News round-up 25 September 2008

Habitat restoration plan on back of wind farm proposal

Npower renewables, the UK division of European renewable energy company, RWE Innogy, has unveiled a proposal to develop one of the largest onshore wind farms in England and Wales.

The proposal for 65 wind turbines at Llanbrynmair Forest in Powys also includes an ambitious habitat restoration project. This would involve the clearing of the majority of the trees at Carnedd Wen wind farm site to restore a habitat once considered by environmental experts to be one of the finest examples of blanket mire and dwarf shrub heath in Wales.

Restoring the habitat should be good news for Black Grouse, a species currently facing serious decline in Wales.

Retail redevelopment planned for Edinburgh

Henderson Global Investors has submitted outline proposals to transform one of Edinburgh's uglier properties into a one million square foot retail-led development. Plans for the redevelopment of the St James Centre, bought by the fund in 2006, include replacing the building with a three-level, crescent-shaped galleria linking Multree Walk with Princes Street in the heart of the Scottish capital.

Demolition of the existing centre could start in 2011.

Boundary changes for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's Local Government Boundaries Commission has unveiled the proposed boundaries and names of the anticipated new local authorities for the Province. As part of this reorganisation the new-look councils are expected to have planning powers. Overall, the number of councils is due to fall from 26 to 11.

Prefab protection

The Department for Culture is considering safeguarding an entire estate of just over 180 prefabs in Catford, South East London, by granting it Grade ll listing.

Wood-burning power project

Welsh Power's subsidiary CEC Generation has submitted plans for the development of Nevis Power, a proposed 49-megawatt, biomass–burning power plant earmarked for a 10-acre brownfield site at Newport Docks in South East Wales.

Read the Welsh Power press release.

Victoria redevelopment re-think

Land Securities has submitted significantly revised plans for its controversial Victoria Transport Interchange scheme at the key London rail terminus.
 
This now involves just one 90-metre high tower rather than the original proposals for two 134-metre high-rise properties. Overall the floor space in the whole redevelopment scheme has been scaled back by nearly a half.

Included in the latest submissions are proposals to redevelop Selborne House, to provide some 408,505 sq ft of premium office accommodation as well as nearly 18,000 sq ft of new retail floor space.

Brownfield database improvement

Major changes in the way local authorities in England identify and assess land for future redevelopment are now on the cards following a review of the National Land Use Database of Previously Developed Land. The review, commissioned by regeneration agency English Partnerships, has recommended ways of making the database more accurate and comprehensive.

Read the English Partnerships press release.

Audit of Scots design adviser

Architecture and Design Scotland, the national champion for good design, is to undergo a root and branch review of its effectiveness and financial management.

Read the Architecture and Design Scotland news release.

Future of the past in doubt

A developer who wants to rebuild a Georgian house dismantled 18 years ago to make way for a Toyota factory is facing opposition to his plans to relocate the building to a site at Repton in South Derbyshire. The 1,500 stones are currently stored on pallets at a secret location near Repton, three miles from the properties’ original location at Burnaston.

Hampshire locks horns over RSS

Hampshire County Council has decided to oppose Government proposals for the Regional Spatial Strategy, the South East Plan. The top-tier authority is concerned that the housing provision will have significant adverse effect on water, water resources, air quality, biodiversity and increase the risk of flooding.

A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said: "The Secretary of State will carefully consider all representations made on the proposed changes before issuing the final Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East in 2009.
 
"There is strong evidence, even in the current climate, that more homes are needed in the South East in order to ensure that everyone has access to a decent home at a price they can afford, in a place they want to live and work.

"The Government is committed to ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is provided to support growth including, where necessary, investment in upgrading the transport system.

"The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to a decent home at a price they can afford, in a place where they want to live and work.  If more homes are not built now for the long term, the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live."

Green light for small-scale hydro

The Scottish Government has approved a two-megawatt hydro-electricity project near Aberfeldy in Perthshire.

Roger Milne

25 September 2008