News round-up 4 September 2008

Killian Pretty Review – 'Call for Solutions' deadline

Tomorrow, 5 September 2008, is the closing date for responses to the 'Call for Solutions' from the Killian Pretty Review of the process for seeking planning permission.

Read more about the review and 'Call for Solutions'.

Coastal sites under threat

Research by the National Trust has identified ten UK coastal locations where sea level rise and increased storminess will have a major impact on popular holiday spots. In some cases the NT is beginning to plan to abandon some property to the sea.

Places at risk include St Michael's Mount in Cornwall, an iconic island with a medieval church perched on top, and Studland Beach in Dorset, visited by more than one million people every year.

Other locations highlighted by the NT work are Birling Gap, in Sussex; Blakeney Point, Norfolk; East Head, West Sussex; Farne Islands, Northumberland; Formby, Merseyside; Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd, North Wales; Portstewart Strand, County Down, Northern Ireland and Rhossili, Gower, South Wales.

Read the National Trust news page.

Reading city centre strategy under scrutiny

The four-day public inquiry into the Reading Central Area Action Plan begins next week (9 September). Key issues for the strategy, which will shape development up to 2020, are tall building policy, flood risk and proposals for additional retail floor space.

Read the Reading council press release.

Traffic noise 'damaging rural tranquillity'.

A report by the Noise Association has identified the expansion of roads, motor traffic levels and speeds as the main sources of growing noise pollution and consequent loss of tranquillity in rural communities and the countryside.

Read the Noise Association press release.

Toppling towers

Sheffield has lost two iconic landmarks following the demolition of the Tinsley cooling towers, a landmark for travellers using the M1.

Emergency protection

Communities and Local Government has published new guidance to the Fire and Rescue Services on how to ensure better protection for historic buildings and the environment during emergencies.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "We know that accidental, deliberate and natural fires and water run-off can have devastating effects on lives, the environment and the economy. The guidance will help the Fire and Rescue Service plan with others how to reduce the effects of such incidents making the most of sharing such valuable information, given we have a growing population and a changing climate."

Green scheme for Greenwich

Urban development and investment company First Base, and national regeneration agency English Partnerships, have obtained consent for a major scheme to transform the site of the former Greenwich District Hospital in South East London with a residential scheme of 645 new homes, half affordable. The project will include a biomass combined heat and power scheme and thermal storage.

Read the English Partnerships news release.

Quarrying go-ahead

Construction company Tarmac has won approval from North Yorkshire County Council for plans to extract sand and gravel from Ladybridge Farm in the Vale of Mowbray after reassuring the mineral planning authority that the operations would not adversely affect the Thornborough Henges, an important scheduled ancient monument.

Barrage warning

The management of the Port of Bristol has warned ministers that plans to transform the city's docks into the centre of a logistics hub serving the Midlands and South-West England could be jeopardised if the Government opts for a power-producing barrage across the Severn Estuary.

The port is concerned that building a barrage could slow or block shipments leaving and entering the docks.

Wind appeal

Power producer Eon UK has decided to appeal against the refusal of Midlothian Council to grant planning permission for a 45-megawatt wind farm at Auchencorth Moss, south of Penicuik.

Read the Eon UK press release.

Roger Milne

4th September 2008