News round-up - 10 July 2008
D-day for Heathrow expansion put back
A decision on the future expansion of Heathrow Airport, originally expected this month, has been put back to the end of the year, transport secretary Ruth Kelly told Parliament.
She explained the extra time would allow her department to assess the submissions from 70,000 individuals and organisations over changes to the use of the existing two runways, plans for a third and a further terminal.
The extra time would allow the Government to carry research into the impact of the proposals on different groups around the airport in terms of race, disability, age and gender.
In a related development speculation is growing that the Government is poised to call in plans for a second runway at Stansted Airport.
Eco-towns proposals withdrawn
Plans for a 5,000-home eco-town at Lichfield, Staffordshire, have been withdrawn by the Curborough Consortium. Meanwhile East Lindsey District Council has decided to drop its proposals for an eco-town at one of two potential sites near Louth.
Read the Curborough Consortium press release (PDF 51 Kb).
Read the East Lindsey District Council press release.
London planning policy changes mooted
Incoming London mayor Boris Johnson has begun consulting on proposed changes to the capital's spatial strategy which would see the abolition of the 50 per cent London-wide affordable housing target, additional protection for London's historic landmarks and World Heritage Sites, and modifications to the existing suite of policies on new tall buildings.
Read the Mayor of London press release.
Welsh mineral planning directions
The Welsh Assembly Government has issued a direction requiring Powys County Council to modify its Unitary Development Plan in respect of policies on minerals safeguarding.
These changes centre on the need for both a policy identifying safeguarded areas for sand and gravel resources as well as one to safeguard so-called "high Polished Stone Value hard rock" reserves in an area north of Garth.
Similar directions have already been issued to Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Bridgend County Borough Council, Caerphilly Borough Council, Ceredigion County Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Read the Welsh Assembly Government press release.
Flood relief
Environment secretary Hilary Benn has announced £500,000 to fund two pilot projects to explore how land management can reduce the risk of flooding.
New campus planned for Birmingham
An outline planning application has been submitted to Birmingham City Council for a new campus for Birmingham City University involving up to 45,000 square metres of development including state-of-the-art facilities for the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design as well as media and performance arts, technology, innovation and development.
The plans for a 4.17 acre brownfield site at Canal Street in Eastside also include a concert hall, space for working with business, a student centre including a library, learning resources and exhibition space, a food court and retail centre.
Read the Birmingham City University press release.
Bird safeguards
One of Scotland's most elusive birds of prey, the hen harrier, will receive greater protection from today with the designation of two new areas of northern moorland as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the EC Birds Directive.
The announcement was made by environment minister Michael Russell, who has designated Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA and an extension to the Orkney Mainland Moors SPA at Sleet Moss, both of which are home to significant populations of hen harriers.
Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA lies between Lairg and Dornoch in Sutherland and is home to around 12 breeding pairs of hen harrier.
The Orkney Mainland Moors SPA has one of the densest and most northerly hen harrier populations in the UK and the extension to the site brings a number of additional nesting sites into the existing SPA.
Conservation Area first for Hackney
Hackney Council has designated a new conservation area around the Victorian St Mark's Church in St Mark's Rise and for the first time has issued an Article 4 Direction to ensure certain works in the new area and the existing De Beauvoir conservation area will require planning permission.
Trump inquiry ends
The three-week public inquiry into US tycoon Donald Trump's proposed £1bn golf resort on the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire has ended. The Scottish Government will decide the fate of the controversial scheme later this year after the reporters handling the hearing have submitted their report.
Roger Milne
10 July 2008
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