England round-up: Report sets out findings from design codes pilot; Brighton considers a ban on second homes

Report sets out findings from design codes pilot

There is no one-size-fits-all process to creating design codes, according to the councils that took part in phase one of government pilots to test the National Model Design Code.

The Planner

Betts seeks answers on public participation in proposed planning changes

The chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee has written to housing secretary Michael Gove seeking answers on a number of key points regarding the levelling up and regeneration bill.

The Planner

Brighton considers a ban on second homes

Councillors at Brighton and Hove City Council have voted in favour of investigating whether to institute a ban on new homes being sold as second homes and holiday lets in some areas of the city.

The Planner

West Berkshire updates local plan timetable

West Berkshire Council has updated the timetable for the local development scheme.

The Planner

RTPI sets outs an adaptable approach to its research

The RTPI has published its 2022-2024 research strategy, which will see the institute take a broader approach to research that will allow it to be flexible.

The Planner

Urban logistics development plans approved in Witham

Braintree District Council has approved plans submitted by developer Chancerygate to build about 58,000 square feet of grade A urban logistics and industrial space in Witham, Essex.

The Planner

Phase two Paradise Birmingham plans approved

Birmingham City Council has approved plans for Three Chamberlain Square, a 10-storey, 185,000-square-foot commercial building.

The Planner

£15m more allocated for nine railway schemes

Rail minister Wendy Morton has announced another £15 million to develop and reopen nine disused railway lines from the Restoring Your Railway Fund, which launched in 2020. 

The Planner

Application submitted for 452-home plan in Richmond

A planning application has been submitted for the regeneration of Ham Close in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

The Planner

Petition to save lake from water pollution

More than 3,000 have signed a petition calling on environment secretary George Eustice to take action to save Lake Windermere in the Lake District in Cumbria.

Morning Star

Leaked report urges councils to shift housing focus away from green belt

Swathes of the Black Country’s green belt can be saved by building homes in shopping areas and on old industrial sites, claims a leaked report.

Express & Star

Local plan timetable amended as new option emerges

Uttlesford District Council is making an amendment to the local plan timetable. An additional option has emerged and the council requires more time to evaluate this so it can be considered in the plan context along with others.

Uttlesford District Council

Green light given to improve and deliver HIF1 Didcot

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet has given the go-ahead for the next phase of the HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure project with a revised deal with the government.

Oxfordshire County Council

Updated HS2 design addresses environmental concerns

Updated designs for the HS2 high-speed rail project at Streethay, near Lichfield, will result in 80 per cent less concrete, cutting carbon emissions on the project, it has been announced.

Express & Star

Orsted to deliver £2.5m biodiversity restoration

Wind farm developer Orsted is to invest more than £2.5 million to help to restore biodiversity around the Humber.

Business Live

HS2 obtains planning permission for Birmingham viaducts

Birmingham City Council has granted planning permission to HS2 Ltd to construct two viaducts that will connect the new high-speed railway to Curzon Street station in the centre of Birmingham.

Railway News

M&S accuses Gove of ‘grandstanding’ over Oxford Street store rebuild inquiry

Marks & Spencer has sparked a public row with Michael Gove, accusing the housing secretary of “political grandstanding” after he ordered a public inquiry into its plan to demolish and rebuild its flagship Oxford Street store in London. 

The Guardian

Government is ‘not on schedule with air-quality goals’

The government is not yet on track to achieve its targets for reducing air pollution and it has not communicated effectively with the public on the issue, according to a report from the National Audit Office (NAO).

Facilitate

Sky Studios Elstree unveils expansion plans for Borehamwood site

Sky has announced plans to expand its current studios complex to include 10 more stages. The film and television studios under construction in Borehamwood, known as Sky Studios Elstree, could be joined by Sky Studios Elstree North.

Watford Observer

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