-term workforce planning, and the necessity of cross-portfolio policymaking.

A new bursary to support the future planning pipeline in Scotland has opened. £5000 bursaries are available to 30 students through the Future Planners Bursary. The bursary aims to attract diverse talent from a variety of planning-related disciplines and underrepresented backgrounds and increase the number of future planners in Scotland.

A major funding announcement for traditional skills in Scotland! The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £3.7 million to establish a new Centre of Excellence for Canals & Traditional Skills at Lock 16 in Falkirk. Delivered in partnership between Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland, the project will support heritage skills training, apprenticeships, and sector resilience through a national hub combining accredited programmes, community outreach, and sector-wide collaboration. Learn more here.

More on skills – last week, BEFS Director and Head of Policy & Strategy visited BEFS Members The Ridge Foundations in Dunbar, where they met with Managing Director Katie Wood to hear about the organisation’s multi-faceted work, including employability support, heritage construction, and plans for a traditional skills training centre.

It has been a busy few weeks for BEFS team! In March BEFS Communications Lead Malini Chakrabarty attended the Scottish Heritage Social Media Group event, sharing practical insights on using social media for advocacy across heritage and the other policy areas. The session offered strategies for creating effective content in an evolving digital landscape, highlighting the importance of understanding audiences, and connecting policy to real-world impact. Read the full blog post here.

Last week Sarah Boyack MSP introduced the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill. The Member’s Bill sets out the need for public bodies to promote wellbeing and sustainable development in their work, as well as presenting definitions of “sustainable development” and “wellbeing” for this purpose. The establishment of a Future Generations Commissioner is designed to promote wellbeing and sustainable development in decision making by all public bodies, including guidance to help public bodies understand what the bill means for them.

The Scottish Parliament has launched its first Areas of Research Interest (ARI) programme, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council. The programme aims to strengthen links between policymakers and researchers on climate-related topics. Themes such as reducing emissions through avoiding, reducing and/or reusing materials, and opportunities for interventions in other sector areas to support circular economy goals alongside emissions reductions, present interesting possibilities for cross portfolio goals.

The 18^th of April is World Heritage Day – and a moment to reflect on the value of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites; from Neolithic Orkney, the industrial heritage of New Lanark, to the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. These internationally recognised places of cultural and natural significance connect local communities to global stories of innovation, identity, and resilience. With World Creativity and Innovation Day on the 21^st of this month also approaching, BEFS celebrates the vital role of heritage-led creativity — from community engagement to traditional and new conservation techniques — in sustaining our historic environment for future generations.

And finally, BEFS Member Edinburgh World Heritage are seeking an inspiring and strategic leader to serve as Director. This is a unique opportunity to lead an organisation dedicated to preserving and enhancing the city’s World Heritage Site, while promoting its positive role in a dynamic, living city.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Green Jobs, Traditionally Built Homes, Renewable Energy, and Apprenticeships.

CONSULTATIONS

Community Benefits from Net Zero Energy Developments
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on community benefits schemes operated by renewable energy developers. The outcomes will inform a set of good practice principles for both onshore and offshore renewables (a 2015 iteration covered offshore wind only), and seek to improve consistency of approaches, and enhanced contributions to the just transition to net zero policy agenda.
Closes 11 April 2025

Cost-effectiveness of Scottish Public Inquiries
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee has launched a consultation on the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries in Scotland, aiming to enhance understanding of how inquiries are established, managed, and how they deliver value for money. The inquiry will explore the purpose and framework for establishing public inquiries, assess their transparency and cost control mechanisms, and consider alternative models and examples of good practice.
*NEW* Closes 9 May 2025

New Towns Inquiry
UK Parliament
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has today launched a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements. Over a series of short, targeted modules, the Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if so, how to ensure they are successful. They are now inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence for our first module, Practical Delivery. The Committee intends to take oral evidence between April and July 2025 and will publish its report on this module later in the year.
*NEW* Closes 12 May 2025

Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee wants to hear your views on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill. This Bill was introduced by the Scottish Government on Wednesday 20 March 2025. The Scottish Government says the purpose of this Bill is to ensure that CWB is implemented consistently across Scotland as an economic development tool. The Bill proposes to do three things: It would place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to publish a CWB statement which sets out the measures they will take to facilitate CWB. It would require local authorities and ‘relevant public bodies’ to publish and implement a CWB plan for their area. It would require ‘specified public bodies’ to have due regard to CWB guidance when developing their corporate plans and associated delivery strategies. The Scottish Government would like to hear views as to whether the Bill might achieve its aims, on the public bodies proposed, potential unintended consequences, and about benefits to local communities.
*NEW* Closes 23 May 2025

Building Standards Certification Customer Survey
Scottish Government
2025 marks 20 years of certification in Scotland. As part of the Futures Board Programme Building Standards Division are carrying out a survey of customers using certification to understand how the system is working. They are also looking for suggestions on how the system can be improved to help support a strengthened building standards system.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Industrial Transition for Scotland
In a submission for the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry, BEFS argued that there is great potential for adaptation and reuse within Scotland’s rich industrial heritage. BEFS also highlighted the need to better align a new industrial transition to net zero goals, to invest in data and skills, and to work more effectively with local communities on place-based approaches. (BEFS 27/03/25)

Energy Performance Certificate Register Fees
This technical Scottish Government consultation invited views on proposed lodgement fees and amended penalty charges in the new regulatory system for Energy Performance Certificates. BEFS supported the introduction of audit, inspection and review processes to examine the impact of any changes and drew attention to BEFS Member concerns about any financial measures that could potentially disincentivise appropriate climate adaptations. (BEFS 28/03/25)

NEWS RELEASES

Doors reopening to Scotland’s Historic sites (HES 26/03/2025)

SCVO responds to UK Government Spring Statement 2025 (SCVO 26/03/2025)

Bursary opens to support the future planning pipeline in Scotland (RTPI 31/03/2025)

Ewan Fraser appointed Deputy Chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator (Scottish Housing Regulator 01/04/2025)

Funding for traditional skills in Scotland surpasses £1 billion milestone with National Lottery Heritage Fund investment (HES 03/04/2025)

Historic Environment Scotland, Historic England and Cadw publish new retrofit training handbook (HES 08/04/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

Proposal for A Scottish Community Wealth Fund (DTAS, CES, Community Land Scotland February 2025)

Factoring in Tenement Retrofit: A Toolkit (UoS and Under one Roof 03/03/2025)

Financing and funding the decarbonisation of Scotland’s social housing – summary report (Scottish Futures Trust 11/03/2025)

Circular Communities Scotland Strategy 2025-2028 (Circular Communities Scotland 17/03/2025)

The Improvement Service has launched a dashboard visualising 650,000 planning applications across Scotland since 2009 (Improvement Service 24/03/2025)

RSL empty homes data published by local authority area (Scottish Housing Regulator 01/04/2025)

How to optimise heat pump deployment and installation in Scotland: local authority perspectives (UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence 02/04/2025)

UK domestic tourism spending dropped by £3bn between 2022 and 2024 (New Economics Foundation 03/04/2025)

Halifax reports a 0.5% fall in average house prices in March, with the UK average now £296,699 and annual growth steady at 2.8% (Halifax 05/04/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

VAT and Churches (UK Parl 11/03/2025)

National Planning Skills Commitment Plan (Scot Gov 17/03/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 20/03/2025)

Acting Minister for Climate Action provides update on Heat in Buildings Bill progress (Scot Parl 25/03/2025)

Cladding remediation: plan of action (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

Community Wealth Building – Committee Planning Update (Scot Parl 25/03/2025)

Fund for unsafe cladding assessments launched (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

Land Reform: Scottish Government responds to committee report and provides further information (Scot Parl 25/03/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – Official Report (Scot Parl 25/03/2025)

Scottish Government publishes response to Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

Energy Security and Net Zero Committee examines workforce planning for clean energy transition (UK Parl 26/03/2025)

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill passes Stage 1 vote (Scot Parl 26/03/2025)

OBR: planning reforms to deliver highest housebuilding levels in 40 years (HM Treasury 26/03/2025)

Circular Economy – Environment Secretary Sets Out UK Vision (UK Gov 27/03/2025)

Climate Change Act – Section 72: fifteenth annual report (Scot Gov 27/03/2025)

Climate Change Plan – Scottish Fiscal Commission Letter to Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Parl 27/03/2025)

Energy Standards Review – February 2025 Minutes from the Passivhaus Equivalent Working Group (Scot Gov 27/03/2025)

Scottish Parliament launches Areas of Research Interest pilot (SPICe 27/03/2025)

Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund guidance updated with new application round (Scot Gov 31/03/2025)

Building Standards Procedural Handbook – Third Edition Version 1.8 Published (Scot Gov 01/04/2025)

Planning Permission Appeals – Housing Development Statistics Updated (Scot Gov 01/04/2025)

Scottish Land Commission publishes its Programme of Work for April 2025 to September 2026 (Scot Parl 01/04/2025)

Ministerial responsibility for fire functions to move from the Home Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (UK Gov 01/04/2025)

Cultural Heritage: Skilled Workers (UK Parl 02/04/2025)

Spring Statement 2025 (Impact on Scotland) (Scot Parl 02/04/2025)

Decarbonising homes and buildings (Scot Gov 03/04/2025)

Green Heat Finance Taskforce publishes second report on clean heat financing (Scot Gov 03/04/2025)

Heat in Buildings Bill Debate (Scot Parl 03/04/2025)

Championing proportionality of planning assessments (Scot Gov 03/04/2025)

Revised Heat in Buildings Bill to set 2045 decarbonisation target without mandating system replacement (Scot Parl 03/04/2025)

Climate Change: Annual Report finds planning and heat policies now exceed aims of section 3F of the 2009 Act (Scot Parl 04/04/2025)

Angela Leitch appointed chair of the Independent Review of Creative Scotland (Scot Gov 04/04/2025)

Updated list confirms 356 approved housing projects across rural and island communities  (Scot Gov 04/04/2025)

Scottish Government lodges Housing Bill amendments proposing rent caps of up to 6% in designated control areas (Scot Gov 07/04/2025)

Scottish Government publishes factsheet outlining how businesses can support a fairer, greener, and more resilient Wellbeing Economy (Scot Gov 08/04/2025)

Shona Robison has been asked to contact four councils about in-house teams for RAAC and damp remediation (Scot Parl 08/04/2025)

The UK and Welsh governments have launched a joint consultation to reform environmental permitting regulations as part of the Plan for Change (UK Gov 08/04/2025)

Wind Turbine Appeal Outcomes – Latest Weekly Update (Scot Gov 08/04/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

New report highlights affordability challenge of retrofitting homes in Scotland (Project Scotland 04/03/2025)

Historic windows offer glimpse into the future (Project Scotland 12/03/2025)

Sustainabuild sets the ‘Greenprint’ for Scotland’s future built environment workforce with new impact report (Sustainabuild 19/03/2025)

How will Trump’s policies impact funding for UK arts? (Arts Professional 24/03/2025)

Planning system must be supported to improve consistency during housing emergency (Homes for Scotland 26/03/2025)

UK Government unlikely to meet housing target (BBC 27/03/2025)

Strategic funding partnerships can help the arts address systemic challenges (Arts Professional 31/03/2025)

Survey: Public sceptical of political plans to cut energy bills (The Scotsman 31/03/2025)

‘RAAC in our roof has robbed us of our retirement’ (BBC 01/04/2025)

City of Culture runners-up report lasting cultural benefits from the bidding process (Arts Professional 02/04/2025)

SFHA warns of a £10bn funding gap for housing associations working to meet net zero targets for social housing. (Daily Record 02/04/2025)

Neglected historic buildings in English town centres to benefit from £4.85m Heritage Revival Fund (Arts Professional 03/04/2025)

Charles Rennie Mackintosh church pews sawn up and sold for £40 (Sunday Times 05/04/2025)

Patrick Harvie to step down as Scottish Greens co-leader, ahead of the party’s summer leadership elections (BBC 05/04/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-16929
Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 27/03/2025
That the Finance and Public Administration Committee recommends that the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Group Relief and Sub-sale Development Relief Modifications) (Scotland) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.

S6M-17049
Submitted by: Gordon MacDonald, Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 02/04/2025
That the Parliament recognises reports of the continued skills gap in the construction sector, including in the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency; notes recent statistics from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) indicating positive shifts in perceptions of the sector across the country and, it understands, that almost three quarters (74%) of young people aged between 16 and 24 in Scotland hold a positive view of construction careers and more than a third (36%) would consider working in the construction sector; further notes the belief that more must be done to increase awareness of careers in the sector to ensure that the construction industry has a steady supply of labour with the necessary skills, and welcomes industry-led initiatives that seek to increase engagement between young people and Scotland’s construction sector such as the CIOB’s Student Challenge and the Scottish Traditional Building Forum’s skills demonstration programmes.
Current status: Pending Cross-party Support for Members’ Business.

EVENTS

SPAB – An Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering
Dates and Times: Friday 25 – Saturday 26 April 2025; 9:30am-5:30pm
Location: Heritage & Rural Skills Centre, Buscot and Coleshill Estate, Swindon SN6 7PT
Join SPAB for a hands-on introduction to lime plastering – perfect for homeowners and DIYers, building custodians and specifiers. The course venue is the custom-designed plastering studio at the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, where you’ll have your very own plastering bay to practice throughout the course. Tutors Sean Wheatley and Michal Wolf are Master Plasterers with decades of experience working with lime. They will be joined by Marianne Suhr, a chartered building surveyor and co-author of the SPAB’s Old House Handbook, with assistance from the Durrant & Daughter team. If you live in or care for an old house, you’ll come away with the practical skills you need to confidently tackle lime plaster repairs in your own home.

SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches – Pettinain (Lanark)
Date & Time: Monday 28 April 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Pettinain Village Hall, Village Square, Lanark ML11 8SS
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. This free introductory one-day course will explore how your historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it. You’ll be able to put your new knowledge into action right away, with a practical exercise looking at the host building inside and out to identify maintenance issues and areas of vulnerability. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your building with the course tutors and others attending. Armed with a new understanding of how traditional buildings were constructed, how they work, and how they decay, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence you need to spot and tackle common problems that put your old building at risk.

HES/Engine Shed – Researching Scotland’s Buildings
Date & Time: Thursday 8 May 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
A key need when approaching a repair or conservation project is to understand the cultural significance of the building or site. To be able to do this you must be aware of its history and historical associations. The first talks will introduce you to methods for dating and understanding the development of Scotland’s traditional architecture. The morning will conclude with a talk on the ways Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is revolutionising architectural research in Scotland. A networking lunch will provide the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. You will then be invited to view a display of rare archive material including cast iron foundry catalogues, builders’ treatises, construction textbooks, architectural guides and other unusual items from the HES Archive, the Engine Shed library and the speakers’ personal collections.

Archaeology Scotland – 2025 Summer School
Dates & Times: Tuesday 20-Friday 23 May 2025
Location: Easter Ross & the Black Isle (based in Strathpeffer)
This year’s Archaeology Scotland Summer School will be based in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer from where members and friends will explore the archaeology of the Black Isle and the glens of Easter Ross. The aim of the first day will be to look at sites and places that reveal what was happening in the Black Isle from about AD 900 to AD 1300. The second day goes back in time first to the advanced architecture of the Neolithic peoples and then forwards into the Iron Age, with hints of what is to come. See here for booking info and more information.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times:  Wednesday 28 / Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10 / Thursday 11 September
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.

VACANCIES

Heritage Network – Business Development Manager
Salary: £35,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Network is seeking a Business Development Manager.
This is an important role within Essential Networks, a major development and resilience project for Heritage Network, their members and UK heritage. The Network’s trustees and staff have agreed an ambitious business plan which builds on its existing strengths. The Business Development Manager will develop the Network’s earned income to a level where it is making a substantial net contribution. For further information/applications please see the recruitment pack.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 31 March 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – General Manager
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a General Manager. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking General Manager to lead the Centre into this new era. The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, develop and enhance visitor experiences, and drive the Centre’s strategic vision, ensuring its success as a premier destination and vital community asset. This role requires a dynamic and passionate leader with the skills, experience, and vision to support the local tourism industry, inspire a high-performing team, and ensure that the Calanais Visitor Centre is a place of excellence, connection, and discovery. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
Closing date: 20 April 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – Heritage Manager
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a Heritage Manager. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. As they embark on a transformative redevelopment, they are looking for a forward-thinking Heritage Manager to join them in shaping the future of this remarkable site. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a pivotal moment in the story of the Stones, to lead and deliver transformational heritage and engagement programmes that will leave a lasting impact on both the site and the community. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
Closing date: 13 April 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – Digital Engagement Officer
Salary: £25,000 – £35,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a Digital Engagement Officer. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. As they embark on a transformative redevelopment, they are looking for an inspiring Digital Engagement Officer to join them in shaping the future of this remarkable site. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
 Closing date: 13 April 2025

Glasgow City Heritage Trust – Built Heritage Officer
Salary: £33,000 – £34,000
Status: Full-time, permanent
Location: GCHT offices, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ / Hybrid
Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) gives out almost £1 million in funding each year to help people in Glasgow protect, repair, and promote the city’s historic buildings and places, and tell the city’s story. Their work helps create successful neighbourhoods and vibrant high streets, which are vital for sustainable and thriving communities. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Built Heritage Officer to join their team. This role is central to the delivery of the Trust’s Historic Built Environment Grant Programme, supporting best practice in traditional building repair and conservation. The role combines training and education for those responsible for maintaining Glasgow’s historic buildings with the assessment and management of grant-funded building repair projects. The successful candidate will work closely with the Grants Manager to provide technical advice and support, monitor grant-funded repair projects, and deliver training and outreach activities. As part of their career development, the Trust will support the successful candidate with training towards securing Conservation Accreditation. The successful candidate will embody GCHT’s core values: passionate, collaborative, innovative, and forward-looking. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Niall Murphy, Director, at niall@glasgowheritage.org.uk. GCHT welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunities employer. Please download the Built Heritage Officer Job Description and Application Form. Completed application forms should be returned by email to info@glasgowheritage.org.uk
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 14 April 2025

BEFS NEWS

Welcome news that Historic Environment Scotland are offering fully funded bursaries for their 5-day intensive Building Conservation Course in June! Delivered by conservation professionals at the Engine Shed in Stirling, the annual course is aimed at graduates, heritage professionals and building practitioners from all disciplines interested in developing their knowledge and practice in traditional buildings, as well as anyone responsible for a traditional building or with an interest in building conservation in Scotland. The week comprises a series of lectures, activities, and site visits, and explores the traditional building skills and materials used in conservation and repair projects. Bursaries may be available to those who have completed their third year of study or are a recent graduate of a building related subject such as architecture, surveying, engineering, or planning, and/or those who can demonstrate a passion to develop a career in conservation.

