News round-up 2 October 2008

Householder consent reforms kick in

The Government's householder consent reforms came into force yesterday, 1 October. As a result the majority of homeowners will no longer need to obtain planning permission to extend their homes, reducing the number of planning applications by an expected 80,000 annually.

In addition, new planning regulations mean that anyone who wants to put in a new or replacement driveway or parking area over five square metres will not require planning permission if they use surfaces that allow rain water to soak through to the ground.

Read the Communities and Local Government press release.

View the Planning Portal interactive house incorporating the new regime.

Doon Street legal challenge

English Heritage and Westminster City Council have issued a joint legal challenge to community secretary Hazel Bear's decision to approve the Doon Street Tower development near London’s South bank. Simon Thurley, chief executive for English Heritage, has insisted that the advice from the inspector who held the planning inquiry was that the tower would damage key views of the capital.

He said: "The Secretary of State is of course entitled to disagree with her inspector's advice, but she must take into account all relevant factors, and it is highly relevant that the harm to London's historic environment could be avoided.

"We urge the Secretary of State to respond positively to this challenge and to look again at the ways in which this scheme can be delivered which avoids harm to one of London's greatest assets - its heritage."

Read the English Heritage press release.

Land use review

The Scottish Government has kick-started its review of how it uses its land with a meeting in Aberdeen to formulate a research programme which will culminate in a rural land use summit next year.

The cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, Richard Lochhead, said: "It is time for Scotland to take stock and consider how to make best use of our rural land - our greatest natural asset.

"The pressures on land are changing. Climate change threatens to alter the very fabric of rural Scotland. Warmer, wetter summers will change what plants we can grow, what animals will thrive and where people can live."

Council notches up development plan first

Caerphilly county borough council has become the first local authority in Wales to go out to public consultation on its new-look local plan. The leader of the council, councillor Lindsay Whittle, said: "We are delighted to be the first council in Wales to put a new style Local Development Plan on deposit."

  
Conservatives firm up planning proposals

Shadow Conservative housing minister Grant Shapps has committed an incoming Conservative government to reforming the s106 regime to provide incentives for councils which welcome new development. He claimed the present arrangements were "too inflexible".
 
Also planned are measures to ensure a greater number of Community Land Trusts and fewer centrally-driven housing targets. These pledges were made at the Party Conference in Birmingham where shadow local government minister Eric Pickles promised to safeguard the Green Belt and devolve more power to local authorities and communities.
 
A Communities and Local Goverment spokesperson said: "Since 1997, the Green Belt in England has grown by 33,330 hectares (82,400 acres). We have no plans to dilute these protections. In 1997 the proportion of new build homes on brownfield land was 57 per cent. By 2007 this figure increased to 75 per cent thanks to our brownfield first policy."

A major policy statement on the Conservative approach to "localism" is expected shortly. Meanwhile, shadow business secretary Alan Duncan has promised to reverse the Government’s decision to scrap rates relief on empty properties.

National Park wins court case

The North York Moors National Park Authority has been awarded nearly £8,500 in costs after winning a court case over a major and prolonged breach of planning legislation. Action against the unauthorised development on woodland near East Ayton dates back to 2004 when retrospective planning permission for the installation of static caravans, containers and other buildings on the site was refused.

Since then the case has gone on to an appeal and finally to the Crown Court in York where a jury found the landowner guilty of an offence. The caravans and containers have now been removed.

Olympic white water facility approved

Planning approval has been granted for the new White Water Canoe Centre in Broxbourne that will host canoe and kayak slalom events during the London 2012 Games. The application has now been approved by Broxbourne Borough Council.

The new facilities to be built by the Olympic Delivery Authority include a 300m course, warm-up course and finish lake. The course will be part of a wider parkland area. Path and bridge networks throughout the venue will help spectators get close to the action. After the Games the venue will be a sporting and leisure attraction.

Maidenhead renaissance mooted

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has published proposals for an urban renaissance of Maidenhead town centre drawn up jointly with the Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead Town Centre and should provide the basis for a master plan.

Read The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead press release.

Planning officers voice town centre concerns

The Planning Officers Society (POS) has voiced general support for the proposed changes to the Government’s town centre planning policy statement (PPS) and the retention of the needs test but has called for clarification over the policy approach to office development and the interaction with regional planning.

In a statement the society argued "the PPS should reinforce the need for retailers and developers to engage with local development frameworks (and in particular core strategies) to plan ahead for retail and town centre development. This would reinforce the plan-led and town centre first approaches".

Read the Planning Officers Society press release.

Planning Portal shortlisted for award

The Planning Portal has been shortlisted in the Civil Service Awards 2008 run by Whitehall and Westminster World in the Public Value category.

This category looks for public value for public money and recognises outstanding contributions to the creation of public value. A total of 716 nominations covering 13 categories were received.

Cabinet secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service Sir Gus O’Donnell said: "Being shortlisted is a real achievement and I want to pass on my congratulations to everyone who got through and to thank everyone who entered - their successes and achievements are an inspiration and set standards of excellence for us all."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 26 November 2008 at Lancaster House, London.

Roger Milne

2 October 2008