BEFS News

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has commissioned DC Research to carry out an evaluation of ‘Our Place in Time – The Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland’. This is a mid-term evaluation which seeks to understand and identify what has been achieved so far, as well as looking at priorities for the future, and potential areas for improvement. As part of the evaluation a survey is taking place – please take the time to respond. It should only take 10-12 minutes to complete, and HES are keen to receive responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals. It gives you the opportunity to provide feedback on the achievements of the strategy, future priorities, as well as identify any areas for improvement around structures and delivery arrangements. The deadline for responding is Friday 2nd August 2019.

HES has also launched a major survey about how historic sites and heritage places affect our wellbeing. The research will explore how people use the historic environment across Scotland and the contribution it makes to their lives. The findings will be used to understand how people benefit from Scotland’s historic environment, and to guide the organisation’s work over the next few years. The survey is being carried out by Progressive Partnership and will run until 25 August 2019.

HES would also be grateful if you would complete an evaluation survey about the Engine Shed. This survey is being conducted by Jura Consultants, to inform an evaluation of the delivery of services and activities to date and to take views from the sector and the public on priorities for the future.

Launched in 2012, it is now seven years since the national Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) was created and published online. If you have used or been involved in the creation of any of the ScARF resources since then, please take a few moments to complete a short survey. The survey seeks views from everyone who has used or contributed to ScARF and will close on the 31st of July. Please share your views to help plan for the future development of the framework!

The Sustainable Development Goals report ‘On Target for 2030?’ has now been published and is available via the UWS-Oxfam Partnership website here. BEFS contribution to the recent consultation is included in the publication.

Readers may also be interested in Housing to 2040, which sets out the Scottish Government’s draft vision and principles for 2040. It now includes references to existing housing stock and to maintenance which were absent in the initial discussion paper.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed The Big Climate Conversation, which will run nationwide to discuss action to tackle the global climate emergency, will take place in Scotland this summer. The first six engagement events have been scheduled.

Have you signed the latest UK parliamentary petition, Zero-rate VAT on deep retrofit/eco-refurbishment building works on all homes, to cut VAT on ‘energy-saving measures’?

Don’t miss the opportunity to promote your activities! Submit your project as a best practice case study for our historic environment database and the next Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report. Deadline for submissions is 26th July.

Watch this space for the launch of the full Doors Open Days 2019 – 30th anniversary programme.

Consultations

Are Scotland’s Roads Funded Properly?
The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee is looking for views from a wide range of road users on the effectiveness of the current approach to road maintenance in Scotland and whether current funding levels are sufficient. The deadline for submissions is 6 September 2019.

Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.

Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.

Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Closes 31 July 2019.

Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.

Consultation on the Enhanced Heating Regimes within the new definition of Fuel Poverty
Closes 16 Aug 2019.

The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019
Closes 13 Sep 2019.

Consultation on the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development
Closes 19 Sep 2019.

Consultation Responses

Scottish charity law: consultation analysis (SG 02/07/19)

Publications

Climate Change and Older Buildings – Key Sources (IHBC 07/19)

Rebuilding Trust Research Finding Summary (Grosvenor 10/07/19)

Rebuilding Trust Discussion Paper (Grosvenor 10/07/19)

Creating space for beauty: interim report of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission (MHCLG 09/07/19)

Local Government Finance: Facts and Figures 2013-14 to 2019-20 (SG 02/07/19)

Future of Our Pasts: Engaging Cultural Heritage in Climate Action Report (ICOMOS 02/07/19)

Warmer Homes Scotland: annual review 2017 to 2018 (SG 28/06/19)

On Target for 2030? An independent snapshot review of Scotland’s progress against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UWS-Oxfam Partnership 07/19)

Building Beautiful Places: How planning policy can incentivise the building of places not just homes (Policy Exchange 07/19)

Urban Built Heritage – Research Summary (NT 07/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Charity law consultation responses published (SG 03/07/19)
A majority of responses to the Scottish charity law consultation support changes to increase transparency and accountability.

Improved energy efficiency standards reducing bills (SG 27/06/19)
Low income households are saving on their fuel bills as a result of improved energy efficiency measures in their homes.

News Releases

The country needs more homes but it has never been harder – Rebuilding Trust Research (Grosvenor 10/0719)
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland (GBI) has conducted the largest ever canvassing of public trust in placemaking in the UK.

Make “places not just homes” and transform retail parks into thriving communities, says Commission (MHCLG 09/07/19)
Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission publishes interim report.

Welsh government demands 50% affordable housing on new developments (IH 09/07/19)
Wales’ housing minister is calling on planning departments across the country to demand that at least 50% of housing on development sites be affordable.

Sir Mark Jones named as new NTS Chair (NTS 04/07/19)
Sir Mark Jones will take over as National Trust for Scotland Chairman, when Sir Moir Lockhead steps down in August 2019.

Edinburgh Traditional Building Festival prepares for seventh annual outing (SHN 04/07/19)
Sponsored by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and forming part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this year’s event will focus on the need to repair and maintain traditional buildings which follows the findings of the Tenement Working Group in the Scottish Parliament.

“Future of Our Pasts” report to increase engagement of cultural heritage in climate action (ICOMOS 02/06/19)
Putting forward a multi-disciplinary approach to cultural heritage, the report is intended for site managers, scientists, researchers, but also to climate activists and policy-makers.

Orkney world heritage sites threatened by climate change (BBC 02/07/19)
The world heritage status of Orkney’s archaeological treasures is threatened by climate change, a report has warned.

Orkney Report submitted to World Heritage Committee (HES 02/07/19)
A report outlining how climate change prevention methods will be trialled in Orkney is launched during the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting on Tuesday 2 July.

RICS consultation on Home Survey Standard (IHBC 01/07/19)
RICS has launched a consultation on a new mandatory RICS Home Survey Standard, which closes on 29 July.

Scottish Living History Festival (AS 06/19)
Archaeology Scotland are working hard to make their 75th anniversary celebration of Scotland’s history, heritage, & archaeology incredible and free of charge. They have set up this crowdfunding campaign to help make it happen!

Project to use space technology to protect Scotland’s historic environment (HES 28/06/19)
A new partnership to harness space and satellite technology to protect Scotland’s historic sites from climate change has been launched.

Local Place Plans: communities call for greater support to create success (PAS 28/06/19)
Earlier this year, PAS ran a short survey to gather views on what support communities would like to see, what barriers they believe may prevent them from taking part in a Local Place Plan and how these barriers might be overcome. 350 people responded to the survey.

