England round-up: London skatepark gains protected status, Crossrail 2 vital for growth

All solutions must be considered to alleviate housing crisis, says report

Delivering Change: Building Homes Where We Need Them, a report by Centre for Cities, argues that the housing crisis in the UK will only be solved in high-demand cities in the long term by considering all solutions to free up land supply. 

The Planner 

Crossrail 2 is vital for growth of London, says Mayor

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has set out the case for a £20 billion Crossrail 2, explaining that a link from the south-west of the capital to the north-east is vital to support the growth of the city.

The Planner 

London skatepark gains protected status

An icon of the 1970s British skateboard scene has been awarded Grade II protected status.

The Planner 

Liverpool resolves to approve 781-home development incorporating Grade II-listed Victorian rice mill

Liverpool City Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a 781-home development in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, after plans to demolish a Grade II-listed Victorian rice mill on the site were revised to incorporate the buildings as protected.

Out-Law 

Swindon West M4 junction 16 work could cost £11.5m

A motorway junction and roundabout near Swindon will need an £11.5m upgrade if more homes are built on a site nearby, a report has revealed.

BBC News 

Preston Bus Station: Lancashire County Council reveals revamp plan

A proposal for a £23 million redevelopment of Preston's Grade II-listed bus station, which would include a youth centre, have been unveiled.

BBC News 

Dudley set for £40m housing investment

More than £40 million is to be invested into Dudley's housing stock under council plans to build about 350 new properties.

Insider Media 

£170m upgrade work planned for Greater Anglia rail line in 2015

Major evening and weekend upgrade work will take place on the region’s railway line next year.

Daily Gazette 

Golden Mile could become a "shared space"

Traffic lights could disappear from the city’s Golden Mile and drivers encouraged to give way to pedestrians instead.