News Round-Up - 8 May 2008

Name wrangle as Devon new town forges ahead

Proposals for a major urban extension to Plymouth - effectively a new town for Devon - have become embroiled in a local wrangle over the scheme's name.

Plans for a 5,500-home new settlement at Sherford on the outskirts of the city proposed by Red Tree have just been given the green light by South Hams District Council following approvals from the city council and the county council.

However, a village also called Sherford, some 20 miles from the new settlement location, is up in arms about the scheme which shares the same name. Villagers claim they are already under siege from Lorries wrongly directed through its narrow lanes by satellite navigation systems and that this will get a lot worse once development of the new town gets under way.

The Sherford project represents a milestone for the new development plan regime. It is the first planning application on this scale to receive approval under the new Local Development Framework system. The new settlement is the subject of an Area Action Plan (AAP).

Read the Red Tree press release on the latest planning approval

Blears backs ship scrap plan

Ministers have approved plans to scrap former US naval vessels at a Teesside repair yard following a long-running wrangle over the environmental impact of the proposals.

Hartlepool Borough Council had originally approved the scheme proposed by Able UK but then blocked it because of concern over the detailed environmental effects.

The company appealed and Communities secretary Hazel Blears, acting on the recommendation of the inspector who held an inquiry last autumn, has given the proposals the green light.

The decision letter said: "The Secretary of State takes the view that the appeal site would be closely and effectively regulated, and that there is little evidence that the proposals would give rise to any significant health risks, or that they would have an adverse effect on nature conservation. The jobs that are likely to be created would be of substantial value to the local economy and would provide much needed employment in an area of deprivation."

Download the Secretary of State's decision letter (PDF, 179kb)

New Scottish target

Historic Scotland has been set a new target by the Scottish Government of dealing with 70 per cent of planning applications within 14 days this year, rising to 90 per cent in 2009-10.

Severn SEA initiative

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has appointed a consortium led by consultants Parson Brinckerhoff to manage the strategic environment assessment for the Severn Tidal power feasibility study. The contract will last for two years.

Read the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform news release

Mayoral moves

Incoming London Mayor Boris Johnson has named Sir Simon Milton, chair of the Local Government Association and leader of Westminster City Council, as his senior planning adviser. The new mayor is likely to be less supportive of new tall buildings than his predecessor, less interventionist over planning decisions by the boroughs and has pledged to ditch former Mayor Ken Livingstone's 50 per cent affordable housing requirement in major new developments.

Read the Mayor of London press release on appointments

Aid for developers

English Partnerships has launched a new scheme aimed at making it quicker and easier for developers to bid for its sites. The national regeneration agency has announced plans to develop a new pre-qualification scheme under EU law.

Read the English Partnerships news release

Fishermen flex mussels

Welsh mussel fishermen have won a High Court case which has thrown into doubt plans for a £17m marina at Gallows Point near Beaumaris on Anglesey. A judge agreed with the fishermen that the scheme could damage mussel beds in the area. The developers, Anglesey Council and the Crown Estate Commissioners, are considering whether to appeal.

Fee confirmation

The Communities secretary has written to all English local authorities clarifying the fee payable where written confirmation of compliance with conditions has been requested.

Third time lucky for Reds

Liverpool Football Club has had its plans for a new stadium approved for the third time in five years.

Read the Liverpool FC news story

Roger Milne

8 May 2008