England round-up: SoS opts not to call in Cumbrian coal mine proposal; Westferry application goes back to Planning Inspectorate

SoS opts not to call in Cumbrian coal mine proposal

Housing and communities secretary Robert Jenrick has not decided not to call in an application for a new underground mine to be located on a brownfield site south-west of Whitehaven. The decision has been criticised by environmental campaigners.

The Planner

Westferry application goes back to Planning Inspectorate

The Planning Inspectorate will reconsider the 1,524-home Westferry Printworks scheme on the Isle of Dogs in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The Planner

Slight green belt changes made to London Plan

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has relaxed the green belt directions in the London Plan following a direction issued by housing secretary Robert Jenrick.

The Planner

Government pledges cash from high street fund

Communities secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that up to £830 million from the Future High Streets Fund will be split between 72 areas in England.

The Planner

Natural Capital Committee chair receives knighthood

Professor Dieter Robin Helm CBE has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

The Planner

Decline in the number of decisions granted by councils

In the year ending September 2020, district-level planning authorities in England granted 311,800 decisions, a decline of 12 per cent compared with the year ending September 2019.

The Planner

Plans to redevelop Agora Centre submitted

A planning application has been submitted for the £28 million redevelopment of the Agora Centre in Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

The Planner

Builders report rise in material costs

The Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) latest survey of its members reports that nine in 10 builders – 87 per cent – have found material costs to have risen.

The Planner

RTPI sees its numbers swell

The RTPI has announced that its membership has reached 26,000 – a record.

The Planner

Southern Grove unveils plans for 63 new homes

Developer Southern Grove has unveiled plans for two new developments, in London and Kent, together providing more than 60 new homes.

Housing Today

Newport housing development decision made

Planning permission for 14 homes on Landscape Lane, which connects Staplers Road and Long Lane, has been rejected by the Isle of Wight Council – as it would be a “cramped” and “visually intrusive” development.

On the Wight

Public consultation on planning policy documents to take place

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is consulting on three planning policy documents from 8 January 2021 to 5 March 2021.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

Coventry to become one of the first all-electric bus cities

Coventry has successfully bid to become one of the UK’s only two all-electric bus cities, alongside Oxford.

Coventry City Council

Planning Inspectorate stats published

A statistical release that provides summary information on appeals has been published by the Planning Inspectorate.

UK Government

NHS boss to lead construction of new hospitals

Former nurse Natalie Forrest has been appointed to oversee the £3.7 billion construction of 40 new hospitals by 2030.

Infrastructure Intelligence

1,000 jobs eyed for major new site

Almost 1,000 jobs could be created if plans for a major storage and distribution development are approved for a site in Leicestershire next week (13 January). 

Insider Media

Council adopts ‘neutral’ stance to offshore wind farm plans

A neutral position has been adopted by East Suffolk Council over plans for two offshore wind farms on the Suffolk coast, after developers made efforts to address concerns.

East Anglican Daily Times

Shipping containers enforcement action put on hold

Bamburgh councillors have been told that enforcement action to have shipping containers removed from the village’s walled garden has been put on hold.

Northumberland Gazette