England round-up: Poor housing and transport a problem for coastal areas, say Lords; Government must address short-term workforce shortages post-Brexit

Poor housing and transport a problem for coastal areas, say Lords

Housing quality is a ‘significant’ issue for coastal towns, while inadequate transport is holding them back, a House of Lords committee has concluded.

The Planner

Government must address short-term workforce shortages post-Brexit

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has said the government must address workforce shortages in the short term, including in the construction sector.

The Planner

Grant to improve air quality announced

The government has awarded 28 English local authorities a share of £3 million to improve air quality.

The Planner

Khan puts up £200m to protect affordable housing from Brexit

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has committed an extra £200 million to affordable housing to protect the sector from the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

The Planner

Grotton Papers now available to read online

To mark its fortieth anniversary, the satirical illustrated planning handbook The Grotton Papers has been published for all to enjoy on the RTPI website.

RTPI

Millions of Londoners live in areas with illegal toxic air

Two million Londoners live in areas where air pollution exceeds legal limits, according to figures released by City Hall.

Evening Standard

West Midlands council plans to be carbon neutral by 2050

Shropshire Council has committed to being carbon-zero by 2050 and supply a fifth of the entire West Midlands with green energy.

Shropshire Star

City of London approves 'The Tulip'

The City of London Corporation has approved an application from Foster + Partners for its development on 20 Bury Street. The building will have a total height of 305.3 metres, making it the second tallest building in Western Europe after the Shard.

City of London Corporation

£91m Derby development planned Midlands housebuilder

Avant Homes has agreed terms with property development and investment company CEG and the landowner to purchase a 31.8-acre parcel of land in Mickleover, where it plans to deliver 311 high-quality new homes.

Business Link

Partnership to build 360 homes in Redcar

Homes England has appointed regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships to build 360 homes in Redcar. The site, which is earmarked for housing in the area's local plan, already has outline planning permission.

Insider Media

£2.8bn Crossrail bailout 'may not be enough'

Crossrail faces further delays and may need an even bigger bailout, MPs have warned. The crisis-hit line is already £2.8 billion over budget and at least a year behind schedule.

Evening Standard

Newcastle receives £16m housing boost

Newcastle City Council has received more than £16 million from the government for infrastructure improvements to support the construction of thousands of new homes.

Insider Media

Sustainable transport work begins in Bridport

Work has started in Bridport to transform an overgrown, under-used bridleway into a valuable sustainable transport link and wildlife haven.

Bridport Life

Councils say homelessness act not adequately funded

Up to 67 per cent of councils feel they lack the funding to meet new duties to tackle homelessness, analysis has found.

Public Finance

West Midlands shows strong growth in house building

The number of new homes built last year in the West Midlands has bucked the national trend to show strong growth, the region's combined authority has said.

West Midlands Combined Authority

Plans to squeeze two houses onto bungalow plot approved

Outline plans to replace a Saltdean bungalow with two houses have been narrowly approved by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee.

Brighton & Hove News