Planning (UK) articles from October 2007

Planning (UK) archives from October 2007

Diary.(Diary entry)
October 5, 2007... Campaigners gathered on a half-finished Glaswegian bridge last week to boost its chances of bagging some Big Lottery Fund cash. Work on the 'bridge to nowhere' began in the 1960s as a pedestrian route across the M8 and a link to the...

Planning in the media.
October 5, 2007... With the passing of the party conference season, some media commentators focused on the state of green politics, with The Guardian casting an eye over the main parties' records. It poured scorn on shadow chancellor George Osborne's ditching...

Appointment at Goadsbys.
October 5, 2007... Julia Burden has been appointed as a planning assistant in Goadsby's Bournemouth town planning division. She was previously a planning officer at Bournemouth Borough Council

Appointment at MVA Consultancy.
October 5, 2007... Stuart Reid has joined MVA Consultancy as director for sustainable transport and communities. He previously worked for Transport Research Laboratory

Appointment at Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners.
October 5, 2007... James Fennell has succeeded Gareth Morgan as managing director at Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners. Morgan remains an executive director

Appointment at Bromsgrover District Council.
October 5, 2007... Andrew Sulford has moved to Bromsgrove District Council as a planning officer. He previously worked at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Appointment at Yuill Homes.
October 5, 2007... Alex Ross has been recruited as a partnership manager by Yuill Homes to work on regeneration plans. She was previously a project manager at Hartlepool Revival

Appointment at Savills.
October 5, 2007... Vicky Wilshaw has been appointed as an associate by consultancy Savills in Oxford. She was previously a senior planner at CB Richard Ellis

Appointment at Muckle LLP.
October 5, 2007... Lorna McShane has joined Muckle LLP in Newcastle as planning partner. She was previously a planning lawyer at DLA in Birmingham

Appointments at Drivers Jonas.(Julia Krause)(Alexandra Wilson)(Jose Rocafort)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Drivers Jonas has appointed 19 graduate planners. Alexandra Wilson, Julia Krause, Jose Rocafort, Edward Priestly, Iain Duckworth and Katherine Arthur have joined in London, Claire Levitt, Ross McDyre, Melissa Wilson, Jon Power, James Adgey,...

RTPI looks to members and assembly to select leaders.(Royal Town Planning Institute)
October 5, 2007... The annual elections will allow us to choose those we want to take the institute forward, says James Taylor. Later this month, all members will receive ballot papers for the RTPI's annual elections. Nominations closed on 1 October and the...

President puts in appearance at Labour Party conference.(Conference news)
October 5, 2007... RTPI president Jim Claydon took part in a very successful fringe event run by the Fabian Society at last week's Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. He joined communities secretary Hazel Blears on a panel at Putting Communities in...

RTPI welcomes learning partners.
October 5, 2007... A number of learning partners joined the RTPI over the summer. In July, Charisma Spatial Planning, London South Bank University, Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners and Three Rivers District Council made successful applications. In August,...

Events.
October 5, 2007... Mechanisms for Delivering Affordable Housing: A Reflection 17 October. RTPI Yorkshire. Sheffield. This conference will provide the opportunity to review the evolution and implementation of national objectives, regional guidance and...

Journals look into mixed successes.
October 5, 2007... Recent case studies of mixed communities show that success is not just a matter of getting the right balance of housing, explains Jenny Crawford. Socially mixed communities are seen as vital to long-term economic, social and environmental...

Experts assess planning and transformation in South Africa.
October 5, 2007... The latest in the RTPI library series is Planning and Transformation - Learning from the Post-Apartheid Experience by Philip Harrison, Alison Todes and Vanessa Watson. Planning is being used as an instrument of political, economic,...

Events.
October 5, 2007... Changing Climates for Environmental Assessment 24 October. University of Manchester. This seminar, organised with the International Association for Impact Assessment and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, will...

