Latest News in North West

Residents fail in High Court bid

Residents from Derker, Oldham, have failed in a High Court bid to save their homes from demolition under the government's pathfinder initiative.

Parking levy idea mooted in light of road toll defeat

Workplace parking levies will be favoured over congestion charging by councils bidding for government funding, a sustainable transport expert has claimed.

Colliery area plan lined up

Four of Northumberland's most depressed coalfield villages are set for a revamp as part of a £25 million regeneration plan.

Planning Appeal Casebook

DC Casebook: Retail Development - Green belt shelter secures approval

An open-sided extension to the rear of a garden centre in the Cheshire green belt has won support from an inspector who decided that the appellants had demonstrated the very special circumstances needed to overcome its inappropriate nature.

In Depth

Skill push gains impetus

Ministers have recognised the need to plug the skills gap in response to a select committee report but still have some way to go to sell planning as a career, Domenic Donatantonio finds.

Legal Report - Claimants struggle with meaning of promptness

Last October's Court of Appeal ruling in Finn-Kelcey v Milton Keynes Council and MK Windfarm Ltd [2008] has reopened the old chestnut of the time limit for issuing judicial review proceedings.

Transport pace-setter

MVA Consultancy chief executive Nigel Ash believes that the transport planning sector will continue to thrive and his firm expand despite the worldwide slowdown, Vicki Shiel reports.

Rocks and hard places

Despite the current downturn, economic resilience and job creation can still be pursued without setting aside vital planning objectives for sustainable development, Liane Hartley argues.