A new National Planning Skills Commitment Plan has been launched by the Scottish Government, recognising that more planners are needed in Scotland to meet recruitment gaps; in 2023-24 alone, planners dealt with nearly 23,000 applications including 227 applications for major developments. The Plan will provide training and skills development through monthly themed webinars, hands-on learning, and recruitment support. It is supported by more than 100 leaders across almost 60 organisations in the built and natural environment professions and will cover different themes at different times, with the first one on housing.

Last week BEFS Trustee Peter Drummond spoke at the Scottish Parliament to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee about current building safety and maintenance challenges. Peter represented BEFS Member RIAS in a formal evidence session which mainly focused on damp, mould, cold homes, and the use of RAAC panels. The Committee explored how information on problems are collected, the potential impact of Awaab’s Law – which imposes new regulations on social landlords to undertake timely and effective building repairs – and how private and social landlords, owners and factors can improve remediation processes. The challenges of fuel poverty, and the poor-quality technical solutions which might lead to future problems, were also highlighted. Peter told the Committee: “There is not nearly enough post-occupation evaluation undertaken… to ensure we are delivering the right solutions. We need tenant-focused solutions, we need the right tools in the right places to help people”. View the session here.

New Community Wealth Building Bill: Community wealth building (CWB) is an approach to economic development which focuses on generating, circulating, and retaining economic wealth in local communities. The Bill, which was introduced on 20 March, places a duty on Scottish Ministers to produce and publish a statement setting out measures to be taken by the Scottish Government in relation to CWB, and requires local authorities to produce action plans setting out the measures to be taken within the local authority area. It also places a duty on Scottish Ministers to produce guidance in relation to both the production of action plans and the inclusion of CWB measures in strategic planning by public bodies.

Last chance to apply for the DCMS Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme which closes on 31 March. New guidance is now available to provide more information on changes to the scheme coming into effect from 1 April 2025, including the implementation of the new annual cap of £25,000 per listed place of worship.

And finally, in case you missed it, BEFS Members Glasgow City Heritage Trust are recruiting for a new Built Heritage Officer. If you are passionate about Glasgow’s historic buildings and want to play a part in protecting and promoting Glasgow’s incredible built environment this may be the job for you! More details can be found here.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Heat in Buildings Bill, Visitor Levy, Planning System, Skills and Apprenticeships.

CONSULTATIONS

Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register Lodgement Fees and Penalty Charges
Scottish Government
This technical consultation builds upon previous Scottish Government consultations on EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Reform in 2021 and 2023. The Scottish Government has issued its response to the 2023 consultation in January 2025, which sets out the final decisions on EPC Reform prior to laying new EPC Regulations in Parliament later during 2025. The Government plan to bring the new Regulations into force in the second half of 2026, to align with the introduction of the UK Home Energy Model Calculation Methodology. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Closes 28 March 2025

Cities in Placemaking 2025-2026
Placemaking Europe
This programme is a peer-to-peer learning experience for cities, designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Placemaking, its application in the context of urban governance, and its implications for long-term systemic change. The goal is to create a collaborative effort that benefits from a wide range of perspectives, through interactive, participatory, and experiential learning, with a practical focus on the importance of Placemaking as a city-level strategy.
Closes 31 March 2025

Community Benefits from Net Zero Energy Developments
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on community benefits schemes operated by renewable energy developers. The outcomes will inform a set of good practice principles for both onshore and offshore renewables (a 2015 iteration covered offshore wind only), and seek to improve consistency of approaches, and enhanced contributions to the just transition to net zero policy agenda.
Closes 11 April 2025

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh.
Closes May 2025

New Towns Inquiry
UK Parliament
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee has today launched a modular inquiry into new towns and expanded settlements. Over a series of short, targeted modules, the Committee aims to discover whether new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing and, if so, how to ensure they are successful. They are now inviting interested individuals and organisations to submit written evidence for the first module, Practical Delivery. The Committee intends to take oral evidence between April and July 2025 and will publish its report on this module later in the year.
*NEW* Closes 12 May

Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025

Building Standards Certification Customer Survey
Scottish Government
2025 marks 20 years of certification in Scotland. As part of the Futures Board Programme Building Standards Division are carrying out a survey of customers using certification to understand how the system is working. They are also looking for suggestions on how the system can be improved to help support a strengthened building standards system.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Rural Delivery Plan: Vision, Objective & Key Performance Indicators – in this Scottish Government consultation response, BEFS called for stronger recognition of built and cultural heritage in the strategic objectives for a Rural Delivery Plan, highlighted skills gaps in the historic environment, green infrastructure, retrofit, construction and related areas, and advocated for improvements in data collection. (BEFS 17/03/25)

PETITIONS

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee response to PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 04/03/2025)

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee’s SPICe briefing on PE2143: Introduce legislation to require all landlords to tackle damp and mould to specified standards (Scot Parl 13/03/2025)

NEWS RELEASES

Scotland’s construction pipeline builds greater momentum as 12 more public bodies submit data (Scottish Futures Trust 06/02/2025)

New toolkit to help support inclusive volunteering in communities (Community Councils Scotland 18/02/2025)

Empty Homes Network Awards 2025: Categories announced & submissions now open (EHN 02/03/2025)

New Homes from Vacant Historic Buildings (Historic England 05/03/2025)
The latest update on data and the domestic re-use potential of historic buildings in England.

SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas to step down after eight successful years (SFHA 12/03/2025)

Announcing Europe’s 7 Most Endangered Heritage Sites for 2025 (Europa Nostra 18/03/2025)

RNIB hosts Inclusive Design for Sustainability Conference 2025 (RNIB 20/03/2025)

The National Lottery Community Fund appoints new Scotland Committee members (The National Lottery 20/03/2025)

Briefing to UK Parliament: Spring Statement (SCVO 24/03/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

PlaceTech Innovation Lab Pilot Project Summary Report (Scottish Futures Trust 27/11/2024)

VAT Rebates (Historic Houses January 2025)

VAT-Rebates for Repairs to Publicly Accessible Heritage Sites (Historic Houses January 2025)

House Price Index (Halifax February 2025)

The Seventh Carbon Budget (Climate Change Committee 26/02/2025)

Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories – Strategic Plan 2025-2030 (Scottish Civic Trust 03/02/2025)

Low carbon housing for people on low incomes (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 10/03/2025)

Financing and funding the decarbonisation of Scotland’s social housing (Scottish Futures Trust 11/03/2025)

Skills Mismatches in the UK’s Creative Industries (Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre 12/03/2025)

Progress being made on council’s Heritage Asset Plan (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce 19/03/2025)

Public Sector Funding Report (SCVO 19/03/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Action taken to protect households with poor-quality insulation (UK Gov 23/01/2025)

Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability?(UK Gov 26/02/2025)

The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme Update (UK Gov March 2025)

£1.5 billion to restore pride in Britain’s neighbourhoods (UK Gov 04/03/2025)

Correspondence between Edward Mountain and the Committee Conveners for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the next Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 06/03/2025)

Apprenticeship funding (Scot Gov 07/03/2025)

Public appointment: Member appointed to the Board of South of Scotland Enterprise (Scot Gov 07/03/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 8^th Meeting – Heat in Buildings – official report and minutes (Scot Parl 08/03/2025)

Reform of the Statutory Consultee System, House of Lords Written Statement (UK Parl 10/03/2025)

Reform of the Statutory Consultee System, House of Commons Written Statement (UK Parl 10/03/2025)

Order Paper for Tuesday 11 March 2025 – Angela Rayner on Planning and Infrastructure Bill (UK Parl 11/03/2025)

Building Standards Building Warrant Fee Increases 2025 (Scot Gov 11/03/2025)

‘Biggest building boom’ in a generation through planning reforms (UK Gov 11/03/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill (UK Parl 11/03/2025)

Community Wealth Building Bill Steering Group minutes: January 2023 (Scot Gov 11/03/2025)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics Scot Gov 11/03/2025)

Fuel poverty measurement – reflecting higher living costs in remote rural Scotland: 2023 update (Scot Gov 12/03/2025)

Correspondence between the Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee regarding reappointing a former Chair to the Regulator of Social Housing (UK Parl 12/03/2025)

Robust homelessness prevention measures in Housing Bill (Scot Gov 13/03/2025)

Andrew Wathey has been reappointed as Chair of The National Archives (UK Gov 13/03/2025)

National Planning Skills Commitment Plan (Scot Gov 17/03/2025)

Planning and Environmental Appeals Stakeholder Forum Minutes: June 2024 (Scot Gov 17/03/2025)

Correspondence between COSLA and the Committees for Local Government, Housing and Planning, and Social Justice and Social Security regarding the Housing Bill (Scotland) (Scot Parl 18/03/2025)

18 March 2025 – Grenfell and Building Safety – Oral evidence (UK Parl 18/03/2025)

Cladding Remediation Programme: progress bulletins (Scot Gov 18/03/2025)

Awaab’s Law to come to Scotland (Scot Gov 18/03/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 9^th meeting – Building Safety and Maintenance public paper and minutes (Scot Parl 18/03/2025)

Cross-party group on Crofting 18 March Agenda (Scot Parl 18/03/2025)

Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Chief Executive and Chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator regarding the Scottish Housing Regulator’s annual performance scrutiny (Scot Parl 18/03/2025)

Listed Buildings: Energy Performance Certificates (UK Parl 19/03/2025)

Stage 1 report on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 19/03/2025)

20 March 2025 – Further Debate to consider the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill (UK Parl 20/03/2025)

Historic Buildings: Repairs and Maintenance (UK Parl 20/03/2025)

Tourism Industry – ref Dumfries & Galloway (UK Parl 20/03/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill Introduced on 20 March (Scot Parl 20/03/2025)

The Prime Minister has appointed 5 Trustees to the British Museum (UK Gov 21/03/2025)

The Prime Minister has appointed 5 Trustees to the Tate (UK Gov 21/03/2025)

The Prime Minister has appointed 6 new Trustees to the V&A (UK Gov 21/03/2025)

Government unleashes next generation of construction workers to build 1.5m homes (UK Gov 23/03/2025)

Planning and Infrastructure Bill Debate (UK Parl 24/03/2025)

Tony Juniper CBE reappointed to continue protecting nature and boosting growth as Natural England Chair (UK Gov 24/03/2025)

Housing (Scotland) Bill – daily list of amendments (Scot Parl 24/03/2025)

25 March 2025 – Fourth Delegated Legislation Committee – Formal meeting regarding the draft Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 and the draft Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025 (UK Parl 25/03/2025)

Ministerial Statement on the Scottish Government Response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 10^th Meeting – Building Safety and Maintenance – public paper (Scot Parl 25/03/2025)

Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply to end December 2024 (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

Housing statistics: Scottish Landlord Register data (Scot Gov 25/03/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Whatever happened to the heroes? (The Planner 26/02/2025)

Tourist tax worth £1bn a year for culture floated (Arts Professional 07/03/2025)

Ministers sign £70m Argyll and Bute growth deal (BBC 10/03/2025)

Government plans to scrap Theatres Trust role in planning decisions (Arts Professional 11/03/2025)

Arts funding: Why now is the time for philanthropy (Arts Professional 11/03/2025)

The Guardian view on the planning bill: new towns must be for people who need them (The Guardian 11/03/2025)

Ministers scrap green heating plans for new homes (BBC 11/03/2025)

Plan to make it easier for councils to seize land for housing (BBC 11/03/2025)

Stepwells and shared spaces: Lessons from India (Arts Professional 12/03/2025)

Robertson announces Scottish culture funding review (Arts Professional 13/03/2025)

Who Owns Scotland 2024 – Annual Analysis Report (Andy Wightman 17/03/2025)

Heritage-led regeneration ‘can revitalise high streets’ (Arts Professional 17/03/2025)

How breathing new life into old high streets proved profitable (The Times 17/03/2025)

Crofters fear new law could threaten Scotland’s rural heritage (STV 18/03/2025)

Plan to make landlords fix mould in social housing (BBC 18/03/2025)

Starmer’s plan to ‘build baby build’ risks more American-style car-dominated sprawl (The Conversation 20/03/2025)

CBI boss: ‘Most of the jobs people have now won’t exist in 20 years’ (The Herald 20/03/2025)

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill Stage One debate (Andy Wightman 24/03/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-16750
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 10/03/2025
That the Parliament notes that Ofgem’s energy price cap has soared to £1,849 for the average household, which is the third increase in a row and 9.4% (£159) higher than this time last year; recognises that this will compound cost of living pressures for households across Scotland; welcomes the Scottish Government’s action in the recently passed Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill, including the reintroduction of universal winter fuel payments for pensioners and through energy efficiency programmes; believes that reforming energy markets and harnessing Scotland’s renewable potential will bolster energy security and, in turn, reduce consumer bills, and calls on the UK Government to make urgent progress on delivering its commitment to reduce bills by £300, against which no progress has yet been made.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 11 March 2025. Vote: 59 for, 48 against, 0 abstained, 22 did not vote. Vote Passed.

EVENTS

SPAB – An Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering
Dates and Times: Friday 25 – Saturday 26 April 2025; 9:30am-5:30pm
Location: Heritage & Rural Skills Centre, Buscot and Coleshill Estate, Swindon SN6 7PT
Join SPAB for a hands-on introduction to lime plastering – perfect for homeowners and DIYers, building custodians and specifiers. The course venue is the custom-designed plastering studio at the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, where you’ll have your very own plastering bay to practice throughout the course. Tutors Sean Wheatley and Michal Wolf are Master Plasterers with decades of experience working with lime. They will be joined by Marianne Suhr, a chartered building surveyor and co-author of the SPAB’s Old House Handbook, with assistance from the Durrant & Daughter team. If you live in or care for an old house, you’ll come away with the practical skills you need to confidently tackle lime plaster repairs in your own home.

SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches – Pettinain (Lanark)
Date & Time: Monday 28 April 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Pettinain Village Hall, Village Square, Lanark ML11 8SS
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. This free introductory one-day course will explore how your historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it. You’ll be able to put your new knowledge into action right away, with a practical exercise looking at the host building inside and out to identify maintenance issues and areas of vulnerability. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your building with the course tutors and others attending. Armed with a new understanding of how traditional buildings were constructed, how they work, and how they decay, you’ll leave with the skills and confidence you need to spot and tackle common problems that put your old building at risk.

HES/Engine Shed – Researching Scotland’s Buildings
Date & Time: Thursday 8 May 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
A key need when approaching a repair or conservation project is to understand the cultural significance of the building or site. To be able to do this you must be aware of its history and historical associations. The first talks will introduce you to methods for dating and understanding the development of Scotland’s traditional architecture. The morning will conclude with a talk on the ways Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is revolutionising architectural research in Scotland. A networking lunch will provide the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. You will then be invited to view a display of rare archive material including cast iron foundry catalogues, builders’ treatises, construction textbooks, architectural guides and other unusual items from the HES Archive, the Engine Shed library and the speakers’ personal collections.

Archaeology Scotland – 2025 Summer School
Dates & Times: Tuesday 20-Friday 23 May 2025
Location: Easter Ross & the Black Isle (based in Strathpeffer)
This year’s Archaeology Scotland Summer School will be based in the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer from where members and friends will explore the archaeology of the Black Isle and the glens of Easter Ross. The aim of the first day will be to look at sites and places that reveal what was happening in the Black Isle from about AD 900 to AD 1300. The second day goes back in time first to the advanced architecture of the Neolithic peoples and then forwards into the Iron Age, with hints of what is to come. See here for booking info and more information.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times:  Wednesday 28 / Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10 / Thursday 11 September
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost is £495 for the two days.

VACANCIES

Heritage Network – Business Development Manager
Salary: £35,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Network is seeking a Business Development Manager.
This is an important role within Essential Networks, a major development and resilience project for Heritage Network, their members and UK heritage. The Network’s trustees and staff have agreed an ambitious business plan which builds on its existing strengths. The Business Development Manager will develop the Network’s earned income to a level where it is making a substantial net contribution. For further information/applications please see the recruitment pack.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 31 March 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – General Manager
Salary: £45,000 – £55,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a General Manager. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking General Manager to lead the Centre into this new era. The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, develop and enhance visitor experiences, and drive the Centre’s strategic vision, ensuring its success as a premier destination and vital community asset. This role requires a dynamic and passionate leader with the skills, experience, and vision to support the local tourism industry, inspire a high-performing team, and ensure that the Calanais Visitor Centre is a place of excellence, connection, and discovery. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
Closing date: 20 April 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – Heritage Manager
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a Heritage Manager. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. As they embark on a transformative redevelopment, they are looking for a forward-thinking Heritage Manager to join them in shaping the future of this remarkable site. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a pivotal moment in the story of the Stones, to lead and deliver transformational heritage and engagement programmes that will leave a lasting impact on both the site and the community. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
Closing date: 13 April 2025

Calanais Visitor Centre – Digital Engagement Officer
Salary: £25,000 – £35,000 p.a.
Status: Full time
Location: Calanais Visitor Centre, Calanais, Isle of Lewis HS2 9DY
Calanais Visitor Centre is seeking a Digital Engagement Officer. The Calanais Visitor Centre is committed to preserving, researching, and sharing the rich archaeological heritage of the Calanais Standing Stones. The centre is undergoing an ambitious £10.1 million redevelopment and will reopen in early 2026 as a world-class, 5-star visitor attraction and a thriving community hub. Their vision is to create an outstanding visitor experience while maintaining a deep connection between the site, the community, and the wider world. As they embark on a transformative redevelopment, they are looking for an inspiring Digital Engagement Officer to join them in shaping the future of this remarkable site. They are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, operates within a culture of respect, and creates a welcoming environment for all employees. More information and applications.
 Closing date: 13 April 2025

Glasgow City Heritage Trust – Built Heritage Officer
Salary: £33,000 – £34,000
Status: Full-time, permanent
Location: GCHT offices, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ / Hybrid
Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) gives out almost £1 million in funding each year to help people in Glasgow protect, repair, and promote the city’s historic buildings and places, and tell the city’s story. Their work helps create successful neighbourhoods and vibrant high streets, which are vital for sustainable and thriving communities. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Built Heritage Officer to join their team. This role is central to the delivery of the Trust’s Historic Built Environment Grant Programme, supporting best practice in traditional building repair and conservation. The role combines training and education for those responsible for maintaining Glasgow’s historic buildings with the assessment and management of grant-funded building repair projects. The successful candidate will work closely with the Grants Manager to provide technical advice and support, monitor grant-funded repair projects, and deliver training and outreach activities. As part of their career development, the Trust will support the successful candidate with training towards securing Conservation Accreditation. The successful candidate will embody GCHT’s core values: passionate, collaborative, innovative, and forward-looking. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Niall Murphy, Director, at niall@glasgowheritage.org.uk. GCHT welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is an equal opportunities employer. Please download the Built Heritage Officer Job Description and Application Form. Completed application forms should be returned by email to info@glasgowheritage.org.uk
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 14 April 2025

BEFS NEWS

Readers may have spotted that last week BEFS launched the first edition in a brand-new Blog series. Over the coming months we’ll be inviting a range of guest authors to explore a complex and changing policy landscape; how do we work together collectively across heritage and the built environment to address the issues of the day? how can strategic advocacy be amplified through joined-up thinking and cross-sector collaboration, towards legislation that delivers for our people and places? Read the blog by BEFS Director, setting the scene and joining the dots between interconnected policy areas.

