Planning news – 13 April 2023

Our planning news is published in association with The Planner, the official magazine of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Inquiry reopened into controversial prison
The Secretary of State for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has decided to reopen a planning inquiry for a new prison in Leyland, Lancashire.
Lee Rowley, The Planner

Council in the South East submits local plan
Dover District Council has submitted its local plan to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

Land bought for Porthcawl waterfront regeneration
Regeneration proposals for Porthcawl’s waterfront that include hundreds of new homes have moved a step closer with the Welsh Government’s confirmation that it has purchased parcels of land on the seafront.
Roger Milne, The Planner

Garden town in Kent gets the go-ahead
Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s planning and licensing committee has granted outline planning permission for a garden town comprising 8,500 homes near Folkestone, Kent.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

£1.6bn for water infrastructure
The government and Ofwat have committed a £1.6 billion investment into infrastructure that aims to improve the quality of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters to secure future water supplies, subject to consultation.
Laura Edgar, The Planner

High Court quashes inclusion of department store in conservation area
High court judge Justice Lane has overturned Spelthorne Borough Council’s extension of a conservation area in Staines-on-Thames, which allowed it to reject the demolition of a former Debenhams department store.
Ben Gosling, The Planner