England round-up: More than 100 councils face action in housing delivery test; Reports published on high street health

More than 100 councils face action in housing delivery test

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published the results of its first housing delivery test. A total of 108 authorities have failed to meet the 95 per cent delivery target.

The Planner

Local plans key to improving high street health

The large-scale structural change of high streets in order to improve their health requires intervention led by local authorities in partnership with communities. Local plans are a key element of this.

The Planner

Lack of skilled workers contributes to high street woes

The main challenges for poorly performing high streets is the lack of skilled workers and the demand to shift away from retail towards high-knowledge and leisure services.

The Planner

20 organisations take part in RTPI shadowing initiative

Local authorities and organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have responded to the RTPI’s call to offer young planners the opportunity to find out what it is like to be a chief planning officer.

The Planner

Postbox in middle of Moseley driveway to be investigated

Birmingham City Council is investigating ‘unauthorised works’ after residents were left baffled over the siting of postbox on the corner of Oxford Road and School Road.

Birmingham Live

Controversial application in ‘councillor’s backyard’ approved

Plans for two new houses on land attached to a house rented by a councillor have been approved by Coventry’s planning committee. But a member of the committee has hit out at suggestions that the councillor used their position to get the application through.

Coventry Telegraph

Government sets out plans to overhaul waste system

The government has launched a series of consultations aimed at overhauling the waste system.

UK Government

TfL awards London Underground track contract to Balfour Beatty

Balfour Beatty has landed a £220 million contract from Transport for London (TfL) to deliver London Underground track renewal works. The four-year contract covers all aspects of track renewals.

Infrastructure Intelligence

Solar installation completed at Port of Goole

Solar energy is now being generated at the Port of Goole following a £1 million investment by operator ABP.

Insider Media

Appeal after shortage of playing fields put stop to housing development

An appeal has been launched by developers after a shortage of playing fields put a stop to a Middlesbrough housing development being approved.

Teesside Live

UK’s largest modular council housing scheme proposed for Leeds

The UK’s largest fully modular council housing and apartment scheme in the UK could be built in Leeds, following a planning application submitted by Leeds City Council and United Living.

Environment Journal

Hull council to use police powers to clamp down on planning breaches

Council officials in Hull are set to use seizure powers currently employed by the police to prosecute planning breaches for the first time.

Hull Live

Council housing ‘central to prison reform’ 

Local authorities will be key to facilitating prison reforms by providing housing for ex-offenders, said the justice secretary.

Public Finance

Jacksdale pair fined after failing to remove caravans from green belt site

Two Jacksdale residents have been fined after failing to remove caravans from a green belt site. They pleaded guilty to ignoring a notice to clear land that breached planning control.

Chad

Tackling homelessness together

A consultation has been launched into how the government could improve local accountability for the delivery of homelessness services.

UK Government

Brokenshire won't call Burnham retirement village proposal 

Housing secretary James Brokenshire has said he will not review plans for a controversial 238-bed retirement village in Burnham, after permission was approved by Maldon District Council.

Maldon Standard