East Devon villages under threat
The unique rural nature of East Devon villages is under threat from new plans to build industrial units in, or near to, rural settlements.
Mary Portas review collides with supermarket domination plans
The retail guru, Mary Portas’ report last week to try and save dying UK high streets has been brought sharply into focus today, as this morning’s Guardian reports that the biggest supermarkets in the UK have plans for massive expansion in out of town areas.
NPPF: A spectacularly badly handled process
Today’s published report from the Department of Local Government and Communities had me musing on how appallingly the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) communications were handled by government ministers.
Select committee planning report widely welcomed
A report insisting that the Government must make significant changes to its controversial national planning reforms, has been welcomed widely by environmental groups, including key campaigner the National Trust.
National planning reforms to be published at Christmas
The planning blogosphere is alive with rumour that the reviled national planning reforms are to be published just four days before Christmas.
Environmental groups gear up fight on planning reforms
The National Trust prepares for its next fight against the national planning reforms, on the understanding that little will change…. good luck to them! The text below was part of a speech given last week by the National Trust’s chairman (and Guardian journalist), Simon Jenkins.
Hike in successful appeals could be linked to NPPF
Based on Planning Blogger, Andrew Lainton’s article
An unprecedented more than half of housing schemes rejected at local level were passed by the inspectorate, an effect of the government’s growth agenda.
Aylesbeare: Please have your say on 50 houses on 4 January
A proposal to build 50 houses at Aylesbeare may be creating a stir in the village, but plans can still be influenced at a meeting on Wednesday, 4 January.
Affordable housing debated at West Hill Local Plan meeting
Affordable housing proved to be the most topical and divisive subject discussed at last night’s West Hill Residents Association meeting, to debate a community response to East Devon District Council’s Local Plan.
Council considers green forum as our wildlife is threatened
East Devon District Council is considering my request for an Environment Forum, following my question at a full council meeting earlier this week.
Devon wildlife groups blast so-called ‘greenest Govt ever’
Taken from the Devon Wildlife Trust website. The story has been covered by BBC Spotlight today:
What an excellent initiative - I wish them every luck! The recent rhetoric from George Osborne and his colleagues is deeply worrying.
If you are concerned about this please contact our MP, Hugo Swire at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
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In a strongly worded letter to regional newspapers, the Chief Officers of all the West Country’s Wildlife Trusts, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB express their deep dismay at the plans revealed in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
Tipton appeal inquiry for 56 houses gets off to a good start
A public inquiry appeal against the refusal of an application to build 56 houses at Tipton St John, got off to a positive start yesterday, at the Knowle.
122 houses at Feniton unanimously refused
A controversial application to build 122 houses on high quality farmland at Feniton was unanimously rejected yesterday, by EDDC’s Development Management Committee (DMC).
15 houses at West Hill refused
A housing scheme, encompassing 10 affordable homes and five market value houses was refused yesterday by the Development Management Committee.