England round-up: Crossrail 2 Growth Commission announced, shale gas report recommends full chemical disclosure

Crossrail 2 Growth Commission announced

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, announces the creation of a Crossrail 2 Growth Commission to help realise the project’s “full potential to boost economic growth”.

The Planner

Shale gas report recommends full chemical disclosure

Fracking will be only be safe for local people if strict monitoring is carried out and chemicals used are fully disclosed, according to the second report by the Task Force on Shale Gas.

The Planner

Data shows only 32% of planned supermarkets are completed

Just 32 per cent of planning applications submitted by the ‘big four’ supermarkets across the UK have been built, according to research.

The Planner

Council rejects British Land high street application

Planning committee members at Wandsworth Borough Council rejected plans for 56-70 Putney High Street, finding proposals would be “out of keeping” with the existing high street.

Putney SW15

UK plans for ‘world-class telecoms infrastructure’ not ambitious enough, says expert

The UK government needs to consider more ambitious changes to the laws governing new telecoms infrastructure if its plans for near-universal countrywide 4G and 'ultrafast' broadband coverage are to be successful, says an expert.

Out-Law.com

Midlands councils announce intention to create West Midlands Combined Authority

A group of seven councils has announced its intention to create a combined authority for the West Midlands with the aims of co-ordinating economic growth in the region, undertaking public sector reform and negotiating the devolution of powers from the UK government.

Out-Law.com

Devolution ‘must not leave small industrial towns behind’

The government’s decision to prioritise devolution to big cities in England could lead to smaller urban areas being left behind, a report has warned.

Public Finance

Planners throw out wind turbine scheme near Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth Controversial plans for a wind turbine near Bridgnorth have been thrown out by council planners before even getting the chance to be debated in public.

Shropshire Star

Power station closures cut UK energy capacity to 10-year low

The margin between UK electricity availability and peak demand this winter is predicted to fall to a 10-year low.

Supply Management

Stirling prize 2015 shortlist highlights UK's desperate housing crisis

Some of the most expensive luxury flats in London will go head-to-head with a social housing scheme in the same city, in the race to win the Stirling Prize for best building of the year, on a shortlist that reflects the vivid extremes of the UK’s desperate housing crisis.

The Guardian

Wind turbine factory to create 200 jobs in Hull

Work is set to start on the construction of a new wind turbine factory in Hull next month, creating 200 jobs.

Business Quarter

New homes help tackle Taunton housing shortage

Construction has started on 26 much-needed homes that are being built on former agricultural land off Henlade Close in Henlade near Taunton.

24dash.com