News round-up - 27 September 2007
Harbour advice published
Adur District Council has begun consulting on a draft interim planning statement designed to apply to development proposals for Shoreham Harbour. The area is earmarked for a major regeneration under studies currently under way involving the district council, neighbouring planning authority Brighton and Hove City Council and the West Sussex County Council.
The area is expected to become the focus of ambitious plans for up to 10,000 new homes, as well as significant employment and other activities under proposals to be unveiled later this year under the aegis of the regional development body, the South East England Development Agency.
The three planning authorities are working on a joint Area Action Plan for the harbour; the draft statement is designed to provide guidance on appropriate long term and interim use for development pending approval of the AAP.
Watchdog criticises Dudley over planning error
The Local Government Ombudsman has criticised Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council over a planning error involving a proposed advice and counselling centre.
The watchdog found maladministration causing injustice because notifications letters about the scheme were sent to the wrong addresses. This meant local residents lost an opportunity to object to the scheme to convert an industrial building into a facility for people involved in substance abuse.
The council has agreed to pay £250 each to two couples who complained and to review its officer delegation regime. The watchdog acknowledged that the scheme, approved by officers, was likely to have been agreed had it been considered by councillors.
Read the Local Government Ombudsman news story
Research explains how to improve delivery of affordable homes
Affordable homes provided under Section 106 agreements could be delivered faster, better and with more certainty, according to new research just published which explains how robust 'cascade' arrangements can help the process.
The research report has been published by national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the Housing Corporation and ATLAS, the Advisory Team for Large Applications.
Read the English Partnerships press release
Regulator says Tesco reduced retail competition in Slough
Slough Council has welcomed an interim report from the Competition Commission which concluded that Tesco's acquisition of a former Co-op site on the edge of the town centre resulted in a significant loss of competition.
The site, once a greyhound racing stadium and more recently home to a Co-op superstore, was acquired by Tesco several years ago before it expanded its town centre superstore into one of the biggest facilities of its kind in south east England.
Tesco relocated its superstore to the Co-op site while building work on its revamped regional facility in the town centre was under way.
The former Co-op site remains undeveloped although Sainsbury's has submitted a planning application for the land.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We only ever intended to operate this store while redeveloping the existing Tesco store and have been working hard to sell it ever since its closure."
Read the Competition Commission press release
Report warns of water shortages
Conservationists have warned that South-east England could face serious shortages of drinking water within 20 years unless more stringent conservation measures are adopted. A report for the Campaign to Protect Rural England has claimed that climate change and housing growth are threatening water supply.
Newport regeneration CPO approved
Approval of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) by the Welsh Assembly Government means that initial infrastructure work needed for Newport's £48 million Rodney Parade waterfront development can begin. The housing-led scheme will create a new riverside community of 486 homes on a prominent waterfront site opposite the city centre.
London mayor criticised over housing policy
Countryside campaigners have accused London Mayor Ken Livingstone of abandoning earlier policy to accommodate the capital's burgeoning new housing needs within its boundaries. The accusation came from the Campaign to Protect Rural England which is concerned that Livingstone's latest draft housing strategy calls on London's neighbours to "maximise housing development".
Green light for new civic centre
Plymouth City Council has approved plans for a new civic centre to replace its recently listed current accommodation. Under these proposals the council would move to a new complex which would be built on a city centre site which would also house a new bus and coach station.
Meanwhile, the council is still fighting the listing of its existing accommodation. It wants to demolish the current civic centre and sell the site. Under these plans the land would be redeveloped by a private developer. Any new scheme there would incorporate a new central library.
Livingstone says no to garden centre plan
London mayor Ken Livingstone has directed Kingston-upon-Thames Council to refuse a planning application to expand significantly a garden centre complex located on Metropolitan Green Belt.
Read the Mayor of London press release
Second runway plan dropped
The owners of Birmingham International Airport have dropped plans for a second runway, it has emerged.
Having nun of it
A developer who plans to turn a former Tenby nunnery into a hotel has dropped proposals to apply for permission for a sign depicting a nun lifting her bodice to reveal a pair of breasts stamped with the words 'The Convent', following local objections.
Legal challenge over Metropolitan Open Land
A London planning authority has gone to the High Court over a planning inspector's decision to allow, on appeal, a 45-home development on a site designated as Metropolitan Open Land.
Bromley Council has challenged the inspector's argument that housing provision shortfall justified the proposals. A ruling is expected next month.
Roger Milne
27 September 2007
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