A new Heritage Skills At Risk Register: Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and the Institute of Conservation (Icon) are working with partners, through the heritage sector’s Skills Investment Plan, to develop a new risk register. The project will highlight the traditional building and heritage skills most at risk, such as thatching, traditional glass making, architectural blacksmithing, and stonemasonry. The project, which was announced during last week’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week, also aims to start a national conversation about wider skills shortages and emphasises the lack of training facilities for heritage skills.

New guidance to assist with engagement activities around community involvement in preparation of Local Development Plans has been published. How and when people can get involved in planning is set out in legislation; this guidance supports effective community engagement towards incorporating the views and experiences of local people in the plan making process.

At the end of last month broadcaster and journalist Stephen Jardine was appointed as President of The Cockburn Association. Taking over the reins from Sir Sandy Crombie, Stephen is a familiar figure in Scottish broadcasting, with the appointment marking a renewed commitment to public engagement in the association’s 150^th anniversary year.

BEFS Team have been out and about recently!
BEFS Director attended the Heritage Day Conference 2025 in London last week, organised and hosted by The Heritage Alliance. The sessions explored how ‘Heritage Creates’ – such as skills, solutions, homes and communities. Trailed at the event by Chair Carole Souter CBE, a newly published report ‘Heritage Creates: Heritage and the Creative Industries 2025’ explores the vital relationship between heritage and the creative industries through five key themes:

• Heritage as a Host: How heritage venues support creative activities
• Heritage as a Muse: How our history inspires creative outputs
• Heritage as a Creative Practice: The importance of heritage crafts and traditions
• Innovative Partnerships: Creative solutions to modern challenges
• Inclusive Partnerships: Broadening access and unveiling hidden stories

Last week, BEFS Head of Policy and Strategy attended the Scottish launch event for the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standards (UKNZCBS) in Edinburgh. An industry-led, voluntary scheme promoted by partners including RIAS, RICS and ICE, UKNZCBS sets a wide range of embodied and operational carbon limits for retrofit and new-build projects. A pilot phase tracking 200 projects across the UK is underway. Learn more here.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding RAAC, Just Transition, Energy Performance Certificates, Land Reform and Additional Dwellings.

CONSULTATIONS

Rural Delivery Plan: vision, strategic objectives and key performance indicators
Scottish Government
The Rural Delivery Plan will introduce, for the first time, a vision for rural Scotland, underpinned by a series of strategic objectives and key performance indicators which articulate where the government want to get to, how to plan to get there, and assess the impact of their ongoing efforts. The Scottish Government wants to work together with rural communities, businesses and stakeholders so that the vision, strategic objectives and indicators are informed by the views of those living and working in rural Scotland, to the greatest extent possible. The draft vision and strategic objectives have been built from previous work, such as the National Council of Rural Advisors (NCRA) recommendations and the outcomes from the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament in 2021 and 2023. This survey gives everyone who has interest in rural Scotland a chance to share their views and to help shape the Rural Delivery Plan.
Closes 17 March 2025

Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords]: call for evidence
UK Parliament
If you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Bill [Lords], which is currently passing through Parliament, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill. The bill would abolish the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (‘the Institute’), transfer functions from the Institute to the Secretary of State, and transfer property, rights, and liabilities from the Institute to the Secretary of State. The bill would also make additional changes to the current skills system concerning additional powers for the Secretary of State, remove certain requirements, and give Ofqual the discretion to exercise its accreditation power for technical education qualifications.
*NEW* Closes 20 March

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme – User survey
UK Government
This questionnaire is aimed at people responsible for looking after any place of worship that occupies a listed building. It is being conducted by Harlow Consulting on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, as part of an evaluation of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. This grant scheme is funded by DCMS and enables listed places of worship to reclaim VAT paid on certain kinds of repair, maintenance and alteration works.
The questionnaire will ask you some basic information about your place of worship, its finances and its condition, then about whether your place of worship has benefited from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
*NEW* Closes 25 March

Industrial transition in Scotland
UK Parliament
The Scottish Affairs Committee is examining the socio-economic impact of industrial transition on communities. This inquiry examines the future of Scotland’s industrial landscape and the extent to which the UK Government’s forthcoming industrial strategy ‘Invest 2035’ is geared towards the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland today. The committee will also explore the future of Scotland’s industrial landscape and industrial change across a range of industries in Scotland, including growth-sectors like clean energy, carbon capture, space, data technology and gaming. The committee welcomes written evidence submissions on some or all of the questions which include: How can the UK Government achieve its objective of an industrial strategy with a ‘place-based approach’? How will the UK Government’s approach cohere with the Scottish Government’s economic plans, including its Green Industrial Strategy and National Strategy for Economic Transformation?
Closes 27 March 2025

Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register Lodgement Fees and Penalty Charges
Scottish Government
This technical consultation builds upon previous Scottish Government consultations on EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Reform in 2021 and 2023. The Scottish Government has issued its response to the 2023 consultation in January 2025, which sets out the final decisions on EPC Reform prior to laying new EPC Regulations in Parliament later during 2025. The Government plan to bring the new Regulations into force in the second half of 2026, to align with the introduction of the UK Home Energy Model Calculation Methodology. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Closes 28 March 2025

Cities in Placemaking 2025-2026
Placemaking Europe
This programme is a peer-to-peer learning experience for cities, designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Placemaking, its application in the context of urban governance, and its implications for long-term systemic change. The goal is to create a collaborative effort that benefits from a wide range of perspectives, through interactive, participatory, and experiential learning, with a practical focus on the importance of Placemaking as a city-level strategy.
Closes 31 March 2025

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh.
Closes May 2025

Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025

Building Standards Certification Customer Survey
Scottish Government
2025 marks 20 years of certification in Scotland. As part of the Futures Board Programme Building Standards Division are carrying out a survey of customers using certification to understand how the system is working. They are also looking for suggestions on how the system can be improved to help support a strengthened building standards system.

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

The Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) two years on – response to a call for views from the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, highlighting BEFS Members’ practical experiences with NPF4 (BEFS 07/03/25)

Review of Building Standards Relating to Fire Safety – response to a Scottish Government consultation concerning regulations in historic buildings that have been converted into hotels (BEFS 07/03/2025)

NEWS RELEASES

Introduction to the My Place Awards (Scottish Civic Trust February 2025)

SOWEC appoints new industry co-chair (Scottish Renewables 20/02/2025)

Passivhaus Trust launches new learning hub (Project Scotland 25/02/2025)

Inaugural meeting of SURF’s Expert Advisory Group (SURF 26/02/2025)

Risk Register in development to tackle heritage skills crisis (HES 05/03/2025)

Join the Inclusive European Heritage Residency 2025 (Europa Nostra 11/03/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

UK Arts, culture and young people (The British Council November 2024)

Housing the Economy (National Institute of Economic and Social Research February 2025)

Town Centre Health Checks 2024 (Aberdeenshire Council 04/02/2025)

Scottish Land Commission Urges Strong Role for Public Land Acquisition to Tackle Rural Housing Crisis (Scottish Land Commission 11/02/2025)

The Seventh Carbon Budget Report: Advice for the UK Government (Climate Change Committee 26/02/2025)

Decolonizing the Housing Studies Curriculum (University of Glasgow March 2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings (Scot Gov January 2025)

Cladding Remediation Programme: progress bulletins (Scot Gov 31/01/2025)

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 20/02/2025)

Climate change participation programme 2023-2024: review (Scot Gov 24/02/2025)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Minutes (Scot Parl 25/02/2025)

Correspondence between the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and Rosemary Agnew regarding scrutiny of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s Annual Report (Scot Parl 25/02/2025)

Budget Bill passed (Scot Gov 25/02/2025)

Professor Sir Ian Chapman appointed next CEO of UK Research and Innovation with renewed focus on economic growth (UK Gov 25/02/2025)

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group minutes: October 2024 (Scot Gov 25/02/2025)

Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability?(UK Gov 26/02/2025)

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report: Government response (UK Gov 26/02/2025)

GDP Monthly Estimate: December 2024 (Scot Gov 26/02/2025)

GDP First Quarterly Estimate 2024 Q4 (October to December) (Scot Gov 26/02/2025)

Investing in nature: a plan to support investment in biodiversity and climate adaptation in Scotland (Scot Gov 26/02/2025)

Cultural Heritage: Training Questions (UK Gov 26/02/2025)

The cultural heritage of market towns research briefing (UK Parl 26/02/2025)

Future Planners Programme 2025: candidate guide (Scot Gov 27/02/2025)

Daily list of amendments for the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 27/02/2025)

Households: Insulation – Written question (UK Parl 27/02/2025)

Future Planners Programme 2025: candidate guide (Scot Gov 27/02/2025)

List of ministers’ interests (Scot Gov 27/02/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 7th meeting – Council Tax Inquiry public paper and minutes (Scot Gov 27/02/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 7th meeting – Scrutiny of the Scottish Housing Regulator official report and minutes (Scot Gov 27/02/2025)

The Funding of Local Government in Scotland, 2025-2026 (Scot Gov 28/02/2025)

Development of Scope: Compliance Plan Manager (CPM) Role on High Risk Buildings in Scotland (Scot Gov 28/02/2025)

The Funding of Local Government in Scotland, 2025-2026 (Scot Gov 28/02/2025)

Local government finance circular 1/2025: settlement for 2025 to 2026 (Scot Gov 28/02/2025)

Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: February 2025 (Scot Gov 03/03/2025)

Daily list of amendments, Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 03/03/2025)

Correspondence between Stephen Boyle and the Convener for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Scottish Government Climate Change Plan (03/03/2025)

Correspondence between Mark Roberts and the Convener for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Scottish Government Climate Change Plan (03/03/2025)

Correspondence between John Ireland and the Convener for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Scottish Government Climate Change Plan (03/03/2025)

Correspondence between Emma Pinchbeck and the Convener for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Scottish Government Climate Change Plan (03/03/2025)

Correspondence between Edward Mountain and the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy regarding Heat in Buildings Capital Allocations (03/03/2025)

Correspondence between Edward Mountain and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (03/03/2025)

Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 04/03/2025)

Scotland’s Renewable Future Debate (Scot Parl 04/03/2025)

Westminster Hall Debate – the cultural heritage of market towns (UK Parl 04/03/2025)

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: 4 March 2025 – Capacity of the Construction Sector – Oral evidence (UK Parl 04/03/2025)

Correspondence between Clare Adamson and the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture regarding the culture sector review (Scot Gov 04/03/2025)

Correspondence between Glasgow City Council and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding its response to the housing emergency (Scot Gov 04/03/2025)

Building and fire safety – ministerial working group: Grenfell inquiry phase 2 minutes: February 2025 (Scot Gov 05/03/2025)

Delivering on affordable homes (Scot Gov 06/03/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Glasgow targets owners of empty homes with new campaign (Scottish Housing News 03/02/2025)

Public asked to vote for new quotes on the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall (19/02/2025)

Third of emissions cuts must come from consumers, says UK climate watchdog (The Financial Times 25/02/2025)

Tren?ín: Placemaking as a compass for city-wide cultural activation (Placemaking Europe 27/02/2025)

The architecture fan who compiled the ultimate list of 200 of Edinburgh’s best buildings (The Scotsman 01/03/2025)

Ramp ‘to nowhere’ in Edinburgh square criticised by heritage body (The Sunday Times 02/03/2025)

Land Matters Blog: Where now for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill? (Andy Wightman 03/03/2025)

Council Tax reform: More bands possible says Shona Robison (The Herald 04/03/2025)

Scotland should spend more on building houses, says Nicola Sturgeon (STV News 04/03/2025)

‘I’ve been compared to Donald Trump’: how neighbour turned on neighbour over Scotland’s new national park (The Guardian 11/03/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-16489
Submitted by: Ivan McKee, Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 25/02/2025
That the Parliament agrees that the Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2025 [draft] be approved.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 27 February 2025, 84 for, 1 against, 24 abstained, 20 did not vote. Vote passed.

S6M-16595
Submitted by: Kate Forbes, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged:  25/02/2025
That the Parliament agrees that increasing the level of investment in the Scottish economy is critical to delivering on the Scottish Government’s priorities of improving public services, supporting a thriving economy, tackling the climate emergency, and eradicating child poverty; recognises that the Scottish Government’s programme of public investment, particularly in the priority areas of net zero, housing and infrastructure, is vital for leveraging private investment across the Scottish economy, to stimulate growth in key sectors, improve productivity and create jobs; welcomes the annual EY survey, which shows that Scotland is outpacing the UK as a whole when it comes to securing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, and three Scottish cities ranked in the UK’s top 10 locations for FDI outside of London, and believes that Scotland’s strengths and expertise in areas such as technology, financial services, food and drink, tourism and the energy transition make Scotland the ideal place to invest and deliver projects that bring wider benefits to the Scottish economy.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 27 February 2025, 86 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 15 did not vote. Vote passed.

EVENTS

 

HES/Engine Shed – Conserving Timberwork and Timber Windows
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
These morning talks will examine the wealth of timberwork in Scotland’s traditional buildings, from major structural features like joists and rafters, to delicate finishing details like skirting boards, mouldings, and panelling. The morning session will also look at how these features should be repaired, maintained, and conserved and focus part of the discussions on ways to repair traditional simple sash and case windows. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be guided tours of Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude and the nearby Great Hall of Stirling Castle to inspect their remarkable timber roof structures – one being ancient and the other of recent construction. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – An Introduction to NPF4 for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
A Local Place Plan is different from a Community Action Plan is several ways.  But one of the trickiest to understand is the requirement to offer reasons for (justify) your proposals in terms of the existing policy documents that control development in your area. NPF4 already shapes development in your area and will continue to do so for the lifetime of your Local Place Plan. This introduction will give you confidence in finding you way around this document and using its policies to show the importance, significant and compliance of the proposals you are submitting in your Local Place Plan with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

SPAB – Lime Seamless Floor: an experimental approach
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 March 2025; 1-2pm
Location: Online
The third in a series of four lunchtime online CPD lectures addressing the theme ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’. During this talk, Laura Morgante will discuss how an experimental approach was taken at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, supported by the NLHF, to create a lime seamless floor in the Stable Block. Drawing on an 18th-century Venetian tradition, itself first practiced in Ancient Rome, this beaten lime technique is known as ‘cocciopesto’.  It is made with crushed bricks, lime, sand and other stone aggregates to produce a floor that is beautiful, breathable and manages water effectively. This flooring is still produced in Venice today but is a relatively novel approach here in the UK and Laura’s lecture will explore how this could be a starting point for future developments in the field of sustainable seamless flooring.

Edinburgh Napier University/Pattiesmuir Ltd – Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero
Dates & Times: Wednesday 19 and 26 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Online
Following a successful pilot in 2024, Abi Truebig and Dr Keith Baker, directors of Pattiesmuir Ltd, will be delivering a second run of their Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero upskilling course for Edinburgh Napier University. The course is focussed on understanding the professional development needs of built environment and energy professionals and is designed specifically for adult learners. This year the course is being tailored towards housing, the built environment, and construction, and will include a guest session led by Magdalena Blazusiak, a chartered architectural technologist and a director of the Scottish Ecological Design Association. The course is being run online as four two-hour weekly evening sessions in March covering climate change, carbon accounting, and carbon management.

RIAS – Practice Essentials: A Round-up of Key Areas of Practice in 2025
Date & Time: Tuesday 25 March 20255; 10am-4:30pm
Location: CMS Edinburgh, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EN
The RIAS Practice Essentials Event is returning for the first time in six years.  Hear from a line-up of speakers covering topics on Fire and Life Safety, Environmental Sustainability and more. Lunch and refreshments with opportunities for networking and book sales included.

SPAB – Light Touch to Old Buildings: New Ideas at the Old House Project
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 March 2025; 1-2pm
Location: Online
The last in a series of four lunchtime online CPD lectures addressing the theme ‘New Ideas for Old Buildings’. As the Old House Project enters its final phase, join architect Mal Fryer and project manager Jonny Garlick to hear how environmental and other challenges have been tackled with sensitive new design.  Learn how the sustainable rammed earth wall oak walkway links the new garage with the oldest doorway in the building, while acting as an acoustic shield for the site. Hidden for many years behind an open fireplace, the discovery of this ornately-carved doorway presented a new set of challenges for the project, which will also be discussed in this talk.

