The policy landscape is crowded. How do we work together collectively to address the issues of the day? In the first of a new blog series, Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) Director explores the interconnected nature of policy agendas for Scotland’s built environment sector. How can strategic advocacy be amplified through joined-up thinking and cross-sector collaboration, towards legislation that delivers for our people and places?
The policy landscape is complex. This is an often-repeated phrase for BEFS, a mantra when navigating the growing array of existing and nascent policy and legislation.
A large part of BEFS work is undertaking to de-mystify, connect, and signpost the alignment and interdependencies within policy which can seem at times distant and remote from practical application and the action that we all desire.
And not only is the landscape complex, it is ever evolving. Alongside the big-ticket items that Scotland as a nation – and we as a sector – is mandated to strive towards; we have moved through acknowledging a Climate Emergency, declaring a Housing Emergency, an emphasis on Just Transition and Wellbeing Economy, and adapted alongside regular Parliamentary re-shuffles.
Working within shifting parameters is not new. The 2026 election presents an additional need to ensure that a baseline approach to evidencing the value of our existing built environment is robust and embedded; understanding and building on what has come before can help us as we make smart choices and choose action for today.
BEFS work covers key strategic areas including (but not limited) to Net Zero and Climate Change, Tenement Maintenance and Repair, Retrofit, Skills, Planning and Placemaking. Seeded throughout all these is a sustainable future for Scotland’s people and places. Crucially, all of these policy areas – whilst distinct – must not be viewed or pursued in isolation.
Setting the scene
Our past, Our Future, Scotland’s Strategy for the Historic Environment identifies the three key priorities for the historic environment to be: Net Zero, Communities and Places, and the Wellbeing Economy. And these thematic areas, as priorities, are unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon. Under these headlines heritage and built environment sector bodies are facing a lack of skills, lack of funding and investment, and lack of capacity.
Drill down to the national policies and legislation themselves within which we operate, and we often see these polices constructed and written with an eye to the headline agendas, mandated targets and national drivers – but not necessarily speaking to each other. Where does heritage and the existing built environment, and all that it encompasses, sit within a legislative pecking order and how can we collectively elevate our interests? This, hopefully, is what this series will explore over the coming months.
For example, in delivering Net Zero; the Heat in Buildings Bill presents the sector with a need to present a clear case to guarantee that our existing and historic buildings are recognised as an asset and receive appropriate advice and interventions to make them even more sustainable for the future. To do this, we must have the right skills, in the right places.
The National Planning Framework (NPF4) is being reviewed in its second year since publication. We know that a clear steer towards Net Zero targets within planning can and should sit alongside those policies that protect and enhance the historic and existing built environment – but decision makers are faced with an unclear legislative hierarchy. How do we make good heritage decisions a de-facto win for Net Zero?
A further challenge is how Local Place Plans sit within the planning system; local authority teams remain stretched and under-resourced, with potential further consequences for heritage with the implementation of Local Heat Networks.
And there’s more – although we know that construction and demolition accounts for around half of all waste produced in Scotland; Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030 under-represents construction waste, the potential for reuse, and the role that Scotland’s existing building stock can and should play in conversations around sustainability.
Our historic buildings themselves can play a starring role in a Just Transition plan for construction – this in tandem with the Climate Change Adaptation Plan can accelerate the pace of progress towards Net Zero. Retrofit must be framed within the agenda for promoting maintenance and repair. These are strategies in which the whole sector needs to be embedded and delivering in innovative ways.
Further hooks are out there – our cultural heritage is a priceless asset, but the labour and skills to support and look after those assets do have a price. And so when it comes to Scotland’s tourism offer, decisions relating to the Visitor Levy Bill affect how our places could, and should, benefit from taxation on those who choose to visit. Placing heritage within culture is something we need to continue to keep shouting about, again and again.
These are just some examples; collectively articulating these challenges and opportunities, and the way in which we do this, will be a significant part of how we can operate strategically for the future. We also know that how we frame and present the opportunities and challenges ahead is crucial – advocacy has to be backed up by data and evidence.
Setting out our stall
This is not about preaching to the converted. Readers will recognise how far our collective work permeates and supports national aims, and national change, but more can be done to seek increased opportunities for cross-portfolio wins to be realised – how we align and express our activities to take best advantage of this will be key.
Policy should and can overlap, supporting and mutually elevating work being done across all areas of the built environment, heritage and culture sectors.
In exploring the challenges and opportunities ahead, this series aims to invite a collective discussion, making space to advocate, align and take the best possible advantage of shaping current and future policy in the long term. How can strategic advocacy be amplified through joined-up thinking, capacity building and cross-sector collaboration? Through this series we look forward to exploring this with you over the coming months.
Get in touch – to find out more about BEFS work or to discuss a particular topic or policy area email us at info@befs.org.uk or contact the Team.
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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
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Glasgow City Heritage Trust/Under One Roof – Taking Care of Your Tenement
Date & Time: Saturday 1 March 2025; 11:30am-1pm
Location: Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre, 13 Whitevale Street, Glasgow G31 1QW
Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Under One Roof are hosting a free event for tenement owners, landlords and interested residents to learn about maintaining historic tenement flats. The session will cover maintenance, management, communal repairs, and guidance on undertaking works. Attendees will also learn about GCHT’s historic environment grants programme and funding eligibility.
SHSMG – Using Social Media as a Tool for Advocacy
Date & Time: Thursday 6 March 2025; 3-4pm
Location: Online
Do you use social media to promote Scottish history, heritage, archaeology, museums or archives? The Scottish Heritage Social Media Group’s March event will focus on how to harness the power of social media to promote advocacy work. Malini Chakrabarty, BEFS Communications Lead, will discuss their experience using social media to advocate for causes within and outwith the heritage sector. They will offer tried-and-tested tips, share insights into what’s worked and what hasn’t, and discuss their approach to advocacy going forward in an ever-changing social media landscape. This online event will conclude with a Q&A session.
Adaptation Scotland – Climate Adaptation for the Construction and Built Environment Sector
Date & Time: Thursday 6 March 2025; 1:30-4:15pm
Location: Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, High School Yards, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ
The Adaptation Scotland programme provides advice and support to help Scottish businesses, public sector and communities be prepared and resilient to the effects of climate change. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by sustainability charity Verture. As part of the 2023-2025 Adaptation Scotland programme, the plan is to organise a workshop for the Construction and Built Environment sector to identify key climate risks and collaboratively develop sector-specific guidance on adaptation and resilience. Proposed workshop outline: Introduction; Climate Trends and Projections; Identifying climate risks to the Construction and Built Environment Sector in Scotland; Exploring practical adaptation solutions; Identifying economic opportunities from climate adaptation goods and services and identifying climate risks to the Construction and Built Environment Sector in Scotland.
Europa Nostra – Women4Heritage 2025 – Women in the lead. Building peace through heritage protection
Date & Time: Friday 7 March 2025; 2:30-4:15pm
Location: Online
On the eve of International Women’s Day, Europa Nostra invites women who are heritage leaders, practitioners, innovators, communicators and volunteers of all ages and from all countries to join their #Women4Heritage online event. Bringing together women championing efforts to protect endangered tangible and intangible heritage and advance peacebuilding, serving as role models in the field, the event will offer the audience the opportunity not only to listen to their inspiring stories, but to exchange with them directly during a challenging informal dialogue. Together, the event aims to share a powerful message in alignment with the theme of IWD 2025: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
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
EDAS – Unlocking Inclusive Growth: Challenges and Opportunities in Regional Economic Partnerships
Date & Time: Tuesday 11 March 2025; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
Set against a backdrop of the growing role of Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs) and regional delivery within Scottish Government, join EDAS for an insightful exploration of the challenges and opportunities faced by REPs in delivering economic development activities, with a focus on inclusive growth. The session will provide a deep dive into key areas such as housing, transport, skills, and repopulation or population issues, which are critical to the success of REPs. It will offer a holistic view by incorporating both rural and urban perspectives, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the unique issues and opportunities across different regions. Engage in interactive discussions, share experiences, and learn from real-life case studies presented by experts and practitioners.
SHBT – Digital Space & Place: Is Heritage Over?
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 March; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
When shouldn’t we conserve buildings? In each session of our series of conversations, professionals and thinkers from Scotland and beyond have debated questions designed to challenge the practices of conservation, and to interrogate the assumptions that underly them. Challenging Conservation concludes with a discussion asking how we approach the most difficult decisions of all: what, and when, we choose not to restore.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – March Lecture: ‘Ethnogenesis and Kingship AD300-900’
Date & Time: Thursday 13 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
This lecture will draw on over ten years of excavations and survey in Northeast Scotland to posit a new model for the development of kingship and the ethnogenesis of the Picts in Northeast Scotland. Continuities and connections between the Roman Iron Age and early medieval periods will be stressed and the talk will focus on the results of the major survey and excavation programme at Rhynie and the Upper Strathbogie valley which will soon be published as a Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph. This talk will be presented by Professor Gordon Noble MA PhD FSAScot, University of Aberdeen.
John Gilbert Architects – The Tenement Revealed: Book Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 13 March 2025; 1:30-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This event celebrates the launch of John Gilbert’s new book, The Tenement Revealed, published by Whittles Publishing. This beautifully illustrated guide explores the history and construction of Scotland’s tenements from 1700 to 1915, highlighting their significance in our urban landscape and their future in a changing climate. The event will feature a series of insightful talks from experts in architecture, housing, and conservation, reflecting on John Gilbert’s career and his contributions to tenement research. Speakers include: Peter Ranson (Chair, formerly Historic Environment Scotland) – guiding the discussion. Annie Flint (Under One Roof) – expert on tenement maintenance and co-author of The Tenement Handbook. Mary Taylor (formerly Scottish Federation of Housing Associations) – discussing the role of community-based housing associations. Matt Bridgestock (John Gilbert Architects) – reflecting on John’s legacy and Scott Abercrombie (John Gilbert Architects) – presenting an overview of The Tenement Revealed. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand about the book’s key themes, engage in discussions, and purchase copies on the day.
SPAB – Women in Conservation: a conversation
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Online
SPAB are hosting a special event to celebrate women in conservation and timing it in recognition of International Women’s Day in early March. Join them for a unique panel discussion, led by award-winning sculptor Nina Bilbey, to consider the creativity, skills, ambitions and barriers faced by women who have careers as carvers, sculptors, masons and conservators. Marcia Bennett-Male, sculptor, Josephine Crossland, stone carver, Marlène Lagnado, stonemason and letter-cutter, and Samantha Peacock, stonemason and stained glass conservator, will form the panel for an evening of insight and inspiration into what it means to be a woman in conservation.
