England round-up: Government needs a ‘comprehensive strategy’ to achieve housing targets; MPs express concerns over Right to Buy scheme

Government needs a ‘comprehensive strategy’ to achieve housing targets

The government needs to develop a more “comprehensive strategy” if it is to achieve its house building targets, and it must go beyond home ownership, according to UK housing industry professionals.

The Planner

Government launches tidal lagoons review

The government has announced an independent review into the feasibility and practicality of tidal lagoon energy in the UK.

The Planner

Consultation launched for Rural Planning Review in England

Ministers are soliciting evidence to be submitted for the government’s Rural Planning Review.

The Planner

MPs express concerns over Right to Buy scheme

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has laid out its concerns over funding of the Right to Buy scheme in a report.

The Planner

Heseltine launches estates regeneration panel

A panel of experts has been convened to consider how the layout of housing estates can best be used to deliver more quality homes available for rent and buy.

The Planner

RTPI publishes updated Code of Conduct

The RTPI has published an updated Code of Conduct, which is already in effect.

The Planner 

Mark Ruffalo’s message to David Cameron

Actor Mark Ruffalo speaks to The Guardian about fracking.

Facebook

Bond Dickinson advises Grainger on £57.3m London PRS acquisition

Bond Dickinson has advised GRIP, the market-let UK residential property fund owned by Grainger and APG, on its £57.3 million acquisition of Kew Bridge Court Guernsey Limited. The site includes private rented flats, houses and car parking spaces.

Bond Dickinson

Changes to the King’s Cross gyratory

In partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, TfL has been reviewing the road network at King’s Cross with the aim of delivering substantial improvements. Changes have been made to question two of the survey.

Transport for London

Local plan to go for approval by full council this month

Cheshire East Council's Local Plan Strategy to shape development across the borough up to 2030 has moved a step closer to being put in place.

alderleyedge.com

Funding announced for south west rail infrastructure study

The Department for Transport and Great Western Railway have announced funding for a study looking at improvements to rail infrastructure between London and Devon and Cornwall.

European Railway Review

Plans submitted for castle restoration costing £6 million

A medieval castle will be fully open to the public for the first time if a £6 million project receives lottery backing.

Hereford Times

Murphy secures London Overground electrification contract

UK rail infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has awarded a £60 million multidisciplinary design-and-build contract to J Murphy & Sons to support the electrification of the London Overground route between Gospel Oak and Barking.

Railway Technology

First-time buyers’ ‘£50,000 rent bill’

First-time buyers in England who buy a house this year will already have spent an average of £52,900 on rent, suggests research for a landlords’ trade body.

BBC News

Great Central Railway to be joined after 40 years

Work to reconnect two parts of a railway line that was divided into two more than three decades ago is set to begin.

BBC News

Cuadrilla appeal over Lancashire fracking refusal

An energy firm appealing against a decision to refuse fracking said the inquiry was not about the "rights or wrongs" of shale gas extraction.

BBC News

London Assembly planning committee asks for more guidance on viability

The London Assembly planning committee has written to the London mayor Boris Johnson to “urge [him] to bring forward supplementary planning guidance on viability assessments in London" and that there is a “strong case for a new approach to viability”.

Out-Law.com