England round-up: Neighbourhood Planning Bill has its second reading; North deciding more planning applications than London

Neighbourhood Planning Bill: Building should start as soon as possible after permission granted 

Communities secretary Sajid Javid has said that it is “crucial that shovels hit the ground as soon as possible” once planning permission is granted, if the housing deficit is to be tackled.

The Planner

Infrastructure commission to be made permanent

The government has announced that the National Infrastructure Commission will be made permanent to help build a “bigger, better and greater Britain”.

The Planner

North deciding more planning applications than London

New data suggests that local planning authorities in the Northern Powerhouse decided 22 per cent more major applications per resident over the past year than their counterparts in Greater London.

The Planner

Grayling announces £70m HS2 funding

Transport secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed the government’s commitment to High Speed 2 as well as announcing £70 million worth of funding to support local communities and road safety along the London-to-West Midlands route.

The Planner

Manchester tram extended 

Transport secretary Christ Grayling has approved an application to extend the Manchester Metrolink tram system.

UK Government

£35 million boost for ultra-low emission vehicles

Transport minister John Hayes has announced a £35 million package aimed at boosting the uptake of ultra-low emission cars.

UK Government

Global demand for energy will peak in 2030, says World Energy Council 

Global demand for energy per capita will peak in 2030 thanks to new technology and stricter government policies, predicts the World Energy Council.

The Guardian

Council cuts push specialist housing for vulnerable people into the cold 

Charities say a 14 per cent fall in spending by councils on supported housing for people with mental health issues is short-sighted and will cost more in the long run.

The Guardian

Hundred homes in village plan dismissed by council

Plans for nearly 100 new houses “in the heart of Welwyn” have been dismissed by the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

Welwyn Hatfield Times

Council wins £10,000 costs in wind turbine appeal battle

Costs of almost £10,000 were awarded to Craven District Council following its long fight with an energy company wanting to build wind turbines near Gargrave.

Craven Herald & Pioneer

Planners award for £5m Wynyard project

Wynyard Gardens and Visitor Centre, near Stockton, won the top prize at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North East’s Awards for Planning Excellence 2016.

The Northern Echo

Decision looms over Derbyshire housing and rugby club plans

Two planning applications that could result in the construction of hundreds of homes and a new rugby club in the Amber Valley area of Derbyshire look set to be granted approval.

Insider Media

Councillors agree blueprint for 31,000 homes 

Huge swathes of green belt are closer to being paved over forever after Kirklees councillors agreed a planning blueprint.

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Summit called as Brexit threatens Plymouth construction boom

The region’s key construction and built environment companies are to discuss the sector’s skills shortage at a major powwow in Plymouth.

Plymouth Herald

Housing market on the rise in Bristol – making starter homes more expensive

The latest residential market survey released today from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors shows new buyer enquiries increased for the first time since February – up by a modest 8 per cent.

Bristol Post

Sadiq Khan submits takeover plan to end London’s rail commuter ‘nightmare’

Plans to improve rail services for millions of passengers at London’s busiest stations have been submitted to the government in an effort to end the “nightmare” of delays and overcrowding.

Guardian

Concern over plans to demolish old town hall

Ambitious plans to demolish a former town hall and build a state-of-the-art health centre have been submitted to Wigan Council.

Wigan Today

Residents call for rethink of wind farm as ‘flaw’ in planning process exposé

North-East residents want work on a controversial wind farm halted – because two councillors breached their code of conduct when they backed it.

Energy Voice