BEFS Bulletin – Scotland’s Historic Environment & the General Election
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Publications, Policy Developments, Vacancies And More.
BEFS News
Ahead of the general election on 12th December 2019, BEFS has read and digested the main party manifestos to provide an overview of policy commitments that would have implications for Scotland’s historic environment. A number of BEFS members have also compiled useful information.
The Heritage Alliance (THA) has written to all MPs and key decision-makers with their new 2019 Heritage Manifesto, produced in advance of the election, and asks stakeholders to use its Manifesto and support their messages.
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) issued its Manifesto for Planning as soon as the election was announced. RTPI has also compiled summaries of party manifestos to enable you to see what each party is committing to in relation to planning. You can find more information here.
RICS have also published an election manifesto, A new approach for the built and natural environment, and are commenting on the latest developments and party manifestos here.
The Carbon Brief also has an analysis of what the manifestos say on energy and climate change, available here.
Consultations
IHBC launches consultation on Corporate Plan 2020-25 (‘CP25’) as ‘Stage 1’ scoping:
First responses sought by 1 January.
What makes a strong and vibrant community? Asks Local Government and Communities Committee
Opened on 15 Nov 2019 and 22 Jan 2020.
Draft Edinburgh Tourism Strategy 2030
Closes 30 Nov 2019.
Consultation on The Principles of a Local Discretionary Transient Visitor Levy or Tourist Tax
Closes 2 Dec 2019.
The role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change
Closes 4 Dec 2019.
Scottish Government’s Local Energy Policy Statement – Consultation
Closes 4 Dec 2019.
Circular Economy: Proposals for Legislation
Closes 19 Dec 2019.
Proposed programme for reviewing and extending permitted development rights (PDR) in Scotland
Closes 28 Jan 2020.
Proposed Remote Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 31 January 2020.
The Replacement of European Structural Funds In Scotland Post EU-Exit
Closes 12 Feb. 2020.
Publications
The Heritage Manifesto 2019 (THA 11/19)
General Election 2019 – A new approach for the built and natural environment (RICS 11/19)
How we regulate: A guide for tenants and service users (SHR 26/11/19)
Energy efficiency: advice and support for industry (SG 26/11/19)
Ecclesiastical Exemption Guide (HES 21/11/19)
Total Income of DCMS-funded cultural organisations 2018/19 (DCMS 21/11/19)
Compulsory purchase orders: register (SG 19/11/19)
Survey and Recording Round Up 2018-19 (HES 19/11/19)
Private sector rent statistics: 2010 – 2019 (SG 19/11/19)
The Manifesto for Local Economies (CLES 18/11/19)
Planning (Scotland) Act commencement regulations: November 2019 (SG 14/11/19)
Guide to Heritage in Neighbourhood Plans (NT 07/11/19)
The case for investing in tenement housing (GWSF 11/19)
Preventative maintenance advice (SPAB 11/19)
Valuing More than Money – Social Value and the Housing Sector (IPPR 11/19)
Building the Social Homes We Need – Solving the Land and Capacity Challenges (NEF 11/19)
Community-led design initiatives: evaluation (SG 11/10/19)
Scottish Government News Releases
Average 2 bedroom private rents up by 2.4% (SG 19/11/19)
Between 2018 and 2019, 15 out of 18 Broad Rental Market Areas of Scotland have seen increases in average new let rents for 2 bedroom properties, ranging from 0.2% in North Lanarkshire, up to 5.3% in Greater Glasgow.
News Releases
The My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition 2020 are now open! (SCT 26/11/19)
Entries for both the My Place Awards and My Place Photography Competition 2020 can now be made online. The closing date for both is 11:59pm, Sunday 16 February 2020.
Kirkwall’s high street ‘most beautiful’ in Scotland (BBC 25/11/19)
Kirkwall has been named Scotland’s most beautiful high street after topping a public poll. It narrowly beat Lerwick and Milngavie, receiving nearly 5,000 votes – 21% of the online poll. Lerwick secured 18% of the vote and Milngavie 15%.
CSGN projects win quality in planning awards (CSGN 21/11/19)
Winners of the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2019 were announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 20 November.
Combustible cladding still allowed in Scotland, MSPs told (STV 20/11/19)
Housing and fire experts were giving evidence to a Holyrood committee about building safety.
Enabling Healthy Placemaking (RTPI 11/19)
We are carrying out research to explore the local, national and international policies and practices that enable healthy placemaking. If you would like to take part in the study please fill in our call to evidence by Monday 20th January 2020.
Scottish National Heritage rebrand (NS 19/11/19)
Scotland’s national nature agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will ‘rebrand’ to ‘NatureScot’ from May 1st 2020, in plans to adapt the organisation to meet current environment challenges.
RICS launch new Home Survey Standard (RICS 18/11/19)
RICS this week launch the new mandatory RICS Home Survey Standard, following an industry and consumer consultation held earlier this year.
