Latest News in West Midlands

City sets sights on increased core size

Central Birmingham could grow by up to tenfold as part of Birmingham City Council's Big City Plan, which was issued late last year.

Telford picks project team

A team of consultants has been appointed by regeneration company Transforming Telford to draw up plans to create a mixed-use quarter in the heart of the town.

David Lock secures Northampton work

David Lock Associates (DLA) has won a design contest run by the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation to draft a masterplan for Northampton's waterside.

Planning Appeal Casebook

DC Casebook: Commercial and Industrial - Pigeon lofts fail green belt policy test

The retention of buildings for breeding and keeping thoroughbred racing pigeons in the Staffordshire green belt has been denied permission on the basis that they harm the area's openness.

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.