Planning news – 4 June 2020

England needs a design quality unit, consortium insists
The government should set up a dedicated Design Quality Unit for England to build on the work of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission (BBBBC).
Laura Edgar, The Planner

Khan backs housing developer with £50 million loan
London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved a £50 million for Mount Anvil to help the housing developer to accelerate the purchase of new sites and deliver an increased number of new homes.
Huw Morris, The Planner

Sizewell C application submitted after two-month COVID-19 delay
EDF Energy has applied for a development consent order (DCO) to build the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk after a two-month delay owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Huw Morris, The Planner

RICS calls for step-change in retrofitting housing
The government must make a step-change in policies for decarbonising the UK’s existing housing stock as part of a resilient recovery from Covid-19.
Huw Morris, The Planner

UK’s largest solar park granted consent despite major opposition
Controversial plans for the UK’s biggest solar park have been approved after the government rejected protests about its effect on the Kent countryside.
Huw Morris, The Planner

Government urged to invest in nature in the North
The government must invest up to £100 billion over the next 25 years to create a plan for nature in the north of England, according to a think tank.
Huw Morris, The Planner