News Round-up - 3 March 2006

ODPM consults on listed buildings appeals changes

Proposals to change the rules for dealing with appeals involving Grade 1 and Grade 11* listed buildings which would reduce the involvement of the Secretary of State and speed up the process have been published for consultation by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Under these proposals the government is proposing greater scope for appeals under sections 20 and 39 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) to be determined directly by planning inspectors without the current requirement of a decision by the Secretary of State.

However, under the proposals, the Secretary of State will retain the power to recover and determine some cases, depending on the circumstances.

View further information here.

£313m lost last year due to planning 'ignorance'

One in five Britons are unaware that they may need planning permission for home improvements like lofts, house extensions and conservatories, according to a survey carried out for Direct Line Home Insurance.

This research highlighted that unapproved schemes are on the increase with a 10 per cent rise in breaches of planning regulations reported last year compared with 2004.

Although householders were often ignorant about planning rules, building professionals were also found wanting with seven per cent of schemes wrongly claimed by them not to need consent.

The insurers has estimated that planning ignorance resulted in schemes worth £313m being delayed or aborted last year

View further information here.

Swansea residential development gets green light

Housing developers have proposed a 564-home residential scheme on the Swansea site overlooking the river Tawe currently occupied by an Addis factory making household products.

Developers offered chance to develop gothic Manchester site

Developers are being offered a chance to build a high-quality housing project on an urban site with strong historic and architectural connections.

The site includes the Gothic-style Gorton Monastery, a stunning 19th century Grade 11* listed building of international architectural merit and historic importance in the heart of east Manchester.

Bowater House demolition to lead to Knightsbridge flats development

Westminster City Council has given permission for a replacement scheme for one of the capital's ugliest office blocks, Bowater House, overlooking Hyde Park.

The Knightsbridge project will involve the demolition of the offices and the provision of 86 flats in four residential towers up to 12-storeys high.

Roger Milne

3 March 2006