England round-up: RTPI president calls on politicians to take planning seriously; Hayes calls for second referendum

RTPI president calls on politicians to take planning seriously

Phil Williams, president of the RTPI, yesterday urged politicians to value the role of planners and planning, stating that years of reform have “undermined the ability of planners” to plan positively for communities.

The Planner

Hayes calls for second referendum

Labour MP and former planner Helen Hayes has called for the UK to hold a second referendum on the detail of the UK’s “Brexit” strategy from the EU.

The Planner 

RTPI provides further guidance post European Union Referendum

The RTPI discusses the implications of the UK’s Leave vote for planning, and calls on politicians to rely on the expertise of planners.

RTPI

Rise in approvals by communities secretary in neighbourhood plan areas

New research suggests that there has been an 800 per cent rise in the number of houses approved in neighbourhood plan areas by communities secretary Greg Clark since last year’s general election.

The Planner

Khan announces his deputy mayor for planning

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has appointed Jules Pipe CBE as his deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills.

The Planner

‘Focus should be older homeowners to tackle housing crisis’

The housing crisis won’t be solved by focusing solely on the needs of first-time buyers, says a think tank.

The Planner

£1m initiative launched to get young people into construction

An initiative aimed at encouraging more young people into a career in construction has been launched by Lloyds Bank, property group Lendlease and Newham Council.

The Planner

Planning permissions continue to rise - report

The number of planning permissions granted for new homes in Q1 of 2016 remained high, according to figures released by the Home Builders Federation and Glenigan.

The Planner 

Housing market set for decline in sales after UK votes to leave EU

The UK housing market is set for a decline in sales as buyers "wait and see" what will happen after the Brexit referendum vote, according to property experts.

Independent

Homes ‘out of reach’ for ordinary people in city

The boss of a homeless charity has warned that home ownership and renting in Brighton and Hove is beyond the means of most people – with the under 35s hit the hardest.

Brighton and Hove Independent

Isle of Wight Council backs renewable energy fund

Wight Community Energy has finalised a renewable energy deal with the Isle of Wight Council. The new £1.7 million funding deal will bring a 3.95 megawatt peak solar array into community ownership.

Blue and Green Tomorrow 

Number of new homes to be increased

Confirmation that “at least” 519 new houses need to be built each year in Waverley to provide 9,862 over the next 16 years - including 1,200 on the green fields surrounding Farnham - is provided in the borough council’s draft local plan.

Farnham Herald

HS2 has unrealistic timetable, says National Audit Office

The HS2 high-speed rail project has an "unrealistic timetable" and faces major cost pressures, a report by the National Audit Office has said.

BBC News

Brexit: HS2 investment hangs in balance says Birmingham MP

Construction work on the Birmingham to London fast line is due to start next year but now, according to Hodge Hill MP Liam Byrne, "all bets are off".

Birmingham Mail

Garston Netto secures planning permission

Budget retailer Netto has secured planning permission to build a new store in south Liverpool, creating approximately 25 permanent jobs.

Insider Media Limited

Burneside moves forward with neighbourhood plan proposals

A parish council has taken the first step towards aims to take a greater role in planning and development in its area.

Cumbria Crack 

Crossrail 2 to deliver housing in the capital

Crossrail 2, a new north-south route through London, is set to trigger the building of 200,000 new homes

Evening Standard

Bexhill residents’ renewed fears over flooding at new housing development

Residents living near a new housing development have renewed their fears the new homes will be at risk of flooding.

Bexhill Observer

Help to Buy: ISAs opened by over half a million

Over 500,000 people have opened Help to Buy ISAs that offer government bonuses of up to £3,000 as they save towards buying a home.

UK Government 

Airport expansion decision on hold

A decision on airport expansion in south-eastern England is to be delayed until "at least October", transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has said.

BBC News