AHSS Lecture – Graeme Smith: Enjoying Blythswood: William Harley – the Great Improver
Date & Time: Thursday 20 March 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
Graeme Smith, writer and campaigner, will describe how Glasgow’s New Town of Blythswood started and grew, and how it is today. It became the city’s wealthiest and healthiest district and forms the largest part of today’s city centre. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25
AHF/GBPT/Heritage Network event in Glasgow
Date & Time: Tuesday 29 April 2025
Location: Glasgow
Heritage Network, Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust (GBPT) are joining forces to deliver an event in Glasgow in April. This is your chance to get together, discuss your experiences of heritage regeneration and learn from others, whilst hearing about projects local to Glasgow. Speakers and event details coming soon. To note your interest or if you have any questions, please contact Grace at grace.richardson@heritagetrustnetwork.org.uk.
TRAINING
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
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
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 – 3rd 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 – 4th 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
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
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 and 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.
EDAS – Shaping Tomorrow: Navigating the Future Funding Landscape
Date & Time: Tuesday 18 February 2025; 2-3:30pm
Location: Online
This event is designed to bring clarity to the evolving funding landscape in the UK, with a focus on influencing future opportunities and aligning projects with new funding streams. Participants will gain insights into government plans, explore innovative approaches to funding and investment, and understand the key factors that drive successful public-private partnerships. The event will also broaden its scope to include global investment perspectives, exploring how Scottish projects can scale up to attract international funding.
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
RIAS BookshopLATES – Building Modern Scotland
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 February 2025; 6:30-7:30pm
Location: RIAS, 15 Rutland Square Edinburgh EH1 2BE
Join Alistair Fair, Valerie Wright and their fellow researchers from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow for a discussion of their Leverhulme Trust funded project, Building a Modern Scotland: The New Towns, c. 1947-2017. Combining architectural and social history, Building Modern Scotland tells for the first time the in-depth story of Scotland’s new towns. One of the most significant episodes in modern architectural, urban and social history, Scotland’s postwar new towns offered new housing, new ways of life and new jobs. Copies of the book will be available to buy at a special launch price of £45 (RRP £85)
Under One Roof – Navigating Tenement Building Repairs for Landlords, with Angus Council
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 February 2025; 7-8pm
Location: Online
Landlords in Angus are invited to a free one-hour evening webinar to learn about basic tenement repair and maintenance. Topics covered include: Understanding relevant legislation; the difference between individual, mutual and common repairs; how to organise and pay for repairs with your co-owners and co-landlords; understanding the role of factors. There will be time after the presentation to ask questions, and get answers from an experienced tenement housing expert, Stephen Kelly. Contact Landlord.Registration@angus.gov.uk for the Teams link
Glasgow City Heritage Trust/Under One Roof – Taking Care of Your Tenement
Date & Time: Saturday 1 March 2025; 11:30am-1pm
Location: Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre, 13 Whitevale Street, Glasgow G31 1QW
Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Under One Roof are hosting a free event for tenement owners, landlords and interested residents to learn about maintaining historic tenement flats. The session will cover maintenance, management, communal repairs, and guidance on undertaking works. Attendees will also learn about GCHT’s historic environment grants programme and funding eligibility.
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
EDAS – Unlocking Inclusive Growth: Challenges and Opportunities in Regional Economic Partnerships
Date & Time: Tuesday 11 March 2025; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
Set against a backdrop of the growing role of Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs) and regional delivery within Scottish Government, join EDAS for an insightful exploration of the challenges and opportunities faced by REPs in delivering economic development activities, with a focus on inclusive growth. The session will provide a deep dive into key areas such as housing, transport, skills, and repopulation or population issues, which are critical to the success of REPs. It will offer a holistic view by incorporating both rural and urban perspectives, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the unique issues and opportunities across different regions. Engage in interactive discussions, share experiences, and learn from real-life case studies presented by experts and practitioners.
SHBT – Digital Space & Place: Is Heritage Over?
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 March; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
When shouldn’t we conserve buildings? In each session of our series of conversations, professionals and thinkers from Scotland and beyond have debated questions designed to challenge the practices of conservation, and to interrogate the assumptions that underly them. Challenging Conservation concludes with a discussion asking how we approach the most difficult decisions of all: what, and when, we choose not to restore.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – March Lecture: ‘Ethnogenesis and Kingship AD300-900’
Date & Time: Thursday 13 March 2025; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
This lecture will draw on over ten years of excavations and survey in Northeast Scotland to posit a new model for the development of kingship and the ethnogenesis of the Picts in Northeast Scotland. Continuities and connections between the Roman Iron Age and early medieval periods will be stressed and the talk will focus on the results of the major survey and excavation programme at Rhynie and the Upper Strathbogie valley which will soon be published as a Society of Antiquaries of Scotland monograph. This talk will be presented by Professor Gordon Noble MA PhD FSAScot, University of Aberdeen.
AHSS Lecture – Graeme Smith: Enjoying Blythswood: William Harley – the Great Improver
Date & Time: Thursday 20 March 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
Graeme Smith, writer and campaigner, will describe how Glasgow’s New Town of Blythswood started and grew, and how it is today. It became the city’s wealthiest and healthiest district and forms the largest part of today’s city centre. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25
TRAINING
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
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
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
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)
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, 2nd 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 3rd 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
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
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
TRAINING
HES/Engine Shed – Stone in Scotland: Past, Present and Future
Date & Time: Tuesday 4 February 2025; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Stone has been used to create Scotland’s historic built environment for thousands of years. These talks will introduce you to the wide range of stone used in Scotland and share current best practice in stone repairs. There will also be a review of innovative methods of identifying and procuring new stone for conservation and newbuild 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 stone 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 1)
Date & Time: Wednesday 12 February 2025; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
Understanding what a Local Place Plan (LPP) can and can’t achieve for your community enables you to make an informed decision as to whether creating a Local Place Plan is the right step for your group. This first of two introductory sessions is designed to introduce the basics of a Local Place Plan. Bring your own questions and concerns and there will be a Q&A at the end to address these. All training sessions will be delivered by Imagine If.Space and Place at the Table.
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.
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 has been developed by Abi as part of her roles as carbon accountant with one of Pattiesmuir’s partner companies and as a PhD researcher at Napier. It is focussed on understanding the professional development needs of built environment and energy professionals, and so 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.
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.
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
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 24th 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
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
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
TRAINING
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.
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
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, 34th meeting 2024 – cladding remediation programme clerk’s note (Scot Parl 10/12/2024)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, 37th 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
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
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
TRAINING
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
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Business Development Manager. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone with experience in community heritage, culture and regeneration, and a background in social enterprise and/or the development of income-earning services within the context of a heritage, cultural or membership organisation. Additional skills would include being financially literate and able to communicate a product or service offer and to pitch a proposal to prospective customers. More information and application pack can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025Heritage Trust Network – Marketing & Communications Officer
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Marketing & Communications Officer. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone who has developed marketing and communications skills through work in heritage, culture, community development or regeneration. Additional skills would include being able to think strategically, collaborate with colleagues to co-design campaigns, and get involved in day-to-day content development and delivery. This role would suit a self-motivated and hard-working team member who is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, where team spirit and excellent customer service runs throughout everything you do from timely communication with colleagues, to the satisfaction of a job well done when supporting members and building relationships. An interest in regeneration, heritage and sustainability in the built environment is evident as would be a willingness to promote the work of the Network. More information and application pack can be found here
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025Historic Environment Scotland – National Strategy Coordinator
Salary: £32,110 per annum
Status: full-time; fixed term contract up until 25 September 2026
Location: Longmore House, Edinburgh with hybrid working
Historic Environment Scotland are seeking an experienced, confident and enthusiastic individual to support the roll out of their national strategy for Scotland’s historic environment, Our Past, Our Future. You will assist in promoting the strategy, in identifying and establishing the structures needed to deliver the strategy, in coordinating strategy delivery, and in monitoring and reporting on activity. You will have excellent planning, communication and facilitation skills and will engage with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders across Scotland. For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description for this post.
Closing date: Wednesday 8 January 2025
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS NEWS
It is budget day! This afternoon the Scottish Government will publish its initial spending and tax proposals for next year, followed by parliamentary scrutiny. Amidst the wider conversations around funding for culture (BEFS notes Culture Count’s well received campaign, highlighting culture as an ‘engine for economic growth, a foundation for social wellbeing and as a cornerstone of our national identity’) the cultural, economic, societal, and environmental benefits of investing in Scotland’s heritage must not be overlooked. Last year saw £100 million a year pledged by 2028/29, including an increase of £25m next year towards the culture sector. This could go some of the way to sustaining cultural and historic assets such as theatres, museums and galleries as well as seeing real impacts for people and place. Will calls to prioritise longer-term funding models towards stability and better use of resources across the sector be heard? More generally, BEFS will be keeping an eye on how spending plans relate to National Outcomes, Local Government allocations and wider impacts for the sector and our readership.
The Housing (Scotland) Bill has passed stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament. This legislation aims to tackle poverty across Scotland by improving the renting experience for tenants, through a range of new rights and a system of rent controls, in a way that maintains investment. Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “The Housing (Scotland) Bill will play an important role in helping to tackle poverty by keeping rents affordable and ensuring people can stay in their homes.”
Dates for Historic Environment Scotland’s engagement sessions on the draft version of their new Corporate Plan have been announced. These workshops are a chance to have your say on the draft plan and are open to everyone with an interest in HES’ work. The consultation itself, along with the draft corporate plan, can be found here.
HES are also running an online engagement session to gather feedback on their new Communities Framework. Planned as an interactive and engaging session with members of HES’ Community and Economic Development Team, attendees will have the opportunity to provide their thoughts and ideas. The event is free to attend but booking is essential.
BEFS Members the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland have announced their first grant award through the Audrey Henshall Legacy Fund, to recipients Archaeology Scotland, also Members of BEFS. £50,000 has been awarded to a project which will investigate Scotland’s early Neolithic megalithic chambered and passage tombs and aim to answer key questions about when they were built and who built them. Congratulations to both organisations.
And last but not least – there is still time to apply for the role of BEFS Head of Policy & Strategy. This is a key role in BEFS Team, leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and influencing strategic policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. Closing date is this Friday, 6 December!
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding housing, planning, cladding remediation, land reform, energy transition, and building safety.