C&BS – Board Matters | Introduction to being a Board Member
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 March 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR
Do you have new trustees on your Board or have you taken on a trustee role yourself? C&BS Head of Board Development, Catriona Reynolds, takes new trustees and Board members through their paces in an information-packed, in-person course. During the day, you’ll explore: duties of charitable trustees/board members; different roles and responsibilities of board members and staff; meeting management and decision-making; advocacy and fundraising responsibilities; the trustee’s role in strategic planning; understanding the finances. A reading list, with all material available online, is provided in advance of the course to give you background information on different topics. Copies of any exercises will also be sent out in advance so that you can read them and, where appropriate, print them out before taking part.

RTPI – GIS training session
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 March 2025; 10am-5pm
Location: Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3  9EF
Join the Improvement Service, with support from RTPI and A&DS, for a free in-person GIS training session tailored for planners and planning technicians looking to enhance their skills in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. This hands-on training will cover GIS basics, data wrangling, map creation, and crafting StoryMaps, offering practical exercises led by expert coordinators. Suitable for those with basic GIS knowledge, the session provides a planning-focused introduction to GIS tools. Bookings will open shortly on the RTPI website. Note: Places will be limited – however, a second session is planned for Autumn 2025. For more details or to confirm suitability, contact aline.kirkland@improvementservice.org.uk.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times:  Tuesday 25/Wednesday 26 March (booking closes 12 February); Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 September; Wednesday 3/Thursday 4 December 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.

GCHT – Structural Repairs to a Historic Townhouse
Date & Time: Thursday 27 March 2025; 1-2pm
Location: In-person at 54 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ and online via Zoom
Join GCHT for a CPD session exploring the complex structural repair of 8 Belhaven Terrace, a B-listed townhouse designed by James Thomson in the 1860s. The project architect, Bill Coltart of Coltart Earley Architecture, will discuss the severe structural failure which caused the rear elevation to bulge outward, ultimately requiring the wall to be completely rebuilt from the second floor up. Attendees will learn about the challenges of stabilising historic masonry, addressing water ingress and rot, and managing projects to allow residents to remain in-situ.

HES/Engine Shed – Vernacular Building Materials in Scotland
Date & Time:  Thursday 27 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Vernacular building materials are items found and used locally by amateur builders. They can also be simple manufactured materials used for common or utilitarian buildings. In these morning talks, you will hear how and where these materials were used in Scotland over time. There will also be an exploration of the ways surviving examples are studied and catalogued. The day will also share initiatives taking place to enhance our understanding of the sustainable characteristics of these materials and their contribution to Scotland’s historic built environment. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be a tour of the unique collection of restored Nissen huts at the Cultybraggan PoW camp at Comrie, followed by a visit to the recent construction of a traditional turf hut at Comrie Croft.

SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches
Dates & Times: Tuesday 1 April 2025; 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Parsonage Road, Galashiels, TD1 3HS
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. In this introductory one-day course, find out how historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it.

AHF/GBPT/Heritage Network – Sustainable Glasgow
Date & Time: Tuesday 29 April 2025; 9am-4pm
Location: Merchants House, 7 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1BA
Heritage Network, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) are joining forces to deliver an event to explore how regeneration projects in the city are striving towards net zero and ideas for how you can do the same. This event will spotlight the work of Glasgow BPT and feature key speakers from across the city, exploring how local heritage can play a crucial role in this mission.  Everyone welcome!

VACANCIES

Dundee Historic Environment Trust – Information Co-ordinator
Salary: £22,010 – £23,622 (for 4-days) depending on experience
Status: Part-time, 4-day post, fixed term basis (12 months) with potential for extension, dependent on funding
Location: Dundee; office-based and occasionally attendance at off-site evening meetings and weekend events.
DHET requires an ambitious, experienced and talented Information Co-ordinator. This is a new role to promote the work of DHET through an active programme of communication initiatives, provide the office with administrative support and to work alongside other DHET team members to meet the objectives of Dundee Historic Environment Trust. The position will involve:

• Delivering the Communications Strategy for DHET and supporting its future development, in accordance with DHET’s objectives and strategic plan.
• Maintaining the effective running of the DHET office and providing the first line of contact to all callers.
• Providing administrative support to the Director and Community Engagement Adviser, including using IT skills, and maintaining hard and online filing systems.
• Supporting, along with the Director, the financial reporting requirements of DHET, including day to day expenditure and quarterly / annual reports.
• Collating and inputting data for monitoring and reporting on DHET grant funding on time and in the appropriate format, liaising with the Director and Community Engagement Adviser.
• Arranging and supporting meetings (various in-person and digital formats). Supporting the preparation and issuing of relevant papers for and from meetings. Providing support to assist the Chair and Trustees, as required.
• Maintaining with support, the IT and office equipment, including display and exhibition equipment and arranging supplies and repairs subject to budget. Maintaining the Trust’s website.
• Promoting DHET through a variety of mediums, (a) especially by leading on website and social media engagement; (b) at public facing events; (c) by the preparation of exhibition material; (d) by the preparation and/or distribution of information about the Trust, the historic environment, maintenance and conservation guidance and DHET grant schemes.
• Arranging for an ongoing programme of DHET events, liaising with the Director and Community Engagement Adviser, to include the organisation of public lectures, presentations, exhibitions, walks and other appropriate events.

DHET is an independent charity and is one of Scotland’s seven city heritage trusts, initiated in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Dundee City Council (DCC). Its objectives are to promote and encourage the conservation, protection and improvement of the historic, architectural and physical environments of Dundee for the benefit of the general public and to further the study and educate the public. DHET’s vision is to support the improvement of the city’s historic environment, promoting understanding and enjoyment of it by the whole community. Their work is a catalyst for achieving environmental, cultural, economic and social change for the better. For further information please contact the Director.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 24 March 2025

Dundee Historic Environment Trust – Community Engagement Adviser
Salary: £32,084 – £37,023 depending on experience
Status: Full-time, fixed term basis (12 months) with potential for extension, dependent on funding
Location: Dundee; office-based and expected to visit buildings and sites within the Dundee area and occasionally attend meetings out with Dundee including evenings and weekends.
DHET requires an ambitious, experienced and talented Community Engagement Adviser to promote the work of DHET and its programme. This is a new role and will involve developing and engaging in a range of community-based activities, interacting with people in the community and working alongside other DHET team members to meet the aims and objectives of Dundee Historic Environment Trust. The position will involve:

• Developing and leading on a community engagement strategy for areas and communities within Dundee for DHET and in partnership with other bodies as appropriate, in accordance with DHET’s objectives and strategic plan.
• Actively soliciting grant applications to DHET from priority areas and projects, including by door-to-door engagement, presentations to community forums (such as community councils) and by working with local community organisations.
• Supporting grant applicants through the application process, from the initial enquiry through to project completion.
• Meeting with and advising the general public, applicants and their agents on all aspects of the work of the Trust.
• Working alongside and liaising with other organisations that have an interest or involvement in historic environment interests for the benefit of DHET, to include Historic Environment Scotland, Dundee City Council and other national and local amenity organisations. Working with other City Heritage Trusts both in partnership and by leading on co-working wherever possible.
• Meeting and progressing the programme with the Director and Trustees, funders, statutory bodies, the general public, partner organisations and other stakeholders; to include seeking agreement on programmes, prioritisation, approvals, resources, partnership involvement and funding arrangements.
• Supporting the promotion of all aspects of DHET’s work whilst engaging with the general public, stakeholders, partners and the wider community.
• Deputising for the Director as required.

DHET is an independent charity and is one of Scotland’s seven city heritage trusts, initiated in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Dundee City Council (DCC). Its objectives are to promote and encourage the conservation, protection and improvement of the historic, architectural and physical environments of Dundee for the benefit of the general public and to further the study and educate the public. DHET’s vision is to support the improvement of the city’s historic environment, promoting understanding and enjoyment of it by the whole community. Their work is a catalyst for achieving environmental, cultural, economic and social change for the better. For further information please contact the Director.
Closing date: 5pm on Monday 24 March 2025

BEFS NEWS

Yesterday Parliament approved the 2025-26 Scottish Budget. The SNP’s spending plans were supported by the Liberal Democrats, Scottish Greens, and Alba, with Labour abstaining. The budget includes more than £15 billion for local councils with a focus on affordable housing and the Heat in Buildings programme, as well as a commitment to increased support for the arts and culture.

The National Planning Improvement Team, working closely with 10 planning authorities from across Scotland, has completed the first cohort of the pilot of the National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF), with each authority’s Improvement Action Plan and Performance Assessment Report sent to the authority’s Chief Executive and to Ministers. You can read the Improvement Action Plans and Performance Assessment Reports on the Improvement Service website.

In case you missed it – Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has launched a new resource, providing access to its collections, archives, images and information. Trove.scot unlocks millions of records online, spanning 5,000 years of history. Browse images of designated buildings, archive photography, objects held at HES Properties in Care – or explore the past of your local area!

Studies in Photography has issued a call for papers for their upcoming conference: Shifting Perspectives: Scotland’s Urban Architecture Through the Lens. The event will take place on 20 May 2025 in The Engine Shed, Stirling and is supported by Historic Environment Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Scottish Council on Archives. Academics, students, architects, photographers, and cultural historians will gather to discuss how photography influences not only the perception of Scotland’s built environment but also the way our modern towns and cities are planned and designed. More information can be found here.

News from the BEFS desk – BEFS Team are delighted to formally welcome Derek Rankine, BEFS new Head of Policy and Strategy, into post – to say hello or to find out more about our strategic advocacy plans across the built environment policy landscape feel free to get in touch!

A reminder that BEFS is welcoming applications for BEFS Board of Trustees, with the deadline of Monday 10 March fast approaching! This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to BEFS development – applicants are not required to have previous board level experience but should have a passion for the historic and existing built environment. If you have any questions about the role BEFS Director will be very happy to have a chat! Contact hjohnson@befs.org.uk.

And finally, a flurry of online activity – BEFS Members RTPI Scotland and The Cockburn Association have recently set up a new presence on LinkedIn. For more information on BEFS Membership visit our website.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding cladding remediation, the Land Reform Bill and energy efficiency.

CONSULTATIONS

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group. Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
Closes 7 March 2025

Scottish Government’s Fourth National Planning Framework
Scottish Parliament
Following the Committee’s first annual review of NPF4, concerns were raised about local authority capacity to deliver the priorities set out in the spatial strategy and key policy goals. Since then, the Scottish Government has published a summary of responses to the consultation: Investing in Planning – A consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system. Ahead of their second annual progress review, the Committee is seeking views on the implementation of NPF4 and the progress made on this in the last year.
Closes 7 March 2025

Rural Delivery Plan: vision, strategic objectives and key performance indicators
Scottish Government
The Rural Delivery Plan will introduce, for the first time, a vision for rural Scotland, underpinned by a series of strategic objectives and key performance indicators which articulate where the government want to get to, how to plan to get there, and assess the impact of their ongoing efforts. The Scottish Government wants to work together with rural communities, businesses and stakeholders so that the vision, strategic objectives and indicators are informed by the views of those living and working in rural Scotland, to the greatest extent possible. The draft vision and strategic objectives have been built from previous work, such as the National Council of Rural Advisors (NCRA) recommendations and the outcomes from the Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament in 2021 and 2023. This survey gives everyone who has interest in rural Scotland a chance to share their views and to help shape the Rural Delivery Plan.
*NEW* Closes 17 March 2025

Industrial transition in Scotland
UK Parliament
The Scottish Affairs Committee is examining the socio-economic impact of industrial transition on communities. This inquiry examines the future of Scotland’s industrial landscape and the extent to which the UK Government’s forthcoming industrial strategy ‘Invest 2035’ is geared towards the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland today. The committee will also explore the future of Scotland’s industrial landscape and industrial change across a range of industries in Scotland, including growth-sectors like clean energy, carbon capture, space, data technology and gaming. The committee welcomes written evidence submissions on some or all of the questions which include: How can the UK Government achieve its objective of an industrial strategy with a ‘place-based approach’? How will the UK Government’s approach cohere with the Scottish Government’s economic plans, including its Green Industrial Strategy and National Strategy for Economic Transformation?
 *NEW* Closes 27 March 2025

Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register Lodgement Fees and Penalty Charges
Scottish Government
This technical consultation builds upon previous Scottish Government consultations on EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Reform in 2021 and 2023. The Scottish Government has issued its response to the 2023 consultation in January 2025, which sets out the final decisions on EPC Reform prior to laying new EPC Regulations in Parliament later during 2025. The Government plan to bring the new Regulations into force in the second half of 2026, to align with the introduction of the UK Home Energy Model Calculation Methodology. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
*NEW* Closes 28 March 2025

Cities in Placemaking 2025-2026
Placemaking Europe
This programme is a peer-to-peer learning experience for cities, designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Placemaking, its application in the context of urban governance, and its implications for long-term systemic change. The goal is to create a collaborative effort that benefits from a wide range of perspectives, through interactive, participatory, and experiential learning, with a practical focus on the importance of Placemaking as a city-level strategy.
Closes 31 March 2025

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh.
Closes May 2025

Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting the climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. These duties are known as the climate change duties, or the public bodies climate change duties. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
*NEW* Closes 23 May 2025

NEWS RELEASES

Unlock Scotland’s past with trove.scot (HES 13/02/2025)

Statement following confirmation of withdrawal of UK Levelling Up fund money (Perth & Kinross Council 18/02/2025)

Grants awarded to support projects by Heritage Development Trusts (AHF 20/02/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

SPAB Strategy 2025-2030 Summary (SPAB 20/01/2025)

Addressing the UK’s heritage skills crisis: why we must act now (The University of Manchester 23/01/2025)

IHBC Context 182: examines ‘heating and ventilation’ because ‘Is anything more important to historic building conservation’. (February 2025)

Institute for Public Policy Research: Strategic Planning for Green Prosperity (IPPR February 2025)

Land supply for housing in rural Scotland (CaCHE 11/02/2025)

Skills Mismatches in the UK’s Creative Industries Report (Creative Industries Evidence & Policy Centre 12/02/2025)

Scottish Budget: the overall fiscal and spending outlook (IFS 20/02/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Public participation in policymaking: exploring and understanding impact (Scot Gov 10/02/2025)

Building and fire safety – ministerial working group: Grenfell inquiry phase 2 minutes: January 2025 (Scot Gov 11/02/2025)

Correspondence between Ian Murray and the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding funding governance for the City Region and Growth Deal Programme in Scotland (UK Gov 11/02/2025)

Energy Performance Certificate reform – lodgement fees and penalty charges (Scot Gov 12/02/2025)

Energy Performance Certificate reform – lodgement fees and penalty charges: partial BRIA (Scot Gov 12/02/2025)

Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group: annual report 2024 (Scot Gov 13/02/2025)

Policy paper: Building new towns for the future (UK Gov 13/02/2025)

Government unveils plans for next generation of new towns (UK Gov 13/02/2025)

Climate adaption reporting fourth round: heritage (UK Gov 14/02/2025)

How is Scotland Performing? National Indicators in the National Performance Framework (SPICe 17/02/2025)

Understanding the Increase in Scotland’s Arts and Culture Budgets (SPICe 17/02/2025)

Correspondence between the John Muir Trust, Scottish Crofting Federation, the Foresight Group and Foresight Natural Capital division, Moray Estates, Scottish Environment LINK and Wildland and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 17/02/2025)

UK Government to Invest £2.6 Million in V&A Dundee (UK Gov 17/02/2025)

Construction: Skilled Workers written question (House of Lords 18/02/2025)

Making improvements in Rent Pressure Zones: guidance for landlords (Scot Gov 18/02/2025)

Scottish Local Government Finance Statistics 2023-24 (Scot Gov 18/02/2025)

Daily list of amendments, Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 18/02/2025)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Minutes (Scot Parl 18/02/2025)

Community Wealth Building Progress and Future Ambition Debate (Scot Parl 18/02/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 18/02/2025)

Campaign launched to highlight tenants’ rights (Scot Gov 19/02/2025)

Correspondence between the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and Mairi Gougeon on issues related to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill  (Scot Parl 19/02/2025)

Climate action: First Minister’s speech: Ensuring a just transition to net zero (Scot Gov 19/02/2025)

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 19/02/2025)

Scotland’s Heat Network Fund: application guidance (Scot Gov 19/02/2025)

Economy and Fair Work Committee Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 19/02/2025)

Restoring Scotland’s natural environment (Scot Gov 20/02/2025)

Major investment to boost growth and cement Britain’s place as cultural powerhouse (UK Gov 20/02/2025)

Daily list of amendments, Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/02/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Navigating AI – Why Heritage Can’t Do This Alone (HES 10/02/2025)

Architecture, Empowerment, and Conservation (SPAB 12/02/2025)

A gathering of change in Scotland’s parliament (CaCHE 17/02/2025)

Biggest council tax rises in 20 years confirmed (BBC News 19/02/2025)

More than 40% of Scots want more action on empty homes (Scottish Housing News 24/02/2025)

EVENTS

 

ICHT – CPD: Leadwork Detailing & Practice
Date & Time: Wednesday 5 March 2025; 9am-4:30pm
Location: Inverness
This is an in-person, full day, technical CPD event aimed at contractors and professions involved in the specifying, detailing and installation of leadwork on traditional stone buildings of all sizes. The event will be delivered by the technical team from the Lead Sheet Training Academy and is provided with the support of Inverness City Heritage Trust and Highlands & Islands Traditional Building Forum. Cost: £50 per person. For further details and to book this event please email: c.maclean@maac-studio.com. Note: places for this event are limited.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Designing an Engagement Strategy for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 5 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
At the heart of a Local Place Plan is hosting community conversations to enable good listening to diverse opinions before finding collaborative solutions. This session will look at some low-cost, simple to use tools for digital and face-to-face sessions that will help get the data you need in a format you can use. These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

Edinburgh Napier University/Pattiesmuir Ltd – Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero
Dates & Times: Wednesday 5, 12, 19, 26 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Online
Following a successful pilot in 2024, Abi Truebig and Dr Keith Baker, directors of Pattiesmuir Ltd, will be delivering a second run of their Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero upskilling course for Edinburgh Napier University. The course is focussed on understanding the professional development needs of built environment and energy professionals and is designed specifically for adult learners. This year the course is being tailored towards housing, the built environment, and construction, and will include a guest session led by Magdalena Blazusiak, a chartered architectural technologist and a director of the Scottish Ecological Design Association. The course is being run online as four two-hour weekly evening sessions in March covering climate change, carbon accounting, and carbon management.

