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News and in-depth coverage of environmental issues and the effect of climate change on town planning.
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PINS rejects Essex gas plant application over use of 'outdated' climate change data
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has said it cannot proceed with the examination of a gas plant in Essex because the planning application ‘fell below’ submission standards and failed to take into account the latest guidance on flood risk and climate change projections.
Stonehenge road tunnel survives High Court challenge over survey works
A bid to challenge a minister's permission for survey works to be carried out in relation to plans for a new road tunnel near Stonehenge, on the grounds that a government agency used the wrong legal powers to gain access to the land in question, has been dismissed by a High Court judge.
Go-ahead for 625-home York gas works redevelopment
Plans have been approved for the 625-home redevelopment of a former gas works site in York, despite the scheme falling short of local affordable housing targets.
Why Epping Forest Council's block on 100-plus housing applications due to air quality concerns is set to last for a while
Following Natural England concerns about the impact of new housing on air quality in a protected woodland, an Essex council has put the processing of more than 100 planning applications on hold, while the examination of its 11,400-home draft local plan has also ground to a half. Both the council and observers do not expect a solution to the planning impasse any time soon.
Government roads investment 'will unlock sites for hundreds of thousands of homes'
BUDGET 2020: A £27 billion investment in Britain's strategic road network, including funding for the Lower Thames Crossing and a tunnel running past Stonehenge, will 'unlock new areas for housing growth' and pave the way for 'hundreds of thousands' of new homes, the government has said.
Budget reveals 'biggest ever investment' in English strategic roads network
BUDGET 2020: The chancellor has announced what he described as the "biggest ever investment" of £27 billion in strategic roads and motorways, alongside the provision of additional loan money to assist councils in delivering local infrastructure projects.
Latest Environment Opinion
Why the country's biggest infrastructure projects have hit problems, by Angus Walker
With news that a third runway at Heathrow is being delayed, pretty much all the country's largest infrastructure projects are having problems of one sort or another.
Is biodiversity net gain currently allowable for NSIPs? By Angus Walker
The Environment Bill was published on 15 October. It contains a provision that every (with exceptions yet to be specified) new planning permission must include a condition that development cannot begin unless a "biodiversity gain plan" has been submitted and approved.
Legal Viewpoint: Relief and despair in court ruling on scheme revisions
In 1066, King Harald Hardrada won the Battle of Fulford before being beaten by King Harold at Stamford Bridge. In 2007, planning permission was granted for up to 700 houses on the alleged site and battle resumed, this time between the developers and the local parish council.
Joining up the climate emergency dots, by Catriona Riddell
In May this year the government declared a climate change emergency which was soon followed by many local authorities across the country declaring their own climate change emergencies.
- Senior Specialist – Local Plan (Principal Policy Planner) Maldon District Council Maldon, Essex
- Project Officer - Planning Exeter City Council Exeter, Devon
- Senior Planning Officers North Lincolnshire Council North Lincolnshire
- Planner- Principal Planner (Career Grade) London Borough of Bexley Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
- Forward Planning and Economic Growth Team Manager Mansfield and Ashfield Shared Service Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottingham
Environment In Depth
How the ruling rejecting Heathrow expansion will affect other projects and policies
Experts predict that last week's landmark Court of Appeal ruling on Heathrow expansion will have wide-ranging consequences for how climate change is treated by the planning system and potentially puts a series of projects and policy documents at risk.
The planning work needed now HS2's future has been confirmed
The government's announcement of support for the High Speed Two project after months of uncertainty signals the resumption of years' worth of determining applications for local authorities and opportunities for consultants, say observers.
How the Environment Bill will change the planning system: the Planning briefing
How the revised legislation will affect applicants and authorities. By Isabella Kaminski.
Need to know: Environmental planning commitments versus reality
Breaches of commitments can go unnoticed, and there is a widespread disconnect between promises made in planning and outcomes. By Dominic Woodfield.