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

A round-up of planning news in England: 8 October-14 October, 2016
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
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
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