News Round-up - 5 April 2007
Plymouth makes the grade
Plymouth has become the first English city to win inspectorate approval for its local development framework core strategy, due to be formally adopted by the full city council later this month.
The inspector who chaired the hearing described the strategy as having a "very powerful vision that was bold and innovative" and which was supported by a "comprehensive and impressive evidence base".
Paul Barnard, assistant director of development at the city council, said: "This is of huge significance to the city of Plymouth – it means our game plan is ready for action and will shape the city's direction for the next 15 years."
Milton Keynes tariff scheme agreed
The pioneering legal mechanism which links development and forward funding for infrastructure and services for Milton Keynes via a tariff scheme has been formally agreed by local developers, the planning authority, development organisations and national regeneration agency English Partnerships.
Under the tariff formula developers pay £18,500 per residential dwelling and £260,000 per hectare of employment space.
Gas storage plans submitted
Plans to create a huge underground gas storage facility some 2,400 metres below the Isle of Portland, Dorset, have been submitted to the county council and the Department of Trade and Industry by Egdon Resources. The energy company's Portland Gas subsidiary wants to create 14 storage caverns in a layer of thick rock salt.
Read Portland Gas press release here
Kendal housing scheme
Last week's newsletter (29 March) reported under the headline ‘Lake District housing scheme allowed' that a call-in housing scheme near Kendal had been approved by communities secretary Ruth Kelly. We described the scheme as being in the Lake District National Park. In fact the scheme is not in the national park and is under the planning control of South Lakeland District Council.
Download Ruth Kelly's full decision letter from here (PDF,282KB)
Polytunnel growers must seek permission
Herefordshire council has become the first English planning authority to insist that all polytunnel development will need planning permission. This would apply whether the polytunnels are being used for soil-grown crops or table-top growing. Growers in the county are being asked to make planning applications for all existing and proposed polytunnel schemes.
Marine strategic environmental assessment completed
One of the UK's largest ever strategic environmental assessments (SEA) of the impacts of marine renewable energy has just been completed by consultants Faber Maunsell and Metoc for the Scottish Executive. This SEA has assessed the energy potential and environment impact of schemes located around Scotland's entire coastline.
'Scrap bypass' call
Campaigners fighting the proposed Mottram-Tintwistle bypass have called for the scheme to be scrapped and the cancellation of the public inquiry into the scheme due later this year now that both Natural England and the Peak District National Park Authority have renewed their opposition to the scheme, which critics fear would blight the national park with increased road traffic.
Thumbs up for Olympic masterplans
The Government's architectural and design adviser has given the Olympic masterplans the thumbs up. CABE has praised "the scale of ambition" involved and the "impressive level of work" which has gone into the initial proposals for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and their Legacy transformation.
New guidance on street design
New guidance on street design which emphasises the need for safe and sustainable environments has been published in a new manual jointly prepared by the Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government.
Download Manual for Streets from here
Strategic housing guidance published
Communities and Local Government has published online guidance for planning authorities and regional bodies involved in working up strategic housing market assessments.
Download Strategic Housing Market Assessments: Practice Guidance from here
Stonehenge centre wins approval
Plans for a new visitor facilities and access scheme at Stonehenge have been approved by communities secretary Ruth Kelly. However, consent is conditional on agreement for a proposed new road scheme including a tunnel.
Advertisement control circular issued
Communities and Local Government has issued a circular on the latest control of advertisement regulations which contains advice on applications to local planning authorities, appeals to the Secretary of State and how to handle unauthorised advertisements. This guidance only applies to England.
Welsh planning to receive £2 million shot in the arm
The Welsh Assembly Government has allocated £2 million to help communities and planning authorities improve the planning service.
Energy information display plan
All public buildings in England must get energy ratings and display them to the public, the Government has decided. This new requirement will come into force in April 2008.
High Court move
Trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling has gone to the High Court to wind up Townfield Land Investments Ltd and Libertas Land Ltd who have been involved together in selling and marketing land.
Read The Insolvency Service bulletin here
Green transport guidance for Welsh planners
The Welsh Assembly Government has issued revised guidance (Technical Advice Note 18) to Welsh local authorities on transport planning which stresses the need to plan developments to reduce car dependency and encourage public transport, walking and cycling.
Download Technical Advice Note 18 here
Woodfuel plan launched by the Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission has launched a plan to produce sufficient environment-friendly woodfuel to power 250,000 homes.
Read Forestry Commission news release here
Sark gains new status
An area of Sark, the smallest of the Channel Islands, has been recognised for its importance to wildlife following its designation as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. A four hectare area around the Gouliot caves and headland has been specially safeguarded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Northern Ireland builders urge planning shake-up
Builders in Northern Ireland have urged a fundamental review of the planning system in the Province. The NI Construction Employers Federation has complained that the current regime is too complex and slow.
Public land to boost affordable housing in Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government has launched an initiative designed to increase the supply of land for affordable housing via a protocol which will apply to all land owned by WAG and its sponsored bodies. The measure will target land now surplus to requirements and publicly owned.
View Protocol for the Disposal of Land for Affordable Housing
Trump submits golf plan
US property tycoon Donald Trump has formally submitted his detailed plans for a major golf development at the Menie Estate, Aberdeenshire, where he wants to build two world-class golf courses, a hotel and nearly 1,000 holiday homes.
Roger Milne
5 April 2007
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