Edinburgh World Heritage – World Heritage & Climate Action webinar
Date & Time: Tuesday 11 March 2025; 7-8pm
Location: Online
Want to understand what the climate crisis means for World Heritage Sites? Sign up to World Heritage UK’s webinar on 11 March to hear Jenny Bruce, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Coordinator, and Yann Grandgirard, EWH Head of Climate Change, discuss the impact unusual weather has on our architectural heritage, and what measures we take to combat it.

HES/Engine Shed – Scottish Roofing: Materials and Practices
Date & Time:  Tuesday 11 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Natural slate, lead and iron have been used to cover (and sometimes decorate) traditional Scottish buildings for generations. These morning talks will introduce you to the methods and materials traditionally used in Scotland for roofing and go on to discuss the prospects for reopening Scotland’s first working slate quarry since the 1950s. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of roof repair and conservation issues. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Processing the data you gather for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
So, you’ve gathered stories, ideas and data from 2-300 people in your community?  That’s a lot of information! What to do with it now? How do you make sense of all this insight in a systematic way that can help your council be accountable to the community for the decisions taken as to what to include in the Local Place Plan? This session demonstrates simple approaches to analysing data for a Local Place Plan, covering coding (thematising) your data, using excel to enable you to sort through the options and thinking about how to re-present this data in a way that will be useful for further, deeper conversations and decisions. These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

SLCT – On the behaviour of Lime Mortared Masonry Masterclass
Date & Time: Friday 14 March 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Scottish Lime Centre Trust, Charlestown Workshops, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown
Fife KY11 3EN
Join Conservation Engineer, David Wiggins talk about Lime Mortared Masonry. David is a CARE-accredited conservation engineer, whose work centres around the care and repair of historic buildings. He has a doctorate in technical masonry conservation, and current convener of the Building Limes Forum. This masterclass will marry up his research and professional practice, and is primarily aimed at engineers, but will also be of interest to masons, other crafts and anyone who wonders how historic masonry works.

HES/Engine Shed – Conserving Timberwork and Timber Windows
Date & Time:  Tuesday 18 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
These morning talks will examine the wealth of timberwork in Scotland’s traditional buildings, from major structural features like joists and rafters, to delicate finishing details like skirting boards, mouldings, and panelling. The morning session will also look at how these features should be repaired, maintained, and conserved and focus part of the discussions on ways to repair traditional simple sash and case windows. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be guided tours of Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude and the nearby Great Hall of Stirling Castle to inspect their remarkable timber roof structures – one being ancient and the other of recent construction. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – An Introduction to NPF4 for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
A Local Place Plan is different from a Community Action Plan is several ways.  But one of the trickiest to understand is the requirement to offer reasons for (justify) your proposals in terms of the existing policy documents that control development in your area. NPF4 already shapes development in your area and will continue to do so for the lifetime of your Local Place Plan. This introduction will give you confidence in finding you way around this document and using its policies to show the importance, significant and compliance of the proposals you are submitting in your Local Place Plan with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

C&BS – Board Matters | Introduction to being a Board Member
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 March 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Thorn House, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR
Do you have new trustees on your Board or have you taken on a trustee role yourself? C&BS Head of Board Development, Catriona Reynolds, takes new trustees and Board members through their paces in an information-packed, in-person course. During the day, you’ll explore: duties of charitable trustees/board members; different roles and responsibilities of board members and staff; meeting management and decision-making; advocacy and fundraising responsibilities; the trustee’s role in strategic planning; understanding the finances. A reading list, with all material available online, is provided in advance of the course to give you background information on different topics. Copies of any exercises will also be sent out in advance so that you can read them and, where appropriate, print them out before taking part.

RTPI – GIS training session
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 March 2025; 10am-5pm
Location: Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3  9EF
Join the Improvement Service, with support from RTPI and A&DS, for a free in-person GIS training session tailored for planners and planning technicians looking to enhance their skills in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. This hands-on training will cover GIS basics, data wrangling, map creation, and crafting StoryMaps, offering practical exercises led by expert coordinators. Suitable for those with basic GIS knowledge, the session provides a planning-focused introduction to GIS tools. Bookings will open shortly on the RTPI website. Note: Places will be limited – however, a second session is planned for Autumn 2025. For more details or to confirm suitability, contact aline.kirkland@improvementservice.org.uk.

HES/Engine Shed – Vernacular Building Materials in Scotland
Date & Time:  Thursday 27 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Vernacular building materials are items found and used locally by amateur builders. They can also be simple manufactured materials used for common or utilitarian buildings. In these morning talks, you will hear how and where these materials were used in Scotland over time. There will also be an exploration of the ways surviving examples are studied and catalogued. The day will also share initiatives taking place to enhance our understanding of the sustainable characteristics of these materials and their contribution to Scotland’s historic built environment. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be a tour of the unique collection of restored Nissen huts at the Cultybraggan PoW camp at Comrie, followed by a visit to the recent construction of a traditional turf hut at Comrie Croft.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates and Times:  Tuesday25/Wednesday 26 March (booking closes 12 February); Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 September; Wednesday 3 /Thursday 4 December 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.

VACANCIES

Heritage Network – Trainee (Scotland)
Salary: £24,750
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours p/w)
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in Scotland
Heritage Network, formerly Heritage Trust Network, is recruiting for the post of Heritage Trainee (Scotland). This exciting role has been designed to help someone with a demonstrable interest in grass roots heritage restoration and regeneration to develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need to gain access to the heritage sector. This post will be of interest to those with an interest in outreach work in Scotland. This post is for a fixed term of twelve months, from 1 April 2025. The role is funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland. More information and application details can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 3 March 2025

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust – Project Officer (Edinburgh & Lothians)
Salary: £32,000 pro-rata
Status: Fixed-term; 24 hours per week until June 2026 with possible extension to full-time permanent thereafter depending on funding
Location: On site at the Tron Kirk, Edinburgh
The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust is looking for a project officer to be a key part of their team, assisting with the delivery of high-quality conservation and restoration projects on behalf of the Trust by deploying best practice in the adaptive re-use of old buildings. As Project Officer for the Trust’s activities in Edinburgh & the Lothians, you would be working with the Project Managers, to help co-ordinate the project underway at the Tron Kirk, Edinburgh – one of the city’s most iconic historic buildings – as well as supporting a range of consultancy projects working with community organisations, development trusts, and local authorities.
More information and how to apply can be found here.
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 9 March 2025

Fife Council – Built Heritage Officer
Salary: FC8 £40,358.57 – £44,225.49
Status: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5LT
Whether a recent graduate, an early career professional, or a seasoned built heritage practitioner, if you’re looking to develop your career in conservation planning, then Fife’s rich, varied, and locally distinctive built historic environment has a lot to offer. Based within the Policy & Place Team (Planning Services) the successful candidate will work alongside a fellow Built Heritage Officer within a small team of environmental specialists (archaeology, ecology and trees), supplying specialist advice to planners, decision-makers and customers on the management of change in relation to listed buildings, conservation areas and the wider built historic environment. Fife Council are currently shaping their future workstyles and, in light of current advice, are introducing blended home/office working that will include office access days each week with homeworking for the remainder of your working time. For further information please contact: Douglas Speirs – Douglas.Speirs@fife.gov.uk. More information on the role and how to apply is available here
Closing Date: Sunday 9 March 2025

BEFS Board – Trustees
The role of our Board of Trustees is to support our work and ensure strategic oversight of our advocacy, events and other activities. Whilst you don’t need to have previous board level experience, participation in other types of collective / voluntary group work and working as a team would be beneficial; and you do need to have a passion for the built environment. BEFS can support and provide training if you are new to being a board member. As a BEFS Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on Scotland’s historic and existing built environment, bringing your professional expertise to bear on shaping the organisation as we enter a new phase of development. Trustees are appointed for a period of three years, which can be extended for up to two additional periods. Trustees are required to attend four Board meetings a year, plus the AGM in December; meetings will be a mix of online and in-person (Edinburgh). We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience of the following:

• Finance and fundraising;
• Communications, digital and marketing;
• Legal and contractual;
• Human Resources;
• Public Affairs;
• Sustainability & Net Zero

Alongside these key skills we are also inviting expressions of interest for the roles of Chair and Treasurer. To find out more, please visit our website. To apply, please send us your CV accompanied by a completed application form to info@befs.org.uk. We actively encourage applications from people who identify as trans, non-binary, and genderqueer, neurodiverse and disabled; people from BAME backgrounds; people from working-class backgrounds, and people from all religious backgrounds. Whilst Board positions are not paid, BEFS will reimburse travel and subsistence expenses and make any reasonable adjustments to support you to participate.
Closing date: Monday 10 March 2025

BEFS NEWS

BEFS is delighted to announce that Derek Rankine will be joining the team as our new Head of Policy & Strategy. Derek brings an impressive 20-year track record in place-based regeneration from BEFS Members SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum, with experience in community empowerment, urban design, and policy development. We look forward to formally welcoming Derek to the team later this month, and continuing to work with SURF across policy areas, including heritage and placemaking.

Creative Scotland’s announcement of successful Multi-Year Funding awards at the end of January has widely been heralded as a welcome boost for the cultural sector. BEFS congratulates those organisations benefitting from the stability this funding provides, with the number more than doubling from 119 previously, to 251. Particularly welcome is the increase in support for community-focused organisations, representing Scotland’s geography and diversity.
This has been made possible thanks to a significant commitment from the Scottish Government, releasing the largest budget ever available to Creative Scotland, with £200m in support to be provided over the next three years.

The Scottish Civic Trust have launched their new strategy Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories. At the core of the new five-year strategy is promoting access, improving wellbeing, supporting communities, and facilitating learning and skills development – highlighting the potential of inclusive places and stories to deliver benefits for communities across the country. BEFS would also like to welcome their new Chair, Angela Bonney who takes over from Sue Evans, who stepped down as Chair in December 2024.

Nominations are open for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2025. Previous Scottish entries in 2024 included Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen, the Fraserburgh Beach Masterplan, and Glasgow City Council’s Play Sufficiency Assessment. The closing date for entries is Thursday 13 March.

Historic Houses have published a new report on VAT and listed buildings. Their findings show that changes to the VAT rebate scheme for the heritage sector would better safeguard the country’s historic attractions, widen public access, and provide a much needed economic boost. In case you missed it, Historic Environment Scotland’s report on VAT on Listed Buildings was published in May 2024; the research gathered and analysed evidence as to the effect(s) a VAT rebate scheme could make in Scotland.

New Masterplan Consent Areas guidance to help planning authorities prepare Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) schemes has been published by the Scottish Government. BEFS response to the consultation on Masterplan Consent Area Regulations in spring 2024 noted concerns around over reliance on guidance and the potential for additional burdens on planning authorities. The guidance states it may be updated to reflect best practice and lessons learned as these emerge, which is welcome; BEFS will continue to engage with Members and stakeholders on the topic.

And finally,  a reminder that last month we launched our call for new BEFS Board Trustees. Applicants are not required to have previous board level experience but should have a passion for the historic and existing built environment. If you have any questions about the role, please contact BEFS Director, Hazel Johnson at hjohnson@befs.org.uk.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding housing, planning and sustainability.

CONSULTATIONS

How can permitted development rights help address the housing emergency?
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is exploring the potential to expand PDR to streamline the delivery of homes. They are considering whether, and if so how, development can be done in a way that is consistent with policies in the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) – and its themes of supporting sustainable, liveable, and productive places. Thoughts on the potential role that PDR could play in helping to support town centre living and rural communities and promoting the reuse of vacant or underused buildings are invited. Please email HousingEmergencyPDR@gov.scot with your suggestions on how PDR could appropriately be expanded to support the delivery of the right homes in the right places.
Closes 14 February 2025

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland
NatureScot
Scottish Ministers have made a statutory proposal to establish a new National Park in the Galloway area (including parts of East and South Ayrshire). At this stage, no decision to establish this National Park has been made and Ministers are keen to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it. Ministers appointed NatureScot as the ‘Reporter’ to consult and advise them on the proposal. This consultation is part of the programme of work to fulfil these requirements. It follows a phase of pre-consultation work to inform and engage communities and stakeholders across the proposed area. This consultation therefore seeks all views on designating a National Park in the southwest of Scotland, and on the possible area and potential functions, powers, and governance it could have.
Closes 14 February 2025

Building Safety
Scottish Parliament
The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee is holding an evidence session with the Minister for Housing on building safety issues in 2025 focussing on damp and mould, and Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). In its 2024 tracker report, the Committee noted that it was keen to see what progress is being made by the cross sector working group on RAAC and how those local authorities particularly impacted by this issue are responding, as well as understanding the implications for those living in affected properties. Views are invited by the Committee who will consider responses and use these to form the basis of questions to the Minister.
*NEW* Closes 19 February 2025

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group. Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
Closes 7 March 2025

Scottish Government’s Fourth National Planning Framework
Scottish Parliament
Following the Committee’s first annual review of NPF4, concerns were raised about local authority capacity to deliver the priorities set out in the spatial strategy and key policy goals. Since then, the Scottish Government has published a summary of responses to the consultation: Investing in Planning – A consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system. Ahead of their second annual progress review, the Committee is seeking views on the implementation of NPF4 and the progress made on this in the last year.
*NEW* Closes 7 March 2025

Cities in Placemaking 2025-2026
Placemaking Europe
This programme is a peer-to-peer learning experience for cities, designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to Placemaking, its application in the context of urban governance, and its implications for long-term systemic change. The goal is to create a collaborative effort that benefits from a wide range of perspectives, through interactive, participatory, and experiential learning, with a practical focus on the importance of Placemaking as a city-level strategy.
*NEW* Closes 31 March 2025

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh.
Closes May 2025

PETITIONS

Submissions from the Scottish Government and petitioner of PE2134: Introduce legislation to make it a requirement for swift bricks to be installed in all new developments in Scotland, and include swifts in building surveys (Scot Parl 07/02/2025)

PE2143: Introduce legislation to require all landlords to tackle damp and mould to specified standards (Scot Parl 10/02/2025)

NEWS RELEASES

Scotland’s Churches Trust Named European Religious Heritage Innovator of the Year (Scotland’s Churches Trust 23/12/2024)

RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence – celebrating planning. (RTPI 16/01/2025)

Scottish Land Commission Sets Out Changes to Simplify and Strengthen Land Reform Bill (Scottish Land Commission 21/01/2025)

My Place Awards 2025 open for entries (Scottish Civic Trust 22/01/2025)

Unlocking Town Centre Living: insights from private sector engagement (A&DS 27/01/2025)

Multi-Year Funding Outcome Announcement (Creative Scotland 30/01/2025)

Debate in UK’s Heritage Sector Could Unlock £7M Benefit (Historic Houses 30/01/2025)

14 heritage sites in Europe shortlisted for the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2025 (Europa Nostra 30/01/2025)

New strategy for Scotland’s local civic and heritage groups announced (Scottish Civic Trust 03/02/2025)

The Scottish Civic Trust welcomes new Chair (Scottish Civic Trust 03/02/2025)

Mid-Century Modern Architecture Celebrated in New Exhibition (Historic Environment Scotland 05/02/2025)

Housing’s role in tackling intersectional inequalities: Intersectional Stigma of Place-based Ageing (ISPA) (CaCHE 07/02/2025)

Scottish Land Commission Urges Strong Role for Public Land Acquisition to Tackle Rural Housing Crisis (Scottish Land Commission 11/02/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

Place and Wellbeing  Assessment: How To Guide (Improvement Service November 2024)

Glasgow City Heritage Trust Annual Report 2023-24 (GCHT 10/01/2025)

Is There a Seat at the Table? Ethnic Minority Voices in Tenant Engagement (CaCHE 20/01/2025)

Indicators of house building, UK (July to Sept 2024): permanent dwellings started and completed by country (ONS 29/01/2025)

A Blueprint For Warmer Homes: How To Deliver a Retrofit Revolution (New Economics Foundation 30/01/2025)

Scotland’s Places, People, and their Stories (Scottish Civic Trust 03/02/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Housing Land Audit: guidance (Scot Gov 20/01/2025)

Correspondence between Kate Forbes and the Economy and Fair Work Committee on the second tranche of the Community Led Local Development Programme for 2024-25 (Scot Gov 21/01/2025)

Listed Places of Worship Scheme Debate (UK Parl 22/01/2025)

Correspondence between Kate Forbes and the Economy and Fair Work Committee on its 2025-26 pre-budget scrutiny regarding funding for enterprise agencies (Scot Gov 23/01/2025)

Scottish Government responses to pre-Budget scrutiny: all smiles, no substance? (SPICe 27/01/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – 3^rd meeting regarding the Housing (Scotland) Bill clerk’s note and minutes (Scot Parl 28/01/2025)

Masterplan Consent Areas: guidance (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Masterplan Consent Areas: guidance – impact assessments (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Scottish building regulations – energy and environmental standards – proposed changes: equalities impact assessment (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Scottish House Condition Survey: surveyor manual 2023 (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Scottish House Condition Survey: Methodology Notes 2023 (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

Circular Economy Bill: response letter (Scot Gov 29/01/2025)

Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan: response letter (Scot Gov 29/01/2025)

Single Scottish Estate Programme Delivery Board meeting minutes – October 2024 (Scot Gov 29/01/2025)

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (Scot Parl 29/01/2025)

Construction: Qualifications and Training. Written Questions on Retrofit (UK Parl 30/01/2025)

Creative Scotland (Multiyear Funding) Debate (Scot Parl 30/01/2025)

Creative Scotland multi-year funding: Ministerial statement (Scot Gov 30/01/2025)

Spring Budget Revision 2024-25: supporting document (Scot Gov 30/01/2025)

Local Housing Allowance Rates (Scot Gov 31/01/2025)

Insulation: Repairs and Maintenance. Written Questions on Retrofit (UK Parl 31/01/2025)

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme confirmed for 2025/26 (UK Gov 01/02/2025)

Correspondence between More Homes More Quickly and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee about tenancies within the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 03/02/2025)

Planning – 2025 priorities: Ministerial and Chief Planner letter – January 2025 (Scot Gov 04/02/2025)

Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 daily list of amendments (Scot Parl 04/02/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee – 4^th meeting regarding the Accounts Commission clerk’s note and minutes (Scot Parl 04/02/2025)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 04/02/2025)

