England round-up: Climate crisis compliance accountability needed; Sunak makes green jobs pledge

Climate crisis compliance accountability needed

Planning decision-makers should be held to account when it comes to compliance with the climate change duty, according to a CPRE report.

The Planner

Sunak makes green jobs pledge

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £2 billion Green Homes Grant as part of his plan to protect jobs and prevent spiralling unemployment as the UK recovers from the effects of Covid-19.  

The Planner

RTPI welcomes Sunak’s intentions for a green recovery

RTPI chief executive Victoria Hill has ‘cautiously’ welcomed the chancellor’s commitments to help the built environment recover from Covid-19, but she argued that ‘strong planning will be needed to maximise all the investment’.

The Planner

Government extends affordable homes scheme

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that the Affordable Homes Programme will be extended until March 2023.

The Planner

Council acquires land from Homes England

Dacorum Borough Council has acquired land from Homes England for affordable housing close to the centre of Hemel Hempstead.

The Planner

New strategy celebrates work of RTPI volunteers

An important new strategy has today been launched by the RTPI with the aim of celebrating the support and involvement of the institute’s volunteers.

RTPI

£14m Network Rail facility opens in Doncaster

Network Rail has opened its £14 million depot in Doncaster, which will bring together skilled teams from across the borough.

Network Rail

Multimillion-pound investment to help transform derelict city site

Work to breathe new life into a derelict industrial site close to the heart of Birmingham is being accelerated following a multimillion-pound investment by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

West Midlands Combined Authority

Call for halt on application to convert grade II listed building 

Sandown councillors are calling for a halt to the Isle of Wight council’s planning application to demolish parts of and convert the Old Town Hall.

On The Wight

Planning dispute over barn used by Tockington company

A Tockington business is ‘frantically’ looking for new premises as the building it currently occupies looks set to be demolished. 

Gazette Series

Agriculture bill returns to Lords

Legislation that seeks to transform British farming has returned to the House of Lords. Defra Lords minister Lord Gardiner will be leading several sittings of the whole House as part of the bill’s committee stage, expected to take place over the next two weeks.

UK Government

Fly-tipping site could be transformed into homes

The site of a former foundry in Oldbury that has become an eyesore plagued by fly-tipping could be bulldozed to make way for more than 200 new homes.

Express & Star

Cumbria wind farm idea gets frosty reception

The prospect of a new wind farm off the West coast of Cumbria would be highly controversial, according to local councillors.

Lancashire Live 

Norwich Western Link consultation to launch later this month

Norfolk County Council is planning to launch a public consultation later this month as part of its project to create the Norwich Western Link, a new 3.8-mile dual carriageway road between Broadland Northway and the A47.

Norfolk County Council

Jenrick decides to not call in Wiltshire development

The housing secretary has decided not to call in Gleeson Homes’ plans for an estate of 71 houses on greenfield land in Malmesbury.

Wiltshire Times