Tourism: Sector Deal (DCMS 28/06/19)
The Tourism Sector Deal sets out how the government and industry will work in partnership to boost productivity, develop the skills of the UK workforce and support destinations to enhance their visitor offer.

Braw Buildings 2019 (SCT 28/06/19)
Scottish Civic Trust are delighted to deliver the Braw Buildings Project, a part of Doors Open Days 2019, in partnership with Hostelling Scotland.

RIBA announces National Award winners (RIBA 27/06/19)
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the 54 winners of 2019 RIBA National Awards for architecture. The awards recognise the UK’s best new construction projects and provide an insight into the UK’s design and economic trends.

The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage (EN 25/06/19)
Europa Nostra Awards is Europe’s top honour in the heritage field. It recognises the best achievements in conservation, research, dedicated service as well as education, training and awareness-raising. In 2020 and 2021 two new ILUCIDARE Special Prizes will be awarded in cultural heritage-led innovation and diplomacy. Deadline: 1 October 2019.

Opinion & Comment

Here’s how we can end Scotland’s housing crisis (Tammy Swift-Adams in The Scotsman 09/07/19)

‘The next era of human progress’: what lies behind the global new cities epidemic? (Gaurdian 08/07/19)

Planning (Scotland) Bill – Collaborate to Move Forward (HOPS 05/07/19)

Design can’t solve all our problems, so stop pretending it can (dezeen 02/07/19)

Scotland’s planning bill: a time consuming grind, an opportunity missed, a failure of democracy (PD 29/06/19)

Understanding the ugly building, with Timothy Hyde (Prospect Magazine 27/06/19)

City or Symbol? Dundee and perils of regeneration (Christopher Silver 24/06/19)

What is the future of Urban Heritage? (NT 21/06/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-24286: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to all five pathfinder housing first pilots reportedly being behind in meeting their June 2019 targets.

Question S5W-24217: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 03/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, of the 35,000 homes for social rent due to be delivered by the end of this parliamentary session, how many have (a) been completed and (b) started construction.

Question S5W-24145: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 02/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many of the 50,000 affordable homes that it has committed to building in the current parliamentary session have started construction.

Question S5W-24130: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 02/07/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of social landlords currently meet its minimum site standards for Gypsy/Travellers, broken down by local authority.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (07/06/2019)

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Monuments in Monuments 2019
Date & time: Mon. 2 – Wed.4 September 2019; 10am – 4pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed.
Full ticket: £300. Day tickets: £120
This conference explores the conservation challenges facing carved stones and objects inside historic buildings. Hear from specialists from all over the world about how traditional skills, emerging technology and conservation science are helping to overcome these challenges. You can buy full conference or individual day tickets. Student rates are available.

IPTW: Crafting the Future
Dates: Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 September 2019.
Venue: The Engine Shed.
We are delighted to be hosting the first International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW) held outside of the US, in partnership with the Preservation Trades Network (PTN). This unique event brings together practitioners of traditional trades to share skills, knowledge and best practice. Enjoy a packed programme with craft demonstrations from both the USA and the UK, lectures, tours and more. On Saturday 7 September, everyone from families to enthusiasts will be able to see traditional crafts up close at our free demonstrations. The event will close with a ceilidh and auction in the magnificent Great Hall at Stirling Castle. The proceeds from the renowned PTN auction are used to fund educational bursaries and specific projects.
Interested in taking part? Have knowledge or expertise you want to share? Participating in an IPTW is a great way to connect with the traditional trades. You’ll have the opportunity to network with the wider industry. We are looking for a variety of craft demonstrators with varying experience willing to showcase their skills. If you are interested, please fill out our application form accessible on our webpage here, and return to ian.walker@hes.scot or charles.jones@hes.scot.

Scottish Land Commission Conference – Scotland’s Land & Economy
Date & time: Wed, 2 October 2019; 09:30 – 16:30.
Venue: Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS.
Join us at the Scottish Land Commission’s conference to look at the role of land reform in achieving Scotland’s agenda for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Land ownership and use are central to increasing productivity, reducing inequalities, creating a fair and prosperous Scotland. We will explore these themes through a number of key note speakers and panel discussions.
The conference will explore:

• Land reform and it’s role in growing Scotland’s economy
• Productive land ownership – what it means and how it can be achieved
• What can we learn from international experience
• Learning from other sectors

Training

Stone, Digital Documentation, and Energy Improvements
Date & time: Friday 9 August; 9.30am – 12.15pm.
Venue: The Engine Shed
Hear from Historic Environment Scotland experts on how to source and select stone for repairs, improve energy efficiency in traditional buildings and receive an introduction to digital documentation. Run in conjunction with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This event is free, but booking is essential.

The Damp in Buildings Masterclass
Date & time: 6 September 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
Cost: £190 + vat …… Remember if you are a BLF, IHBC, RIBA or RIAS member you are eligible for 20% discount on this seminar. Please just give us a call with your member number.
We are pleased to welcome back Mike Parrett, one of the world’s leading building pathologists and co-author of the RICS’ bestselling book ‘Diagnosing Damp’, recognised as the primary reference work on dampness in buildings.

Vacancies

Engagement Manager
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is recruiting for a full time Engagement Manager on a permanent contract based in Scotland.
The closing date for applications is Midnight 12 July 2019.

Project Officer (Journal Editor)
Archaeology Scotland is seeking a Project Officer for its Discovery and Excavation in Scotland journal.
Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 14th July at 12 midnight.

Traditional Buildings Inspector
Stirling City Heritage Trust are looking for a new inspector to join our Traditional Buildings Health Check team.
The closing date is Monday 15 July 2019.

Parks Endowment Communication Manager
greenspace scotland is looking for an experienced communications and marketing manager (employed or freelance role) to lead the public facing phase of our exciting programme to develop an Endowment Fund for Scotland’s parks.
Closing date: Mon 29 July.

Green Health Programme Manager (Lothians)
greenspace scotland is recruiting a Programme Manager to lead and support delivery of the Lothians Green Health Strategy.
Closing date: 29 July 2019.

Scottish Land Commission Internship
Scottish Land Commission are looking for an intern to research and develop at least two innovative community funding models for the Scottish context.
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2019.

