News round-up 7 August 2008
Market demolition refused
The Secretary of State, Hazel Blears, has refused planning permission and conservation area and listed building consents relating to proposed demolition and redevelopment of part of London's Smithfield market.
English Heritage had opposed the proposals, arguing that demolishing the derelict General Market building would seriously damage a conservation area.
Plymouth in trouble over land registry delay
Plymouth City Council has been criticised by the Local Government Ombudsman over the time taken to carry out work on land registry forms required so that a couple could transfer part of their property to their son. The watchdog said the delays were "unjustified".
As a result of a complaint by the couple the Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice and recommended the council pay them 400 GBP in compensation.
Help urged for small shops
Retailers and developers have urged London Mayor Boris Johnson to clarify his proposals to help small independent shops in the capital by requiring major shopping developments to include a number of small affordable units. This measure will be affected by a formal change to the London Plan.
Seaside town schemes approved
A new 20,000-capacity performance space, a revitalised Napoleonic fort and improved facilities at a world-class heritage site will all now go ahead following the award of over 10m GBP from the Government's Sea Change programme. The schemes are at Blackpool, Dover and Torbay.
North-East boost
A series of major upgrades for the Tyne and Wear Metro and plans for a new river crossing in Sunderland have been given the green light by the Government. A funding package of 400m GBP has been announced by transport minister Rosie Winterton.
Read the Department of Transport's news story
Everton move kicked into touch
Everton Football Club's controversial plans to move outside the boundary of the City of Liverpool and build a new 50,000-seater stadium at Kirkby in a 400m GBP scheme, also involving a Tesco store, is back in the melting pot after the project was called in by the Government.
Stadium plan approved
The Government has decided not to call in plans to re-site Chesterfield Football Club's new stadium on the site of a former glassworks. The scheme has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council which sees the stadium plan as a key element of the regeneration of the town's Waterside area.
Croydon goes down under to fill vacancies
Croydon Council has notched up a first by recruiting four new staff from Australia for its planning department following a recruitment drive down under which involved two officers flying out to help conduct the interviews.
Read the Croydon Council cabinet bulletin
Board boosted
Professor Colin Jones has been appointed as a new non-executive director of the Planning Inspectorate's management board, a two-year appointment.
Read the Communities and Local Government news story
Planner cries foul over disappearing post
Former senior North Yorkshire National Park planner Daniel Child, now a planning consultant, has joined other residents of the remote hamlet of Booze in Arkengarthdale, North Yorkshire, to fight the decision by the Royal Mail to end daily postal deliveries.
He complained: "I don't see how I can continue to work from home. What business is going to come and set up here if they can't be sure they'll get their post?"
Flood gaming
An online simulation game has been launched to help families understand the risk of flooding, and the policy decisions needed to make sure the UK is protected against floods.
Floodsim.com, developed by London-based computer game company PlayGen, puts the player in charge of all flood policy decisions.
In the game, floods hit the UK each year, and success is determined by how people and the economy are affected by flooding.
The game has been funded by Norwich Union, the UK's biggest insurer, and has the backing of environment minister Phil Woolas.
Play the game online at www.floodsim.com
Roger Milne
7 August 2008
Advertisement:
© Crown Copyright 2008