Wales round-up: More robust retail strategies mooted; permission to explore for gas in Vale of Glamorgan granted

More robust retail strategies mooted

Local planning authorities will be required to develop more robust retail strategies in their local development plans, according to new proposals designed to safeguard town centre vitality.

The Planner

Public spaces paper wins top RTPI research award

A London academic’s study challenging perceptions about the privatisation of public space in the capital has picked up a top prize at the RTPI Awards for Research Excellence.

The Planner

Proposed M4 relief road ‘will increase traffic and greenhouse gases’

A letter from 11 leading green groups including Wildlife Trusts Wales, RSPB Cymru and the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales has told the Welsh Government that its £1 billion Black Route for the M4 relief road near Newport contradicts the administration’s commitment to sustainable development.

Wales Online

Circuit of Wales: £300m pledge for race track plans

The man behind the Circuit of Wales project says all the finance needed for the project has been pledged and he expects work to start on the site in Ebbw Vale by the end of the year.

BBC News

Land sale paves way for £100m mixed use development in Central Cardiff

Enterprise zone contracts have been completed between the Welsh government and leading Cardiff property developer JR Smart for the sale of land in the heart of the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone. This will pave the way for a new £100 million mixed-use development.

Welsh Government 

Permission granted for chairman of Cardiff council’s planning committee to build six new flats

Permission has been granted for the chairman of Cardiff council’s planning committee to build six new flats in a Cardiff suburb.

Wales Online

Porthmadog’s Coliseum cinema given demolition go-ahead

Plans to demolish an art deco cinema in Gwynedd have been given the go-ahead despite more than 300 objections.

BBC News 

Bevan Foundation’s bleak vision of 2020 Welsh economy

More unqualified workers chasing low-paid, insecure jobs is the bleak vision of the Welsh economy in 2020, according to a think tank.

BBC News

Developers win appeal over Parc Tawe retail park, Swansea

A planning inspector has overturned a decision by Swansea City Council to limit Hammerson’s redevelopment of its Parc Tawe shopping centre.

BBC News

Power company wins right to explore for oil and gas in the Vale of Glamorgan

A company has won permission to explore for oil and gas in the Vale of Glamorgan - but is not being allowed to carry out fracking.

BBC News

City centre cycle route proposed in Swansea

Cycling in Swansea city centre could be set for a further boost with proposals to create a new route through the main shopping district.

City and County of Swansea

10 councils in south-east Wales put in a bid to UK Government for City Deal for Cardiff Capital Region

The 10 local authorities of the Cardiff Capital Region have formally asked the UK government to start negotiations over a City Deal that could be worth up to £10 billion.

Wales Online