Wales round-up: UK Government approves overhead power line project for North Wales; Finalists for Wales’s Best Places competition announced

UK Government approves overhead power line project for North Wales

Greg Clark, the new business and energy secretary, has approved proposals for a new overhead power line scheme in North Wales.

The Planner

Finalists for Wales’s Best Places competition announced

The RTPI Cymru has announced the top 10 nominations put forward by the public in its competition to find Wales’s Best Place.

The Planner

RTPI joins International Ethics Coalition

The RTPI has joined a new international coalition that aims to develop the first set of globally recognised ethics standards for built environment and property-related professional organisations.

The Planner 

RTPI: Is planning reform heading in the right or wrong direction?

The RTPI is seeking the views of its members on the impact of recent planning reforms to the UK's planning systems and on their work.

The Planner

Development Management Quarterly Survey published

The latest quarterly statistical information about the handling of planning applications by Welsh local planning authorities has been published.

Welsh Government

Nuclear power projects must be proven as financially viable, Welsh MPs warn

There is great potential for nuclear power in Wales but the UK Government must demonstrate that projects are financially viable, Welsh MPs have insisted in a report.

Wales Online

£45m student waterfront accommodation scheme for Swansea revealed

Plans for a £45 million student accommodation scheme providing 507 bedrooms at Swansea's SA1 waterfront regeneration project have been revealed.

Wales Online

Business Improvement District set up in Cardiff

The city council discussed this week how it will support a Business Improvement District for Cardiff, which would see businesses invest £7.5 million into the city centre over the next five years.

City of Cardiff Council 

World first Anglesey ‘sea kite’ project in licence bid

A £25 million ‘kites’ marine energy project, earmarked for the sea off Holyhead on Anglesey, has submitted its bid for a licence for a scheme that would be the first of its kind in the world.

BBC News 

£3.5m boost for Swansea Valley community wind project

The Awel Aman Tawe Community Energy Charity, in Swansea, will benefit from up to £3.55 million to help it develop a two-turbine 4.7 megawatt wind farm north of Pontardawe.

Welsh Government 

Legal & General looks to more investment deals in Wales

The boss of the investment arm of Legal & General has said he is looking to increase the number of schemes the financial company is involved with in Wales, such as the £400 million Central Square development in Cardiff.

BBC News 

Cross Hands retail park plans deferred after legal challenge

Plans to build a retail park that would create up to 260 full-time jobs in Carmarthenshire have been deferred.

BBC News 

Merthyr Hoover site could be bought by Welsh Government

One of the most high-profile former industrial sites in south Wales - the Hoover washing machine factory in Merthyr Tydfil - could be bought by the Welsh Government, it has emerged.

BBC News

£2.6m to improve Community Facilities across Wales

Eight community projects across Wales have been awarded a share of £2.6 million funding to improve their buildings and facilities.

Welsh Government 

Concern over gypsy and traveller site provision in Wales

Welsh ministers may have to force councils to provide better facilities for gypsies and travellers because of a lack of progress, warns a charity.

BBC News 

Plans in for Cardiff offices and residential tower

The developer behind the Capital Quarter scheme in Cardiff has submitted further plans for the area, including the construction of up to 150 flats and 125,000 square feet of office space.

Insider Media

Skills gap question for Swansea Tidal lagoon project

Wales needs to invest in more skills if it is to take full economic advantage of the planned £1.3 billion Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, according to an independent study.

BBC News

£60m Newport building project axed over violence claims

Developers say they are pulling out of a £60 million scheme to redevelop a former supermarket site in Newport with student flats over claims of vandalism and violence.

BBC News

Performance Framework Table – July 2015 to June 2016

The Welsh Government has published a table setting out the performance of local planning authorities against the agreed performance framework indicators over the period July 2015 to June 2016.

Welsh Government