Housing First: monitoring reports (Scot Gov 05/02/2025)

Correspondence between Lord Moylan and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding The National Planning Policy Framework and the Grey Belt (House of Lords 05/02/2025)

Housing: Surveying written questions (UK Parl 06/02/2025)

Creative Industries: Creating Jobs and Productivity Growth Debate (House of Lords 06/02/2025)

Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL] – Second Reading (House of Lords 07/02/2025)

The Public Accounts Committee Report:  Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (UK Parl 07/02/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

UK Government told to provide sustainable sector funding (TFN 22/01/2025)

English Heritage plans up to 200 redundancies and winter closures of some sites (The Guardian 30/01/2025)

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. Analysis of landholdings in scope (Land Matters 30/01/2025)

Glasgow tourist tax proposals receive union backing ‘in principle’ (The Herald 30/01/2025)

The best renovations of historic houses (The Times 31/01/2025)

Can we build it? No – because Britain may not have enough workers (The Guardian 02/02/2025)

After The Brutalist: our readers name their favourite brutalist buildings (The Guardian 03/02/2025)

Making a difference in cultural policy (Arts Professional 04/02/2025)

Hundreds of English Heritage jobs at risk amid restructure (Arts Professional 04/02/2025)

Two thirds of Scottish councils looking to introduce tourism tax (The Times 07/02/2025)

Glasgow and Edinburgh councils open new talks over potential successors to the City Region Deal programme (The Herald 10/02/2025)

EVENTS

 

HES/Engine Shed – Lime Mortar: Principles and Practices
Date & Time:  Tuesday 18 February 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Lime is a traditional bedding, pointing and finishing material in Scotland’s historic built environment. These morning talks will start with the basic principles of processing raw limestone or shells into mortar and plaster and go on to share current best practice and the innovative techniques used to identify (and replicate) parts for conservation and repair projects. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of conservation issues. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Introduction to Local Place Plans (Part 2)
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
This second of two introductory sessions is designed to introduce the basics of a Local Place Plan.  It is assumed you will have attended or watched a video of part 1 before you join. This seminar will look at what the legislation and guidance say about what types of organisation can submit a Local Place Plan and whether your group qualifies; what the indicative deadlines for submission actually mean and when the ultimate final submission dates for a Local Place Plan actually are; the benefits that can come to your place and community as long-term outcomes for developing a Local Place Plan; and lastly a brief introduction to what is involved to create a Local Place Plan. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Project Managing your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
This session outlines the big picture of how to create a Local Place Plan for your community. The stages of developing a Local Place Plan are clearly broken down to give you an overview of stages involved in running a Local Place Plan process. This session will look at all these questions with a Q&A at the end. These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

ICHT – CPD: Leadwork Detailing & Practice
Date & Time: Wednesday 5 March 2025; 9am-4:30pm
Location: Inverness
This is an in-person, full day, technical CPD event aimed at contractors and professions involved in the specifying, detailing and installation of leadwork on traditional stone buildings of all sizes. The event will be delivered by the technical team from the Lead Sheet Training Academy and is provided with the support of Inverness City Heritage Trust and Highlands & Islands Traditional Building Forum  Cost: £50 per person. For further details and to book this event please email: c.maclean@maac-studio.com. Note: places for this event are limited.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Designing an Engagement Strategy for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 5 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
At the heart of a Local Place Plan is hosting community conversations to enable good listening to diverse opinions before finding collaborative solutions. This session will look at some low-cost, simple to use tools for digital and face-to-face sessions that will help get the data you need in a format you can use. These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

Edinburgh Napier University/Pattiesmuir Ltd – Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero
Dates & Times: Wednesday 5, 12, 19, 26 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Online
Following a successful pilot in 2024, Abi Truebig and Dr Keith Baker, directors of Pattiesmuir Ltd, will be delivering a second run of their Introduction to Carbon Management and Achieving Net Zero upskilling course for Edinburgh Napier University. The course is focussed on understanding the professional development needs of built environment and energy professionals and is designed specifically for adult learners. This year the course is being tailored towards housing, the built environment, and construction, and will include a guest session led by Magdalena Blazusiak, a chartered architectural technologist and a director of the Scottish Ecological Design Association. The course is being run online as four two-hour weekly evening sessions in March covering climate change, carbon accounting, and carbon management.

HES/Engine Shed – Scottish Roofing: Materials and Practices
Date & Time:  Tuesday 11 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Natural slate, lead and iron have been used to cover (and sometimes decorate) traditional Scottish buildings for generations. These morning talks will introduce you to the methods and materials traditionally used in Scotland for roofing and go on to discuss the prospects for reopening Scotland’s first working slate quarry since the 1950s. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of roof repair and conservation issues. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – Processing the data you gather for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
So, you’ve gathered stories, ideas and data from 2-300 people in your community?  That’s a lot of information! What to do with it now? How do you make sense of all this insight in a systematic way that can help your council be accountable to the community for the decisions taken as to what to include in the Local Place Plan? This session demonstrates simple approaches to analysing data for a Local Place Plan, covering coding (thematising) your data, using excel to enable you to sort through the options and thinking about how to re-present this data in a way that will be useful for further, deeper conversations and decisions. These questions will be considered during this session with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

HES/Engine Shed – Conserving Timberwork and Timber Windows
Date & Time:  Tuesday 18 March 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
These morning talks will examine the wealth of timberwork in Scotland’s traditional buildings, from major structural features like joists and rafters, to delicate finishing details like skirting boards, mouldings, and panelling. The morning session will also look at how these features should be repaired, maintained, and conserved and focus part of the discussions on ways to repair traditional simple sash and case windows. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be guided tours of Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude and the nearby Great Hall of Stirling Castle to inspect their remarkable timber roof structures – one being ancient and the other of recent construction. For those who cannot join in person, a virtual ticket is available for the morning only.

Scottish Community Councils Network – An Introduction to NPF4 for your Local Place Plan
Date & Time: Wednesday 19 March 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
A Local Place Plan is different from a Community Action Plan is several ways.  But one of the trickiest to understand is the requirement to offer reasons for (justify) your proposals in terms of the existing policy documents that control development in your area. NPF4 already shapes development in your area and will continue to do so for the lifetime of your Local Place Plan. This introduction will give you confidence in finding you way around this document and using its policies to show the importance, significant and compliance of the proposals you are submitting in your Local Place Plan with a Q&A at the end. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.

HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates and Times:  Tuesday25/Wednesday 26 March (booking closes 12 February); Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 September; Wednesday 3 /Thursday 4 December 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.

VACANCIES

Heritage Network – Trainee (Scotland)
Salary: £24,750
Status: Full-time (37.5 hours p/w)
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in Scotland
Heritage Network, formerly Heritage Trust Network, is recruiting for the post of Heritage Trainee (Scotland). This exciting role has been designed to help someone with a demonstrable interest in grass roots heritage restoration and regeneration to develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need to gain access to the heritage sector. This post will be of interest to those with an interest in outreach work in Scotland. This post is for a fixed term of twelve months, from 1 April 2025. The role is funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland. More information and application details can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 3 March 2025

BEFS Board – Trustees
The role of our Board of Trustees is to support our work and ensure strategic oversight of our advocacy, events and other activities. Whilst you don’t need to have previous board level experience, participation in other types of collective / voluntary group work and working as a team would be beneficial; and you do need to have a passion for the built environment. BEFS can support and provide training if you are new to being a board member. As a BEFS Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on Scotland’s historic and existing built environment, bringing your professional expertise to bear on shaping the organisation as we enter a new phase of development. Trustees are appointed for a period of three years, which can be extended for up to two additional periods. Trustees are required to attend four Board meetings a year, plus the AGM in December; meetings will be a mix of online and in-person (Edinburgh). We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience of the following:

• Finance and fundraising;
• Communications, digital and marketing;
• Legal and contractual;
• Human Resources;
• Public Affairs;
• Sustainability & Net Zero

Alongside these key skills we are also inviting expressions of interest for the roles of Chair and Treasurer. To find out more, please visit our website. To apply, please send us your CV accompanied by a completed application form to info@befs.org.uk. We actively encourage applications from people who identify as trans, non-binary, and genderqueer, neurodiverse and disabled; people from BAME backgrounds; people from working-class backgrounds, and people from all religious backgrounds. Whilst Board positions are not paid, BEFS will reimburse travel and subsistence expenses and make any reasonable adjustments to support you to participate.
Closing date: Monday 10 March 2025

BEFS NEWS

In the aftermath of the recent storms, BEFS Team hopes our readers emerged safe and sound, with roofs and chimney stacks intact! Extreme weather instances are a very real reminder of the importance of repair and maintenance, particularly at high level, and illustrate the importance of ensuring that the historic built environment is at the forefront of conversations about climate change; through appropriate retrofit, bringing vacant buildings back into use, and appropriately and skilfully maintaining our historic buildings, we work towards systemic sustainability as part of a circular economy, while remaining prepared for changes to the Scottish climate. Work currently underway by the Tenement Maintenance Working Group looks at establishing solutions to aid, assist, and compel owners of tenement properties to maintain their buildings.

More on maintenance – last week Edinburgh Councillors formally agreed to Scotland’s first Transient Visitor Levy. From 24 July 2026, a 5% fee will be applied to the cost of overnight accommodation in Edinburgh and is projected to raise up to £50 million a year for the city to invest in ‘protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to live and visit’, including:

• City Operations and Infrastructure
• Culture, Heritage and Events
• Destination and Visitor Management

With funds generated to be used for the improvement of public spaces, what does this mean for heritage? BEFS has previously raised concerns around a lack of hypothecation of revenue to the mitigation of tourism impacts on our built heritage assets, a primary draw for tourism, alongside essential and basic care and maintenance of existing and historic buildings and infrastructure. Edinburgh, as the first of many Scottish cities now also consulting on their own levies, has an opportunity to set the tone for holistic decisions towards good placemaking for residents and visitors alike.

Related to this – and one for the coffee break  – the second report of the AHRC Place-Based Research Programme, ‘Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches’ has been published, exploring how these can deliver policies and practices to secure improved socio-economic outcomes for people and place.

Some recent news around Energy Performance Certificate Reform, with newly released consultation analysis. EPCs are to act as basic evidence to support compliance with mandatory standards, providing an initial signpost towards more detailed assessment and technical advice where needed, in relation to traditionally constructed properties. The proposal is to develop an additional form of assessment beyond the EPC – a Heat & Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA), recognising fabric performance. How this works in practice and how it aligns to the Heat in Buildings Bill remains to be seen; readers may find this update from the Minister for Climate Action of interest.

A recent motion by Angus Robertson ‘Valuing Culture: Scotland’s Support to the Culture Sector’ was passed, garnering cross party support. An opportunity perhaps, to again highlight the role that heritage plays within Scotland’s arts and culture, with views being sought as part of a Culture Sector Support Survey which closes this week.

And last but very much not least – BEFS is delighted to announce that we are currently recruiting for new Trustees. We are looking for individuals with a passion for Scotland’s existing and historic built environment to join BEFS Board, driving strategic approaches to the key issues, challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s built environment. For more information and to apply please visit this link. Deadline for applications is Monday 10 March 2025.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding heritage, land reform, housing and planning.

CONSULTATIONS

Giving Voices to Historic Property Owners
Edinburgh School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture & City of Edinburgh Council
This University of Edinburgh project aims to understand what specific aspects of the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas planning guidance (Consultation Draft 2024) require further clarification, and to explore possible improvements that will make the guidance more practical and accessible for historic homeowners. This project focuses on improving the clarity of the guidance document and making the content more accessible to all and is currently recruiting focus group and workshop participants for the project. Participants must be owner-occupiers of listed buildings and properties in a conservation area in Edinburgh. For more information and to sign up, follow the link.
*NEW* January-May 2025

Culture Sector Support Survey
Scottish Government
The purpose of this research is to understand what you think needs to change to best meet the needs of the sector going forward. Your views will help the government gather valuable insights to inform the scope of a planned review of culture sector support in Scotland, which includes an independent review of Creative Scotland as the lead body for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland.
*NEW* Closes 31 January 2025

Protecting built heritage
UK Parliament
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to examine the importance of built heritage in the UK and the barriers to its preservation. The inquiry will examine issues with funding and whether current finance models are suitable and accessible.  It will also engage with how the Government can tackle practical and regulatory challenges, such as the availability of skilled practitioners, the managed decline of assets on publicly-owned land, and policy issues arising from net zero targets and planning policy. Alongside this, MPs will highlight the importance of built heritage for economic regeneration and to community identities, as well as how those communities can be empowered to manage their local built heritage assets.
Closes 2 February 2025

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland
NatureScot
Scottish Ministers have made a statutory proposal to establish a new National Park in the Galloway area (including parts of East and South Ayrshire). At this stage, no decision to establish this National Park has been made and Ministers are keen to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it. Ministers appointed NatureScot as the ‘Reporter’ to consult and advise them on the proposal. This consultation is part of the programme of work to fulfil these requirements. It follows a phase of pre-consultation work to inform and engage communities and stakeholders across the proposed area. This consultation therefore seeks all views on designating a National Park in the southwest of Scotland, and on the possible area and potential functions, powers, and governance it could have.
Closes 14 February 2025

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group.
Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
Closes 7 March 2025

PETITIONS

The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee response to PE2118: Review and restructure Scotland’s flood risk management approach and operations (Scot Parl 20/12/2024)

National Farmer’s Union Scotland’s response to PE2089/F: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)

RICS’ response to PE2113/F: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 13/12/2024)

Paul McLennan’s response to PE2113/G: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 13/12/2024)

NEWS RELEASES

Increase in housebuilding could unlock £6.4 billion a year in subsidy for infrastructure (Centre for Cities 10/12/2024)

Farewells and New Beginnings at The Scottish Lime Centre Trust (Heritage Trust Network 19/12/2024)

We’re supporting communities to secure the future of their churches (Heritage Fund 23/12/2024)

Heritage Led Regeneration Toolkit (Historic England January 2025)

Scrutiny of culture budget: Submission to CEEAC (Culture Counts 06/01/2025)

Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy (City of Edinburgh Council 08/01/2025)

Megan Veronesi appointed Interim Director of Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH 13/01/2025)

2025 World Monuments Watch (WMF 15/01/2025)

Scotland to Introduce Radical Changes to EPCs in 2026 (Elmhurst Energy 23/01/2025)

PUBLICATIONS

Policy Framework: An overview over European policies for energy efficiency in historic buildings (FuturHist 23/09/2024)

Advancing People-Centred, Place-Based Approaches (The University of Glasgow November 2024)

Restarting housebuilding III: New towns and land value capture (Centre for Cities December 2024)

Heritage Sector Net Zero Projects Audit (HEF December 2024)

Environmental Heritage and Place Research Digest (Centre for Cultural Value 2025)

Carnegie UK: DFM’s pledge to reform National Performance Framework signals willingness to fix machinery of government (Carnegie UK 08/01/2025)

The Resolution Foundation Housing Outlook Q1 2025 (The Resolution Foundation 15/01/2025)

Advice to Ministers on Part 1 of the Land Reform Bill (The Scottish Land Commission 21/01/2024)

Consumer Scotland Draft Work Programme 2025-2026 (Consumer Scotland 21/01/2025)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Correspondence between Angela Rayner and all local authority Leaders and Metro Mayors and all local authority Chief Executives and combined authority Chief Executives in England regarding building the homes we need (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Minister for Housing concerning the Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 19/12/2024)

Passivhaus standard – determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 27/12/2024)

Paul McLennan gives update on cladding remediation work (Scot Parl 06/01/2025)

Cladding – Single Building Assessments and additional work assessments: standards (Scot Gov 06/01/2025)

Housing statistics: Scottish Landlord Register data (Scot Gov 07/01/2025)

Adapting historic homes for energy efficiency: what progress has been made on Historic England’s review into the barriers to delivering the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings (UK Parl 08/01/2025)

Meeting of the Parliament 08 January (Scot Parl 08/01/2025)
led by the Finance and Public Administration Committee concerning the government’s national outcomes.