CONSULTATIONS
A new Code of Conduct and Practice for Architects
Architects Registration Board
ARB has published a draft version of a revised Code for consultation. The revised Code is designed to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. It explains to the public, clients, and those who work with architects the behaviours and high standards they should expect from the profession. It has been drafted using published research on public expectations as to how architects should behave and act, and following engagement with architects and other professionals in the built environment. The current edition of the Code was published in 2017, and this proposed revision is intended to address recent developments in building safety, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity to ensure that the Code continues to be fit for practice. This consultation seeks the views of architects, students, learning providers, clients, those who work with architects, and those who use the spaces that architects design.
Closes 12 December 2024
Open call for evidence: New Towns Taskforce
UK Government
The New Towns Taskforce is launching a call for evidence to explore opportunities for large developments. The Taskforce is interested in proposals that are regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth. The unifying principle will be that each of the new settlements will contain 10,000 homes, at the very least, and that most, if not all, will be far larger in size. A core part of the Taskforce’s work will be to consider how to fund and deliver new settlements. More information on the government’s expectations for new towns and the New Towns Taskforce is available in the policy statement on new towns.
Closes 13 December 2024
Edinburgh Visitor Levy Draft Proposal
City of Edinburgh Council
The Edinburgh Council is seeking views on its draft proposal to introduce a visitor levy in Edinburgh. This consultation offers an opportunity to shape how the levy would work in practice following the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.
Closes 15 December 2024
Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28
HES
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’s 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
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.
*NEW* Closes 14 February 2025
CONSULTATION RESPONSES
BEFS response to Building Safety Levy Bill: consultation on proposals (18/11/2024)
PETITIONS
The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee has published a submission from the Scottish Government on PE2105: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition.
The Building Standards Division has published further information on member discussions concerning PE2105/C: Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at risk of unnecessary demolition.
NEWS RELEASES
People in Place Practice Network (SURF November 2024)
England’s church heritage ‘danger zones’ revealed (National Churches Trust 18/11/2024)
The North East Scotland Preservation Trust Acquires Four New Buildings (Heritage Trust Network 19/11/2024)
How land reforms will help deliver the homes we need (New Economics Foundation 20/11/2024)
The Scottish Tourism Alliance response to the UK Government Autumn Budget (STA 30/11/2024)
PUBLICATIONS
Scottish Planner Issue 198 (RTPI October 2024)
Architectural Heritage Fund Annual Review 2023-24 (AHF November 2024)
The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK (Culture Commons November 2024)
PlaceTech Innovation Lab Pilot Project Summary Report (Scottish Futures Trust November 2024)
Community Wealth Building: Centre for Excellence (EDAS 2024)
Scottish Tourism Alliance Budget Priority Asks (STA 05/11/2024)
Scottish Tourism Index: Autumn 2024 Edition (56 Degree Insight 19/11/2024)
Whole Tenement Retrofit Feasibility Study (Under One Roof 24/11/2024)
Scotland’s Budget Report 2024 (Fraser of Allander Institute 29/11/2024)
SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS
Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Convener of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee concerning the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) (Scot Parl 08/11/2024)
Correspondence between Jennifer Henderson and the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding public sector land ownership via the work of the Registers of Scotland (Scot Parl 12/11/2024)
Retrofitting our homes for a net zero future (UK Parl 19/11/2024)
Written Answers – Retrofitting buildings (UK Parl 19/11/2024)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Official Report and minutes (Scot Parl 19/11/2024)
Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the effectiveness of environmental governance arrangements (Scot Parl 19/11/2024)
Written Answers – VAT on Retrofitting buildings (UK Parl 20/11/2024)
National Planning Policy Framework reforms and the environment – Oral evidence (UK Parl 20/11/2024)
Correspondence between Paul McLennan and the Local Government Housing and Planning Committee providing further information on the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/11/2024)
How can permitted development rights help address the housing emergency? (Scot Gov 21/11/2024)
Housing Investment Taskforce minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 21/11/2024)
Evaluating Change: Key Themes in Scotland’s Proposed National Outcomes (SPICe 21/11/2024)
Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and the Minister for Housing concerning amendments to rent control provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/11/2024)
Carbon-neutral islands project: progress report (Scot Gov 22/11/2024)
Interministerial Group for Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change communiqué (UK Gov 22/11/2024)
Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill – Royal Assent (Scot Parl 22/11/2024)
New skills hubs launched to get Britain building (UK Gov 22/11/2024)
Acting Net Zero Secretary comments on COP29 (Scot Gov 26/11/2024)
Correspondence between Shona Robinson and the Convener of the Finance and Public Administration Committee concerning the Scottish Budget Bill timeline (Scot Parl 26/11/2024)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee official report and minutes (Scot Parl 26/11/2024)
Cultural engagement in Scotland: what is it and why does it matter? (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)
Cultural engagement in Scotland: insights from people’s experiences (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)
Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Statistics: Scottish Local Authority Housing Income and Expenditure 2023-24 (near actuals) and 2024-25 (estimates) (Scot Gov 27/11/2024)
Correspondence between Alasdair Allan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the review of the New Build Heat Standard (Scot Parl 28/11/2024)
Housing (Scotland) Bill passes stage 1 (Scot Gov 28/11/2024)
West Lothian Council Emergency Action Plan 2024-25 submission to the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Parl 28/11/2024)
Capital investment in Scotland and the transition to net zero (SPICe 28/11/2024)
High Streets: Life beyond retail? (House of Lords Built Environment Committee 28/11/2024)
Environment Statistics from the Scottish Household Survey 2023 (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)
Households in Scotland by housing tenure: Scottish Household Survey, 2023 (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)
Automatic Fire Suppression System installations – traditional building conversion to hotels: cost benefit analysis (Scot Gov 02/12/2024)
Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 03/12/2024)
What to look out for in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget (SPICe 03/12/2024)
Building standards – guidance changes January 2025: letter to local authority verifiers – 25 November 2024 (Scot Gov 03/12/2024)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s 33rd meeting concerning scrutiny of the Scottish Housing Regulator (Scot Parl 03/12/2024)
Retrofitting homes for net zero – oral evidence (UK Parliament 04/12/2024)
OPINION & COMMENT
The Scottish government will offer 30 bursaries for postgraduate studies in planning in 2025/26
(Housing Today 15/11/2024)
Island councils team up to study feasibility of visitor levy scheme (Shetland News 19/11/2024)
Almost 90% of short-term let planning applications refused by Edinburgh Council (Insider 20/11/2024)
John Muir Trust backs Galloway National Park just transition (The Herald 20/11/2024)
Burrell Collection in Glasgow named Scotland’s building of the year (Scottish Construction Now 22/11/2024)
Missed net zero targets added as a risk to Highland Council (BBC News 24/11/2024)
Creative spaces, healthier places: How the arts can drive social impact (Arts Professional 25/11/2024)
The UK Budget has improved the Scottish funding outlook, but tough choices loom down the line (IFS 26/11/2024)
“Shortsighted”: Rachel Reeves slammed for doubling-down on NI hike for sector (Third Force News 27/11/2024)
Scottish councils call for ‘widespread reform’ of funding (The Herald 27/11/2024)
MOTIONS
S6M-15637
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
Date Lodged: 26/11/2024
That the Parliament notes the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s consideration and recommendation of three appointments to the Scottish Land Commission at its meeting on 12 November 2024; welcomes the Committee’s recommendation that the Parliament approves the appointment of Dr Lucy Beattie and Dr Calum MacLeod as Land Commissioners to the Scottish Land Commission and the appointment of Robert Black as Tenant Farming Commissioner to the Scottish Land Commission, and approves the appointments as required by section 10 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
S6M-15650
Submitted by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, Glasgow, Scottish Labour.
Date lodged: 28/11/2024
That the Parliament congratulates the Burrell Collection on being awarded the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland; notes that the Burrell Collection is a prominent museum in Scotland, housed in a late 20th century building; recognises that the award comes after a major refurbishment by John McAslan + Partners, which undertook the most comprehensive refurbishment of the museum since its opening in 1983; welcomes that the architecture firm repaired the grade A listed building, upgraded its environmental performance and found ways to display more of the collection, and notes that the Doolan Award judges praised the refurbishment as “an outstanding example of problem-solving and future-proofing that has rejuvenated an old friend”.
EVENTS
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
AHSS Lecture – Simon Laird: The New Town of Edinburgh and Other Stories
Date & Time: Monday 9 December 2024; 6:30-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Laird explores the evolution of Edinburgh New Town, brainchild of Lord Provost George Drummond. Why was it built? How did it evolve during design and construction? And how has it accommodated 250 years of change? During his six terms as Lord Provost, Drummond was responsible for other developments in and around the Old Town, including points of interest close to our venue, which our speaker will also consider. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2.
HES – Have Your Say: The new HES Corporate Plan
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 December 2024; 2-3:30pm & Thursday 12 December 2024; 10:30am-12:00pm
Location: Online
Historic Environment Scotland are consulting on a draft version of their new Historic Environment Scotland Corporate Plan. This document sets out the organisational ambitions and priorities, which they are required by law to update every three years. This workshop is a chance to have your say on the draft plan, and to help improve it. The event is open to everyone with an interest in HES’s work.
The consultation itself, along with the draft corporate plan, can be found here.
Scottish Council on Archives – Annual Conference 2024: Building Evidence. How Archives and Records support Scotland’s Historic Environment
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 December 2024; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Building Evidence will explore how archives and records support engagement with, conservation of, and research into Scotland’s historic environment. The event will be structured around the three priority areas of Our Past, Our Future – The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment: Delivering the transition to net zero; Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places; Building a wellbeing economy. In addition to these key themes, Building Evidence will shine a spotlight on the urgent need for a national strategy for archives and records in Scotland, ensuring their preservation and relevance for future generations.
SHBT – The Case for Reconstruction: Glasgow School of Art & other stories
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 December 2024; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
The loss of a significant building is often taken to be an opportunity to rebuild with a contemporary structure. But when should we, and how should we, attempt accurately to reconstruct buildings which have been destroyed?
HES – Communities Framework engagement session
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 December 2024; 2-4pm
Location: Online
HES are running an online engagement session to gather feedback on their new Communities Framework. Join an interactive and engaging session where members of HES’s Community and Economic Development Team will break the Framework down into bite size chunks, giving you the opportunity to provide your thoughts and ideas throughout. The event is free to attend but booking is essential.