BEFS News

The final vote on the Planning (Scotland) Bill took place on 20th June 2019 after 3 days of vigorous debate. The Bill passed 78:26, supported by the SNP and Conservative MSPs, with Labour, Liberal and Green Party members voting against. All Amendments, with the decisions made in each case, can be found in the document, here. One week on, BEFS Director Euan Leitch, reflects on responses to the Bill.

Prior to the debates, BEFS issued a Stage 3 briefing for MSPs, based on previous work by the Planning Taskforce and comments in relation to refreshed and new topics of interest to BEFS Membership.

The Scottish Parliament debated a motion on the recommendations of the Working Group on Tenement Maintenance yesterday. MSPs recognised that the issue needs addressed and Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Planning and Housing, has committed to a substantive response from the Scottish Government to the recommendations in the autumn. The consensual, non-partisan nature of the working group was recognised by all side in the Chamber and appreciation of the hard work of the stakeholders acknowledged. Watch the full debate here or read the transcript.

BEFS responded to the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland consultation. The response highlights the importance of accurate EPC ratings for all buildings, the necessary time needed for the skills-supply chain to be in place, and the necessity for education around behaviour change. It also highlights the need for mandatory adaptations to truly enable holistic, substantial and significant change. BEFS sits on the Short Life Working Group in relation to this area.

BEFS also responded to Historic Environment Scotland’s Climate Change & Environmental Action Plan Consultation. BEFS response was in the form of a workshop report compiled after a recent Historic Environment Working Group (HEWG) meeting, which explored the questions raised with BEFS Members. The ‘actions’ in the current plan were thought to tend more towards achievable than ambitious goals. Respondents raised whether this was enough given the declared climate crisis.

Have you submitted your project as a best practice case study for our data base and the next Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report? Deadline for submissions is 26th July.

RTPI President Ian Tant shares his impressions of his recent visit to Scotland in this week’s blog: Awards, beliefs & communities in Scottish planning.

Save the date! The Climate Heritage Network Global Launch is taking place in Edinburgh in October. Find out more about the aims of the network and the launch event here.

Finally, don’t miss Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum (ETBF) and partners at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The 11 events in August range from traditional building skills demonstrations to maintenance and energy efficiency seminars.

Consultations

Consultation on the Right to Buy Land to Further Sustainable Development
Opened 26 Jun 2019 and closes 19 Sep 2019.

Consultation on the Enhanced Heating Regimes within the new definition of Fuel Poverty
Opened 24 Jun 2019 and closes 16 Aug 2019.

The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019
Opened 17 Jun 2019 and closes 13 Sep 2019.

Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Closes 5 Jul 2019.

Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Closes 8 Jul 2019.

Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.

Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.

Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Closes 31 July 2019.

Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.

Consultation Responses

Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee Arts funding inquiry – Summary of written evidence

Publications

TThe Practice of Kindness: Learning from the Kindness Innovation Network and North Ayrshire (Carnegie UK Trust 25/06/19)

Quantifying kindness, public engagement and place: Experiences of people in Scotland (Carnegie UK Trust 25/06/19)

Planning (Scotland) Bill [AS PASSED] (SP 20/16/19)

Backing the Bedrock – Five Heritage Fiscal & Funding Priorities 2019 (THA 20/06/19)

Referendums (Scotland) Bill – SPICe Briefing (SPICe 19/06/19)

The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2019: guidance (SG 17/06/19)

Rent affordability in the affordable housing sector: literature review (SG 17/06/19)

Game of Homes: The rise of multiple property ownership in Great Britain (RF 15/06/19)

Update on current workstreams: Chief Planner letter (SG 14/06/19)

Marshalled List of Amendments selected for Stage 3 – Planning (Scotland) Bill (SP 13/06/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Tackling climate change (SG 24/06/19)
The Scottish Government has committed significant funding to help repair and restore Scotland’s peatland areas, which store around 1600 million tonnes of carbon.

Culture to strengthen Scotland’s global links (SG 23/06/19)
The unifying power of culture will be used to emphasise Scotland’s global connections in the face of Brexit.

Communities given more say in planning (SG 20/06/19)
Communities will have more say in shaping the future development of their areas in a radical shake-up of planning laws.

The Big Climate Conversation (SG 19/06/19)
A nationwide conversation to discuss action to tackle the global climate emergency will take place in Scotland this summer, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.

Household numbers continue to rise (SG 18/06/19)
The number of households in Scotland has continued to increase to 2.48 million in 2018, according to figures published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Young people and families helped to buy their own homes (SG 18/06/19)
More than 30,000 households have been helped to buy their home through Scottish Government support schemes since 2007.

International Creative Ambition Programme (SG 14/06/19)
Scotland’s cultural links around the world will be strengthened thanks to Scottish Government investment of £150,000.

News Releases

Public asked which significant Scots should be recognised (HES 25/06/19)
Nominations have opened for this year’s national Commemorative Plaque scheme, it was announced today (25 June 2019).

Edinburgh’s tourism industry urged to act to avoid ‘backlash’ (Scotsman 25/06/19)
An official report on the future of tourism in Edinburgh has urged industry leaders to encourage visitors to leave the city to help ease the impact of its “growing pains” amid warnings it is running the risk of a “backlash” from residents

Toads, Romans, Railways and Inverkeithing (Herald 25/06/19)
Toads, railways and a museum dedicated to Roman history in Scotland have received more than £3m from the National Lottery.

Thousands of long-term empty homes brought back to life under Scottish scheme (Herald, 24/06/19)
Hundreds of empty homes are now being brought back into use in an effort to breathe fresh life into fragile and rural communities.

Scotland set for ‘more inclusive and collaborative’ planning system as MSPs back ‘radical’ reforms (SHN 21/06/19)
Planning minister Kevin Stewart said communities will have more say in shaping the future development of their areas after MSPs agreed to a “radical shake-up” of planning laws.

British Council & Heritage Alliance Travel Grant Scheme (THA 20/06/19)
The Heritage Alliance, in partnership with the British Council, is offering a second round of travel grants for heritage professionals to develop mutually beneficial international projects and partnerships for their organisations.

Public Choice Award (EN 20/06/19)
Vote for the 2019 European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards.

Launch of £100 million Heritage Horizon Awards (NLHF 19/06/19)
The Heritage Horizon Awards will invest £100million over the next three years in ambitious, innovative and transformational projects that will revolutionise UK heritage.

Paris Wants to Grow ‘Urban Forests’ at Famous Landmarks (CityLab 19/06/19)
The city plans to fill some small but treasured sites with trees—a climate strategy that may also change the way Paris frames its architectural heritage.

