News round-up 26 November 2009
Denham turns down Everton’s new stadium plan
Communities secretary John Denham has rejected Everton Football Club’s ambitious proposals to move from Goodison Park and relocate to a new stadium complex at Kirkby.
As well as a new 50,000-seater stadium, the scheme included a major Tesco store, a hotel, a library, other retail and commercial floor space, leisure activities, housing and car parking.
Denham agreed with the planning inspector who held the inquiry into the £400m project that it breached existing planning policies and would have had an adverse impact on the town.
The SoS, though, did not share the inspector’s conclusion that Kirkby was not a suitable location for such a large football stadium.
However, Denham’s decision letter said the proposal “would be likely to have a harmful effect on the vitality and viability of Kirkby, Bootle, Skelmersdale and St Helens. Other factors weighing against the proposal include that the physical regeneration of the old town centre is uncertain, and the stadium would result in a harmful impact on many of the town’s residents”.
The letter concluded that “the factors which weigh in favour of the proposal are outweighed by the harm identified”.
Access the Secretary of State’s decision letter
Planners welcome consent flexibility
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has welcomed the Government’s decision to allow an element of flexibility for planning consents. One consequence is that it is now possible for local authorities to extend the life of a planning permission by up to five years.
The RTPI is particularly happy that the discretion remains in the hands of local councils. Matt Thomson, acting director of policy and partnerships at the RTPI, said:“We're glad the Government has listened and accepted our strong recommendation that the final power to make a decision about whether and how long planning permissions should be extended rests with LPAs.
“Communities and Local Government has just published guidance advice on the new arrangements. It covers the extension of time limits for implementing extant planning permissions, non-material amendments and minor material amendments.
Barnet boost
Proposals for one of London’s biggest ever regeneration schemes, intended to provide 27,000 jobs and 7,500 new homes at Brent Cross Cricklewood, has won outline approval from councillors at Barnet Council.
The £4.5bn regenerationproject is designed to create a new gateway to the capital and a new urban quarter for the North London borough.
The LPA backed the proposals from partners Brookfield Europe, Hammerson and Standard Life Investments, who intend to develop the 250-acre site over the next 20 years.
The regeneration scheme, agreed following extensive community consultation, will trigger major investment in transport infrastructure and community facilities. Some £1bn is due to be spent, including more than £500m of investment in transport, £200m in highway improvements (including a revamped Staples Corner), three schools, a new train station on the Midland Mainline, a bus station and a new town centre.
Read the London Borough of Barnet Council press release
Housing land supply
Some 86 per cent of English councils have identified a sufficient land supply to meet their required five-year housing provision, official statistics just published show.
The North East, North West, West Midlands and London had the highest proportions of Local Planning Authorities (91 per cent each) with at least a sufficient supply of land for housing requirements over the next five years. The East Midlands and the South West had the lowest proportion of Local Planning Authorities (78 per cent each) with at least a sufficient supply of land for housing. National Parks all identified sufficient sites to meet their housing requirements.
Rail freight inquiry starts
A second planning inquiry into proposals for a huge rail freight depot at a Green Belt location near St Albans in Hertfordshire has begun.
Tree planting call
A report commissioned by the Forestry Commission has concluded that planting “appropriate” woodland on 23,000 hectares of UK land each year over the next 40 years could lock up around 10 per cent of the nation’s predicted greenhouse gas emissions. Such a tree-planting programme would involve changing the use of around four per cent of the nation’s land, the report said.
Read the Forestry Commission press release
Quarry legal challenge unsuccessful
Quarrying company High Peak Spar’s legal challenge over an enforcement notice requiring it to cease winning, working and exporting limestone from its Smalldale Head Quarry in the Peak District National Park has failed.
A High Court judge has ruled that the enforcement notice issued by the Peak District National Park Authority and upheld by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was valid.
Brum library not listed
English Heritage has voiced disappointment at the decision of culture minister Margaret Hodge not to list Birmingham’s Central Library in Paradise Forum.
The heritage adviser said the building, designed by John Madin and opened in 1974, deserved Grade II-listed protection. The Government disagreed but has stipulated the building cannot be demolished until 2013 as part of the city council’s ambitious proposals for the redevelopment of Paradise Circus.
Read the English Heritage statement
Affordable homes initiative
The Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled updated guidance on delivering affordable housing using s106 agreements and encouraged local authorities and developers to work together to help the country’s target of 6,500 additional affordable homes.
Access the revised guidance
Bridge approval
Northern Ireland environment minister Edwin Poots has given approval for the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Foyle in Londonderry. The Peace Bridge will cost £13.5m.
Read the NI Planning Service press release
Good design advice
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has published new guidance to help planners ensure that good design is at the heart of the Core Strategies prepared as part of the new local plans system.
Access Cabe’s ‘Planning for Places’ guidance
London housing pilot
Croydon, Westminster and Hackney councils have been invited to take part in a pilot scheme, sanctioned by the Homes and Communities Agency, which would see the councils given more influence over affordable housing investment in return for commitments over housing delivery.
Station makeover
Network Rail has submitted its detailed planning application for the £600m redevelopment of its Birmingham New Street station. The proposals would double passenger capacity and remodel the station with a concourse three-and-a-half times bigger than at present, enclosed by a giant, light-filled atrium.
Read the Birmingham City Council press release
Roger Milne
26 November 2009
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