England round-up: Inspector rules one North Essex garden community sound, but two others should be struck from plan; Two-thirds of councils have no up-to-date plan, suggests research

Inspector rules one North Essex garden community sound, but two others should be struck from plan

The Planning Inspectorate has decided that a garden community development on the Tendring and Colchester border would be sustainable, but two other garden communities proposed in the North Essex Garden Communities’ plan should be removed.

The Planner

Two-thirds of councils have no up-to-date plan, suggests research

Questions have been raised by a countryside charity regarding the government’s target for all councils to have an up-to-date local plan in place by 2023 after it found just a third of English councils have one.

The Planner

Higher emergency grants offered to heritage sector

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is welcoming applications for larger grants to cover emergency costs during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Planner

Manston Airport decision put on hold again

The government has delayed a decision on the Development Consent Order (DCO) for redevelopment of Manston Airport in Kent into a cargo hub.

The Planner

Policy brought in to protect Hertsmere employment sites

An article 4 direction has come into force to protect some of Hertsmere’s major employment sites, a measure that could help the borough to recover economically from the coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.

The Planner 

Mixed-use Westminster development gets the green light

Westminster City Council’s planning committee has approved a mixed-use development, including affordable housing, on Harrow Road.

The Planner

Detailed plan for 470 homes submitted for approval in Bridlington

A reserved matters planning application has been lodged with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for 470 homes.

The Planner

HS2’s costs and potential delays are running out of control, warn MPs

The HS2 high-speed rail project has gone “badly off course” and further cost increases and delays cannot be ruled out because of the way it is being managed, says a report by the parliamentary spending watchdog.

The Guardian

Old Oak Common HS2 station approved

The planning application for what HS2 Ltd says will be “the largest new railway station ever built in the UK” has been approved by Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation.

Railway Gazette

HS2 commissioner to liaise with public during Midlands phase

Homeowners and businesses affected by the construction of HS2 between the West Midlands and Crewe will have access to impartial advice after the Department for Transport extended the independent construction commissioner’s role to cover phase 2a of the project.

Shropshire Star

Council ordered to pay costs after ‘unreasonable’ delay in making decision

A government inspector has ordered Bedford Borough Council to pay costs to a man for its unreasonable delays in making a planning decision.

Bedford Today

Boreas wind farm potentially delayed by five months

Swedish energy company Vattenfall’s plans for its Boreas wind farm development off the Norfolk coast could be delayed by up to five months. The Planning Inspectorate said examination of the plan would take longer than expected given the coronavirus outbreak.

Eastern Daily Press

Vote set on old hospital and workhouse place

A former hospital in Melton Mowbray, which was first used as a workhouse, is to be transformed into a new residential development if the go-ahead is granted next week (28 May).

Insider Media

Shrewsbury caravan site in glamping pods and fishery extension plans

The owners of Sunnyside Farm in Hadnall have submitted an application for 10 static and eight mobile home pitches and an additional 13 pegs to the extended fishing pool, providing 21 pegs in total on the nine-and-a-half acre site.

Shropshire Star

Equinor seeks feedback on Norfolk offshore extension

Equinor is preparing to begin a first round of public consultations with local communities on its proposed 719MW extension to the Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon offshore wind farms, off the coast of Norfolk.

ReNews

Planning inspector to examine Wyre Forest blueprint  

A planning inspector has been appointed to examine Wyre Forest District Council's planning blueprint of future development sites in the district.

Dudley News

Calls for urgent review of Coventry Local Plan

Calls have been made for an urgent review of a development blueprint for Coventry over fears that green belt land could be lost to homes that do not need to be built.

Coventry Telegraph

Plans to build 1,000 houses on former golf course a ‘disgrace’

A prospective plan to build up to 1,000 houses on a former golf course has been criticised by councillors who have questioned the timing of the application during the coronavirus epidemic.

Liverpool Echo

Major development on Coseley/Tipton border takes next step

Houses have been earmarked for land at Birmingham New Road and Sedgley Road West, on the border of Coseley and Tipton, at the old Newey Business Park and Bean Foundry site.

Express and Star

Planning determinations ‘exceed’ government targets during lockdown

Planning officers at Birmingham City Council are exceeding government targets with more than 1,000 determinations made since lockdown began, said the council.

Birmingham City Council