7 Most Endangered programme 2020 (EN 19/06/19)
If you know of an important heritage site in Europe that is endangered – such as a historic monument or archaeological site, a place of worship, an industrial complex, a historic park, a museum or a movable heritage asset, nominate it for the 7 Most Endangered programme 2020.

FutureTown Design 2019: Open for Applications! (STP 19/06/19)
What changes would you like to see in your town or city neighbourhood? Share your vision in this innovative national competition!

National Trust and National Lottery team up for Future Parks initiative (NLHF 17/06/19)
Eight towns and cities have been selected to take part in Future Parks, an £11million initiative that aims to secure the future of our urban parks and green spaces.

Europa Nostra and the Global Heritage Fund join forces through a transformational partnership (EN 14/06/19)
Europa Nostra and the Global Heritage Fund (based in San Francisco) are joining forces to support the communities protecting endangered cultural heritage, initially in Europe, and eventually around the world.

Scottish Government appoints Indigo House to research short-term lets (SHN 13/06/19)
The Scottish Government has commissioned consultancy firm Indigo House to undertake research into the positive and negative impacts of short-term lets.

National Trust awarded Independent Research Organisation status (NT 06/06/19)
The National Trust has been awarded Independent Research Organisation (IRO) status enabling it to collaborate further with researchers across culture, history and the natural environment.

Opinion & Comment

Scotland’s Planning Bill – who will “frontloading” work for? (Cliff Hague, 21/06/19)

Democracy Versus the Climate? (RSA 21/06/19)

Introduction of statutory Chief Planning Officers welcomed by RTPI Scotland (RTPI Scotland 20/06/19)

What’s Wrong With Modern Buildings? Everything, Starting With How They’re Made (Bloomberg 19/06/19)

Planning (Scotland) Bill Stage 3 (Tammy Swift-Adams, Homes for Scotland 18/06/19)

‘Historic’ opportunity for planning reform but more funding needed (RTPI Scotland 18/06/19)

Architects Declare is a remarkable call-to-arms on climate change (Hattie Hartman, AJ 30/05/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”. 

Question S5W-23989: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 24/06/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its commitment to deliver 50,000 affordable homes in the current parliamentary session.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. 

Question S5W-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (07/06/2019)

Motions

Motion S5M-17892: Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 24/06/2019
Working Group on Tenement Maintenance 
That the Parliament appreciates the work of the Working Group on Maintenance of Tenement Scheme Property and the publication of its Final Recommendations Report; acknowledges that the group had cross-party representation and has gathered views from across the Parliament and that of the housing sector; notes that the report acknowledges the important action that has already been taken to improve the condition of Scottish tenements; recognises the challenges that must be met to ensure that Scotland’s housing stock can continue to provide safe and sustainable homes for the future, and believes that the group’s recommendations merit serious and careful consideration.

Supported by: Andy Wightman, Aileen Campbell, Graham Simpson, John Mason.

Read the full debate in Chamber on 26/06/2019.

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Scotland 2030: A Sustainable Future for Urban Scotland
Date & time: Wednesday 26 June, 6pm to 8pm.
Venue: The Scottish Parliament.
Life in Scotland’s towns and cities is forecast to change significantly in the coming decades. Cities are set to continue to grow, facing the challenge of providing housing and services for new populations, while the role and place of towns in Scotland remains uncertain as traditional high streets disappear and services are increasingly centralised. Join an expert panel to consider how we can build a sustainable future for urban Scotland, putting communities at the heart of regeneration.

Meet the Makers – Traditional Craftsmanship in the Modern World
Date& time: 2nd July 6pm.
Venue: 54 Bell Street.
Think masters, journeymen, and travelling apprentices in ancient crafts are a thing of the past? Welcome to the world of the French Compagnons, an ancient traditional still very much alive… And we’ve brought them to Glasgow! Traditional travelling apprenticeships are still very much alive, with thousands of craftspeople travelling around Europe every year honing and sharing their skills. In France they are called compagnons, an ancient tradition that still produces master craftspeople who make art, furniture, and buildings we use and cherish. Glasgow City Heritage Trust is pleased to welcome three traditional craftspeople in the French compagnon tradition, who will speak to us about craft, tradition, and the unbelievable journey taken in the pursuit of craft mastery. This event, for enthusiasts as well as students and craftspeople, aims to inspire enthusiasm for studying and honing traditional building crafts.

End of the Line: Photographs of Glasgow by John R Hume
Date & time: Friday June 28th, 6pm-8pm.
Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell St, Glasgow, G1 1LQ.
John R Hume first started documenting Glasgow’s industrial buildings in 1964. Wandering the city by bicycle, he was determined to get images of as many of the city’s decaying industrial buildings as possible before they disappeared. He was just in time. The photographs in End of the Line represent the enormity of the loss of Glasgow’s industrial heritage since the 1960s and 1970s. They shed a light on Glasgow’s industrial decline as the buildings fell in to gradual disuse and were demolished.

Training

Practical CPD: Stone Cleaning
Date & time: 24th July 12:30-1:30
Venue: CBC Stone 119 Whitefield Rd, Glasgow.
Cleaning stone buildings can be a double-edged sword: It can bring beauty and elegance to facades and streetscapes, but it also can have disastrous unintended consequences if the wrong materials or techniques are used. Graeme Frame, director of CBC Stone and member of the national Stone Federation, will cover the appropriate and inappropriate applications of different stone cleaning methods. At CBC Stone’s premises near Govan, participants will learn through a combination of lecture and hands-on activity, testing and trying different methods out in the stone yard. This session will be valuable to enthusiasts and homeowners, as well as to professionals. Please note: This practical CPD session will take place off-site, at 119 Whitehill Rd. Light lunch and all PPE will be provided. Please wear close-toed shoes. All GCHT CPD sessions are recognised by the IHBC, and attendees can obtain a CPD certificate upon completion. £20 per person /£15 for students, including light lunch and PPE

Claim that funding!
Date & time: Wednesday 28th August, 9.30am – 4pm
Venue: The Acorn Centre, Inverurie.
Full Cost Recovery and Measuring Impact – two of the most challenging areas of a built heritage project. Join us for training in both topics from Pamela Redpath and come armed with any queries that you would like answered! We will also hear from local heritage case studies, including the team at the Garioch Heritage Centre, whilst making sure that there is plenty of time for attendees to network, problem solve and share their news. This is a joint event run by the Heritage Trust Network and the Scottish Civic Trust.

