England round-up: Businesses concerned about infrastructure delivery rate; Energy costs more than it needs to, report suggests

Businesses concerned about infrastructure delivery rate

A survey has suggested that businesses and the public are worried about the speed with which infrastructure is delivered.

The Planner

Report: Energy costs more than it needs to

The cost of energy is ‘significantly higher’ than required to meet the government’s objectives, and to be consistent with the Climate Change Act and ensure the security of supply, according to a report by Dieter Helm CBE.

The Planner

Revised draft national policy statement for third Heathrow runway published

The government has launched a consultation on a revised draft Airports National Policy for the expansion of Heathrow Airport so the public can respond to ‘new evidence’, including its national air quality plan. 

The Planner

Report suggests housebuilders’ land banks are ‘reasonable’

Housebuilders’ land banks are ‘reasonable’ and it is ‘too simplistic’ to say they are not pulling their weight, according to the author of a new report.

The Planner

A303 preferred route announced

Highways England has published the preferred route for the £179 million dualling of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester.

The Planner

Cambridge and Peterborough approves transport investment

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has approved over £4 million for key infrastructure projects across the region.

The Planner

‘Rent-to-buy’ fund could build 500,000 homes (subscription)

Generation Rent may be given a leg up on the housing ladder under plans being considered by the Treasury to underwrite the £100 billion cost of building about half a million homes over the next decade.

The Times

Dual carriageway bypass unveiled for key A585 improvement 

Plans for a new dual carriageway – between Windy Harbour and Skippool – have been published as part of Highways England’s preferred route announcement for the project.

UK Government

Lidl store plan goes to appeal

Proposals for a Lidl store and a care home on the outskirts of Royal Wootton Bassett are to go to an inquiry. 

Swindon Advertiser

Villagers prepare for inquiry into ‘speculative development’

A Congresbury action group has called on villagers to make their concerns over a ‘speculative development scheme’ heard at an upcoming housing inquiry.

North Somerset Times

Housing minister questioned on changes to housing needs assessment

The Communities and Local Government Committee has announced that it will examine proposed changes to the way the need for new homes is calculated for each local authority in one-off evidence session with housing minister Alok Sharma.

UK Parliament

HS2 preparation works under budget, says DfT

Spending on preparation for HS2 went over £200 million under budget, according to a report by the Department for Transport.

Rail Technology Magazine

Report: Green gas could help fuel 15 million homes by 2050

Biogas made from domestic waste could help to heat 15 million homes every year by 2050, new research has suggested.

Edie.net

New planning guidance could help bring new life to traditional farm buildings

Historic England has launched a number of guidance notes intended to help prevent the loss of traditional farm buildings and to enable more buildings to be repaired and reused.

Farmers Guardian

Plans for 171 homes in Wilford given green light

A 171-home development on land behind a Wilford gym can get under way after an agreement to pay more than a million pounds towards local facilities was reached.

Nottingham Post

Developer puts up six-foot fence after planning permission refused

A developer stopped from building new homes because they would obstruct views has erected a six-foot fence in what campaigners have branded an ‘act of belligerent malice’.

Oxford Mail

Borrow more to boost building, says Javid

The government should borrow money to fund the building of hundreds of thousands of new homes, communities secretary Sajid David has said.

BBC News

Fourth rejection for plan to build eight flats

Government inspectors have again rejected a plan to build eight flats in the south of Bath.

Bath Chronicle

Housing targets are overblown

Relentless development and overblown building targets are threatening Shropshire's special qualities, says a national campaign group.

Shropshire Star