More flexible enforcement powers for Natural England
Natural England now has more flexible powers to help resolve cases where breaches of environmental regulations have resulted in harm to wildlife and the natural environment.
Natural England already has enforcement responsibilities in areas including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, heather and grass burning, breaches of certain wildlife licenses, breaches of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations and damage caused by injurious weeds.
Until recently, the only options available to tackle breaches in these areas were either to issue warning letters or to proceed to full criminal prosecution. From 3 January the new “civil sanctions” enable Natural England to stop illegal activities, order the restoration of environmental damage and accept voluntary enforcement undertakings where legislation has been breached.
Read the Natural England news release.
Two more projects to be determined by IPC
The Infrastructure Planning Commission has accepted two more schemes for consideration by the body, which is being subsumed into a National Infrastructure Directorate in the Planning Inspectorate in April.
Both involve proposals for projects in Lancashire. One is an application from the county council for the completion of a link road between Heysham and the M6 motorway. The other was the application from Halite Energy Group Ltd for a proposed underground gas storage facility to be located at Preesall Saltfield, Over Wyre, Lancashire
The road proposal would connect the existing length of the A683 Heysham to M6 link from its present eastern end, at its junction with the A589, Morecambe Road, near Torrisholme, to a fully remodelled Junction 34 on the M6 Motorway.
Access the news releases on the IPC website.
Merseyside footie fans unite over regeneration
Ambitious plans for the regeneration of North Liverpool, home to both Anfield and Goodison Park, have been put forward by a collective of fans of the city’s two Premier League football clubs.
Now, the Liverpool FC and Everton FC supporters groups behind All Together Now have begun a campaign to find businesses and stakeholders to back the development of the area, dubbed “The Football Quarter” into a world-class tourist destination.
All Together Now has been formed by members of The Spirit of Shankly and Keeping Everton In Our City groups.
The proposals are designed to confirm the city’s global sporting image as a destination and encourage the redevelopment of the area in line with the North Liverpool Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF).
It aims to attract educational, community, recreational, leisure and retail facilities to an area which has modern stadiums at Anfield and Goodison as its hub, all serviced by a sustainable transport infrastructure. The concept has the backing of local MPs and the city council.
Blackpool redevelopment noses ahead
Blackpool Council has granted planning permission for Muse Developments to build the first phase of its £220m, 928,000 sq ft mixed-use project in the town centre.
The first phase will include a 135,000 sq ft Sainsbury's store, refurbishment of a multi-storey car park and a new council office building. Three separate applications were submitted.
Later phases will contain further offices, retail, hotels and a transport interchange near Blackpool station.
Green light for NE Scotland wind farm
Plans for a wind farm on a Moray estate in north east Scotland have been approved by Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. Infinergy’s £250m project at Dorenell, near Cabrach will involve the development of a 59-turbine scheme on the Glenfiddich Estate.
Read the Scottish Government news release.
Flood risk alleviation plan submitted to Warrington Council
The Environment Agency has submitted a planning application for its River Mersey Flood Risk Management Scheme to Warrington Borough Council.
The scheme is designed to improve flood protection for more than 2,000 homes and businesses. The application includes detailed designs for phase one of the scheme. Phase one is for work along Knutsford Road, from Bridgefoot through to Victoria Park, and will reduce the flood risk to approximately 1,500 homes.
In addition to detailed plans for phase one, the Environment Agency has also submitted outline plans for phases two and three of the scheme. Phase two is for work at Howley, from the Riverside Retail Park to Kingsway Bridge. Phase three includes work at Kingsway, Woolston, Padgate and Cinnamon Brow.
Gravesend developments consented
Three major planning applications in Gravesend have got the go-ahead from the borough council’s independent regulatory board
Between them the schemes which received outline planning consent could bring 780 new homes and 18,298 sq m of industrial and commercial development.
The schemes are planned for land at Canal Basin, Albion Quayside and north and south of Dalefield Way, Dering Way. Public open space and flood protection works are also involved.
Kodak site makeover mooted
Land Securities has lodged plans for a major mixed-use redevelopment of around 30 acres of the Kodak site in Harrow, north west London. The developer has submitted outline plans to Harrow Council to build a mix of 985 homes along with industrial units, shops, community facilities and cafes as part of a 10-year development of the site at Harrow View.
