England round-up: Garden communities under development are ‘largely unsuitable’ for active travel; Reform minerals planning system ‘to ensure supply’

Garden communities under development are ‘largely unsuitable’ for active travel

New garden villages and towns are at risk of being dependent on cars rather than being geared towards walking, cycling and public transport, says pressure group Transport for New Homes.

The Planner

Reform minerals planning system ‘to ensure supply’

The minerals planning system should be reformed so that it guarantees the supply of the minerals required to support construction of homes and infrastructure.

The Planner

Nominate your 2021 RTPI vice-president

Nominations are open for the RTPI elections, including the position of 2021’s vice-president.

The Planner

Public Practice recruits to boost local authority capacity

Public Practice has issued a call for applications for a new cohort of professionals to start placements at local authorities in December.

The Planner

2,500 homes approved for Swindon

Swindon Borough Council has granted planning approval for 2,500 homes at the New Eastern Villages extension of the town.  

The Planner

Regeneration framework adopted in Guernsey

The States of Guernsey’s Development & Planning Authority has adopted a framework that seeks to bring a major site on the island back into use.

The Planner

Refurbishment as landmark prepares for new ear of commuting

A £2.1 million refurbishment is going ahead at the Castlemead office building in Bristol to bring forward facilities for the new era of commuting set to reach the city.

Insider Media

Kingshurst regeneration moves ahead as outline planning application is submitted

An outline planning application has been submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for the transformation of Kingshurst village centre.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Lake District rail project progressing

Work is progressing well on the £7.9 million Lake District National Park Authority-led project to reconnect the much-loved Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail.

Lake District National Park Authority

HS2 minister starts round tables on integrated rail plan

The government has announced that HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson is hosting a series of virtual meetings with leaders from across the North and Midlands on their priorities for the integrated rail plan and the current plans for HS2, Northern Powerhouse rail and Midlands Engine Rail.

UK Government

Plans for old school in Coventry open to consultation

Multimillion-pound plans to transform Coventry’s former Woodlands School into a purpose-built special school have opened for consultation.

Coventry Live

Views sought on major homes plan

Views are being sought on a plan to construct 18,870 homes and help to create 28,500 new jobs in Northampton. 

Insider Media

‘Ugly’ apartments refused

Plans to demolish a former care home and replace it with 34 apartments in Falmouth have been refused planning permission – with one councillor describing the scheme as “ugly”.

Cornish Stuff

‘Nimby’ parks car over construction site entrance in row about protected trees

Police threatened to tow the car of a neighbour who parked across the entrance to a construction site where he said builders weren’t sticking to planning rules.

Leicestershire Live

Coronavirus: How realistic is Crossrail opening next year?

BBC News reports on the likelihood of Crossrail opening next year, with comment from chief executive Mark Wild.

BBC News