Under One Roof – Navigating common repairs for solicitors
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 December 2024; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Under One Roof in collaboration with Mill Architects is holding a free webinar especially for solicitors on Navigating Common Repairs. This hour-long lunchtime session will strengthen solicitors’ understanding of tenement law, and tenement flat owners’ rights and responsibilities around repairs. There will also be discussion regarding ongoing parliamentary issues and changes to law regarding common repairs.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – December Lecture: ‘The tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists’
Date & Time: Thursday 12 December 2024; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The tape-recorder, microphone, camera, notebook, and pencil, and now their digital equivalents, are the tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists. This paper discusses the contribution that fieldwork in oral history and folklore can make to identifying objects and their uses, documenting and interpreting the past, and recording the experiences of the men and women who used the objects. Illustrated with photos, audio-recordings, and film from community projects. This talk will be given by Professor Margaret Bennett, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
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.
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.
VACANCIES
BEFS Head of Policy & Strategy
Salary: £42,000 depending on experience.
Status: Permanent role, subject to organisational funding. 37hrs per week with occasional evening events
Location: Home working with regular meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This role involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and influencing strategic policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. Key responsibilities include:
- Consultation: Co-ordinate and compile responses to strategic Government (and other key stakeholder) consultations on behalf of BEFS and BEFS Members.
- Advocacy: Develop shared statements (manifestos, legislative ‘asks’, written evidence to parliamentary committees etc) on strategic issues arising from within BEFS work.
- Events: Working with colleagues and external stakeholders, plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement events which inform policy development and produce written reports for these events.
- Secretariat: Act as secretariat to multiple working groups, preparing agenda and meeting papers, recording meetings and circulating minutes.
- Horizon-scanning: Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders, to identify key issues of interest to BEFS Members.
- Communication: Provide colleagues with written material to communicate key messages arising from BEFS discussions (such as website content, blogs), and contribute strategic content to BEFS bi-monthly bulletin.
- Project development: Develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy activity.
- Reporting: Provide and contribute to regular reports to funders and BEFS Board.
- Facilitation: Provide facilitation for Members events, workshops and stakeholder engagement.
- Team: Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues as necessary.
Essential
- Strong ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge, particularly across policy frameworks.
- Experience of the process of strategic policy and legislative development within Scotland, across the wider policy landscape.
- Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil policy information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of policy topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere.
- Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations.
- Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary.
- High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience.
- Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.
- Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g., planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
- Confidence with online/remote working technologies and programmes such as Teams, Zoom. (Knowledge/familiarity of other programmes such as Miro, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, WordPress and MailChimp are also an advantage.)
To download full job description and details on how to apply please click this link
BEFS is an equal opportunities employer. Please see our Fair Work and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statements on BEFS website for more information.
Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 6 December 2024.
Historic Houses – Policy Officer
Salary: £34,000 per annum + benefits.
Status: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) with occasional hours outside of these times.
Location: Based at Warwick House, 25-27 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP (hybrid working with regular office attendance). Also, occasional travel to Historic Houses events outside London.
Are you Passionate about heritage, keenly interested in policymaking and driven to make a difference to the future of the UK’s historic environment? Historic Houses are looking for a Policy Officer, based near their London head office. Historic Houses represents around 1,450 historic houses, castles and gardens in independent ownership across the UK and, as a membership association, enables independently owned historic houses and gardens to speak with one powerful voice. It does this through policy and public affairs activity, marketing and promotion, and technical advisory services. A dedicated policy team (the Director of Policy & Public Affairs, the Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer, the Policy Officer and the Policy Adviser for Wales) work closely with government, stakeholders and politicians across the political spectrum to shape and influence policy for the benefit of heritage and tourism. The Policy Officer role is particularly focused on heritage sector policy – both in terms of getting to grips with the fine detail of the broad range of policy affecting heritage, but also managing Historic Houses’ relationships with colleagues across the heritage, tourism, environmental and creative industries sectors. No two days at Historic Houses are the same, and this is a particularly exciting time to join a small, high-impact team. If you are a bright, proactive Policy Officer with a passion for the special places represented by Historic Houses and a keen interest in advocacy and sharp attention to detail, as well as being energised by the opportunity to make a real difference in policy-making, and keen to champion the future of our historic environment, you can find out more here.
Closing Date: 9am on Friday 6 December 2024
Edinburgh World Heritage – Trustees
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) are looking for new Board trustees with drive and enthusiasm who are passionate about Edinburgh and the Old and New Towns of the Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site and interested in how to connect and engage all people in our heritage. Skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: conservation and maintenance of the built environment; legal; finance; HR; events and fundraising would be appreciated. The purpose of EWH is to pro-actively protect and champion the Edinburgh World Heritage Site for current and future generations through the conservation of historic buildings, delivering improvements to the public realm, developing a new climate emergency programme and engaging people directly with the rich heritage of the city. As a trustee you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and stewardship of public and charitably given funds, supporting, and adding value to the work of its professional team in conservation, engagement, and capacity building. They are looking for people from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures to steer and inform their work, aiming for inclusivity, richness of experience and diversity on the Board and in their workforce. Particularly welcome are applications from young people or those interested in applying for their first trusteeship.
Details of the current Trustees, staff and initiatives are available on their website and full details of the post may be downloaded from here. To express interest in joining the Board, please apply here
Closing date: 10am on Monday 9 December 2024
Heritage Trust Network – Business Development Manager
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Business Development Manager. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone with experience in community heritage, culture and regeneration, and a background in social enterprise and/or the development of income-earning services within the context of a heritage, cultural or membership organisation. Additional skills would include being financially literate and able to communicate a product or service offer and to pitch a proposal to prospective customers. More information and application pack can be found here
Closing date: 12noon on Monday 6 January 2025
Heritage Trust Network – Marketing & Communications Officer
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Marketing & Communications Officer. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone who has developed marketing and communications skills through work in heritage, culture, community development or regeneration. Additional skills would include being able to think strategically, collaborate with colleagues to co-design campaigns, and get involved in day-to-day content development and delivery. This role would suit a self-motivated and hard-working team member who is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, where team spirit and excellent customer service runs throughout everything you do from timely communication with colleagues, to the satisfaction of a job well done when supporting members and building relationships. An interest in regeneration, heritage and sustainability in the built environment is evident as would be a willingness to promote the work of the Network. More information and application pack can be found here
Closing date: 12noon on Monday 6 January 2025
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS NEWS
Job alert! BEFS is recruiting for a new Head of Policy and Strategy to join our small and dynamic team. The role will coordinate policy development initiatives, leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. If you think you know the perfect candidate or want to find out more please visit BEFS website for details about the post.
A new management plan for Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site has been agreed by committee. Developed in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage Trust through a process of public and stakeholder engagement, the plan outlines initiatives to address the climate crisis, enhance sustainable visitor experiences, and ensure the conservation and upkeep of buildings and public areas. Read more about the plan here.
A new report on Third Sector Funding Principles has been published, with MSPs calling for significant changes to support organisations’ sustainability. The recommendations include implementing multi-year funding arrangements, improving grant transparency, and introducing inflation-based adjustments to ensure third sector organisations can maintain vital services.
The Scottish Government has released its Planning and Housing Emergency Delivery Plan, outlining measures to accelerate housing development through planning reform. Key actions include establishing a Housing Planning Hub to unlock stalled developments, expanding postgraduate student bursaries, and refocusing efforts on planning obligations rather than the Infrastructure Levy. The plan also explores expanding Permitted Development Rights for developments like shop-top housing conversions.
A pre-Budget report by the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee has called for clarity on multi-year funding, grant transparency and inflation-based adjustments for third sector organisations, including calls to prioritise longer-term funding models to create more stability and better use of resources across the sector. The report, published on 13 November, states that provisions for inflation-based adjustments in the next Budget would be vital for addressing the significant challenges impacting Scotland’s third sector.
The National Planning Improvement Service’s first annual report, published last week, outlines the progress made in its first year, emerging issues for planning authorities, and initial steps to tackling these. Based within the Improvement Service, the National Planning Improvement team engaged with people and organisations to shape a new National Planning Improvement Framework which is being piloted by planning authorities across the country.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding climate change initiatives, planning, land reform and cladding.
CONSULTATIONS
Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee Stakeholder’s Survey
UK Government
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has today launched an online survey that asks stakeholders to contribute their views on the issues they think the Committee should prioritise in 2025. The survey also asks stakeholders to share any long term or emerging issues that they think the Committee should scrutinise over the next five years. The Committee wants to make sure it is hearing from people and organisations that are affected by Defra’s responsibilities and so MPs are also asking how they could better gather and represent stakeholders’ concerns and the views of those in the sector, in the span of the Committee’s work. MPs intend to use the survey’s feedback to shape the Committee’s future programme of work and inform its strategic approach to scrutiny.
*NEW* Closes 25 November
A new Code of Conduct and Practice for Architects
Architects Registration Board
ARB has published a draft version of a revised Code for consultation. The revised Code is designed to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. It explains to the public, clients, and those who work with architects the behaviours and high standards they should expect from the profession. It has been drafted using published research on public expectations as to how architects should behave and act, and following engagement with architects and other professionals in the built environment. The current edition of the Code was published in 2017, and this proposed revision is intended to address recent developments in building safety, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity to ensure that the Code continues to be fit for practice. This consultation seeks the views of architects, students, learning providers, clients, those who work with architects, and those who use the spaces that architects design.
Closes 12 December 2024
Open call for evidence: New Towns Taskforce
UK Government
The New Towns Taskforce is launching a call for evidence to explore opportunities for large developments. The Taskforce is interested in proposals that are regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth. The unifying principle will be that each of the new settlements will contain 10,000 homes, at the very least, and that most, if not all, will be far larger in size. A core part of the Taskforce’s work will be to consider how to fund and deliver new settlements. More information on the government’s expectations for new towns and the New Towns Taskforce is available in the policy statement on new towns.
