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

A round-up of planning news in England: 30 March-5 April, 2019
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
TOP JOBS
TOP NEWS