18 November 2010 Last updated at 06:10 ET Senator Cohen wants the planning process to be made simpler Homeowners in Jersey may not need planning permission for certain changes to their properties in the future. The planning minister said he wants to leave it up to the home or business owner to improve, renovate and extend their buildings. He wants to reduce government interference Read more [...]

OWNERS of several heritage-listed buildings around Wollondilly are concerned that planned longwall mining could irreparably damage them.Three buildings threatened by Illawarra Coal's mining plans are St Mary's Towers in Douglas Park, St James's Church in Menangle and Gilbulla, the former residence of John Macarthur's grandson, also in Menangle.Illawarra Coal's 30-year mining plan covering large sections of Douglas Park and Menangle has caused these concerns.Representatives of all three heritage-listed Read more [...]

When it comes to Britain’s rural heritage, there are few areas as steeped in tradition as Melton Mowbray.The Leicestershire town is full of buildings pointing to its rich Iron and Bronze Age past, including dozens of scheduled ancient monuments, sites of special scientific interest, deserted villages and hundreds of listed buildings.Battles raged in the town during the Civil War of the 16th century, and the surrounding landscape is synonymous with fox hunting, having been frequently daubed in Read more [...]

18 November 2010 Last updated at 13:17 ET The town was badly affected by the flooding in the county in 2007 Permanent flood defences are to be built in a Worcestershire town badly hit by flooding in 2007. The proposals for Upton-upon-Severn are estimated to cost £4.5m and were approved by Malvern District Council. Residents are split over whether the design will preserve Read more [...]

November 18, 2010 by OPPE News  With the new, eagerly awaited Harry Potter film set to hit cinemas this Friday, the gothic splendour of Hogwarts Castle, will be dominating our screens once again. The magnificent castle, its façade decorated with towers, turrets and spires, is one such architectural gem that provides a fine example of Gothic style, and will surely leave many viewers looking for their own Hogwarts inspired home. The distinctive Grade II Listed Read more [...]