Vacancies

Traditional Buildings Inspector
Stirling City Heritage Trust are looking for a new inspector to join our Traditional Buildings Health Check team.
The closing date is Monday 15 July 2019.

Post-Brexit environmental governance in Scotland
LINK is currently seeking an individual (or organisation) to undertake a research project, on post-Brexit environmental governance in Scotland.
Deadline for tenders: 29 June 2019.

Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.

Scottish Land Commission Internship
Scottish Land Commission are looking for an intern to research and develop at least two innovative community funding models for the Scottish context.
Deadline for applications: 29 July 2019.

BEFS News

The Scottish Parliamentary cross-party Working Group for Tenement Maintenance, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariat, has published its report of recommendations. The report calls for regular building inspections, the establishment of compulsory owners’ associations and Building Reserve Funds to be written into legislation to protect the future of Scotland’s tenement buildings. More information and the full report can be found here.

We are looking for case studies of projects or initiatives undertaken between April 2018 and March 2019. Your project could feature in our Historic Environment Case Studies database and be linked to the Our Place in Time (OPiT) performance report 2019. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your work within the national strategy for the historic environment, contributing to the case for continued government support for the sector. Further information on what we are looking for and how to submit your project here.

The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre. Part of Historic Environment Scotland, it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public. Complete this short survey to inform an evaluation of the delivery of activities to date and to share your views on priorities for the future.

The Scottish Government have published a version of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 showing how it would look if the amendments to the Planning (Scotland) Bill were accepted. It is also now confirmed that stage 3 debates on the Bill will take place in the Scottish Parliament on 18, 19 and 20 June 2019. BEFS Policy Lead provides a brief and concise overview of Stage 3 amendments.

Young Placechangers – last chance to get your Idea funded! The final deadline for the Young Ideas Fund is 21st June. Groups can apply for up to £3000 to involve their local community to develop their idea and deliver changes on the ground. So, if you are between 12-25 years old or support/work with young people and you have an idea to how to change your local place for the better, now is the time to put pen to paper.

The 2019 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration, in partnership with the Scottish Government, are now open for applications. The SURF Awards are widely recognised as the most prestigious in the field of Scottish community regeneration. This year, there are five categories of entry: Scotland’s Most Improved Place; Housing and Regeneration; Creative Regeneration; Supporting Youth Employability and Community Led Regeneration.

The Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum will be delivering a traditional building skills demonstration during this year’s Royal Highland Show at the end of the month.

The Architecture Fringe 2019 is now in full swing. Check out their fantastic programme of events.

Consultations

A consultation on proposals to designate four Marine Protected Areas in Scottish waters
Opened 7 Jun 2019 and closes 30 Aug 2019.

Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system
Opened 6 June. Closes 31 July 2019.

Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation
Closes 17 Jun 2019.

The future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings: a call for evidence
Closes 17 Jun 2019.

Climate Change and Environmental Action Plan 2019-24
This HES consultation will close at 12pm on Wednesday 19 June.

Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Closes 5 Jul 2019.

Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Closes 8 Jul 2019.

Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Closes 17 Jul 2019.

Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Closes 19 Jul 2019.

A Scottish Government consultation on Implementation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
Closes 4 Aug 2019.

Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.

Publications

Heritage and Immigration Brexit Briefing Update (THA 06/06/19)

Archaeology and Immigration – Position Statement Briefing (CIfA 05/19)

High Streets in Great Britain (Office for National Stats 06/06/19)

Defining and measuring housing affordability – an alternative approach (Affordable Housing Commission 06/06/19)

OS data supports Britain’s high streets – Interactive Map (OS 06/06/19)

Planning Bill stage 3: proposed amendments (SG 31/05/19)

Scottish climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2019 (SG 31/05/19)

Brexit Update – Breifing (SPICe 30/05/19)

Empty Housing (England) – Briefing (HoC 29/05/19)

Adapting European Cities to Population Ageing: Policy challenges and best practices (EPSON 04/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

New Bill to lift households out of fuel poverty (SG 11/06/19)
The Fuel Poverty Bill enshrines in law the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty and transform homes to be warmer and more energy-efficient.

Number of new build homes completed tops 20,000 for the first time in a decade (SG 11/06/19)
There were 20,255 new build homes completed across all sectors over the year ending December 2018, an increase of 15% on the previous year, and the highest number of annual completions since 2008.

More affordable homes completed (SG 11/06/19)
The Scottish Government is on track to hit its ambitious target of 50,000 affordable homes by 2021.

Rural skills plan (SG 10/06/19)
A new strategic approach to support the skills needs of rural Scotland has been launched.

Rural tourism investment (SG 06/06/19)
Projects to benefit from a share of nearly £2.9 million. Some of Scotland’s most iconic, rural and island tourist sites will receive funding for new facilities to further enhance the experience of visitors.

News Releases

Saltire Society Housing Design Awards 2019 (SSS 11/06/19)
The Saltire Society Housing Design Awards have celebrated good housing made for the people of Scotland for over 80 years and we are pleased to announce the 2019 shortlist.

New partnership for Orkney’s World Heritage Site (HES 11/06/19)
An ambitious new partnership to shape the future direction for Orkney’s World Heritage Site has been unveiled today.

Planning system widening North-South wealth divide (Centre for Cities 11/06/19)
The restrictive planning system has made urban homeowners in the Greater South East more than £80,000 richer over the past six years than those elsewhere in England and Wales, Centre for Cities has found.

Celebrate landscapes greatest legacies at this year’s Landscape Institute Awards (LI 11/06/19)
2019 is the Landscape Institute’s 90th anniversary. Up from one open category last year, we now have three that are open to everyone – including the Landscape Legacy Award. There are also opportunities for leaders in the sector to join our judging panel.

Government plans new regulator for building safety (SCN 07/06/19)
The UK Government has proposed the creation of a new national regulator for building safety as part of a series of reforms in response to the Hackitt report.

Building excellence celebrated at FMB Scotland Awards (SCN 07/06/19)
High-quality building work, fantastic craftsmanship, exceptional customer service and building excellence were recognised last night the Federation of Master Builders’ Scotland Awards.

High streets in Great Britain – ONS & OS releases data analysis & interactive maps (ONS 06/06/19)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Ordnance Survey (OS) have collaborated to identify high streets in Great Britain, what types of properties and businesses are on high streets as well as how the number of businesses and employment have changed in recent years.