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 – Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, 1st Meeting, 2025 (Session 6) (Scot Parl 09/01/2025)

Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Convener for Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee concerning Heat in Buildings (Scot Parl 09/01/2025)

Correspondence between Mark Roberts and the Convener for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee concerning the Draft Scottish Budget 2025/26 (Scot Parl 10/01/2025)

Chair of Creative Scotland review confirmed (Scot Gov 13/01/2025)

The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024: island communities impact assessment (Scot Gov 13/01/2025)

Correspondence between David Bookbinder and the Convener for Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the GWSF submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator (Scot Parl 13/01/2025)

Housing Associations: Development and finances – Oral evidence (UK Parl 14/01/2025)

To ask His Majesty’s Government, following Historic England’s publication of the latest Heritage at Risk Register, what plans they have to ensure adequate support for listed historic buildings (House of Lords 14/01/2025)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, 2^nd meeting 2025 – Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 clerk’s note and minutes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, 1st meeting 2025 – Housing inquiry and budget scrutiny 2025-26 public paper and minutes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Debate on valuing culture: Scotland’s support to the culture sector (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Correspondence between Kate Forbes and the Convener for Health, Social Care and Sport Committee regarding the Committee’s report on the National Performance Framework: Proposed National Outcomes (Scot Parl 14/01/2025)

Environmental sustainability and housing growth – Oral evidence (UK Gov 15/01/2025)

Guest blog: How can the Scottish Parliament improve its public consultations? (SPICe 15/01/2025)

Joint investment in Scottish City Deals now more than £3 billion (UK Gov 15/01/2025)

Public appointment: Land Commissioners and Tennant Farming Commissioner appointed to the Scottish Land Commission (Scot Gov 16/01/2025)

EPC Reform Consultation: Government Response (Scot Gov 21/01/2025)

Listed Places of Worship Debate (House of Lords 22/01/2025)

Delivering 1.5m new homes and investing in public infrastructure – Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee launches new inquiry on land value capture (UK Gov 22/01/2025)

Energy Performance Certificate reform: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 23/01/2025)

Prime Minister clears path to get Britain building (UK Gov 23/01/2025)

Enabling communities to thrive (Scot Gov 24/01/2025)

10 Year Infrastructure Strategy Working Paper (UK Gov 26/01/2025)

Creative Industries Debate (UK Parl 27/01/2025)

Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings: Energy (UK Parl 27/01/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 3^rd Meeting – Housing (Scotland) Bill clerk’s note (Scot Parl 28/01/2025)

Scottish House Condition Survey: 2023 Key Findings (Scot Gov 28/01/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Rachel Reeves’s new year predicament (IFS 10/01/2025)

National Galleries warns flagship attractions face closure over ‘seismic’ £40m funding crisis (The Scotsman 08/01/2025)

Glasgow Life boss to retire (Arts Professional 09/01/2025)

Major Scottish arts venues report large deficits (Arts Professional 10/01/2025)

Three Scottish colleges in ‘financial distress’ handed more than £8.3m in lifeline funding (The Scotsman 13/01/2025)

‘Grave consequences’ over Scotland’s failure to invest in skills as 88% of firms struggle to recruit (The Scotsman 14/01/2025)

Heritage Fund invests £27m in seven heritage sites (Arts Professional 14/01/2025)

Historic England chief executive retires (Arts Professional 15/01/2025)

Business leaders warn capital councillors over visitor levy timing (STV News 16/01/2025)

‘Operational chaos’: Edinburgh warned over visitor levy plan (The Herald 16/01/2025)

Who will save our crumbling churches? Not this government (The Times 23/01/2025)

Blog: Andy Wightman. Scottish Land Commission Amendments (Land Matters 23/01/2025)

MOTIONS

S6M-15708
Submitted by: Kenneth Gibson, Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 05/12/2024
That the Parliament notes the findings and recommendations in the Finance and Public Administration Committee’s 10th Report, 2024 (Session 6), Report on the National Performance Framework: Review of National Outcomes (SP Paper 685), and the responses from other committees, as referenced in annexe B to the report.
Taken in the Chamber on 08 January 2025

S6M-16092
Submitted by: Angus Robertson, Edinburgh Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 13/01/2025
That the Parliament celebrates arts and culture in Scotland in all their diverse forms, past, present and emerging; recognises the transformational impact that they can have on people’s lives across Scotland; welcomes the economic contribution that the cultural and creative industries workforces make to society and the economy; acknowledges the importance of the community culture sector, and commends the innovative local organisations, in both rural and urban areas, for the work that they do to support participation in cultural pursuits; considers that a strong and successful culture sector is central to the prosperity of the nation; welcomes that, against a backdrop of cultural funding being cut by the UK Government, the draft Scottish Government Budget for 2025-26 increases frontline culture funding by £34 million, and believes that Scotland’s cultural communities can be supported to continue to develop and innovate in exhibition, performance and participation in Scotland’s artistic life.
Taken in the Chamber on 14 January 2025

S6M-16114
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: 14/01/2025
That the Parliament agrees that the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (additional amount: transactions relating to second homes etc.) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 (SSI 2024/367) be approved.
Taken in the Chamber on 15 January 2025 – Vote passed

S6M-16110
Submitted by: Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
Date lodged: 15/01/2025
That the Parliament congratulates environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, on its 25th anniversary; celebrates all that has been achieved in collaboration with schools, communities, local authorities and businesses to inspire real action to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve places, and encourages support and involvement with its activities in 2025, particularly Spring Clean, which starts on 21 March and will last for one month, which, it understands empowered more than 45,000 people to litter pick in 2024.

EVENTS

SHBT – Digital Space & Place: “Health is greater than History” Conserving Edinburgh’s Social Housing
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 February 2025; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
How far do conservation principles apply when the subject isn’t an A-listed castle or country house, but public housing?

AHSS Lecture – Fiona McLachlan: An Evolving Identity: Colour at Cables Wynd House and Linksview House
Date & Time: Monday 10 February 2025; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Retrofitting 20th-century modernist buildings offers an opportunity to consider how change can be accommodated as part of an evolving identity. Drawing on her collaboration with Collective Architecture and ongoing research on colour, Professor Fiona McLachlan, University of Edinburgh, will discuss the development of a colour strategy for two A-listed Brutalist housing blocks in Leith and the role of painting as a tool for discussion and collaborative practice. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 /

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – February Lecture: ‘Hillforts: a perspective from the Pentland Firth to the western Mediterranean’
Date & Time: Thursday 13 February 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Amongst later prehistoric settlement types found in Scotland, hillforts offer particular scope for exploring diverse linkages through Britain and Ireland to the nearer continent. A selection of these will be outlined, from aspects of the architecture of their defences, through evidence for violence and the use of fire in their destruction, to the character of the societies they may have contained. This talk will be presented by Abercromby Emeritus Professor Ian Ralston OBE MA PhD DLitt FRSE MAE FSA FSAScot, University of Edinburgh.

Heritage Trust Network & Historic Churches Scotland – A Future for Your Church: Insuring your building
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 February 2025; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
Are you a community group thinking about taking ownership of your local church? Are you already managing your church for the benefit of the community? This free online event is for you. Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland are joining forces to host the next event in this series for any group contemplating the future of their church building. At this event you will hear from Kerr Henderson, Account Executive at Howden Brokers (formerly Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers). Kerr will give an overview of what you need to know when insuring your building. You will also hear from Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Trust who has been through the process, followed by a Q&A session with the speakers and an informal discussion with attendees.

AHSS Lecture – Fergus Sutherland – Balloch Castle, a Romantic House in a Sublime Landscape
Date & Time: Thursday 20 February 2025; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Purchased by Glasgow Council in 1914, Balloch Castle and estate on Loch Lomond is one of Glasgow’s forgotten treasures. Designed by Robert Lugar, Fergus Sutherland of Icosse Heritage and Media, will show that it is a key part of the picturesque movement and gothic revival in Scotland.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

AHSS Lecture – Rockville: James Gowans’ ‘Romantic Rationalist’ Masterpiece
Date & Time: Monday 10 March 2025; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The Merchiston Pagoda, Tottering Towers, Crazy Manor, Sugar Loaf House – call it what you may, Rockville was one of the most notable buildings in Victorian Edinburgh and indeed Scotland. Andy Arthur looks at the history of this remarkable building and its builder, James Gowans, and shows how Rockville’s ornate, Gothic form hid a formulaic, rationalist approach to architecture that has much in common with the ideas of Le Corbusier.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

 

VACANCIES

Edinburgh World Heritage – Finance & Operations Manager
Salary: £39,871 pro rata
Status: Full-time/0.8 FTE (hybrid)
Location: Edinburgh (min 2 days in office)
Edinburgh World Heritage seeks an experienced Finance & Operations Manager to lead on finance, governance, HR, digital and office operations. The role offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in managing a charity dedicated to Edinburgh’s historic environment, working with skilled staff, Trustees, and partners. Key responsibilities include financial management, corporate governance, HR and operational management, and senior management duties. Candidates should have significant experience in financial management, relationship building, and working with boards/committees. More information can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 10 February 2025

BEFS Board – Trustees
The role of our Board of Trustees is to support our work and ensure strategic oversight of our advocacy, events and other activities. Whilst you don’t need to have previous board level experience, participation in other types of collective / voluntary group work and working as a team would be beneficial; and you do need to have a passion for the built environment. BEFS can support and provide training if you are new to being a board member. As a BEFS Trustee, you will have the opportunity to make an impact on Scotland’s historic and existing built environment, bringing your professional expertise to bear on shaping the organisation as we enter a new phase of development. Trustees are appointed for a period of three years, which can be extended for up to two additional periods. Trustees are required to attend four Board meetings a year, plus the AGM in December; meetings will be a mix of online and in-person (Edinburgh). We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience of the following:

• Finance and fundraising;
• Communications, digital and marketing;
• Legal and contractual;
• Human Resources;
• Public Affairs;
• Sustainability & Net Zero

Alongside these key skills we are also inviting expressions of interest for the roles of Chair and Treasurer. To find out more, please visit our website. To apply, please send us your CV accompanied by a completed application form to info@befs.org.uk. We actively encourage applications from people who identify as trans, non-binary, and genderqueer, neurodiverse and disabled; people from BAME backgrounds; people from working-class backgrounds, and people from all religious backgrounds. Whilst Board positions are not paid, BEFS will reimburse travel and subsistence expenses and make any reasonable adjustments to support you to participate.
Closing date: Monday 10 March 2025

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations – Policy Lead
Salary: £47,188 per annum
Status: full time
Location: Hybrid, Glasgow
SFHA are looking for a Policy Lead to help them to understand the issues their members are facing and work to find solutions. SFHA is the membership body for, and collective voice of, housing associations and co operatives in Scotland. SFHA members collectively provide safe, warm affordable rented homes for around half a million people and exist to represent, support and connect their members. Although you’ll work flexibly across policy areas where needed, you’ll have a particular focus on issues around developing new homes, and building safety and maintenance, and are likely to have experience in one or both of these areas. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll organise SFHA’s engagement with members in these areas, develop policy, create reports, briefings and consultation responses, represent SFHA externally and build strong relationships with their members. Scotland is facing a housing emergency, and SFHA members are a crucial part of tackling it. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a job that really matters. More information can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 10 February 2025

Loco Home Retrofit – Retrofit Technical Manager
Salary: £35,000 – £41,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week; permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and sites across Glasgow City Region.
Loco Home Retrofit is creating a new role of Retrofit Technical Manager. This is an opportunity to take the senior technical role in an expanding built environment enterprise focused on domestic retrofit and the climate change crisis. Heading up the technical team and reporting to the CEO, the Technical Manager will be responsible for developing and delivering household advice and support services with technical excellence, reliability, consumer protection and efficiency. Depending on the skills and experience of the leading candidate, this role may also take responsibility for the company’s risk management processes. In addition they will extend the company’s network of reliable contractors.
More information can be found here
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.

Loco Home Retrofit – Innovation Programme Manager
Salary: £33,000 – £40,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week; permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and project sites across Glasgow City Region.
Loco Home Retrofit is creating a new role of Innovation Programme Manager. This is an opportunity to work at the leading edge of retrofit and clean heat innovation in the UK. Reporting to the CEO, the innovation programme manager will develop and deliver the cooperative’s portfolio of innovation projects. This role requires skills in project management, academic writing and demonstrated success with funding bids. Awareness of construction, domestic retrofit and renewables is preferred but not required. More information can be found here
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.

Loco Home Retrofit – Marketing and Community Engagement Manager
Salary: £35,000 – £41,000 per annum FTE
Status: Flexible 3 to 5 days per week, permanent.
Location: Hybrid between central Glasgow office, working from home and frequent in-person events across the region including evenings and weekends.
This role is an opportunity to take a senior role in an expanding social enterprise focused on the climate change crisis. The Marketing and Community Engagement Manager will drive demand for householder services. This will be achieved primarily through in-person community engagement events. Public speaking is a key part of this role. This role also covers brand development, digital marketing and traditional advertising but these are lesser considerations than expertise with in-person activity. In addition, they will ensure an excellent customer experience using customer feedback and market knowledge to steer improvements in service design. More information can be found here.
Closing date: No closing date set. Apply early.

BEFS NEWS

Happy New Year from the team at BEFS!

As we step into 2025, BEFS brings you our first bulletin of the year – slightly condensed but still packed with our usual round up of parliamentary questions, consultations, events and more.

We’re delighted to share that BEFS Members, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT), welcomed four new Trustees at their December AGM, as the Trust continues to grow and drive forward future projects and community consultations. Among the appointees is former BEFS Director Ailsa Macfarlane. Congratulations to SHBT and all new Board Members!

Looking ahead, and for a taste of what this year will bring: as well as business as usual we look forward to releasing a new blog series exploring the interconnected policy areas which BEFS advocates for, recruiting for new members of the BEFS Board, working even more closely with our Members, and a brand new BEFS event. Watch this space!

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding planning, built heritage protection, cladding remediation, and building safety.

CONSULTATIONS

Protecting built heritage
UK Parliament
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee is to examine the importance of built heritage in the UK and the barriers to its preservation. The inquiry will examine issues with funding and whether current finance models are suitable and accessible.  It will also engage with how the Government can tackle practical and regulatory challenges, such as the availability of skilled practitioners, the managed decline of assets on publicly-owned land, and policy issues arising from net zero targets and planning policy. Alongside this, MPs will highlight the importance of built heritage for economic regeneration and to community identities, as well as how those communities can be empowered to manage their local built heritage assets.
*NEW* Closes 2 February

Designating HMP Barlinnie
Historic Environment Scotland
HES are proposing to designate the earliest phases of development of HMP Barlinnie, 81 Lee Avenue, Riddrie, Glasgow as a listed building at category A. HMP Barlinnie is a purpose-built prison complex designed in 1880 and opened in 1882 with subsequent phases of early development up to 1908. It is located within the residential area of Riddrie to the northeast of Glasgow City centre. As Scotland’s largest prison, the building has a place in the national consciousness. Having been in continual use since the 1880s, the site is also of outstanding social historical interest for what it can tell us about changes in penal discipline and reform in Scotland from the late 19th to 21st century. HES are now gathering views on their proposal to list this building at category A.
Closes 22 January 2025

Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024
The Scottish Parliament
The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 would require a developer to submit an “energy and environmental design statement” alongside an application for a building warrant and an “energy and environmental construction statement” alongside a completion certificate. The requirement to submit such statements would apply from 31 March 2028. The technical standards that will apply to those aspects of construction listed above in 2028 have yet to be established by the Scottish Government and will be the subject of consultation during 2025.
*NEW* Closes 14 January 2025

Building on Housing Emergency Response – Permitted Development Rights
Scottish Government
The Planning and Architecture Division is seeking views on expanding Permitted Development Rights (PDR) to support housing delivery, exploring potential for streamlining home creation while aligning with NPF4 policies. Areas of interest include supporting town centre living, rural communities, and the reuse of vacant buildings. Input is sought on suitable types of homes, locations, and building conversions that could be delivered through PDR.
Closes 14 February 2025

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland
NatureScot
Scottish Ministers have made a statutory proposal to establish a new National Park in the Galloway area (including parts of East and South Ayrshire). At this stage, no decision to establish this National Park has been made and Ministers are keen to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it. Ministers appointed NatureScot as the ‘Reporter’ to consult and advise them on the proposal. This consultation is part of the programme of work to fulfil these requirements. It follows a phase of pre-consultation work to inform and engage communities and stakeholders across the proposed area. This consultation therefore seeks all views on designating a National Park in the southwest of Scotland, and on the possible area and potential functions, powers, and governance it could have.
Closes 14 February 2025

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group.
Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
Closes 7 March 2024

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

BEFS response to Consultation for Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28 (03/01/2025)

AHSS response to Consultation for Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28 (03/01/2025)

NEWS RELEASES

ALCHEMAI (BE-ST and partners 2024)
ALCHEMAI is a smart technology project with the tools for building visualisation and data collection to enable retrofit processes.

Why choose a whole building retrofit approach? (BE-ST 02/12/2024)

Scotland to introduce a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard (BE-ST 16/12/2024)

PUBLICATIONS

Securing an innovative and enterprising heritage sector: Twelve transformative recommendations from the CHARTER project (European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance 05/12/2024)

The general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 (Council of the European Union 18/11/2024)

Built environment bodies call for exemptions to Level 7 apprenticeships changes (RIBA 18/12/2024)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 24^th Meeting 2024 official report and minutes (Scot Parl 10/12/2024)

Infrastructure levy for Scotland: discussion paper – responses overview (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Protecting built heritage: New inquiry to examine how to safeguard historic buildings and attractions (UK Parl 16/12/2024)

Correspondence between NFU Scotland and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding Land Management Plans (Scot Parl 16/12/2024)

Area Based Schemes: annual final measures reports (Scot Gov 16/12/2024)

Second homes and empty properties in September 2024 (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Housing statistics: Second homes and empty properties (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Housing statistics: Local authority housing stock (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Empty and Second Homes in September 2024 (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Local authority total and vacant housing stock, Scotland, March 2024 (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Housebuilding and affordable home statistics in the year to end of September 2024 (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply to end September 2024 (Scot Gov 17/12/2024)

Compulsory purchase reform: progress report December 2024 (Scot Gov 18/12/2024)

Scotland’s circular economy and waste route map to 2030 (Scot Gov 18/12/2024)

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill (Scot Parl 18/12/2024)

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill Delegated Powers Memorandum (Scot Parl 18/12/2024)

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill Statements on legislative competence (Scot Parl 18/12/2024)

Budget Bill published (Scot Gov 19/12/2024)

Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Minister for Housing regarding The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 19/12/2024)

Effective community engagement in local development planning: guidance (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

Effective community engagement in local development plans: consultation response summary (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance: we asked, you said, we did statement (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

Flood Resilience Strategy: case studies (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

National Flood Resilience Strategy: island communities impact assessment (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

Neighbourhoods and communities 2023: Scottish Household Survey findings (Scot Gov 20/12/2024)

NPF4 Policy 16 Quality Homes – Statements of Community Benefit (Scot Gov 23/12/2024)

Community Ownership Fund Round 4 Announcement (Scot Parl 06/01/2025)

OPINION & COMMENT

Griff Rhys Jones: ‘It’s depressing Keir Starmer is so ill-informed about heritage’ (The Times 18/12/2024)

Budget talks with opposition ‘progressing very well’ (Insider 19/12/2024)

Architecture: Rowan Moore’s five best projects of 2024 (The Guardian 22/12/2024)

State-funded UK scheme to save beloved community sites will close early (The Guardian 23/12/2024)

Critically endangered crafts fight extinction (BBC 28/12/2024)

UK government hires ‘nudge unit’ to help dispel heat pump myths (The Guardian 01/01/2025)

‘Left to rot’: Glasgow’s crumbling heritage comes into focus for 850th anniversary (The Guardian 02/01/2025)

Glasgow’s heritage crisis and how to save its crumbling buildings (The Times 04/01/2025)

EVENTS

SHBT – Digital Space & Place: History & Fantasy for Public Heritage
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 January 2025; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
How do you help a wide public audience imagine and appreciate architecture when the buildings no longer exist? When they can’t be visited, viewed, and experienced? Glaire Anderson discusses her work as external historian/art historian on Ubisoft’s popular history-themed video game Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Now a ruined shell clinging to the side of the peel above Linlithgow Loch, Linlithgow Palace was once the great pleasure palace of the kings and queens of Scotland. James Cook’s work brings together scientific acoustic research, historical archival work, archaeology, and performance to reconstruct this building within Virtual Reality.

