We are delighted to announce the final agenda for the Planning Portal Conference 2019, which will address the pertinent topics which affect the planning and building industry, both now and into the future. With industry leading speakers in attendance, it’s not to be missed!
Read more…Jenrick outlines green commitment
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has made a commitment to a new green standard to tackle the climate crisis and keep household energy bills low.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Canada Water masterplan approved
Southwark Council’s planning committee has granted planning permission for a mixed-use masterplan to create a new town centre in Canada Water, London.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
New-build starts decreased in June quarter
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) statistics show that there was an 8 per cent decline in the number of homes started in the three months to June 2019 compared with the previous year.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Small decline in planning applications granted
District-level planning authorities granted 91,700 decisions between April and June 2019 – a 3 per cent decline compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Barn conversion boom threatens rural communities
A 230 per cent increase in conversions of barns and farm buildings into homes without the need for planning permission is taking a severe toll on the vital infrastructure and local services in rural towns and villages.
Huw Morris, The Planner
New rights will compound the ‘disaster’ of permitted development, says RTPI
New rights to allow two-storey upwards extensions on family homes without planning permission will ‘compound the problem’ of low quality housing created under previous extensions to permitted development rights, the RTPI has stressed.
Simon Wicks, The Planner
MPs hit out at Help to Buy for failure to tackle pressing priorities
The government’s flagship Help to Buy scheme has not tackled pressing problems in the wider planning system and housing sector, according to an influential committee of MPs.
Huw Morris, The Planner
£95m to ‘breathe new life’ into historic buildings
Culture secretary Nicky Morgan has announced that £95 million will split between 69 towns across the country to ‘breathe new life’ into historic buildings and high streets.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Inspectorate issues interim findings on Old Oak plan
The Planning Inspectorate advised Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s (OPDC) to revise its housing targets downwards after recommending the removal of two sites from its emerging local plan.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
£2m for councils to address ‘illegal’ green belt development
Housing minister Esther McVey has committed £2 million to aid councils to ‘crack down on illegal developments’ in the green belt.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
NOMA office scheme submitted for planning
Plans to transform the grade II listed Old Bank Building in Manchester so that it comprises 140,000 square feet of office space have been submitted to the city council.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Government pumps £62m flood funding into English regions
Environment secretary Theresa Villiers has announced a new round of flood defence investment for communities across Yorkshire, Cumbria, the North East and the South East of England.
Prithvi Pandya, The Planner
The Planning Portal Conference 2019, held on 14-15 November 2019 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, will bring together a senior audience of decision makers from planning consultancies, architectural practices, house builders and developers, as well as key contacts from local planning authorities and central government.
The conference programme is filled will industry leaders and respected commentators, addressing the wider key factors that will affect planning and building now, and in the future.
Read more…New CIL rules come into force
Updated Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rules, which mean that communities will be able to see what developer contributions are spent on, have come into force.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Controversial Jaguar Land Rover application approved for campus in Leicestershire
North West Leicestershire District Council’s planning committee has approved Jaguar Land Rover’s plans for a new distribution centre at junction 11 of the M42 near the village of Appleby Magna.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Fears mount over Cardiff skyline dominated by empty tower blocks
The Cardiff skyline is at risk of being full of vacant buildings after an ‘over-saturation’ of luxury student flats, warns a leading architect.
Roger Milne, The Planner
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the UK Business Awards (UKBA) 2019. Taking place in early November, these prestigious awards recognise companies and individuals who exhibit excellent business performance, honouring professionals who are shaping the future of business. The Financial Transaction Service (FTS) has been shortlisted by UKBA in the ‘Innovation of the Year’ category, which recognises businesses that have approached problems with creativity and a new perspective.
Read more…Fifty more towns to receive funding
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that an additional 50 towns will benefit from the £1 billion Future High Streets Fund.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
600-home plan submitted in Dorset
A plan comprising 600 homes has been submitted to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Construction values rose in July
Construction contracts worth £5.1 billion were awarded in July 2019 – an increase of 1.8 per cent on June, according to construction industry analyst Barbour ABI.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Guidance published for s.78 appeals
The Planning Inspectorate has published new guidance for the submission of the Statement of Case and Statement of Common Ground for s.78 appeals. There is also a new process for each.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Garden town approved in the South West
Somerset and West Taunton Council has granted approval for 2,000 new homes, which will be part of a new community.
Laura Edgar, The Planner
Mixed-use plan submitted for Bristol
A mixed-use regeneration plan that includes homes and a secondary school has been submitted to Bristol City Council.
Laura Edgar, The Planner