News Round-up - 18th December 2003

Hill names Thurrock board

Planning minister Keith Hill has announced the 13-person board for the proposed Thurrock Urban Development Corporation. The UDC will have a crucial role in regenerating part of the Thames Gateway, one of the South East's key growth areas. The chairman of the corporation will be Will McKee.

Planning not a major concern of SSSIs

The most comprehensive survey yet of the state of England's best wildlife and geological sites has found that planning and development pressures are not a major cause of concern.

This audit of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) by English Nature pinpointed overgrazing, inappropriate moor burning, coastal management, and problems over freshwater quality and quantity as the biggest threats to the condition of the designated areas.

Delayed enforcement action proves costly

South Gloucestershire Council has been recommended to pay £1,000 to a resident who complained to the Local Ombudsman about the way the council dealt with an unauthorised access track next to his home and garden.

The track affected the drainage of rainwater from the complainant's site, flooding his garden and septic tank. The Ombudsman found maladministration causing injustice against the council because it delayed enforcement action for nine months.

Disabled access dispute

Planners in West Wales are under fire from the Disability Rights Commission of Wales in a row over disabled access to a bank in Tenby. The Barclays bank is a listed building in the town's central conservation area. It has applied to put a ramp and handrail to make the branch more wheelchair friendly.

But officers from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority say the handrail is out of keeping with its surroundings and are recommending refusal. The commission's Alun Thomas has complained that the planners are being too inflexible and unimaginative.

Gunners close in on new stadium goal

Arsenal are moving forward with their ambitions to build a new stadium at Ashburton Grove, North London. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has signalled that it is minded to confirm compulsory purchase orders on two properties which form part of the site needed for the housing development (part of the stadium regeneration scheme), which is crucial to the financing of the club's proposed new home.

Development plan to be challenged in court

Stannifer, the development company, has decided to go to court to challenge the settlement strategy agreed by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council. The developer wants the councils' development plan quashed because it does not support Stannifer's proposed new 6,000 home scheme at Wilburton. The councils favour a new settlement at Longstanton-Oakington.

Environmental crime to be examined

MPs have decided to hold an inquiry into environmental crime. The investigation will be undertaken by the Commons Environmental Audit Committee and will consider whether courts sentence "on the basis of broad environmental principles, including the principle of sustainable development."

Alconbury gain permission for huge hub

Alconbury Developments has been given permission to build a massive seven million square foot distribution hub at Alconbury airfield near Cambridge.

View the decision letter here.

Bristol redevelopment gets green light

Two major projects in Bristol have got the go-ahead in the shape of the Cannon's Marsh mixed-use redevelopment at Bristol Habourside and the redevelopment of Broadmead.

Scrap scheme prompts inquiry

A High Court judge has called for an inquiry into the plans to scrap a fleet of former US navy 'ghost ships' in Hartlepool following two successful legal challenges. These found that the company at the centre of the international row has neither the requisite planning permission to carry out the proposed scrapping operations, nor the appropriate waste management licences.

Solar power receives funding boost

Extra funding for sixteen renewable energy projects across the UK has been announced by energy minister Stephen Timms as part of the Department of Trade and Industry's 'Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme'. The schemes include plans to power a racecourse in Essex and an education and resource centre at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

View the DTI 'Photovoltaics' website here.

Roger Milne

18th December 2003

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