Old Edinburgh Club – Stonily Gray and Strange of Aspect: Edinburgh
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 January 2025; 7-8:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
Most people consider modern architecture as the ‘concrete monstrosities’ of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. In this talk, organised by the Old Edinburgh Club, Roger Emmerson will explore how the ‘Modern Age’ could be reconsidered as stemming from the Scottish Enlightenment and how ‘modern thought’ provides the background to contemporary architecture. Emmerson is a specialist in architectural design who has worked extensively in the architectural conservation, leisure, housing, and education industries.

My Place Awards 2025 launch
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 January 2025; 11am-12pm
Location: Online
Join the Scottish Civic Trust for a free knowledge share event featuring case studies of community-led placemaking projects across Scotland. This event will mark the official launch of the My Place Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in community-led placemaking.

AHSS Lecture – Scott Abercrombie: Provand’s Lordship
Date & Time: Thursday 23 January 2025; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Scott Abercrombie, Associate Director of John Gilbert Architects, will discuss the history of Glasgow’s oldest residential building, now a museum, as well as the recent conservation works undertaken, which included the reinstatement of lime harling to the building.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

 

C&BS – Introduction to being a Board Member
Dates & Times: Tuesday 14 & 21 January 2025; 4-7pm
Location: Online
Do you have new trustees on your Board or have you taken on a trustee role yourself? If so, this is an essential course for launching or refreshing your Board career. C&BS Head of Board Development, Catriona Reynolds, takes new trustees and Board members through their paces in two information-packed, hands-on sessions. A reading list, with all material available online, is provided in advance of each session to give you background information on different topics.

SLCT – On the behaviour of Lime Mortared Masonry Masterclass
Date & Time: Friday 24 January 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Charlestown Workshops, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown, Fife KY11 3EN
Join Conservation Engineer, David Wiggins talk about Lime Mortared Masonry. David is a CARE-accredited conservation engineer, whose work centres around the care and repair of historic buildings. He has a doctorate in technical masonry conservation, and current convener of the Building Limes Forum. This masterclass will marry up his research and professional practice, and is primarily aimed at engineers, but will also be of interest to masons, other crafts and anyone who wonders how historic masonry works.

BEFS YEAR IN REVIEW…In brief!

This will be BEFS last bulletin of the year, as the team takes a break over the festive period – and an excellent excuse to glance back at the year that was!
It has been a busy one, with new additions and changes to BEFS small team; in January we welcomed Malini Chakrabarty to the role of Communications Lead and in July we said farewell to Ailsa Macfarlane who moved on to a role at National Museums Scotland. Hazel Johnson has been in post as Director since August and Ilona McAllister moved to the role of Head of Operations, expanding on her previous role as Company Secretary and Business Administrator.

As ever it was another full year for the sector, reflected in the variety of work BEFS has undertaken. A few select highlights below:

• At the end of last year, BEFS launched the Sustainable Investment Tool (SIT). The SIT can help visualise the different positive aspects associated with existing buildings and start conversations around the wider benefits and potential that our existing buildings and places can deliver, exploring positive outcomes for Wellbeing, Climate, Culture, and Economy.
• BEFS welcomed one new Member, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and one new Associate, Dundee Heritage Trust.
• A new Policy Map, devised and published by BEFS to help visualise the complex and interconnected policy landscape towards enabling more joined up and holistic sector advocacy.
• BEFS has submitted over 30 policy consultation responses on behalf of Members over the last year.
• The Tenement Maintenance Working Group, with BEFS and Under One Roof as secretariat, has seen a significant milestone this year, with the Scottish Law Commission Discussion Paper on Compulsory Owners’ Associations published as one of the recommendations of the group. Alongside this are working groups towards five yearly inspections and the establishment of building reserve funds.
• In spring 2024 a report, Meeting Scotland’s Retrofit Challenge: solutions from the industry was released by CIOB, BEFS and sector partners, recommending a Ministerial Oversight Group for Retrofit. A motion supporting this garnered cross-party approval
• BEFS continues to coordinate the Places of Worship Forum (POWF), Conservation Officer Group (COG), and the Historic Environment Working Group (HEWG).

BEFS team would like to thank all our Members, Associates, and organisations across the sector for their continued engagement, enthusiasm, and support for BEFS work.

BEFS NEWS

Looking to the year ahead, all eyes have been on the budget. Whilst the proposed budget will require cross-party support and parliamentary confirmation – a result is expected in February 2025 – some key takeaways are summarised below:

• Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison announced funding for local authorities of over £1bn alongside the expansion of regeneration funding to £62m to invest in towns and communities, supporting place-based regeneration.
• £300m has been pledged to upgrade heating and installation in homes, reducing emissions and tackling fuel poverty.
• The Culture budget is set to increase by £34m with a commitment to increase arts and culture funding a further £20m in 2025.

The outcomes of the prestigious 2024 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were announced on Thursday 5 December at a celebratory presentation event in Glasgow. Winners were congratulated on their inspiring work by the Scottish Government’s Minister for Employment and Investment, Tom Arthur. Read more about all the wonderful projects shortlisted and the winners on the SURF website.

Following recruitment back in October, Culture Counts has announced new Steering Group members. The Steering Group provides direction, shares intelligence, and insight from their own membership, networks, and experience across a network of arts, heritage, and creative industries organisations. The new members are introduced here.

And finally – in 2025 BEFS will be seeking new Trustees to help deliver our vision for a strong built environment sector in Scotland, addressing the strategic issues, challenges and opportunities faced by Scotland’s historic and built environment. We’ll be inviting applications from BEFS Membership and beyond – more information to follow in the new year!

BEFS Team wish all our readers a restorative festive break. We’ll be back with a short bulletin on Wednesday 8 January.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding traditional building skills, the culture sector, and Creative Scotland.

CONSULTATIONS

Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28
Historic Environment Scotland
The Historic Environment (Scotland) Act 2014 mandates that HES has a corporate plan and that it is renewed every 3 years. The purpose of a corporate plan is to provide a roadmap for decision-making, resource allocation, and performance measurement, ensuring alignment and direction across the organisation. HES current Corporate Plan, Heritage for All, was first published in 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it underwent only a light-touch refresh when it was due to expire at the end of 2022-23 and now needs to undergo a more thorough review and update to ensure our new plan reflects this. This consultation draft is the product of engagement with people and organisations across Scotland. HES now want to hear thoughts on the draft plan from as broad and diverse a range of people and organisations as possible, and to give everyone the chance to have their say on the document before its finalised.
Closes 3 January 2025

Designating HMP Barlinnie
Historic Environment Scotland
HES are proposing to designate the earliest phases of development of HMP Barlinnie, 81 Lee Avenue, Riddrie, Glasgow as a listed building at category A. HMP Barlinnie is a purpose-built prison complex designed in 1880 and opened in 1882 with subsequent phases of early development up to 1908. It is located within the residential area of Riddrie to the northeast of Glasgow City centre. As Scotland’s largest prison, the building has a place in the national consciousness. Having been in continual use since the 1880s, the site is also of outstanding social historical interest for what it can tell us about changes in penal discipline and reform in Scotland from the late 19th to 21st century. HES are now gathering views on their proposal to list this building at category A.
*NEW* Closes 22 January 2025

A Proposed New National Park in Scotland
NatureScot
Scottish Ministers have made a statutory proposal to establish a new National Park in the Galloway area (including parts of East and South Ayrshire). Ministers are keen to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it and have appointed NatureScot as the ‘Reporter’ to consult and advise them on the proposal. It follows a phase of pre-consultation work to inform and engage communities and stakeholders across the proposed area. This consultation therefore seeks all views on designating a National Park in the southwest of Scotland, and on the possible area and potential functions, powers, and governance it could have.
Closes 14 February 2025

Building regulations – proposed review of fire safety topics
Scottish Government
The purpose of this review is to consider changes to the standards and processes set within The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (as amended) and other published guidance documents to improve provisions addressing fire safety. This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards relating to the fire safety of historic buildings converted for hotel use and several other specific fire safety issues, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group was created to look at the long-term commitments outlined within the Cameron House Hotel SLWG Report and to review other aspects of Scottish Building Standards and fire safety guidance. This consultation reflects the outcomes and proposals of the Expert Working Group. Information on the review process to date, including minutes of the building and fire safety expert panel meetings, can be found here.
*NEW* Closes 7 March 2024

CONSULTATION RESPONSES

Infrastructure Levy for Scotland – Overview of Responses to the Discussion Paper (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

NEWS RELEASES

New Scottish Climate Intelligence Service Website Launched (Improvement Service July 2024)

New Building Restoration Initiative Using Community Skills Training (SHBT 24/10/2024)

Autumn Budget: important update for UK churches (National Churches Trust 31/10/2024)

Scottish Budget Remains Tight Despite Extra Funding Following UK Autumn Budget (Scottish Fiscal Commission 04/12/2024)

SCVO respond to Scottish Budget 2025/26 (SCVO 04/12/2024)

Using Appreciative Inquiry in housing research (CaCHE 05/12/2024)

Budget: Day-after reaction – the affordable housing supply programme and the tax strategy (Fraser of Allender Institute 05/12/2024)

Scottish budget: Glimmers of hope amid financial hopelessness (SCVO 05/12/2024)

IHBC welcomes RIBA’s new ‘must-have’ conservation practice guide, with ICOMOS 1993 Guidelines at its heart and IHBC at its head (IHBC 10/12/2024)

Museums Galleries Scotland appoints new chair (Arts Professional 12/12/2024)

New Steering Group members for Culture Counts (Culture Counts 16/12/2024)

PUBLICATIONS

Kickstarting Your Circular Economy (STP July 2024)

Capturing carbon to mitigate climate change: storage or use? (Science Direct 03/10/2024)

Bucharest Manifesto: For Quality-driven Cultural Heritage Practice in Europe (Europa Nostra November 2024)

Scottish Planner issue 199 (RTPI Winter 2024)

Pricing the Carbon: A Key Step Towards the UK’s Sustainable Future (National Institute of Social & Economic Research 04/12/2024)

House Price Index November 2024 (Halifax 05/12/2024)

Restarting housebuilding III: New towns and land value capture (Centre for Cities 10/12/2024)

SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS

The Building (Procedure) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (UK Gov 2024)

Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme: mid-scheme changes (UK Gov 14/11/2024)

Cultural engagement in Scotland: insights from people’s experiences (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)

The Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (additional amount: transactions relating to second homes etc.) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 (Scot Parl 04/12/2024)

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026 (Scot Gov 04/12/2024)

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026: climate change taxonomy (Scot Gov 04/12/2024)

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026: Carbon assessment (Scot Gov 04/12/2024)

Correspondence between Shona Robison and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the sustainability of local government finance as part of its pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26 (Scot Gov 04/12/2024)

Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the Scottish Government’s priorities related to the 2045 net zero target (Scot Gov 04/12/2024)

The Town and Country Planning (Masterplan Consent Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 05/12/2024)

The Town and Country Planning (Amendment of Local Development Plan) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 05/12/2024)

The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (Scot Parl 05/12/2024)

Increased funding for arts and culture (Scot Gov 05/12/2024)

Scottish Budget 2025-26 SPICe Briefing (SPICe 06/12/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, 34^th meeting 2024 – cladding remediation programme clerk’s note (Scot Parl 10/12/2024)

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, 37^th meeting 2024 – Land Reform (Scotland) Bill clerk’s note (Scot Parl 10/12/2024)

Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Board of Skills Development Scotland (Scot Gov 10/12/2024)

Building and fire safety – ministerial working group: Grenfell inquiry phase 2 minutes: November 2024 (Scot Gov 10/12/2024)

Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 10/12/2024)

Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 10/12/2024)

Minister for Housing recognises excellence in Building Standards across Scotland (Scot Gov 11/12/2024)

Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: October 2024 (Scot Gov 11/12/2024)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee, 35th meeting 2024 – Building (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2024 clerk’s note and minutes (Scot Parl 12/12/2024)

Update on the review to introduce a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Planning circular 3/2024: The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

£15 billion for councils (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Acquisition Programme: information (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Affordable Housing Supply Programme: investment benchmarks (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Affordable Housing Supply Programme: resource planning assumptions (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

CITB annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024 (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Comment: The Government’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes and the NPPF update (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Planning overhaul to reach 1.5 million new homes (UK Gov 12/12/2024)

Creative Industries Leadership Group: working group reports and Ministerial response – March 2022 (Scot Gov 12/12/2024)

Planning proposals get Britain building and turn the tide on nature’s decline (UK Gov 15/12/2024)

Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification 2022 (Scot Gov 16/12/2024)

Small area statistics: reference materials (Scot Gov 16/12/2024)

OPINION & COMMENT

Building Community Wealth, From the Ground Up (Scottish Land Commission 21/11/2024)

Community wealth is key to a fairer, greener and more prosperous Scottish economy (Insider 29/11/2024)

Scottish arts boost welcomed but concerns remain over council budgets (Arts Professional 05/12/2024)

Future of Heritage Schools programme yet to be decided (Arts Professional 05/12/2024)

Getting to grips with EDI (Arts Professional 05/12/2024)

The five-minute city: inside Denmark’s revolutionary neighbourhood (The Guardian 10/12/2024)

Heritage sector ‘facing challenges in diversity and inclusion’ (Arts Professional 10/12/2024)

Just Transition Commission calls on Scottish Government to set targets (Third Force News 12/12/2024)

Edinburgh to engage in ‘feminist approach’ to urban planning (The Times 13/12/2024)

HIE’s new head of business growth keen to support more businesses (HIE 13/12/2024)

Area team leader appointed at HIE in Orkney (HIE 13/12/2024)

Edinburgh needs a humanist approach to planning, not a feminist one (The Times 14/12/2024)

UK ‘doesn’t have enough builders’ for Labour’s 1.5m homes (BBC News 14/12/2024)

Labour condemned for allowing ‘new generation of slum homes’ in England (The Guardian 14/12/2024)

Edinburgh tourist tax: Council’s plans on how to spend revenue ‘contrary to purpose of levy’ (The Scotsman 16/12/2024)

Mayors to get powers to stop planning delays in England, Angela Rayner to say (The Guardian 16/12/2024)

Economist elected as new president of Royal Society of Edinburgh (The Scotsman 16/12/2024)

MOTIONS

S6M-15782
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 09/12/2024
That the Parliament recognises 10 December 2024 as Human Rights Day; supports this year’s theme of “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”; agrees that human rights present a route to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world; recognises that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Council of Europe, and supports its vital mission to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe; celebrates important steps to advance rights in Scotland, including the commencement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024; commends the role of human rights organisations, human rights defenders and wider civil society in driving change and challenging everyone to do better, and reaffirms its own commitment to strengthen, respect, protect and fulfil human rights through both practical action and future legislation
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 10/12/2024

EVENTS

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – January Lecture: ‘The archaeology of the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival’
Date & Time: Thursday 9 January 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival was a seminal event in the modern re-invention of the city. In this lecture, Kenny will consider how archaeology (especially Roman) was represented at the Festival, including the unique reconstruction of an Antonine Wall gatehouse. He will also discuss the results of his own fieldwork and excavations (2022-2024) across what remains of the Festival site. The case will be made that archaeology is a powerful tool to explore recent events, engage the public, and unlock memories. This talk will be presented by Dr Kenny Brophy BSc FSAScot, University of Glasgow.

SHBT – Digital Space & Place: History & Fantasy for Public Heritage
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 January 2025; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
How do you help a wide public audience imagine and appreciate architecture when the buildings no longer exist? When they can’t be visited, viewed, and experienced? Glaire Anderson discusses her work as external historian/art historian on Ubisoft’s popular history-themed video game Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Now a ruined shell clinging to the side of the peel above Linlithgow Loch, Linlithgow Palace was once the great pleasure palace of the kings and queens of Scotland. James Cook’s work brings together scientific acoustic research, historical archival work, archaeology, and performance to reconstruct this building within Virtual Reality.

Old Edinburgh Club – Stonily Gray and Strange of Aspect: Edinburgh
Date & Time: Wednesday 15 January 2025; 7-8:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
Most people consider modern architecture as the ‘concrete monstrosities’ of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. In this talk, organised by the Old Edinburgh Club, Roger Emmerson will explore how the ‘Modern Age’ could be reconsidered as stemming from the Scottish Enlightenment and how ‘modern thought’ provides the background to contemporary architecture. Emmerson is a specialist in architectural design who has worked extensively in the architectural conservation, leisure, housing, and education industries.

My Place Awards 2025 launch
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 January 2025; 11am-12pm
Location: Online
Join the Scottish Civic Trust for a free knowledge share event featuring case studies of community-led placemaking projects across Scotland. This event will mark the official launch of the My Place Awards 2025, which celebrate excellence in community-led placemaking.

AHSS Lecture – Scott Abercrombie: Provand’s Lordship
Date & Time: Thursday 23 January 2025; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Scott Abercrombie, Associate Director of John Gilbert Architects, will discuss the history of Glasgow’s oldest residential building, now a museum, as well as the recent conservation works undertaken, which included the reinstatement of lime harling to the building.
Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25

 

C&BS – Introduction to being a Board Member
Dates & Times: Tuesday 14 & 21 January 2025; 4-7pm
Location: Online
Do you have new trustees on your Board or have you taken on a trustee role yourself? If so, this is an essential course for launching or refreshing your Board career. C&BS Head of Board Development, Catriona Reynolds, takes new trustees and Board members through their paces in two information-packed, hands-on sessions. A reading list, with all material available online, is provided in advance of each session to give you background information on different topics.

SLCT – On the behaviour of Lime Mortared Masonry Masterclass
Date & Time: Friday 24 January 2025; 10am-4pm
Location: Charlestown Workshops, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown, Fife KY11 3EN
Join Conservation Engineer, David Wiggins talk about Lime Mortared Masonry. David is a CARE-accredited conservation engineer, whose work centres around the care and repair of historic buildings. He has a doctorate in technical masonry conservation, and current convener of the Building Limes Forum. This masterclass will marry up his research and professional practice, and is primarily aimed at engineers, but will also be of interest to masons, other crafts and anyone who wonders how historic masonry works.

VACANCIES