England round-up: Neighbourhood Planning Bill second reading with the Lords; Housing less affordable for first-time buyers

A round-up of planning news in England: 14 January-20 January, 2017
Neighbourhood Planning Bill: Lords express concerns about planning conditions measures
Members of the House of Lords have expressed both support for and concern about measures for pre-commencement planning conditions laid out in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, with some calling for more evidence to suggest they delay house building.
The Planner
Housing less affordable for first-time buyers
Housing has become more affordable for existing home owners but for first-time buyers it has become less affordable, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
The Planner
£48m for councils to tackle homelessness
Local government minister Marcus Jones has announced that councils are to receive an additional £48 million in funding to help them deliver new and expanded services to prevent and reduce homelessness.
The Planner
Stephen Wilkinson inaugurated as RTPI president
Stephen Wilkinson has been inaugurated as the 2017 president of the RTPI, taking over from Phil Williams.
The Planner
RTPI shortlisted in three categories at Association Excellence Awards
The RTPI’s Young Planners Conference 2016, England’s Great Places competition and The Planner magazine have all been shortlisted in an awards scheme set up to celebrate best practice and excellence in all aspects of trade and professional Associations.
RTPI
Hurd announces £5 million to Redcar
Climate change and industry minister Nick Hurd has announced that £5 million will go towards a Redcar Growth Zone.
UK Government
Starter homes to be built in North Somerset
Homes for first-time buyers will be built in North Somerset this year, after the government announced that North Somerset Council will be one of 30 local authorities to benefit from the latest round of a national scheme worth £1.2 billion.
Weston Mercury
Decision due over controversial housing plans
A decision on whether to build more than 100 homes in Wroughton now lies with the secretary of state after a recent planning inquiry.
Swindon Advertiser
40 out of 1,290 planning applications decided in public
Charnwood Borough Council has said its procedures for determining planning applications are “transparent” after it was revealed that only 40 out of 1,294 applications in a period of 12 months were decided in public.
Loughborough Echo
Interrogation of the masterplan for the future of Stevenage to begin
A plan that could shape the future of Stevenage for the next 20 years is being interrogated by a government inspector until March.
The Comet
Plans for 110 new Cowfold homes
Plans for 110 new Cowfold homes have been submitted to Horsham District Council by developers.
West Sussex County Times
Permission granted for Sherwood Forest visitor centre
A new £5.3 million visitor centre for Sherwood Forest has been given the go-ahead by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Notts TV
HS2: Government climbdown on compulsory land purchases
The government has confirmed that HS2 Ltd is not allowed to buy land through compulsory purchase to develop projects unrelated to the construction of the rail line.
The Bucks Herald
Bosbury housing plans to be reconsidered at planning inquiry
Planners will have to propose something “significantly different” to have houses approved for land north of Fosbury, says a local councillor.
Hereford Times
City’s Clock Tower to be transformed
A planning application to transform the area around Leicester’s Clock Tower will be submitted at the end of January.
ITV News
Officers refuse plan for 38 homes in Brimington
Planning officers have refused developers permission to build 38 houses on greenfield land in Brimington.
Derbyshire Times
Burnley’s controversial local plan put on hold
Burnley Borough Council has denied that the threat of legal action is behind the delay in the publication of its much-vaunted local plan.
Burnley Express
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