News Round-up - 23 March 2007

Livingstone 'no powers' on market plan

London mayor Ken Livingstone has told the capital's Chinese community he does not have the powers to direct refusal of a scheme approved by Brent council for the redevelopment of the Oriental City, Colindale, which currently houses the capital's biggest oriental market. 

Port green light

Transport minister Gillian Merron has approved the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company's proposed Seaforth River Terminal near Liverpool which will handle larger vessels serving the city's growing Atlantic container trade.

Policy for Welsh parks

The Welsh Assembly Government has launched a new policy statement for the National Parks in Wales which spells out how they should tackle climate change and implement the government's social inclusion and sustainable development agenda.

Local evidence assessment

Communities and Local Government has issued the latest publication from its Spatial Plans in Practice  project. This document looks at the use of evidence in the new–look local plan system.

Beacon quartet named

Four English district councils have been awarded Beacon status as a result of their work on "promoting sustainable communities through the planning process". The quartet are Ashford Borough Council, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hambleton District Council and Woking Borough Council.

Sub-regional strategy approved

The regeneration framework for the Black Country has been approved by communities secretary Ruth Kelly. The sub-regional plan is a partial revision of the regional spatial strategy for the West Midlands.

Building control data collection

Communities and Local Government has begun consulting on proposals to improve record-keeping involved with the building control functions of local authorities.

Roger Milne

23 March 2007