Architecture on Shortage Occupation List (RIBA 06/05/19)
RIBA responds to MAC’s recommendation to add architecture to Shortage Occupation List (RIBA 06/05/

Clearer plans needed on climate change (SP 05/06/19)
Clearer plans are needed on how climate change will be addressed according to a new report issued today by Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.

100 miles of new paths celebrated across Scotland (SNH 05/06/19)
More than 100 miles of new and improved paths will be created across Scotland as part of a scheme to boost outdoor access.

My Place Mentoring (SCT 03/06/19)
We are delighted to be able to offer community groups across Scotland the opportunity to build their skills and capacity through our free mentoring programme.

RIAS Award Winners 2019 (RIAS 29/05/19)
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) announced 10 winners for its 2019 Awards, representing the very best of current Scottish architecture.

Opinion & Comment

How we can make tourism work in Scotland (Herald 09/06/19)

Coming Soon…….more of the same? (Duncan Smith 07/06/19)

The role of heritage in uncertain times (NLHF 07/06/19)

SPAB Scotland working party (Lucy Stewart SPAB 29/05/19)

What on earth do the arts and culture have to do with climate change? (Claire Buckley, URBACT 25/04/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-23544: John Finnie, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 30/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it declaring a climate emergency and committing to review all its policies, how long it expects this assessment to take and for action to be taken to ensure that coastal communities in the Western Isles are adequately protected.

Other Parliamentary Activity

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2019:

• 30 June to 1 September 2019 (inclusive)
• 12 to 27 October 2019 (inclusive)
• 21 December 2019 to 5 January 2020 (inclusive)

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Gosford House Tour & Picnic
Date & time: 11am Saturday 15th June
Venue: Gosford House, Longniddry, East Lothian
Gosford House is an imposing neo-classical mansion which was one of the last great architectural commissions of the celebrated Scots architect, Robert Adam. Constructed for the seventh Earl of Wemyss, the building was completed in 1800 – eight years after the architect’s death – and is recognised as an outstanding example of the later period of his work. This private tour will be given by Lord Wemyss, and is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand from the owner about this splendid building.

Johnstone School Kirkcudbright
Date & time: 18 June, Tuesday, 18 June 2019 at 12:00PM – 2:00PM.
Venue: Cairndale Hotel, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2PF.
Don’t miss this fascinating presentation from Andrew Ward telling us about the Kirkcudbright Development Trust’s journey to secure ownership of Johnston School in Kirkcudbright and the plans for its future including developing it into a dark skies visitor centre and how Creetown Initiative took ownership of the Barholm Arms in Creetown and what they have done with it

Historic Environment Scotland kick off European Space Agency project
Date & time: Fri, 28 June 2019, 09:30 – 13:30.
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) kick off ESA Business Applications project to address challenges faced in managing / maintaining assets affected by coastal erosion, ground movement and climate change. Speakers will cover the challenges faced in managing and maintaining historically important assets and how they presently manage the situation. This will include an overview of technologies that are currently being used and how satellite capability may assist. An overview of the Engine Shed and importance of educational / school curriculum / showcase aspects will also be provided. The workshop will also provide an overview of the satellite and space market and why it is important to the Scottish and UK economy. Speakers from representatives of the Scottish Government and Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications (SoXSA), The Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh and the European Space Agency will provide an update on what is going on in this important sector.

Walter Scott’s Romantic Landscape : Abbotsford Gardens Study Day
Date & time: 27 July 2019, 11am – 4pm
Cost: £20.00 SGLH Members, £30 Non-members
Since 2014 Gardens Heritage Development Manager Pippa Coles has been overseeing the rehabilitation of the gardens and policies at Abbotsford.  With Pippa as our guide for the day, we shall begin with a brief introduction, followed by an examination of the formal gardens and terraces surrounding the house.  After lunch in the Ochiltrees Café, we shall explore the wider landscape created by Walter Scott as the setting for his romantic creation.  This will be an opportunity to see work in progress, and to discuss the challenges of managing this iconic landscape. For further information or to book, please contact info@sglh.org

Training

Scotland Branch: Contemporary Design in Historic Places – case studies in Dunfermline
Date & time: 19 June – 10:00 – 16:00.
Venue: Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries, Abbot Street, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 7NL.
IHBC Scotland Branch 2019 CPD Training, jointly with Fife Council, takes the theme of contemporary design in historic places. Case studies in Dunfermline will stimulate discussion on issues that IHBC members regularly face in the adaptation of old buildings into new uses; the contemporary alteration or extension of a historic building.

An introduction to dendrochronology in Scottish archaeology, buildings and landscapes
Date: 20 June
Location: Dalkeith
The day will introduce you to the principles and techniques involved in using dendrochronology to date and investigate archaeological sites and historic buildings, using mainly Scottish examples. This will help participants recognise when dendrochronology could be applicable in their projects.
A presentation and practical session in the morning will be followed by a related site visit in the afternoon. This workshop will suit professional archaeologists, students of archaeology and interested individuals from other walks of life.

Vacancies

City Mills Development Officer
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking an enthusiastic and driven historic buildings conservation professional to join their team.
Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 13 June 2019.

Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.

BEFS News

In January 2019, the Scottish Parliament’s Tenement Maintenance Working Group, of which BEFS and RICS are the secretariats, published its interim recommendations report. Since then, the group has discussed stakeholder and public responses to the report, which were received via consultation between January and March. The group will be launching a final recommendation report at an event on 4th June. There will also be the opportunity for you to ask the report’s authors questions during a panel session.

BEFS responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee’s call for written views on a new inquiry into empty homes in Scotland. BEFS response highlights a lack of appropriate knowledge and understanding around traditional buildings and the forthcoming proposals for improvement in this area by the Scottish Parliamentary Tenement Maintenance Working Group.

The final stage, Stage 3, of the Planning (Scotland) Bill is rumoured to be scheduled to take place on 18, 19 and 20 June in the Scottish Parliament. For information about the Bill and to see amendments submitted for Stage 3 so far, visit the Bill page.

Climate Ready Clyde and Adaptation Scotland have collaborated to produce a toolkit for assessing and addressing climate risks in the development of built environment and infrastructure projects. Download the full toolkit and individual tools here.

After a clamour of interest following its initial launch earlier this month, BEFS Vice-Chair, Professor Ian Baxter (Heriot-Watt University), introduces his new Heritage Career Guide in association with BEFS and The Heritage Alliance, in this week’s blog.