Reform needs to weld components into a precision planning mechanism.(Royal town planning institute)
October 5, 2007... The major potential for offshore wind projects in UK waters is just one of the issues that highlights the need to integrate the proposed infrastructure planning and marine management organisations, claims Rynd Smith. Successful planning...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Advertisements - Displays held to add colour and interest.
October 5, 2007... Two temporary shroud advertisements on a grade II listed building in London's Covent Garden conservation area have been allowed because of the area's bustling commercial character. One of the shrouds, measuring 25m by 15m, was to be...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Agricultural Development - Training facility blocked in green belt.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An indoor riding arena and stables associated with an equestrian centre in the Shropshire green belt have been denied planning permission after an inspector concluded that the appellant had failed to show that they were justified. The...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Community Facilities - Care home escapes affordable provision.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Plans for a residential care home in Warwickshire have been approved after an inspector decided that there was no need to make provision for affordable housing as part of the scheme. The proposal comprised 44 leasehold apartments along with...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Community Facilities - Extra caravans held no threat to amenity.(panning permission granted for Recreational vehicles)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An inspector has granted a lawful development certificate authorising six additional caravans at a site in Suffolk on which planning permission had been granted for a residential caravan site. The appellant noted that the council, in...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Community Facilities - Sculpture allowed despite crime fears.(permissiom granted for sculpture garden construction)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An acoustic artwork consisting of concrete, steel and timber sculptural forms on a cycle track in rural Lincolnshire has been allowed despite crime and disorder fears. The inspector did not discount the possibility that the proposed garden...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Food and Drink Uses - Opening hours restriction retained at pub.
October 5, 2007... Extended opening hours have been refused at a pub in North Yorkshire after an inspector decided that they would be likely to adversely affect local residents' amenity. The appellants sought permission to open the premises between 11am and...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Gypsies and Travellers - Temporary site allowed in top landscape.(gypsies permitted for temporary reside in Sussex Downs)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An inspector has decided that temporary permission should be granted to enable a Gypsy family to continue living on land in the Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty despite the substantial harm caused. The appellant had occupied...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Housing: New build - Infrastructure secures urban extension.(planning permission granted for residential construction)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Planning permission has been granted for more than 1,000 homes on the edge of Gloucester after an inspector decided that the number proposed as part of a large-scale urban extension should be increased to comply with PPS3. The secretary of...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Housing: New build - Flood risk assessment judged inadequate.
October 5, 2007... A proposal for two dwellings on riverside land in a Worcestershire village has been rejected because it constituted an unacceptable flood risk. An inspector noted that most of the site fell within a medium to high flood risk category,...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Housing: New build - Scheme blocked by historic house setting.
October 5, 2007... Scottish ministers have rejected a proposed housing development in the Borders following a call-in inquiry after deciding that it would adversely affect an historic house formerly owned by Sir Walter Scott. Historic Scotland claimed that...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Housing: New build - Contemporary design fails character test.
October 5, 2007... Detailed approval has been denied for 65 flats and seven houses at a site in Surrey after an inspector found that the contemporary design failed to respect the locality's character. The inspector noted that the intended design was in...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Housing: Conversion - Independent use of annexe wins approval.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The change of use of a granny annexe in the Staffordshire countryside to a separate dwellinghouse has been allowed despite the council's concern that it breached development plan policies. The site contained a dwellinghouse and a former...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Householder Development - Fence ruled out of place in listed grounds.(removal of a wooden fence )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An enforcement notice requiring the removal of a wooden fence from the grounds of a grade II* listed bishop's palace in a Cornish conservation area has been upheld after an inspector agreed that it adversely affected the setting. The...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Householder Development - Hardstanding held to require permission.(permisssion refused for Parking garages)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An appellant has failed in a bid to retain a hardstanding at a house in a Lincolnshire conservation area following a ruling that it did not constitute repair and maintenance. The appellant said the hardstanding - two lines of paving slabs...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Leisure and Entertainment - Hotel ruled out due to noise and traffic.
October 5, 2007... A 376-bedroom hotel proposed close to Heathrow Airport has been declared unacceptable because it would harm local residents' amenity and the local road network was incapable of accommodating increased traffic flows. The council was...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Leisure and Entertainment - Airport hotel lost on sequential approach.
October 5, 2007... An appeal by London Biggin Hill Airport Ltd for a 100-bedroom hotel and a restaurant has been rejected due to ministerial concerns over its design and the company's failure to demonstrate that sequentially preferable sites were not available....

