England round-up: Inspectors issue recommendations on London and Sevenoaks plans; Jenrick launches heritage preservation campaign

Inspectors tell Khan to remove fracking policy from London Plan

The Planning Inspectorate has advised the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to remove the policy relating to fracking from the draft London plan, and has also suggested that a review of the green belt should be added.

The Planner

Inspector advises Sevenoaks to take back its local plan

The Planning Inspectorate has recommended that Sevenoaks District Council should withdraw its local plan from examination because of reservations over unmet housing need.

The Planner

Jenrick launches heritage preservation campaign

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that local people will be able to nominate heritage buildings that are important to them and reflect their local area and identity.

The Planner

Six councils to get share of £38m in funding for homes

Homes England has agreed on a £38.2 million funding deal with six councils in a bid to speed up the construction of at least 2,072 homes.

The Planner

Sewage works to be transformed into 750 homes

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has bought former industrial land in Sandwell to turn it into a 750-home community.

The Planner

Bids open to research planning outcomes

The RTPI has issued an invitation to tender (ITT) for research that aims to identify the most important outcomes in spatial planning and feasible ways to measure them.

The Planner

‘Forward-thinking} university parkland wins major regional planning award

A plan to create striking new parkland in the centre of the University of Birmingham’s historic campus has been declared the overall winner at the RTPI West Midlands Regional Awards for Planning Excellence 2019.

RTPI

Development plan for Arnside and Silverdale triumphs at RTPI awards

An innovative development plan for an area of outstanding natural beauty near Morecambe Bay has been declared the overall winner at the RTPI North West Regional Awards for Planning Excellence 2019.

RTPI

Plans for retirement homes in Shropshire thrown out

Churchill Retirement Living’s plans for more than 50 new retirement homes have been thrown out after planning bosses said they would create a “poor” environment.

Shropshire Star

Planning bosses pleased with appeal performance

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council planning bosses have said their work is vindicated as the number of appeals won against council decisions has dropped.

Lancashire Telegraph

River Thames scheme funding announced as part of Surrey flood alleviation

Surrey County Council’s cabinet is set to agree £270 million of funding for long-term flood-risk management work across Surrey to protect homes and roads.

Dredging Today

Solar panels for all new homes rejected

Dorset Council’s planning brief holder David Walsh has said the council will not be able to go beyond legislation and national planning policy guidelines to ensure that all new homes are built with solar panels.

Wessex FM

Consultation to launch on Cavern Quarter plans

A consultation on a masterplan designed to transform the epicentre of Liverpool's musical heritage is to begin.

Insider Media

Detailed plans expected soon for huge Nottingham city development

The team behind the redevelopment of the Conygar (‘Boots Island’) site in Nottingham has said that it is planning to submit a detailed planning application in the next few months.

West Bridgford Wire

Appeal lodged over refusal for new Shropshire crematorium 

An appeal has been lodged to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a new crematorium in the Shropshire countryside.

Shropshire Star

New construction training hub helps unemployed in Wolverhampton

Unemployed Wolverhampton residents are benefiting from a new £100,000 sub-regional construction training hub in the city.

West Midlands Combined Authority

Approval granted for Manchester Business Park plans

Plans designed to allow the development of Manchester Business Park to continue – with a further 195,000 square feet of schemes lined up – have been approved.

Insider Media

McVey announces ‘housing green revolution’ for the North

A £40 billion post-Brexit "construction corridor" across the North's major cities could be waiting if the region embraces prefab house building, according to housing minister Esther McVey. The Yorkshire Post notes that only two of the councils benefiting from the extra cash are situated above the Watford Gap.

Yorkshire Post

Plans for 88 new homes in Framfield

Plans have been submitted for 88 new homes to be built in Framfield. They would be built on nearly 12 acres of land to the south of the village at Old Nursery House, The Street.

UckfieldNews.com

Rail Central plan for transport depot near Northampton withdrawn

Rail Central, a controversial plan to build a large transport depot to the south of Northampton, has been withdrawn but will be re-submitted once changes have been made.

Northampton Chronicle

Plan for fracking ‘years behind schedule’

The government’s plan to establish fracking across the UK is years behind schedule and has cost the taxpayer at least £32 million so far, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has found.

The Guardian