Consultations

Forestry and Land Scotland Corporate Plan – Consultation
Opened 28 May 2019 and closes 5 Jul 2019.

HES and Our Role in the Planning System
This survey will close on Thursday 6 June at 5pm.

Energy Efficient Scotland: Consultation
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.

The future of low carbon heat for off gas buildings: a call for evidence
Opened 26 Mar 2019 and closes 17 Jun 2019.

Climate Change and Environmental Action Plan 2019-24
This HES consultation will close at 12pm on Wednesday 19 June.

Consultation on adding new categories to the definition of a House in Multiple Occupation
Opened 18 Apr 2019 and closes 8 Jul 2019.

Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings
Opened 24 Apr 2019 and closes 17 Jul 2019.

Short-Term Lets: Consultation
Opened 28 Apr 2019 and closes 19 Jul 2019.

A Scottish Government consultation on Implementation of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018
Opened 13 May 2019 and closes 4 Aug 2019.

Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill (SP 14/05/19)
A proposal for a Bill to protect private sector tenants by introducing measures to limit rent increases and to increase the availability of information about rent levels.
Consultation closes on 6 August 2019.

Publications

Housing conditions and standards (SPICe 29/05/19)

Scotland’s finances 2019-2020: key facts and figures (SG 28/05/19)

The range, nature and applicability of funding models to support community land ownership (SLC 27/05/19)

A changing climate for development – A toolkit for assessing climate risks for built environment and infrastructure projects (CRC 23/05/19)

Options for Land Value Uplift Capture – Advice to Scottish Ministers (SLC 17/05/19)

New housing and future construction skills: report (SG 17/05/19)

Housing to 2040: stakeholder engagement report 2018 (SG 17/05/19)

Recovery of possession of adapted properties: guidance for social landlords (SG 16/05/19)

Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future (CA 10/05/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Rise in European visitors (SG 24/05/19)
The number of European visitors to Scotland increased by 19% in 2018, according to official statistics released today.

Thousands of new homes supported by Building Scotland Fund (SG 21/05/19)
Almost £70 million has been invested in housing projects through the Building Scotland Fund (BSF) since its launch last year.

Developing the construction workforce (SG 17/05/19)
Housing construction skills gaps will be addressed following the recommendations of a new industry report.

News Releases

Launch of Great British High Street Awards 2019
The 2019 competition has been launched in reigning high street champion Crickhowell, and nominations are now open, with a winner to be named in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as there being an overall UK winner.

‘Ground-breaking’ Housing Fund launched for charities and social enterprises (SHN 29/05/19)
An impact led social investor has launched a new fund that will invest in the provision of safe, stable and appropriate homes for vulnerable people and their families in the UK.

Kevin Stewart MSP: Putting people and places at the heart of future planning (SCN 28/05/19)
As the Planning (Scotland) Bill reaches the final phase of the Parliamentary process, local government, housing and planning minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, outlines the reasons behind his Stage 3 amendments.

Young Placechangers – last chance to get your Idea funded! (GS 27/05/19)
If you are between 12-25 years old or support/work with young people and you have an idea to how to change your local place for the better, now is the time to put pen to paper!

Community ownership study finds that a mix of funding is needed for success (SLC 27/05/19)
Communities have many options to secure and develop land, but the full range of financing models is often not widely known, and there is more scope to develop innovative finance models to support community ownership, a new report says.

EAA Awards 2019 winning projects revealed (UR 23/05/19)
The Edinburgh Architectural Association has published the names of half a dozen diverse winners of its 2019 awards programme, including a data-driven innovation hub and a barnstorming residential development

New guidance on Housing First published for social housing professionals (SHN 23/05/19)
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland and Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) have launched new joint guidance for Scotland’s social housing professionals on Housing First.

Building Scotland Fund reaches £70m new home investment milestone (SHN 21/05/19)
Almost £70 million has been invested in housing projects through the Building Scotland Fund (BSF) since its launch last year.

European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019: Winners announced (EN 21/05/19)
The winners of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2019 were announced today by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage network.

Fundamental rethink needed for Scotland’s approach to land development (SLC 17/05/19)
The Scottish Land Commission is calling for a “fundamental rethink” of Scotland’s speculative and market-driven approach to identifying and allocating land for development.

New grants launched for research into arts for the built environment (SCN 16/05/19)
Churchill Fellowships will be available for professionals in this growing area, including architects, for non-academic studies of the best ideas and practice to be found anywhere in the world.

Work underway to create Wales’ own planning inspectorate (WG 09/05/19)
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James has today announced work has begun on the creation of a new separate, dedicated planning inspectorate for Wales.

Protecting the Scottish countryside: apply for funding (Innovate UK 07/05/19)
Organisations can apply for a share of £250,000 for projects that support developer decisions in the Scottish countryside.

Opinion & Comment

Helen Smith: If this is a Climate Emergency, developers can no longer be allowed to destroy natural habitats (Common Wheel 28/05/19)

Our planning system is woefully ill-equipped to tackle climate change (AJ 28/05/19)

‘People aren’t disabled, their city is’: inside Europe’s most accessible city (The Guardian 28/05/19)

Should Notre-Dame be reconstructed faithfully? (Apollo 28/05/19)

This is what’s causing Edinburgh’s housing crisis (Cliff Hague in Scotsman 28/05/19)

Can Design Help Save the Planet? (Jim MacDonald in CaCHE 22/05/19)

Beyond the Planning Bill: How Can We Deliver More, Well-Designed Homes in the Right Places? (Craig Maclaren in CaCHE 21/05/19)

Climate emergency means it’s time for architects to step up (RIBA 21/05/19)

System that stopped Edinburgh becoming 2nd-rate Los Angeles is broken (Cliff Hague in Scotsman 21/05/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-23339: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the to answer to question S5W-2124 by Fiona Hyslop on 1 February 2019, by what date in 2019 it will publish its Culture Strategy for Scotland.

Question S5W-23355: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what forms of direct financial support it offers to those local authorities not included within its Vacant and Derelict Land Fund for the purposes of redeveloping waste land.

