Archive

Design worries

30 November 2007

Regeneration professionals have raised fears over John Callcutt's plans to improve housing design.

Tesco lodges legal challenge

23 November 2007

Supermarket giant Tesco has lodged a legal challenge against Sunderland City Council's adoption of a contested unitary development plan. Tesco claims the plan leaves unclear the status of the former Vaux brewery site it owns and wants to develop.

Whitehall to tackle 'land-banking'

23 November 2007

Housing minister Yvette Cooper has indicated that the Government is looking at measures to crack down on developers hoarding land with planning permission.

Scottish planning authorities expected to prepare stragegies

23 November 2007

Planning authorities in Scotland will be expected to prepare strategies for protecting and improving open spaces under a policy launched by the Scottish Government last week to promote physical activity. Under Scottish Planning Policy 11, authorities will be required to consult with local communities in putting together open space strategies. SPP11 is available via www.regen.net/doc.

Quango may control local planning

23 November 2007

Town halls face losing planning powers to the new housing and regeneration agency under proposed legislation outlined last week.

Thames Gateway scheme given go-ahead

23 November 2007

A regeneration scheme in the Thames Gateway was given the go-ahead this week. Kent County Council approved developer Land Securities' planning application for Eastern Quarry, a 6,250-home brownfield scheme near Ebbsfleet. The council has secured £110 million of community facilities from the developer as part of the deal. See Thames Gateway supplement, p19.

Proposals for Code for Sustainable Homes

23 November 2007

Sixty-nine per cent of respondents to a government consultation support proposals to make the Code for Sustainable Homes compulsory. The code, which sets a national standard for sustainable housing construction, was introduced on a voluntary basis in April. A summary of responses is at www.regen.net/doc.

Super powers

By Richard Garlick

23 November 2007

Local authorities in growth areas: beware the super-quango.

David vs Goliath

By Karen Buck

23 November 2007

Councils will still make the decisions on many significant projects.

Builder of a new future

23 November 2007

John Callcutt's housing report says councils have to start compromising.