Planning news 28 March 2024
This week, a key study highlighted that a large portion of local authorities have not sufficiently accounted for older and senior citizens in their local plans, a large battery storage scheme was approved in East Devon whilst Windsor and Maidenhead rejected a large film complex, and SuDS guidance was introduced in Cheshire. Read on to find out more…
Key applications and decisions
Quickly catch up on the important submissions and determinations taking place across the country.
Approvals
East Devon District Council grants permission for large battery energy storage scheme
The project, which The Planner reports is capable of providing energy for six hours to 650,000 homes, will store renewable energy when generation exceeds demand. It is expected to be connected to the grid in 2027.
Development Consent Order granted for 60.4 km pipeline from Cheshire to Flintshire
A Development Consent Order (DCO) has been granted for a 60.4 km carbon dioxide pipeline from Cheshire, England to Flintshire, Wales.
This pipeline will transport CO2 produced and captured by future hydrogen-producing facilities and existing industrial premises, for offshore storage. The development is part of a larger project that includes a hydrogen production plant, hydrogen distribution pipelines, hydrogen storage, and the creation of additional carbon capture and storage infrastructure.
Flintshire County Council and Chester West and Chest Council were generally supportive of the development, accepting that it would contribute to carbon reduction and help the UK meet its 2050 net zero target.
The Energy Secretary was content that the applicant had considered a range of alternatives and that the design of the development incorporated mitigation planting to reduce the impact on the openness of the green belt and green wedge.
Rejections
Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead reject contentious film studio complex
Officers suggested that the £100 million project would have represented ‘inappropriate development’ in the green belt, and that there were no ‘very special circumstances’ which would outweigh this harm, The Planner have reported.
Opponents of the development raised flooding, traffic and highway safety concerns. There were also concerns that the scheme would lead to the loss of ‘best and most versatile’ farmland and would harm the character of the area, including the setting of designated historic assets and the Holyport Conservation Area.
Key industry insights
Here we’ll highlight crucial perspectives from across the sector that have been bought to light this week.
High interest rates lead to fewer planning applications being submitted
Data highlighted in our Market Insight Report from January of this year showed that 11 percent fewer planning applications were made for small and regular households compared with the same month in 2023. In fact, there was a 5 percent fall in the total number of planning applications submitted to us overall, compared with the previous year. This could mean that high interest rates and recovery from the technical recession in the second half of 2023 could be drawn out.
Scott Alford, head of business development at Planning Portal explained: “Through the data collected by Planning Portal, it is clear that homeowners are taking the worrying news regarding the current interest rates into consideration when looking to conduct works on their property. According to USwitch, the current residential mortgage rate across all lenders can average at 5.71 per cent for a two-year fixed rate. Adding an extension or erecting a garden building can be a costly project which many may not be able to afford as the cost of borrowing increases taking loans off the table.
“As we continue throughout the year, our Market Insight report will be able to show how the economy is impacting homeowners and their choice to conduct works on their property. It will be interesting to see if this trend will continue, or if numbers will increase as the economy changes.”
Follow this link to find out more about our Market Insight Report, and subscribe.
Study finds a lack of housing support for older and senior people in local plans
A recent study has revealed that 32 percent of Local Authorities are lacking clear policies in their local plans to support housing for older people, The Planner has reported.
The research found that only 23 percent of national local authorities were found to have clear policies around the number of dwellings and carehome beds, including clear details on how these will be achieved and specific site allocations. 104 local authorities – 31.9% – had neither clear policies or site allocations around senior residential spaces.
Sustainability spotlight
News of projects and initiatives which support sustainable development.
Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) guidance introduced in Cheshire to promote better water management
The new guidance issued by Cheshire East Council encourages developers to work with the landscape to deliver SuDS where possible. As the Planner reports, in light of the new guidance developments which do not manage water quantity and quality, promote biodiversity and enhance local amenities, could be rejected.
It’s an important move by the council to help mitigate negative impacts of climate change, particularly those that may be bought about as a result of heavy rainfall.
Provided in association with The Planner
For a more in-depth look into the above stories, and for further industry news, head over to The Planner.
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