Casebook: Appeal cases - Leisure and Entertainment - Conversion held threat to city centre.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The conversion of a redundant warehouse in Liverpool to a cafe-bar and art gallery has been ruled out because it would divert investment out of the city centre, an inspector has concluded. The inspector accepted that the cafe-bar would...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Mixed Use Development - Hotel and homes foiled by local landmark.
October 5, 2007... A proposal to build a hotel and housing adjacent to a Lancashire town's conservation area has been rejected due to its potentially harmful impact on a grade II listed building's setting. The site contained a college building that was about...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Mixed Use Development - Building held to undermine wider strategy.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A proposed building in north London comprising ground-floor commercial uses and offices above has been refused permission on the grounds that it could prevent the wider area's regeneration. The council did not object to the principle of...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Telecommunications - Timber mast held to harm castle setting.
October 5, 2007... A 20m timber-clad telecommunications mast proposed near a racecourse in Kent has been rejected because it would harm the countryside's character and appearance and a grade I listed building's setting. The monopole was intended to provide...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Transport Development - Cycle link's sustainability benefit prevails.
October 5, 2007... The realignment of a footpath in a Somerset village to form a link for the national cycle network has been allowed because it would support the principles embodied in developing sustainable transport links for the wider public good. The...

Casebook: Next week.
October 5, 2007... - Wind farm allowed in finely balanced case Ten wind turbines have been allowed on the Essex coast after an inspector found a clear need to provide renewable energy and ruled that the area's essential character would not be lost. DCS...

Casebook: Appeal cases - In depth - Benefits of forest holiday village held to outweigh green belt harm.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The secretary of state has overruled an inspector's recommendation and granted outline planning permission for a Center Parcs development in Bedfordshire, finding that its economic, employment and ecological benefits would outweigh harm to the...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Commercial development - Ice cream home business base allowed.
October 5, 2007... An enforcement notice directed against a mixed residential and business use of a property in Dorset has been quashed after an inspector determined that it does not harm the area's residential character. The appellant sought permission to...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Householder development - Rooftop clutter justifies stair housing.
October 5, 2007... An enforcement notice directed against a replacement stair housing at a top-floor flat in west London has been quashed following findings that it did not harm a conservation area. Referring to Burroughs Day v Bristol City Council [1996],...

Casebook: Appeal cases - Telecommunications - More antennae allowed on police mast.
October 5, 2007... Planning permission has been granted for the retention of three antennae on an existing lattice tower mast at a police station in a Norfolk town, with an inspector finding that adequate investigations of alternative sites had been carried out....

Casebook: DC Forum.
October 5, 2007... Email your queries or your replies to earlier queries to casebook@haymarket.com or post them to Development Control Casebook Forum, DCS Ltd, Casebook Suite 1, Fullers Court, 40 Lower Quay Street, Gloucester GL1 2LW. Comment and post at...

How we did it ... Cricket club consults in run-up to improvements.(Lords cricket ground. )
October 5, 2007... Project Consultation ahead of a strategic masterplan for Lord's cricket ground. Background With its iconic status, the ground is developing a vision for the next century in the face of stiff competition from other venues. Who Is...

The things I know.
October 5, 2007... Paul Watson, Director of regeneration and development, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. - Where did you study planning? I qualified in planning at the University of Central England in Birmingham. But I have also learned from...

All change for regions.
October 5, 2007... The role and purpose of regional development agencies will need a thorough overhaul if they are to maintain the standard of recent advances in strategic planning, argues Ben Kochan. The promotion of regional development agencies (RDAs) as...

Regional spokeswoman.(South East England Regional Assembly)(Moira Gibson)(Occupation overview)
October 5, 2007... Leading councillor Moira Gibson is determined to ensure that the South East's views are still heard despite government moves to abolish the regional assembly, writes Susanna Gillman. Moira Gibson reflects wryly that as soon as she took over...