Question S5W-23358: Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much of the £11.4 million budget allocated to its Vacant and Derelict Land Fund for projects in 2019-20 has (a) been fully committed and (b) yet to be allocated for the development of vacant and derelict sites.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-22967: Pauline McNeill, Glasgow, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many units have been constructed with support from the Scotland Self-Build Loan Fund, and what plans it has to expand the fund.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (10/05/2019)

Question S5W-22980: Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 02/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many affordable homes were built in 2018-19, broken down by local authority.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/05/2019)

Question S5W-22983: Jamie Halcro Johnston, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 03/05/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many planning applications for new build residential properties have been refused by a planning authority but successfully appealed to the Scottish Ministers since 2007, broken down by (a) planning authority, (b) year, (c) applicant and (d) size of proposed development.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (14/05/2019)

Other Parliamentary Activity

The Parliament has agreed the following parliamentary recess dates in 2019.

• 30 June to 1 September 2019 (inclusive)
• 12 to 27 October 2019 (inclusive)
• 21 December 2019 to 5 January 2020 (inclusive)

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

“High and Mighty”: our new tour of the finest sculpture in the Old Town
Date & time: Wednesday 12 June 2019; 6pm – 8pm.
Meeting point: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
The city’s monuments and public works of art mark Edinburgh out as a great capital city and are one of the reasons for our UNESCO World Heritage inscription. To celebrate the publication of art historian Professor Ray McKenzie’s new comprehensive reference guide, Public Sculpture of Edinburgh, you are invited to a specially curated tour of the Old Town’s most important sculptures.

Towns Tea Party 2019
Date & time: June 19, 2019; 1:30PM – 4:30PM.
Venue: Whitespace, Norloch House, 36 King’s Stables Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EU.
Join Scotland’s Towns Partnership for our annual meeting of all those involved in supporting towns and improvement districts. An opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s towns as places for local communities and businesses.

The Future of our Cities and the Role of Planning – Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture 2019
Date & time: Thursday 27 June 5:45PM – 8:15PM
Venue:  Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QA
Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities explores the future of cities at the 2019 Sir Patrick Geddes Commemorative Lecture in Edinburgh on 27 June. Centre for Cities is the leading think tank dedicated to improving UK city economies. Andrew has 20+ years of experience working on urban economic policy issues for development agencies, consultants and research institutes. He spent time in the US with the Churchill Foundation’s Fellowship Programme reviewing urban economic development in America. He is a regular media contributor chairing and speaking at conferences across the UK and Europe on urban and economic issues.

Summer Excursion to Biggar Museum and New Lanark
Date & time: Saturday July 6 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Join us for a fascinating tour of this unique 18th century mill village sitting alongside the picturesque River Clyde. Now one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who built cotton mills and housing for the mill workers.  In partnership with Robert Owen, a Welsh philanthropist and social reformer, New Lanark became a successful business and an early example of a planned settlement and so an important milestone in the historical development of urban planning.  Workers enjoyed fair wages, free health care, a new education system and the first workplace nursery school in the world! In addition, Fellows of the Society will also be treated to a morning visit to Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum. This museum explores 14,000 years of rural and small town life in Upper Clydesdale. It focuses on the people who lived and worked in the area from prehistoric times up to the mid-20th century and illuminates a small part of their ordinary and extraordinary lives. Tickets cost £40 for Fellows and £45 for guests.

Walter Scott’s Romantic Landscape : Abbotsford Gardens Study Day
Date & time: 27 July 2019, 11am – 4pm.
Cost: £20.00 SGLH Members, £30 Non-members.
Since 2014 Gardens Heritage Development Manager Pippa Coles has been overseeing the rehabilitation of the gardens and policies at Abbotsford.  With Pippa as our guide for the day, we shall begin with a brief introduction, followed by an examination of the formal gardens and terraces surrounding the house.  After lunch in the Ochiltrees Café, we shall explore the wider landscape created by Walter Scott as the setting for his romantic creation. This will be an opportunity to see work in progress, and to discuss the challenges of managing this iconic landscape.
For further information or to book, please contact info@sglh.org.

Monuments in Monuments 2019
Date & time: Wednesday 2 – Friday 4 September 2019; 10am – 4pm
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Full ticket: £300. Day tickets: £120
This conference explores the conservation challenges facing carved stones and objects inside historic buildings. Hear from specialists from all over the world about how traditional skills, emerging technology and conservation science are helping to overcome these challenges. You can buy full conference or individual day tickets. Student rates are available. For more information and to book, please visit our website.

Training

Conservation Summer School 2019
Date: Monday 3 – Friday 7 June
Venue: The Engine Shed, Stirling
Full ticket: £450. Day tickets: £100
Only a few tickets remain for our Conservation Summer School 2019. Learn about the latest techniques from top conservation experts, get hands-on with traditional skills and materials, and see conservation in action on site visits. Day ticket options are available. For more information and to book your place, please see our website.

Reinforced Concrete Masterclass – New for Summer 2019!
Date & time: 28 June 2019, 09.30 – 16.00
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife
Cost: £190 + vat. BLF, IHBC, RICS or RIAS members are eligible for 20% discount.
Come and join us to explore the fascinating world of reinforced concrete (yes, really really!) – learn what can be achieved with it, its constituents, its decay mechanisms and how it can be successfully repaired with a variety of methods and materials. Not all reinforced concrete buildings are carbuncles …CONCRETE can be COUTHIE! If we are listing more and more buildings and structures from the 20th Century, many of which will be of reinforced concrete construction, then we need to know how to fix them and prolong their lives. We have a huge variety of structures and buildings of reinforced concrete construction across the country. Research and analysis of these buildings has helped inform their appropriate repair, but there are many challenges ahead. Join us and learn from our gathered experts in this field for what should be a very informative and enjoyable

Vacancies

Mauchline CARS Project Officer
To co-ordinate and manage the Mauchline CARS Programme to increase local economic activity by revitalising and diversifying Mauchline Town Centre.
Closes: 31 May 2019.

Managing Editor
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is seeking an experienced and motivated Managing Editor to take overarching responsibility for the management, design, production and marketing of a mix of online and print archaeology and history resources.
Deadline for applications: 11pm on Sunday 9th June.

City Mills Development Officer
Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust are seeking an enthusiastic and driven historic buildings conservation professional to join their team.
Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 13 June 2019.

Professional Development (PD) Officer
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) is seeking a Professional Development (PD) Officer to operate across all their UK-based branches.
Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2019.

Information in the Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites including the Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP); Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Design Council (DC); Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS); Scottish Government Building Standards  (SGBS); Europa Nostra (EN); Historic England (HE).

If you have any questions or comments on the above, or would like to submit information to be included, please get in touch with Saskia Smellie or telephone BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.