Wales round-up: New noise and soundscape planning guidance promised; Green regulator in turmoil as chair quits

A round-up of planning news in Wales: 14 July-20 July, 2018
New noise and soundscape planning guidance promised in Wales
The Welsh Government has promised more planning guidance on air and soundscape quality as it started consulting on its latest noise action plan.
The Planner
Wales's green regulator in turmoil as chair quits
The country’s green regulator was plunged into crisis this week as the chair of Natural Resources Wales resigned.
The Planner
‘Radical’ overhaul of construction sector is required, say Lords
The House of Lords has reported that the construction sector cannot meet the UK’s housing needs and ‘may struggle’ to meet its infrastructure needs.
The Planner
UK is failing to plan for elderly population, suggests report
Research by planning consultancy Lichfields has indicated that the UK is failing to plan for its ageing population.
The Planner
Housing delivery review kicks off
Cabinet secretary for planning Lesley Griffiths has kick-started the administration’s quick-fire review of how to improve housing delivery through the planning system by calling for evidence.
Welsh Government
Grangetown housing estate makeover
Ambitious plans to regenerate a council development in the capital have been unveiled by the city council. These would see the number of homes at the Channel View estate in Grangetown almost doubled to at least 360 dwellings alongside proposals for a sheltered housing scheme.
Cardiff City Council
Transport secretary Ken Skates cited slow speeds, Victorian manual signalling and level crossings bringing traffic to a standstill up to 200 times daily as he urged the UK Government to provide an equitable level of funding for rail infrastructure in Wales.
Welsh Government
Cardiff residential tower touted
Details of a 25-storey residential tower providing some 270 private flats on a site in Charles Street in Cardiff city centre have been unveiled by developer Garrison Barclay Estates.
Wales Online
Another local government reform review
Local government secretary Alun Davies has established a new group to look at ways of taking forward the stalled local government reform programme, which will involve looking at voluntary mergers, new structures, and more cooperative working by neighbouring councils.
Welsh Government
Developer Bellis Brothers Limited has submitted plans for up to 132 houses on land near Lane Farm in the village of Rossett 10 kilometres from Wrexham.
Wrexham Leader
Cardiff Airport’s latest masterplan envisages a new terminal, a four-star hotel, a new multistorey car park and a transport hub, as it looks to double passenger numbers over the next 20 years.
Wales Online
St Athan airfield and business park takeover
Economy and transport Secretary Ken Skates has revealed plans to assume operation, management and maintenance of St Athan airfield and business park when existing arrangements with the Ministry of Defence and Serco end next year.
Welsh Government
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is to leave its ground after more than 70 years because of antisocial behaviour and a protracted planning and legal wrangle over a covenant at its current home, which it leases from owner Torfaen County Borough Council.
BBC News
Swansea jobs have been saved after the decision to move a key government office to Cardiff was reversed.
Wales Online
Llanbedr airfield, in Gwynedd, has been granted a share of a £2 million development fund to investigate the possibility of using it to launch satellite-carrying aircraft.
Wales Online
Thumbs up for Flintshire anaerobic digester project
Flintshire County Council's planning committee has been recommended to approve a £50 million anaerobic digester waste facility earmarked for a six-hectare site formerly occupied by a power plant on the Deeside Industrial Park.
Insider Media
The city council has given ‘in-principle’ backing to proposals for a £12 million redevelopment of the grade II listed Newport Market, which involve a tech hub and flats as well as retaining the market and food hall.
Newport City Council
The first phase of a scheme to increase flood protection for more than 600 properties in the Crindau and Shaftesbury areas of Newport has been completed.
Natural Resources Wales
Neath holiday resort proposals
Proposals have been unveiled to build an array of holiday lodges and a swimming pool at Ponna, Neath.
Wales Online
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