Housing pathfinder areas facing failure of long-term perspective.
October 5, 2007... Forget speculation about a snap general election. The most feverish topic of conversation in planning circles is over who will emerge as winners and losers in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review (CSR). The review's guardians...

Fyson on... the theory behind the government's plans to build new towns.(Gordon Brown)
October 5, 2007... The theory behind the government's plans to build new towns for the first time in half a century. It is not always rewarding to trawl through a prime minister's party conference speech, but Gordon Brown's recent oration was so categorical...

Legal report: Roof tax offers potential to ward off national levy.
October 5, 2007... The housing green paper indicates that the planning gain supplement (PGS) remains the government's preferred means of securing further benefits from the planning system to support housing growth. However, ministers are prepared to look at...

Shepley on ... delivery grant bemusement.(Plymouth City Council )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... People in Plymouth are a bit fed up at the moment. This is not usual. It is a nice place where it is hard to get really disgruntled. I know - I used to work there. The view from the Hoe is splendid, majestic frigates nose out of the naval...

Edinburgh loses rail link.
October 5, 2007... Politicians north of the border remain divided over the Scottish Government's decision to axe a proposed rail link intended to serve the capital's expanding airport, reports Catherine Early. Last week's confirmation that the Edinburgh...

Task force set up to ease development.(Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce)(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A task force has been established in Edinburgh in an attempt to improve relations between developers, planners and conservationists. Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce has established the group after warning that delays in the planning system...

Cities in line for rail boost.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Rail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow could be increased to up to six trains an hour and journey times reduced to 35 minutes under plans unveiled last week. Transport minister Stewart Stevenson announced a ten-year investment...

Spey Bay landfill gas energy deal reached.
October 5, 2007... A landmark deal signed last week will see sufficient energy produced from a council landfill site in the north of Scotland to power up to 1,600 homes. Moray Council, landowner the Crown Estate and contractor Renewable Power Systems are...

Online now ..
October 5, 2007... Visit the online forums at PlanningResource.co.uk for Can a joint extension with a neighbour count as permitted development? How quickly must a council respond to a pre-application request? Also this week Review of Freckleton Street...

Planning stats.
October 5, 2007... Pounds 8 million - The amount that the Northwest Development Agency is to invest in improving Manchester's Metrolink. It will increase frequency on the Eccles to Manchester city centre line to ten trams per hour. 1 million - The target...

Potters Field faces purchase order risk.
October 5, 2007... London mayor Ken Livingstone has threatened to issue his first compulsory purchase order (CPO) on council-owned land near Tower Bridge within the month. At the Labour Party conference, Livingstone insisted that he would use his powers if...

Colindale earmarked for homes in local regeneration proposals.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... An area action plan that could see 10,000 homes delivered in Colindale, north London, was launched this week. The area has been earmarked as a major opportunity location in the mayor's revised London Plan. Key priorities include delivering...

Historic city set to grow.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Major shopping, entertainment and leisure proposals for the North Westgate quarter have been lodged with Peterborough City Council. The 68,000m2 mixed-use scheme, advanced by Hammerson and Morley, would be built next to the existing...

Agenda.
October 5, 2007... 10 October: Powers and Guidance in the Draft Local Transport Bill Organiser Waterfront Conferences Venue London Fee pounds 49-pounds 99 + VAT Details (tel) 020 7787 1210 11 October: Rural Planning Division Autumn Conference...

Region airs concern on housing targets.
October 5, 2007... Yorkshire and Humber may struggle to meet higher housing targets proposed by the government in changes to the draft regional spatial strategy (RSS), it has emerged. The proposals, published last week, would see housing growth increase by...

Cooper sets eco contest.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A design competition for the government's eco-town programme was announced last week by planning and housing minister Yvette Cooper. Cooper told the Labour Party conference that she is looking for 'the world's best architects and designers'...

Asda axes plans for depot on marshland.
October 5, 2007... Supermarket chain Asda has withdrawn controversial plans for a warehouse on a marsh area recognised for its importance to wildlife. The company wanted to build a large depot on Erith Marshes in Bexley. The area's high ecological...