Closes 13 December 2024
Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28
HES
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
PETITIONS
PE2118/A: Review and restructure Scotland’s flood risk management approach and operations (Scot Parl 28/10/2024)
PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland (Scot Parl 13/11/2024)
Submission from MSP Murdo Fraser in support of PE2113/E: Provide support to RAAC-affected communities (Scot Parl 06/11/2024)
NEWS RELEASES
Future of theatres unclear amid prolonged RAAC closures (Arts Professional 09/10/2024)
Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2024 (HES 01/11/2024)
Short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability for Scotland’s charities (Third Force News 13/11/2024)
How can Scotland re-establish its building stone industry? (HES 14/11/2024)
PUBLICATIONS
CITB Net Zero Toolkit (CITB 2023)
Visitor Levy Guidance for Local Authorities (Visit Scotland October 2024)
RTPI Interim Route Map to Strategic Planning (RTPI 15/10/2024)
Industry Update: UK Government Autumn Budget 2024 – Scotland Office Summary (Scottish Tourism Alliance 30/10/2024)
Outcomes Report (Scottish Futures Trust 07/11/2024)
Dendrochronology Research Framework for Scotland (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland/ScARF 18/11/2024)
SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee official Report and minutes (Scot Parl 05/11/2024)
Report on Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26 – Managing Scotland’s Public Finances: A Strategic Approach (Scot Parl 07/11/2024)
Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Convenor for the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee (Scot Gov 07/11/2024)
Heat in Buildings: Local Government Oversight Group minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 07/11/2024)
Correspondence between the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and Gillian Martin concerning the Pre-budget Scrutiny 2025-26 (Scot Parl 08/11/2024)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee official report and minutes (Scot Parl 05/11/2024)
Planning Applications Statistics 2023/2024: Annual and Quarterly (October 2023 to March 2024) Official Statistics (Scot Gov 11/11/2024)
Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Planning System – Supporting Investment and Economic Growth and Delivering Quality Homes (Scot Parl 12/11/2024)
Planning and the housing emergency: delivery plan (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)
Planning for housing – delivery plan: Ministerial letter – November 2024 (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)
Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)
Planning: Proportionality of Assessments Short Life Working Group minutes: September 2024 (Scot Gov 12/11/2024)
Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2025-26: Third sector funding principles (Scot Parl 13/11/2024)
Budget: Arts, Heritage and Cultural Organisations – House of Lords Debate (UK Gov 14/11/2023)
Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report (Scot Parl 14/11/2024)
Report on the National Performance Framework: Review of National Outcomes (Scot Parl 15/11/2024)
OPINION & COMMENT
City Competitiveness Redefined: which cities will thrive in the era of climate change? (ARUP October 2024)
Highland tourist tax could raise £10m a year (BBC 08/11/2024)
‘SNP workers’ rights policy is no more than feel good fluff’ (The Herald 11/11/2024)
Planning permission waiting times ‘concerning’ admits minister (The Herald 11/11/2024)
Why drive to net zero could see the rebirth of Scotland’s disused quarries (The Scotsman 14/11/2024
MOTIONS
S6M-15392
Submitted by: John Mason, Glasgow Shettleston, Independent.
Date lodged: 12/11/2024
That the Parliament notes the UK Budget of 30 October 2024 and, in particular, the reported indication of £3.4 billion extra spending for Scotland, including £600 million for capital expenditure; believes that there will be many demands in relation to how that extra capital spending should be used, including for affordable housing or for dualling the A9; regrets that there have reportedly been around eight deaths per year on the A9 between Perth and Inverness since 1979, and extends its condolences to the families and friends affected; understands, however, that there have been over 500 excess winter deaths in Scotland per year, partly caused, it believes, by homelessness or living in cold damp homes; considers, therefore, that the priority for the Scottish Budget for 2025-26 needs to be on building more affordable houses, in both urban and rural areas, rather than on building roads, and believes that such a priority would maximise the number of lives saved.
EVENTS
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 7:30-9:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP; and online
In its centenary year, Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, discusses Sir John James Burnet’s design for the Glasgow Cenotaph and how it sits within the context of the other war memorials he produced for the likes of the Imperial War Graves Commission.
Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations 2024: Connect & Create Capacity
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 9:15am-4:15pm
Location: Hybrid; Online & The Engine Shed, Forthside Way Stirling FK8 1QZ
People are at the heart of community heritage, and the health of our cultural, built, natural, and archaeological heritage is intricately tied to the passion, dedication, expertise and energy of the people who care for it. But in the face of ever-growing pressures on resources and capacity, how can the sector remain robust and adapt to address the changes and challenges that it faces? Archaeology Scotland want to use the next Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversation to discuss how creating new connections can help access a wider pool of knowledge and support, unlocking fresh enthusiasm and ideas. They will explore how innovative approaches to audience engagement, volunteering and workforce development can build greater capacity, foster inclusivity, aid advocacy and ensure that our activities are vibrant, relevant, and accessible to all.
BE-ST – HeatSource Heat Networks in Action
Date & Time: Tuesday 26 November 2024; 12:30-4:30pm
Location: Sandman Hotel, St. Andrews Street, Aberdeen AB25 1AD
An in-person event exploring heat networks with speakers from Scottish Government’s Heat Network Support Unit, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Heat and Power and Vital Energi discussing the £25million Torry District Heat Scheme. Event includes insights from Heatsource champions on supply chain innovation and a Torry Heat Network Learning Journey the following day.
Heritage Trust Network – Network Day
Date & Time: Tuesday 27 November 2024; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
An online mini conference offering informative and practical sessions about heritage projects. Topics include: The Basics with Ethical Property Foundation, funding updates from National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage 2033, expert panel discussions, and special interest presentation on the Bloomberg Connects App.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership – Conference 2024
Date & Time: Wednesday 27 November 2024; 9am-5pm
Location: Perth Concert Hall, Perth PH1 5HZ
STC24 highlights the importance of cultural, built, and natural assets in driving economic, social, and environmental progress in Scotland’s towns and places. Discuss, learn about and connect with the resilient and thriving places showcasing at Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024: “Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.” This year’s conference will delve into the critical role of cultural, built, and natural assets in fostering local economic, social, and environmental transformative change. Join the STP for an inspiring yet practice-based experience featuring study visits, keynote speakers, interactive workshops, collaborative world café sessions and a solutions-based exhibition.
Europa Nostra – Adapting Europe’s Cultural Heritage to a Rapidly Warming World: Climate Change Policy and Practice for Heritage Professionals
Date & Time: Thursday 5 December 2024; 3-4:30pm
Location: Online
Participants will learn from Preserving Legacies colleagues about emerging best practices in climate risk assessment and adaptation planning for heritage places, including approaches that are locally-led, science-based and values-driven. In addition, climate adaptation policy frameworks relevant to heritage will be discussed at national, European and international level. This will include an update from the team of the European Heritage Hub pilot project, who will have just returned from the 2024 UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
AHSS Lecture – Simon Laird: The New Town of Edinburgh and Other Stories
Date & Time: Monday 9 December 2024; 6:30-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Laird explores the evolution of Edinburgh New Town, brainchild of Lord Provost George Drummond. Why was it built? How did it evolve during design and construction? And how has it accommodated 250 years of change? During his six terms as Lord Provost, Drummond was responsible for other developments in and around the Old Town, including points of interest close to our venue, which our speaker will also consider. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 /
Scottish Council on Archives – Annual Conference 2024: Building Evidence. How Archives and Records support Scotland’s Historic Environment
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 December 2024; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Building Evidence will explore how archives and records support engagement with, conservation of, and research into Scotland’s historic environment. The event will be structured around the three priority areas of Our Past, Our Future – The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment: Delivering the transition to net zero; Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places; Building a wellbeing economy. In addition to these key themes, Building Evidence will shine a spotlight on the urgent need for a national strategy for archives and records in Scotland, ensuring their preservation and relevance for future generations.
SHBT – The Case for Reconstruction: Glasgow School of Art & other stories
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 December 2024; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
The loss of a significant building is often taken to be an opportunity to rebuild with a contemporary structure. But when should we, and how should we, attempt accurately to reconstruct buildings which have been destroyed?
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – December Lecture: ‘The tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists’
Date & Time: Thursday 12 December 2024; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The tape-recorder, microphone, camera, notebook, and pencil, and now their digital equivalents, are the tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists. This paper discusses the contribution that fieldwork in oral history and folklore can make to identifying objects and their uses, documenting and interpreting the past, and recording the experiences of the men and women who used the objects. Illustrated with photos, audio-recordings, and film from community projects. This talk will be given by Professor Margaret Bennett, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
TRAINING
C&BS – Scoping the Future Funding Landscape
Date & Time: Wednesday 4 December 2024; 3-7pm
Location: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
This C&BS Forum will explore the reality the future holds for culture organisations from a private funding perspective, and scope out the challenges and opportunities.
VACANCIES
BEFS Head of Policy & Strategy
Salary: £42,000 depending on experience.
Status: Permanent role, subject to organisational funding. 37hrs per week with occasional evening events
Location: Home working with regular meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
This role involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and influencing strategic policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. Key responsibilities include:
- Consultation: Co-ordinate and compile responses to strategic Government (and other key stakeholder) consultations on behalf of BEFS and BEFS Members.
- Advocacy: Develop shared statements (manifestos, legislative ‘asks’, written evidence to parliamentary committees etc) on strategic issues arising from within BEFS work.
- Events: Working with colleagues and external stakeholders, plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement events which inform policy development and produce written reports for these events.
- Secretariat: Act as secretariat to multiple working groups, preparing agenda and meeting papers, recording meetings and circulating minutes.
- Horizon-scanning: Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders, to identify key issues of interest to BEFS Members.
- Communication: Provide colleagues with written material to communicate key messages arising from BEFS discussions (such as website content, blogs), and contribute strategic content to BEFS bi-monthly bulletin.
- Project development: Develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy activity.
- Reporting: Provide and contribute to regular reports to funders and BEFS Board.
- Facilitation: Provide facilitation for Members events, workshops and stakeholder engagement.
- Team: Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues as necessary.
Person specification
Essential
- Strong ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge, particularly across policy frameworks.
- Experience of the process of strategic policy and legislative development within Scotland, across the wider policy landscape.
- Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil policy information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of policy topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere.
- Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations.
- Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary.
- High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience.
- Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.
Desirable
- Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g., planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
- Confidence with online/remote working technologies and programmes such as Teams, Zoom. (Knowledge/familiarity of other programmes such as Miro, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, WordPress and MailChimp are also an advantage.)
BEFS expects all applicants to support the values, ethos and objectives of BEFS, demonstrating credibility and integrity, and proactively committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion. Benefits package includes pension, flexible leave, and more.
To download full job description and details on how to apply please click this link
BEFS is an equal opportunities employer. Please see our Fair Work and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statements on BEFS website for more information.
Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 6 December 2024.
Historic Houses – Policy Officer
Salary: £34,000 per annum + benefits.
Status: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday) with occasional hours outside of these times.
Location: Based at Warwick House, 25-27 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP (hybrid working with regular office attendance). Also occasional travel to Historic Houses events outside London.