Planners call on government for stronger direction on climate action (RTIP 15/11/19)
An overwhelming majority of UK planners want the next government to give stronger direction and more resources to enable local planners to deliver net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Take part in the RICS Social Impact Awards 2020 (RICS 11/19)
The RICS Social Impact Awards recognise the built environment’s positive and transformational contribution to society. Closing date for entries: 5pm on 31 January 2020.
Green-Building Advocates Raise Alarm on Embodied Carbon (AR 10/19)
Architects are familiar with the often cited statistic: the building sector is responsible for nearly 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. They understand the role of energy efficiency in reducing fossil-fuel use and tackling climate change. But many are just waking up to the importance of the emissions associated with manufacturing materials and the construction process.
Opinion & Comment
General election – An opportunity to diversify the workforce (Hew Edgar, RICS 22/11/19)
Volume or value? Sustainability and cultural tourism (AP 21/11/19)
Action on Blight – assessing the impact of vacant and derelict land (SLC 18/11/19)
‘Clyde-built’ is how Scotland saves the world (Common Weal 15/11/19)
Could a tourist tax help wild land in Scotland? (John Muir Trust 31/10/19)
Listing to Last (Architecture Today)
Parliamentary Questions
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.
Question S5W-26495: Michelle Ballantyne, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many how many homes have been delivered to date as part of its 50,000 affordable homes target, also broken down by how many are new-builds.
Question S5W-26496: Michelle Ballantyne, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government which (a) communities and (b) organisations will receive support from round five of the Coastal Communities Fund.
Question S5W-26412: David Stewart, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ban combustible materials on the outside of high-rise or high-risk buildings.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Question S5W-25961: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) capital and (b) revenue budget was for housing maintenance and repair for British Waterways in Scotland in each of the last five years of its operation.
Answered by Michael Matheson (13/11/2019)
Question S5W-25964: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties were owned by British Waterways in Scotland in each of the last five years of its operation, and where they were located.
Answered by Michael Matheson (19/11/2019)
Question S5W-25969: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has a risk register for residential properties in its portfolio that require substantial upgrading or repair.
Answered by Michael Matheson (19/11/2019)
Question S5W-25966: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether residential properties owned by Scottish Canals meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and, if not, for what reason.
Answered by Michael Matheson (19/11/2019)
Question S5W-25963: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) capital and (b) revenue budget for housing maintenance and repair has been for Scottish Canals in each year since its inception.
Answered by Michael Matheson (19/11/2019)
Question S5W-25965: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties are owned by Scottish Canals, and where they are located.
Answered by Michael Matheson (19/11/2019)
Question S5W-26362: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage property owners of all tenures to alter their properties to achieve better accessibility standards.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/11/2019)
Question S5W-26361: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its policies on Housing for Varying Needs in order to improve accessibility standards for new residential properties.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (20/11/2019)
Question S5W-26360: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) meet the demand for accessible housing stock and (b) increase the use of accessible housing registers.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (19/11/2019)
Events
For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.
Trades House of Glasgow Christmas Lecture
Date & time: Wed, 4 December 2019; 19:30 – 21:30.
Venue: Trades Hall Of Glasgow, 85 Glassford Street, Glasgow G1 1UH.
The Deacon Convener of the Trades House of Glasgow, Mr Bruce Reidford, warmly invites you to a Christmas Lecture on “The House and the Hall”. The lecture will be in two parts with Honorary Archivist, Craig Bryce, talking about the role of the Hall and the House in the life of the City, and Architectural Historian, Neil Baxter, talking about ‘Robert Adam and the other Architects of the Trades Hall’ looking at the building’s evolution in the wider architectural context. Each talk will last approximately 30-40mins with interval drinks and snacks.
Tom Parnell – Going Forth: Industrial Heritage beyond the Bridges
Date & time: Monday 2nd March 2020; 6:30pm.
Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
The Firth of Forth is dominated by a growing collection of celebrated bridges. But along the shoreline are less well-known remnants of an industrial past that were of enormous importance. The lecture will explore railways, limekilns, distilleries and power stations: some gone, some surviving, but all now out of use. Tom Parnell is an architectural historian, and is currently a Senior Casework Officer for Historic Environment Scotland.
Henry Edward Clifford (1852-1932) – Pollockshields Architect
Date & time: 19 March 2020; Coffee / tea at 7pm; Lectures start at 7:30pm.
Venue: The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow.
Niall Murphy, Deputy Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust introduces us to one of the key architects from Glasgow’s Golden Age and one that was a rare beast, the Glaswegian architect with a European reputation.
Chris Stewart – Collective Architecture
Date & time: Monday 6 April 2020; 6:30pm.
Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA.
Chris Stewart is an Architect-Director of the award-winning architectural practice Collective Architecture and a director of the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA). Collective Architecture, which has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, has been owned by its employees for the last twelve years. Chris Stewart will tell us about their projects and approach to sustainable design and client and user involvement.
Vacancies
Heritage Consultant
Simpson & Brown Architects is looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced person to join the Heritage Consultancy team in Edinburgh.
Apply by Friday 20th December 2019.