Information Links
Planning Resource
Main Navigation
Environment
News and in-depth coverage of environmental issues and the effect of climate change on town planning.
Page Title RSS feedEnvironment News
Planning inspector backs application for green belt shale gas exploration
A planning inspector has approved plans for exploratory shale gas drilling in the green belt near a Derbyshire village.
New NPPF may favour development in unsustainable locations, says RTPI
The focus in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on the speed of housing delivery may favour development on 'remote locations' reliant on cars, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has said in its response, published this week, to a government consultation on air quality.
Fresh European Court ruling on habitats assessment 'further raises bar' for applicants, says expert
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a ruling which confirms a recent landmark European court ruling on habitats regulations assessment (HRA) and, according to a legal expert, sets a 'higher bar' for applicants seeking consent in cases where mitigation measures seek to compensate for harm to a protected site.
Build small reactor schemes on existing nuclear sites, says government advisory body
Locating new small nuclear reactor projects on existing nuclear facilities would help to 'de-risk the planning and public consultation processes' associated with such developments, a report by a government advisory body has said.
Government now faces six legal bids to block Heathrow expansion
A total of six applications have been lodged at the High Court to overturn the government's Airports National Planning Policy Statement (NPS), after environmental charity Friends of the Earth announced that it has launched a legal bid against the document.
Mining firm secures High Court hearing over Javid's Northumberland coal mine refusal
A judge has granted permission to a mining firm to seek a judicial review of a secretary of state decision to refuse its plans for an opencast mine in Northumberland on grounds that included the scheme's impact on climate change.
Latest Environment Opinion
Why NSIP route for shale projects may not ease consents process, by Angus Walker
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is consulting on whether, and if so how, shale gas or fracking projects - which term you prefer seems to indicate whether you are for or against them - should be brought within the Planning Act 2008 regime as a new type of nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP).
In age of austerity, US-style philanthropy could help save parks, by Cliff Hague
Sack staff, cut pay, close libraries, sell off assets. Local authorities across the UK have got the austerity message.
Legal Viewpoint: Mitigation measures excluded from habitat screening stage
A European court ruling has overturned the UK position that planning authorities may take mitigation measures into account in determining whether an appropriate assessment is required under the Habitats Regulations.
The battle over the third runway at Heathrow airport is far from finished, by Richard Garlick
The government has taken an important step by publishing its airports national policy statement (NPS), supporting the construction of a third runway at Heathrow.
- Town Planners with 5+ years’ experience | N. Birmingham | Accessible location Lewis Davey North Birmingham, West Midlands
- Planning Consultant | Oxfordshire | £35,000 - £60,000 Lewis Davey South Oxfordshire
- Major Projects Planner Bassetlaw District Council Worksop, Nottinghamshire
- Planning Development Manager Bassetlaw District Council Nottinghamshire
- Northern Arc Strategic Development Manager Mid Sussex District Council Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Environment In Depth
Policy Summary: Government moots permitted development right for shale gas exploration
POLICY: Permitted Development for Shale Gas Exploration.
Policy Summary: What the airports national policy statement means for Heathrow and beyond
POLICY: Airports National Policy Statement: New Runway Capacity and Infrastructure at Airports in the South East of England.
How EU court's ruling on habitats could affect neighbourhood plans
Neighbourhood planning groups may face further delay and expense in drawing up supporting material to show that policies will not harm key wildlife sites, experts suggest.
Policy Summary: Consultation on Clean Air Strategy to update law and boost local authority powers
POLICY: Draft Clean Air Strategy 2018.