Are you Passionate about heritage, keenly interested in policy-making and driven to make a difference to the future of the UK’s historic environment? Historic Houses are looking for a Policy Officer, based near their London head office. Historic Houses represents around 1,450 historic houses, castles and gardens in independent ownership across the UK and, as a membership association, enables independently owned historic houses and gardens to speak with one powerful voice. It does this through policy and public affairs activity, marketing and promotion, and technical advisory services. A dedicated policy team (the Director of Policy & Public Affairs, the Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer, the Policy Officer and the Policy Adviser for Wales) work closely with government, stakeholders and politicians across the political spectrum to shape and influence policy for the benefit of heritage and tourism. The Policy Officer role is particularly focused on heritage sector policy – both in terms of getting to grips with the fine detail of the broad range of policy affecting heritage, but also managing Historic Houses’ relationships with colleagues across the heritage, tourism, environmental and creative industries sectors. No two days at Historic Houses are the same, and this is a particularly exciting time to join a small, high-impact team. If you are a bright, proactive Policy Officer with a passion for the special places represented by Historic Houses and a keen interest in advocacy and sharp attention to detail, as well as being energised by the opportunity to make a real difference in policy-making, and keen to champion the future of our historic environment, you can find out more here.
Closing Date: 9am on Friday 6 December 2024
Edinburgh World Heritage – Trustees
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) are looking for new Board trustees with drive and enthusiasm who are passionate about Edinburgh and the Old and New Towns of the Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site and interested in how to connect and engage all people in our heritage. Skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: conservation and maintenance of the built environment; legal; finance; HR; events and fundraising would be appreciated. The purpose of EWH is to pro-actively protect and champion the Edinburgh World Heritage Site for current and future generations through the conservation of historic buildings, delivering improvements to the public realm, developing a new climate emergency programme and engaging people directly with the rich heritage of the city. As a trustee you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and stewardship of public and charitably-given funds, supporting and adding value to the work of its professional team in conservation, engagement and capacity building. They are looking for people from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures to steer and inform their work, aiming for inclusivity, richness of experience and diversity on the Board and in their workforce. Particularly welcome are applications from young people or those interested in applying for their first trusteeship.
Details of the current Trustees, staff and initiatives are available on their website and full details of the post may be downloaded from here. To express interest in joining the Board, please apply here.
Closing date: 10am on Monday 9 December 2024
Heritage Trust Network – Business Development Manager
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Business Development Manager. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone with experience in community heritage, culture and regeneration, and a background in social enterprise and/or the development of income-earning services within the context of a heritage, cultural or membership organisation. Additional skills would include being financially literate and able to communicate a product or service offer and to pitch a proposal to prospective customers. More information and application pack can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025
Heritage Trust Network – Marketing & Communications Officer
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Status: full time (37 hours per week) with a 3-month probationary period
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK
Heritage Trust Network is seeking a Marketing & Communications Officer. This role is being created as part of the Essential Networks project delivery phase. Essential Networks is a major development and resilience project that will transform the Network’s ability to empower people to rescue and reuse historic buildings and spaces for the benefit of their communities. It will run from November 2024 to March 2029. This post is ideally suited to someone who has developed marketing and communications skills through work in heritage, culture, community development or regeneration. Additional skills would include being able to think strategically, collaborate with colleagues to co-design campaigns, and get involved in day-to-day content development and delivery. This role would suit a self-motivated and hard-working team member who is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, where team spirit and excellent customer service runs throughout everything you do from timely communication with colleagues, to the satisfaction of a job well done when supporting members and building relationships. An interest in regeneration, heritage and sustainability in the built environment is evident as would be a willingness to promote the work of the Network. More information and application pack can be found here.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 6 January 2025
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS NEWS
BEFS team are delighted to congratulate BEFS former Treasurer and Vice Chair, Professor Ian Baxter on his recent appointment to the Historic Environment Scotland Board. Ian’s work with BEFS to demonstrate the value of heritage in society and across a range of public policy areas has been hugely valuable, and we very much look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.
At the end of October Historic Environment Scotland opened a public consultation on their new Corporate Plan, asking the public for their views on how the organisation can best support Scotland’s diverse heritage, to shape their priorities and approach to the challenges and opportunities it faces. A series of stakeholder meetings are planned alongside the public consultation, which closes on 03 January 2025.
The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust has launched the first phase of a project aiming to develop a new approach to tackling rural regeneration as well as the crisis in traditional skills. Tenders are being invited to support their feasibility study based in Eyemouth, in the Scottish Borders. Deadline for proposals is 4pm on Wednesday 13 November 2024.
BEFS Members The Ridge have announced that founder Kate Darrah will be standing down as Managing Director after nearly 13 years, moving to a new part-time role as Director of Capital Projects. The Ridge has been an important vehicle for skills development and a successful programme of supported Modern Apprenticeships in Stonemasonry and Joinery. Taking over is Katie Wood, who joined The Ridge in January as Deputy Managing Director. Our congratulations to both Kate and Katie!
Alongside this edition of the Bulletin BEFS Director, Hazel Johnson, details in a blog post the challenges – and opportunities – facing places of worship as faith owners divest significant portions of their estate, with cross-cutting impacts and implications for Scotland’s people and places. The post also introduces the work of The Places of Worship Forum (POWF), exploring how its member organisations engage with communities across Scotland, assist in the transition process, and provide valuable resources. You can read the blog here.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and answers for recent questions regarding building safety, housing, planning and regeneration.
CONSULTATIONS
Scotland’s City Region and Regional Growth Deals
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee will undertake an inquiry to look at the implementation and effectiveness of deals; considering how deals have contributed to addressing local issues and supporting development and inclusive growth. As part of this work, the Committee will consider submissions made earlier this year to the Scottish Affairs Committee and are keen to hear a wide range of views to help with this work. They are particularly keen to hear from Scottish businesses, Local authorities involved in Deals and Community groups.
Closes 14 November 2024
Scottish Building Safety Levy: consultation on proposals
Scottish Government
Responses to this consultation and the associated programme of engagement will support the policy development for a potential future Building Safety Levy in Scotland. If the powers to allow Scottish Ministers to introduce a building safety levy are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, then responses will also support development of a future Bill that provides for a devolved tax.
The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation.
Closes 18 November 2024
A new Code of Conduct and Practice for Architects
Architects Registration Board
ARB has published a draft version of a revised Code for consultation. The revised Code is designed to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to architects. It explains to the public, clients, and those who work with architects the behaviours and high standards they should expect from the profession. It has been drafted using published research on public expectations as to how architects should behave and act, and following engagement with architects and other professionals in the built environment. The current edition of the Code was published in 2017, and this proposed revision is intended to address recent developments in building safety, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity to ensure that the Code continues to be fit for practice. This consultation seeks the views of architects, students, learning providers, clients, those who work with architects, and those who use the spaces that architects design.
Closes 12 December 2024
Open call for evidence: New Towns Taskforce
UK Government
The New Towns Taskforce is launching a call for evidence to explore opportunities for large developments. The Taskforce is interested in proposals that are regionally significant for both housing numbers and economic growth. The unifying principle will be that each of the new settlements will contain 10,000 homes, at the very least, and that most, if not all, will be far larger in size. A core part of the Taskforce’s work will be to consider how to fund and deliver new settlements. More information on the government’s expectations for new towns and the New Towns Taskforce is available in the Policy statement on new towns.
Closes 13 December 2024
Historic Environment Scotland’s corporate plan 2025-28
HES
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’s 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
PETITIONS
PE2089: Stop More National Parks in Scotland: Committee to take evidence – clerks note (Scot Parl 30/10/2024)
NEWS RELEASES
A sustainable future for Rosslyn Castle (Rosslyn Chapel 15/10/2024)
New appointments to the HES Board (HES 23/10/2024)
New Building Restoration Initiative using Community Skills Training (SHBT 24/10/2024)
Training initiative attracts new talent to heritage sector (HES 28/10/2024)
Fresh £450,000 fund for Union Street (Aberdeen City Heritage Trust 29/10/2024)
SCVO respond to UK Government Autumn Budget 2024 (SCVO 31/10/2024)
PUBLICATIONS
Visitor Levy Guidance for Local Authorities (Visit Scotland October 2024)
House of Good: Health (National Churches Trust October 2024)
Economic Impacts of Short-term Lets in Edinburgh (Biggar Economics 18/10/2024)
Championing a responsible digital transition for and with cultural heritage (European Heritage Hub 22/10/2024)
Creative Corridors: connecting clusters to unleash potential (The RSA 24/10/2024)
Skills Development Scotland Annual Report and Financial Statement (SDS 25/10/2024)
The value of design within the regeneration of housing in Scotland’s town centres (Architecture & Design Scotland 29/10/2024)
Highlighting the importance of architecture and design in revitalising town centres; showcasing successful housing projects and the role of design experts in creating vibrant, sustainable, and desirable residential communities.