Old and new heritage safeguarded
The iconic Lloyd's building in central London has been made a Grade I listed building by Heritage Minister John Penrose for its architectural innovation, historic interest and celebrated design.
At the same time another example of outstanding British heritage has been given protection now the Mesolithic settlement Star Carr near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has also become a scheduled ancient monument.
Read the Department for Culture, Media and Sport news release.
Green light for London Bridge station plans
Major plans from Network Rail for the multi-million redevelopment of London Bridge station have been approved by Southwark Council.
The proposals form part of the London Bridge Quarter initiative which will involve a ten-year regeneration programme
Plans are already well under way to deliver a new bus station, train station concourse, a plaza with public art and new connections to London Underground. A glass roof is under construction to transform the arrivals space.
Read the Southwark Council news release.
Record number of power project consents last year
The number of new power stations approved in England and Wales last year was the highest since the Electricity Act came into force in 1989.
A total of 15 projects were given the green light culminating in Energy Minister Charles Hendry consenting developer Dalkia’s proposed waste wood burning power plant earmarked for the former RAF airfield at Pollington in Yorkshire. Its feedstock will be delivered to the site via the Aire and Calder Navigation Canal.
Read the Department for Energy and Climate Change press notice.
Major mixed-use scheme mooted for Vauxhall
Property company CLS Holdings has submitted a detailed planning application for a 154,000 sq m mixed-use development in the Vauxhall Nine Elms Opportunity Area in central London close to Vauxhall’s transport interchange.
The scheme includes two 50-storey residential towers providing around 510 homes, a four-screen cinema, some 15,231 sq m of office space; 3,500 sq m of retail, restaurants, a 438-bed hotel, over 400 student units; a homeless hostel, affordable housing and a major new public square (of similar size to Paternoster Square in the City of London).
Welsh Government takes over Building Regs powers
Welsh Environment Minister John Griffiths has welcomed new powers that mean that from the turn of the year responsibility for Building Regulations has been transferred wholly to the Welsh Government from the UK Government.
The minister said: “One of our first actions will be to raise energy performance standards in new homes.”
Read the Welsh Government news release.
Mixed fortunes for student housing schemes
Plans for a £50m development of 175 new student flats to house almost 900 people have been approved by Sheffield City Council after the developer agreed to scale down the height of one of the blocks.
In a separate but related development, plans to turn an ex-passport office in Aberystwyth into 51 student bedrooms have been rejected by Ceredigion Council against the advice of officers.
Tai Cantref housing association has proposed converting the four-storey building, which was also an office for the Department for Work and Pensions. Parking and noise problems were cited as the main reason for refusal.
Key RTPI appointment
Professor Gavin Parker has been appointed as the new part-time director of professional standards at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Professor Parker is currently chair of planning studies and director of planning programmes at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading. He is a chartered planner and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
DCLG chief named
The Department for Communities and Local Government has appointed Peter Schofield director-general for neighbourhoods. He joins DCLG from HM Treasury and will take a lead role in implementing the housing strategy, major reforms of the planning system and delivering local economic growth.
Core adopted
Rochford District Council’s Core Strategy has been formally adopted by the Essex local authority.
Honoured
Planners and development figures named in the Queen’s 2012 New Year honours list include:
Office conversion plea
Leading property consultants and chartered surveyors Cluttons has urged the Government to bring foreword secondary legislation as soon as possible to make it easier for owners of offices to convert their buildings into residential accommodation.
Land sale petition
Residents and environmental groups have started a petition criticising Somerset County Council’s plans to sell 2,000 acres of the Quantock Hills in Somerset, part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Holiday camp redevelopment blocked
A planning inspector has rejected an appeal for a major new housing development including a care home on the site of a former holiday camp in south Devon.
The scheme at the site of the former Pontin’s site in Brixham had been blocked by Torbay Council as contrary to its local plan.
Council rejects plans for waterside town in Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire Council has refused permission for a multi-million pound waterside urban extension at Torbothie, near Shotts, on the grounds the scheme was contrary to the local plan.
Covenant forces demolition of new homes
Part of a new housing estate at Prestbury, Gloucestershire, has been bulldozed following a campaign by local residents who highlighted the existence of a protective covenant applying to 1.8 acres of the site. Taylor Wimpey demolished 24 homes after accepting a decision by the Lands Tribunal.
Roger Milne
5 January 2012