Appointment at DCLG.(appointment of Richard McCarthy )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Richard McCarthy has been made director-general of housing and planning at the DCLG after a realignment of senior portfolios. He will focus on delivering three million homes by 2020 as pledged in the housing green paper, setting up the...

Lord Heseltine reiterates call for directly elected mayors.
October 5, 2007... Tory cities task force chairman Lord Heseltine reiterated his call for directly elected mayors in his speech to the Conservative Party conference this week. The idea emerged from his proposals earlier this year for devolving powers from...

SEEDA looks at ways for private sector to help manage property portfolio.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is looking at ways that the private sector could help it manage its pounds 170 million property portfolio. SEEDA executive director of development and infrastructure Lee Amor said combining...

Second phase of Titanic Quarter regeneration given go-ahead.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The second phase of Belfast's pounds 1 billion Titanic Quarter regeneration was given the go-ahead this week when Northern Ireland environment minister Arlene Foster confirmed that outline permission has been granted. Proposals for the...

DCLG updates technical guidance.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The DCLG has updated technical guidance on the code for sustainable homes to help developers meet green standards. Changes have been made in the method for calculating energy efficiency for flats with and without renewables as well as water...

Plans for Olympic Park approved this week.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Plans for the Olympic Park were approved this week by the Government Office for London and the Greater London Authority. The move means that the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) can start to develop venues for the 2012 games and create an...

Group aiming to help deliver jobs and homes in West Midlands is launched.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A group that aims to help deliver jobs and homes in the West Midlands was launched by the region's minister Liam Byrne this week. The West Midlands Leadership Group will meet Byrne every two months to report on work being done on key...

Scottish ministers approve wave energy project.
October 5, 2007... The world's largest wave energy project, which could supply up to 2,000 homes with electricity, was approved by Scottish ministers last week. The scheme will be operated from the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney and was submitted by...

Belfast quay plan unveiled.
October 5, 2007... A pounds 600 million scheme to transform the Sirocco Quays site in Belfast has been unveiled. The masterplan, co-ordinated by Turley Associates for the Carvill Group, aims to create 2,000 homes and 2,300 jobs over ten years. The...

Forth bridge repair urged.
October 5, 2007... A petition has been handed to the Scottish Government calling for a rethink on the decision to build another crossing of the Forth. It was delivered by a group of South Queensferry residents who want the government to consider repairing the...

Bedford town development set to go ahead.(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... A major scheme to regenerate Bedford town centre received planning approval this week. The 8ha Town Centre West project by St Modwen will provide 37,000m2 of shopping space, as well as restaurants, a cinema and a hotel. Up to 330 homes,...

Brown offers rail link cash.
October 5, 2007... Prime minister Gordon Brown backed the pounds 16 billion Crossrail scheme this week after pledging to make money available in the comprehensive spending review. Brown claimed that the government has worked 'day and night' in the last few...

Habitats sought for barrage mitigation.(Sustainable Development Commission )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... Creating habitats for wildlife displaced by the Severn barrage should be seen as an opportunity, the government's sustainability adviser said this week. Launching its report on tidal energy, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC)...

City calls for energy plans.
October 5, 2007... Local authorities should be able to set site-specific targets for renewable energy, Manchester City Council's head of environment insisted this week. Council programme director for the Green City campaign Sarah Davies argued that high...

Windsor row on green belt.(The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is urging the government to protect its green belt from housing after its core strategy was judged unsound. Council member for planning and housing Derek Wilson is writing to communities...

Pathfinders face up to house price claim.(The housing market renewal )(Brief article)
October 5, 2007... The housing market renewal (HMR) pathfinders will meet communities secretary Hazel Blears next week amid fears that they are being threatened by rising house prices. The pathfinder heads have urged the government to continue funding for...

Diary.
October 12, 2007... With little sign of property prices deflating in the near future, first-time buyers in the West Midlands will be delighted to hear of a house costing just pounds 300 in the heart of Birmingham. The 12m2 Mudhouse, made predominantly from...

Planning in the media.
October 12, 2007... Crossrail may be the largest infrastructure project outside China but its approval by the government has been greeted with disdain by media commentators. Leading the attack was Ross Clark in The Times, who branded it 'another project for...