The seventh issue of Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland (HES November 2024)
Modern Apprenticeship Statistics Quarter 2, 2024/25 (Skills Development Scotland 05/11/2024)
SCOTTISH & UK: GOVERNMENTAL & PARLIAMENTARY PUBLICATIONS
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax Statistics (Revenue Scotland October 2024)
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 10/10/2024)
Cladding Remediation Programme: factsheet (Scot Gov 15/10/2024)
Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26 Progress Report for 2023-2024 (Scot Gov 16/10/2024)
Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26 Major capital projects progress update (Scot Gov 16/10/2024)
Scottish Housing Market Review Q3 2024 (Scot Gov 18/10/2024)
Correspondence between Tom Arthur and the Economy and Fair Work Committee on matters concerning town centres and retail in Scotland, including: compulsory purchase reform; town centres; the Retail Industry Leaders Group; and business digital capability (Scot Parl 24/10/2024)
High Level Group on Planning Performance note of meeting: 12 September 2024 (Scot Gov 24/10/2024)
Environmental Standards Scotland’s Investigation into Climate Change Delivery Report (Scot Parl 25/10/2024)
Marshalled list and groupings of amendments for Stage 2 of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 25/10/2024)
Correspondence between the Scottish Community Development Centre and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding possible recommendations to the review of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (Scot Parl 24/10/2024)
National Planning Framework 4: Delivery Programme v3 (Scot Gov 28/10/2024)
Correspondence between the Finance and Public Administration Committee and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on its scrutiny work around the estimated costs of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 28/10/2024)
Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics (Scot Gov 29/10/2024)
National Outcomes: Response to the Review of Outcomes and Indicators relating to the Scottish Government’s International Work (Scot Parl 29/10/2024)
The Grey Belt – Oral evidence (UK Parl 29/10/2024)
Short Term Lets Licensing Statistics Scotland to 30 June 2024 (Scot Gov 29/10/2024)
Correspondence between the Finance and Public Administration Committee and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee about the findings of a call for views conducted as part of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill’s Financial Memorandum (Scot Parl 29/10/2024)
Local Government, Housing and Planning: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 29/10/2024)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 29/10/2024)
Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2 (Scot Parl 30/10/2024)
Correspondence between Shona Robison and the Finance and Public Administration Committee regarding the Scotland Act 1998 (Specification of Devolved Tax) (Building Safety) Order 2024 (Scot Gov 30/10/2024)
Economy and Fair Work Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 30/10/2024)
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 31/10/2024)
Minister for Housing: Statement on Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 31/10/2024)
Correspondence between the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill (Scot Parl 31/10/2024)
Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill (Scot Gov 31/10/2024)
The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 (UK Gov 31/10/2024)
Correspondence between the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee and Angus Robertson regarding the Climate Justice Fund (Scot Parl 01/11/2024)
Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Climate Change Committee (CCC) regarding the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Bill (Scot Gov 02/11/2024)
Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio (National Audit Office 04/11/2024)
Report on the Scotland Act 1998 (Specification of Devolved Tax) (Building Safety) Order 2024 (Scot Parl 04/11/2024)
Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership: annual engagement report (Scot Gov 04/11/2024)
Scotland’s Architectural Heritage Debate (UK Gov 05/11/2024)
OPINION & COMMENT
Housing charity to close due to funding problems (BBC News 15/10/2024)
Is the Stirling Prize suffering from a case of tunnel vision? (Apollo Magazine 17/10/2024)
The Church of England is panicking about declining congregations – here’s what it should do instead (The Guardian 24/10/2024)
More arts centres seek urgent funding to stay open (Arts Professional 24/10/2024)
The ransacking of Britain: why the people finally rose up against ‘sod you architecture’ (The Guardian 28/10/2024)
Funding for ‘overlooked’ towns to go ahead in Scotland (BBC News 31/10/2024)
Perth Museum makes shortlist for Museum Opening of the Year Awards (Apollo Magazine 04/11/2024)
EVENTS
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
SHBT – The Magdalen Chapel: Past, Present & Future
Date & Time: Friday 8 November 2024; 10am-4pm
Location: Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust in collaboration with the Scottish Reformation Society and the Incorporation of the Hammermen are delighted to host this academic conference at Riddle’s Court to stimulate discussion on the Magdalen Chapel in the Cowgate, its past present and future. This conference will bring together experts to discuss the history of the Chapel, helping to raise its profile with locals, visitors, and experts alike. Discover how through innovation and creativity, it can once again become one of the city’s most iconic public spaces.
AHSS – David Munro: The Making of a Ducal Landscape
Date & Time: Monday 11 November 2024; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lectures will also be streamed online via Zoom
In this joint lecture with Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage, Dr David Munro, a geographical consultant for the Duke of Buccleuch at Drumlanrig Castle, draws on historic estate plans and fieldwork to examine a ducal landscape that includes one of Scotland’s largest castles. He also uncovers a wider estate landscape rich in historical features that provide opportunities for heritage conservation and educational activities within the local community. Tickets available from Eventbrite or on the door: £6 / students £2 / online booking links:
SHBT – How Long is Now? Meanwhile uses for old buildings
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 November 2024; 6-7:30pm
Location: Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
What happens when conservation is only for the time being? A ‘meanwhile use’ for a historic building can last for a weekend, a year, or – in some cases – a decade. What do these interventions look like, and what is their impact on the life of the buildings they occupy? Hidden Door’s Festival Director Hazel Johnson looks back at some of the incredible buildings they have opened to the public – on a temporary basis – from the Market Street vaults, to the old Royal High School and Granton Gasworks. Lynzi Leroy is founder and CEO of social enterprise Scottish Design Exchange, whose most recent retail location is the Tron Kirk Market on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As a ‘meanwhile user’ of this Category A-listed building, Lynzi will explore what’s involved in bringing the work of Scottish artists and makers into one of the most significant historic buildings on Edinburgh’s High Street.
RSA Fellowship – Where next for Scotland’s strategic approach to government?
Date and time: Tuesday 19 November 2024: 6-7:30pm
Location: Online
Seventeen years ago, Scotland embarked on a bold experiment in redesigning how government was organised, and progress defined and measured. For a time, the country was regarded by many as setting the pace internationally, with its outcome or “wellbeing” framework and ambition to focus all tiers of government and public services on a shared vision for the population. However, recently the Government’s commitment to this approach appears to have weakened and fallen short of the founding aspirations. Carnegie UK has recently published a comparative research study, carried out by Dr Max French of Northumbria University, which suggests that progress has indeed stalled, and that Scotland is now lagging neighbouring parts of the UK in using its wellbeing framework to drive policy making. Sarah Davidson, CEO of Carnegie UK will discuss the recent report with Sir John Elvidge and Helen Chambers, examining ‘How a strengthened National Performance Framework can drive effective government in Scotland – Carnegie UK Trust’.
The Heritage Alliance – Heritage Debate 2024 – Balancing the Books
Date & Time: Wednesday 20 November 2024; 12-2pm
Location: Online
Now in its 15th year, Heritage Debate brings sector leaders, professionals and volunteers together to share cross-sector insights, make connections and find solutions to the key challenges facing heritage today. This year’s debate, ‘Balancing the Books: How should the heritage sector be funded?’, is a must-hear for all those invested in the sector’s future and its survival in today’s uncertain financial climate. Hear members of an expert panel make a case for the benefits and pitfalls of public, private and philanthropic funding models, and be part of this important discussion by casting your vote.
AHSS Lecture – Niall Murphy: The Glasgow Cenotaph
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
In its centenary year, Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, will discuss Sir John James Burnet’s design for the Glasgow Cenotaph and how it sits within the context of the other war memorials he produced for the likes of the Imperial War Graves Commission. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25
Icon Scotland – 2024 AGM
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 5:30-6:15pm
Location: Auditorium A, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD
Join the Icon Scotland Group committee to discuss everything they’ve been doing in 2024, and everything planned for 2025. Tickets are free and you can come along whether you’re an Icon member or considering joining! The AGM will be followed by the Plenderleith Lecture, with speaker Caroline Bendix.
Icon Scotland – 27th Plenderleith Lecture. From vellum to voicemail: Twenty-first century conservation challenges
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Auditorium A, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George St, Glasgow G1 1RD
Join Icon Scotland for the 27th Annual Plenderleith Memorial Lecture, an annual lecture in memory of Dr Harold Plenderleith, one of the key founders of modern conservation. The invited speaker this year is library conservator Caroline Bendix ACR. Using her own experience as a freelance conservator for many years, Caroline will explore some of the issues facing conservators today. Caroline’s talk will be followed by a drinks reception, and the opportunity to chat with other conservators.
HES – Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations 2024: Connect & Create Capacity
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 9:15am-4:15pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ/Online
People are at the heart of community heritage, and the health of our cultural, built, natural, and archaeological heritage is intricately tied to the passion, dedication, expertise, and energy of the people who care for it. But in the face of ever-growing pressures on resources and capacity, how can the sector remain robust and adapt to address the changes and challenges that it faces? Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversation will discuss how creating new connections can help us access a wider pool of knowledge and support, unlocking fresh enthusiasm and ideas. Exploring how innovative approaches to audience engagement, volunteering and workforce development can build greater capacity, foster inclusivity, aid advocacy and ensure that activities are vibrant, relevant, and accessible to all.
RIAS – Live. Building Bonds: the Architect-Client Collaboration
Date & Time: Friday 22 November 2024; 9:30am-5pm
Location: Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4EA
Every year, RIAS are proud to host the single largest annual gathering for architects in Scotland, as an opportunity to bring people together to discuss how architects can use and develop their skills, and be a key part of Scotland’s future as a green, resilient and healthy nation. This year, they are looking forward for their second RIAS Live – a one-day event this year held in Dundee where insightful presentations are met with opportunities to discuss, debate and contribute.
Scotland’s Towns Partnership – Conference 2024
Date & Time: Wednesday 27 November 2024; 9am-5pm
Location: Perth Concert Hall, Perth PH1 5HZ
STC24 highlights the importance of cultural, built, and natural assets in driving economic, social, and environmental progress in Scotland’s towns and places. Discuss, learn about and connect with the resilient and thriving places showcasing at Scotland’s Towns Conference 2024: “Investing in Our Assets for Sustainable Towns of the Future.” This year’s conference will delve into the critical role of cultural, built, and natural assets in fostering local economic, social, and environmental transformative change. Join the STP for an inspiring yet practice-based experience featuring study visits, keynote speakers, interactive workshops, collaborative world café sessions and a solutions-based exhibition.
AHSS Lecture – Simon Laird: The New Town of Edinburgh and Other Stories
Date & Time: Monday 9 December 2024; 6:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Simon Laird explores the evolution of Edinburgh New Town, brainchild of Lord Provost George Drummond. Why was it built? How did it evolve during design and construction? And how has it accommodated 250 years of change? During his six terms as Lord Provost, Drummond was responsible for other developments in and around the Old Town, including points of interest close to our venue, which our speaker will also consider. Tickets available in advance or on the door: £6 / students £2
Scottish Council on Archives – Annual Conference 2024: Building Evidence. How Archives and Records support Scotland’s Historic Environment
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 December 2024; 9:30am-4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
Building Evidence will explore how archives and records support engagement with, conservation of, and research into Scotland’s historic environment. The event will be structured around the three priority areas of Our Past, Our Future – The Strategy for Scotland’s Historic Environment: Delivering the transition to net zero; Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places; Building a wellbeing economy. In addition to these key themes, Building Evidence will shine a spotlight on the urgent need for a national strategy for archives and records in Scotland, ensuring their preservation and relevance for future generations.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – December Lecture: ‘The tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists’
Date & Time: Thursday 12 December 2024; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
The tape-recorder, microphone, camera, notebook, and pencil, and now their digital equivalents, are the tools of the trade of field-working oral historians and folklorists. This paper discusses the contribution that fieldwork in oral history and folklore can make to identifying objects and their uses, documenting and interpreting the past, and recording the experiences of the men and women who used the objects. Illustrated with photos, audio-recordings, and film from community projects. This talk will be given by Professor Margaret Bennett, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
TRAINING
Heritage Trust Network – Network Academy: Regeneration Journey
Dates & Times: Friday 8, 15, 22 & 29 November 2024; 9:30-12:30
Location: Online via Zoom
The Regeneration Journey is an introduction to heritage regeneration projects, aimed at Heritage Trust Network members who are in the early stages of their first project, as a volunteer or a member of staff. It will be suitable for those working at community organisations, charities, and professional heritage trusts. The programme will be delivered to a cohort of 14 people and will introduce the key areas that each regeneration project will likely involve, giving an overview and insight to the road ahead. The programme will include expert speakers, case studies from those who have been there before and engaging activities to get you thinking! There will also be the opportunity to network and build contacts with all attendees.
