News round-up 21 August 2008

Polytunnel proposal prohibited

Plans by a Kent strawberry-grower to expand the business with a complex of around 8,000 polytunnels have been rejected by Swale Borough Council.

The development, which would have nearly doubled the area of land at Hernhill Nursery in Faversham with the 5.4 metre-high plastic structures, was rejected on biodiversity grounds and also because of the visual impact of the scheme. Councillors were also worried that the proposals would have an adverse effect on nesting birds and might pose a flooding risk.

A spokesman for the council confirmed the plans were refused "on the grounds that the application would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity and environment of the area."

The project was opposed by the local parish council and neighbouring residents including former boxer Barry McGuigan.

Three new power station schemes surface

Welsh Power has announced plans to develop a new £600m combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant on a 35-acre brown field site near Fleetwood in Lancashire. The 850-megawatt (MW) project could be operational by 2012.
 
In a separate development Eon UK has signalled plans to build one of the UK’s largest biomass power plants, a 150-MW facility earmarked for a site at the Port of Bristol. The plan is to burn wood largely brought to the power station by boat. The company would like to have the £300m scheme operational by 2014.

Meanwhile ministers have approved an 860-MW CCGT plant at a site formerly occupied by the Carrington coal-fired power station near Sale in greater Manchester. Yorkshire-based Bridestones Developments had earlier obtained consent for a smaller scheme.  The £500m project could be commissioned by 2011.

Read the Welsh Power press release on the proposed Fleetwood plant

Read the Eon UK press release on the proposed Port of Bristol plant
 

Leicester regeneration plans unveiled

A £200m plan to build a new city centre swimming pool, ice rink, bowling alley, 250 homes, shops, offices, an art-house cinema and a landmark hotel has been unveiled for the former Corah factory site in Leicester by developers Bowbridge Group. It owns the land, which once accommodated Europe's largest hosiery works.

Read more about the plans at the Leicester Regeneration website

New country house goes back to basics

Manchester-based consultancy HOW Planning has successfully obtained consent for a new country house on the site of Grafton Hall, south of  Chester.

The scheme which won approval is for a neo-classical mansion designed by traditionalist architect Robert Adam.

That "conventional" scheme was preferred to an award-winning design for a “starfish” building prepared by Kathryn Findlay and also proposed for the site.

Instead of towering Georgian columns, draughty corridors and golden chandeliers it was made up of four triangular sandstone tentacles partially buried in the ground and powered by geo-thermal energy.

Olympic challenge for public places

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has challenged local authorities around the country to create public spaces "fit for 2012".
 
It launched this "Olympic challenge" when it published its latest annual report.

Read the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment press release

Earlier boost for affordable housing in Scotland

The Scottish Government has brought forward plans to spend £100m on affordable housing during this year and next. Originally the plan was to spend the money during 2010-11.
 
Read the Scottish Government press release

Roger Milne

21 August 2008