News round-up 14 August 2008
Norwich's planning service rated 'fair'
The planning service provided by Norwich City council is 'fair' but with 'uncertain' prospects for improvement, according to an independent report just released by the Audit Commission.
The public spending watchdog said the service was achieving many of its aims, including very high levels of affordable housing for local people as well as protecting and enhancing the city's historic areas and buildings.
However, user satisfaction was judged to be low. Major planning applications were determined too slowly and the planning service could not show that it was providing value for money.
Read the Audit Commission report
Go-ahead for gas pipelines
Government approval has been given for two new gas pipelines. Seven Power has been granted consent by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to build a pipeline which will serve the company’s proposed new gas-fired power station planned near Newport, South Wales.
The 6km long pipe will be installed between a new above ground installation at Marshfield and the plant, and will pass under the River Usk.
Meanwhile Portland Gas has obtained authorisation from BERR to construct a 37km pipeline to connect its planned underground salt cavern storage facility at Portland, Dorset to the high-pressure National Transmission System.
Land sales companies shut down
Four companies operating from Cheltenham and selling plots of agricultural land have been closed down by the High Court following a probe by the Investigation Branch of the Insolvency Service.
The companies, which included Land International Ltd and Land International (Far East) Ltd, began trading in early 2004, had common directors and made a feature of targeting potential investors in South East Asia.
The firms purchased land in green belt areas across England which was then subdivided into plots of typically 400-500 square metres. Some 700 plots were sold. Investors were told that the company would be seeking to obtain planning permission on their behalf for residential development. In reality there was no prospect of receiving planning consent.
Read the Insolvency Service press release
New rules for land registration
The Land Registry has announced that new land registration rules will come into force in November 2008. The changes are designed to reduce the administrative burden on customers and reduce the risk of fraud. The agency is responsible to the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.
Read the Land Registry press release
Croydon sticks to its guns over redevelopment plans
Croydon Council has signalled it is not yet prepared to throw in the towel over its ambitious plans for an arena-led redevelopment next to East Croydon railway station, despite the Government's decisions to refuse both Arrowcroft's planning application and the compulsory purchase order for the site.
Cabinet member for regeneration councillor Tim Pollard said: "We have to acknowledge that the decisions are very disappointing. At this stage we need time to examine and analyse fully both decision letters but we are determined to maintain our focus on our strategic ambitions for the regeneration of our town centre."
New casework supremo for PINS named
Mark Southgate has been named as the new director of casework at the Planning Inspectorate. He will be responsible for all casework management in England, except for development plans. He will oversee the work of the around 390 planning inspectors. Southgate is currently head of planning and environmental assessment at the Environment Agency for England and Wales.
Read the Planning Inspectorate press release
DIY public place-making guide published
A new guide which provides examples of initiatives councillors can take to create quality public places has been published by Communities and Local Government. The online publication reflects the new powers and responsibilities councillors have in this area.
Launching the guide, Baroness Andrews said: "Perceptions about the quality of our public spaces are crucial factors in determining how satisfied people are with their local area. Councillors are in a unique position to respond to the challenges highlighted by their local communities and champion the solutions necessary to create betterquality town centres, residential areas and parks.
"These initiatives provide a blueprint to improve public spaces that can be adopted across the country. The guide gives handy tips and tools for councillors that have been tried and tested by councils across the country to help cut costs, and make places where people want to live, work and play."
Read the CLG guide to Creating Quality Public Spaces
Author supports boatyard redevelopment vigil
Bestselling author Phillip Pullman joined campaigners when they held a silent protest over proposals to redevelop the historic boatyard at Jericho, in Oxford. The protestors organised the vigil when the planning appeal inquiry over the scheme opened. The boatyard was featured in Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials.
Green development for Peterborough
The development of an innovative, zero-carbon neighbourhood in the centre of Peterborough has moved a step closer, now the consortium that will develop phase one of the city’s South Bank project has been chosen.
The developer will be pPod – a consortium consisting Morris Homes, Gentoo Homes and Browne Smith Baker architects – and will be responsible for a 344-home mixed-use development which will meet the highest level of the Government's Code for Sustainable Homes. The scheme is part of English Partnerships’ ground-breaking Carbon Challenge initiative.
Smithfield re-use urged
English Heritage has called on the City of London Corporation to bring forward a scheme for the repair and re-use of Smithfield’s General Market Building, Annex and Red House Cold Store following the decision of community secretary Hazel Blears to refuse conservation area consent for the removal of the General Market Building as part of a controversial redevelopment scheme.
Simon Thurley, chief executive of the English Heritage said: "We are sure that local authorities across the country will take note of this important decision, which is a timely reminder of their duty to safeguard the special character of conservation areas in their care as well as historic buildings, listed or not, for the contribution they make."
Read the English Heritage press release
Scottish Government funding for bike schemes
Proposals for the UK's first town centre self-service bike rental schemes are to receive funding from the Scottish Government under plans to encourage green transport initiatives. The bike schemes are planned for Dumfries and Dundee and will be based on successful models in Barcelona, Paris and Stockholm.
Read the Scottish Government press release
Punk designer backs fight to safeguard art deco block
Dame Vivienne Westwood has backed a campaign to protect a block of Art Deco flats in south west London where she used to live. She has written to Wandsworth Council complaining at proposals to build eight flats on the roof of Thurleigh Court in Nightingale Lane which she argued would destroy the look of the Thirties block.
Demolition D-day for iconic cooling towers
Sheffield's famous Tinsley cooling towers will be demolished over the August Bank holiday weekend, energy company Eon UK has announced. The towers, a prominent local landmark, were the subject of a failed campaign to save them supported by sculptor Antony Gormley.
Part-pedestrianised Parliament Square plan dropped
London Mayor Boris Johnson has axed proposals to part-pedestrianise Parliament Square on the grounds of cost, loss of green space and the risk of increased traffic congestion. He has also ditched a programme inherited from his predecessor to create 100 new public squares in the capital.
Read the Mayor of London’s press release
Master plan for Ballymena unveiled
A draft master plan for Ballymena in Northern Ireland has been launched for public consultation. The land-use blueprint includes proposals for a new riverfront development along the banks of the River Braid.
Read the Northern Ireland Executive’s press release
Roger Milne
14 August 2008
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