SP=EED Training – Develop practical skills in community engagement
Date & Time: Wednesday 13 November 2024; 10am-3:30pm
Location: The Crannie, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE
This one-day course will help you develop practical skills in community engagement using the SP=EED guide (Successful Planning = Effective Engagement and Delivery). Strong community engagement skills are a key requirement for planners and those working in related fields. The SP=EED approach provides a clear and practical framework for carrying out engagement projects and the workshop allows deeper understanding of the range of skills required for effective engagement, showcasing a range of creative and effective engagement tools to suit different scenarios. Book here.
C&BS – People Matters | Tools and Procedures for Accessibility
Date & Time: Thursday 14 November 2024; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online
This disabled-led training with Birds of Paradise is underpinned by an extensive knowledge of equality and access within the sector and offers practical guidance on how to work accessibly, particularly when planning activities and events. Participants will leave feeling more comfortable and confident in their interactions with disabled people. The knowledge, skills & tools they gain during the session will apply across all areas of their work and motivate them to make a positive change. In this three-hour session you will learn about: Access Requirements Forms; Access Statements; Planning for Access. This course is ideal for anyone who would like to learn more about disability equality, and create more inclusive, accessible environments within their work.
C&BS – Sponsorship + VAT
Date & Time: Thursday 21 November 2024; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Sponsorship + VAT implications are often overlooked or ignored. Join this session to learn how to achieve valuable VAT benefits and savings. The VAT implications associated with sponsorship agreements are often overlooked or ignored. The arrangements can provide valuable VAT benefits and savings to cultural bodies, but they can also result in unbudgeted or additional costs if they are not recorded correctly.
SPAB – Repair of Old Buildings Course
Date & Time: Monday 25 – Friday 29 November 2024
Location: Online
This course is designed for students and professionals interested in deepening their understanding of old buildings. Presented by leading building conservation professionals, this course explores British and international approaches to the conservation of old buildings. The programme is underpinned by the SPAB philosophy of repair and maintenance, as set out in the SPAB Approach. Through a series of recorded lectures, virtual site visits and online Q&A sessions you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the repair, maintenance, and conservation of old buildings. The online format means you’ll benefit from an extended learning period from 28 October until January, so you can study at a time and place that’s right for you. You’ll also be able to interact with the specialists, site visit hosts and other participants via live, online Q&A sessions throughout the week of 25 – 29 November.
C&BS – Scoping the Future Funding Landscape
Date & Time: Wednesday 4 December 2024; 3-7pm
Location: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
This C&BS Forum will explore the reality the future holds for culture organisations from a private funding perspective, and scope out the challenges and opportunities.
VACANCIES
The Royal Town Planning Institute – Intern Project Officer
Salary: £21,840 pro-rata per annum
Status: 21 hours per week; nine-month fixed term contract
Location: Edinburgh based with a blend of home and office working
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. These are important and exciting times for planning in Scotland. RTPI Scotland has been heavily involved with the preparation of the NPF4 and are aiming to be supporting the implementation of the framework. This post will be key in supporting several current workstreams including magazine programming and editing, resourcing research, developing a programme to enhance the pipeline of planners, supporting policy development and consultation responses. They are looking for a motivated person who can use collaborative and analytical skills to support the engagement of the Scottish membership on planning policy matters. You will be organised, have strong communication skills, a degree level qualification in a relevant social science subject or working towards completion of an RTPI accredited course and a firm understanding of the current issues facing planners and the planning system. To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter that refers to the criteria in the person specification.
Closing Date: Midnight on Sunday 10 November 2024
The Scottish Civic Trust is looking for a Trustee with planning expertise
The Scottish Civic Trust is seeking to recruit a Trustee or Adviser with experience in the provision of planning advice to local authorities or national organisations. This is an opportunity to contribute to a civic oriented charity and expand your network.
Closing Date: 15 November 2024
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
BEFS Director explores the current and very real impacts of faith owners divesting of significant portions of their estate and the implications for Scotland’s people and places; for the economy, net zero and climate targets, and wellbeing.
Across Scotland, churches and places of worship are for sale at a speed and scale that has not been seen before. There can be many reasons for a place of worship to require new stewardship, from diminishing congregations and changing demographics to a decline in the condition of the building itself. These are places which may have special status or designation, hold a significant and sensitive place in the lives of communities of place, practice and of interest, as well as being a major part of the town/city/village-scape in which they are found.
The Places of Worship Forum (POWF), for which BEFS provides secretariat, works to create a combined and strengthened voice for a sustainable future for places of worship in transition across Scotland – both in, and beyond, worship. To do this, there must be a baseline understanding of the issue amongst owners, communities, funders, local authorities and national government.
Why is it a crucial time for places of worship?
The current and very real impacts of faith owners divesting of significant portions of their estate has cross-cutting impacts – and implications – for Scotland’s people and places; for the economy, net zero and climate targets, and wellbeing; these sites are too important to our communities, and our places, to not deserve strategic thought to ensure sustainable futures.
From streetscape to vital local service, this issue is a national civic concern rather than solely a religious or denominational matter. Communities, as well as congregations, all over the country are faced with deciding how to respond. It is about all our places, and their people, regardless of faith or inclination.
These spaces also support cultural activity, as local venues, meeting places and hubs for events. They give a home to important services such as foodbanks and community meals. We stand to lose not only the buildings themselves, but also the important roles that they currently fulfil within society.
As the number of communities across Scotland buying their local church or place of worship grows, the issue becomes systemic, and the challenges experienced by communities and their places of worship are not one-off examples:
- How to address the potential loss of the amenities that these community buildings provide?
- How to manage situations where multiple places of worship are sold/bought but there is no capacity to run them?
- How can communities find out about and leverage funding?
- Should a community be unable to reach a consensus as to how to proceed, what can be done, and to whom do they turn for advice?
Seeking solutions: Supporting Net Zero, Economic Recovery and a Just Transition
These places of worship are a key part of our existing built and historic environment. We know that our existing built environment can support economic recovery, community wealth building, and a just green transition if championed and understood. It is:
- central to a potentially expanding skilled workforce, maintaining and appropriately adapting our environment, harnessing long term economic and environmental benefits
- contributing to a growing employment market – where repairing, reusing and adapting our built environment is a vital aspect of economic recovery and towards delivering Net Zero
- as a key resource, essential to Scotland’s tourism offer
- as a focal point of regenerative strategies (particularly in relation to High Street decline, and Town Centre Regeneration) enabling a sense of place and belonging
- providing skilled employment, as places designed to promote wellbeing, and adaptive buildings suited to new futures.
A joined-up approach – across the policy landscape
If considered as part of holistic placemaking – for example as a consideration in Local Development Planning and regional spatial strategies – the impact could be significant.
The recent announcement of a new Planning Hub, sitting with the Improvement Service, could reflect and address the issue as a national priority. Positive outcomes for these places will be (like all planning decisions) both specific to each case, towards the best individual decisions for these buildings, places, congregations, and communities. Some will make incredible homes; some will provide community spaces, and some will remain in worshipful use for many years to come.
BEFS has previously lobbied for coordinated action and knowledge; co-ordination of the data on assets – cultural or otherwise – can enable a joined-up approach to decision making, informing action when considering the potential for assets to be transferred into community hands. Towards good places, the ‘right asset in the right place’, to know what might be coming on to the market and when, thus enabling a proactive rather than a reactive approach.
A previous lack of political appetite to engage may well be changing, given the scale of the buildings now at risk, and as MSPs are approached by their constituents. The message that reaches them must be clear, coordinated and unified in its approach; inaction will not ensure positive outcomes for people and place. Investment and support, multi-partner initiatives and solutions across sectors, directorates and portfolios will – working towards achieving Net Zero as part of strategic planning and placemaking decisions.
Places of Worship Forum (POWF) | Seeking strategic solutions for places of worship in transition
The Places of Worship Forum member organisations are committed to supporting places of worship across Scotland and aim to create a combined and strengthened voice for the sustainable future for places of worship – both in, and beyond, worship. POWF members engage with communities, assist in the transition process, and provide valuable resources.
To find out more about POWF please visit the website or contact hjohnson@befs.org.uk.
USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES:
This guidance has been developed by the Community Ownership Support Service, Heritage Trust Network and Historic Churches Scotland to meet a growing need from communities for specific guidance around churches and accompanying land. Taking over a building of any type is a big step for a community and brings with it substantial responsibility. It can appear a daunting prospect, but this document has been designed to guide you through the process.
This report describes the outcomes of ‘Bridging the Gap’, which was a pilot research project conducted by The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), Historic Churches Scotland (HCS), Heritage Trust Network and Churches Trust for Cumbria (CTfC). From January to August 2022 the partners worked with community groups in rural areas in southern Scotland and northern England, to explore the barriers surrounding sustainable community ownership of church buildings.
Scotland’s Churches Trust created an online form, to collate images and recording data in a single location. That can easily be replicated by small local groups, who have identified and sought permission to record their local closing churches, and we have developed a recorders’ handbook with advice and tips to assist with the recording and uploading of each church record to the HES Archives.
The Sustainable Investment Tool – or SIT – was developed to help visualise the different positive aspects associated with existing buildings and their related projects. The SIT can help us plan a sustainable future, have greater understanding of our places, and increase their potential and resilience. Exploring the different values of a place can help identify new ways of thinking, promote greater advocacy for projects, and perhaps enhance new funding and investment opportunities. Using the SIT can help start conversations around the wider benefits and potential that our existing buildings and places can deliver – highlighting the positive outcomes for Wellbeing, Climate, Culture, and Economy.
Historic Environment Scotland blog – Kilmaronock Old Kirk Trust give their top tips for community groups thinking of taking on the running of a historic place of worship.
Image taken at the Building Sustainable Futures for Scottish Churches event in Paisley, at the start of November. Photo, BEFS.
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