Latest news with #Lichfields
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans unveiled for 70 affordable homes on former County Durham industrial site
A housing association has announced a proposal to redevelop a former industrial site in County Durham to address the growing need for affordable housing. Believe housing wants to transform 2.77 hectares of disused land on the North East Industrial Estate, off Armstrong Road, in Peterlee, into a community with 70 new affordable homes. The plan, made in collaboration with planning consultant Lichfields and regional housebuilder Oaktree Living, includes eight bungalows and 62 houses, all with private gardens and parking, that would be available for social rent or affordable home ownership. The proposal is being shared with neighbouring residents for feedback. Further details and an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed development, by Wednesday, July 23, can be found at This feedback will help shape the final proposal before a planning application is submitted to Durham County Council. Tom Winter, assistant director of development at believe housing, said: "Our nearby Weavers Close development has been very popular, providing the high-quality affordable homes people deserve. "However, more homes are needed, and we believe this site is perfect for development. "We aim to deliver energy-efficient, affordable homes that are healthy and affordable to run while regenerating this eyesore site, which has been vacant for more than two years and is no longer needed for industrial use. READ MORE: Rare breed of horse cherished by the late Queen joins Bishop Auckland theatre show Town to step out in style for ball in memory of 'much-loved' Grace and Wendy Plans to transform Grade II-listed church into housing, offices, and gym approved "The site is well-positioned for access to amenities and employment opportunities in Peterlee, as well as Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, and beyond. "If approved, this project will improve lives, enhance the area, support local infrastructure, and boost local jobs and businesses during construction." Building work could start next year, if planning permission is approved and government funding towards redevelopment costs is secured.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plan for new energy storage system in Solihull village revealed
Residents don't have long left to have their say on a plan for an energy storage system in a Solihull village. Grenergy Renewables UK wants to develop 3.73 hectares of land in Benton Green Lane currently in agricultural use. The plan is for the Berkswell site to have a system which can store electricity to be used during fluctuations or in the event of a blackout. READ MORE: Solihull road could be safety upgrade 'special case' after two kids hit by car Get the latest court and crime news direct via our WhatsApp community here In a planning, design and access statement, included with the application, planning agent Lichfields says the site would include up to 56 battery containers, 14 power station units and a substation. The statement says: 'The proposed development would store excess energy and, in doing so, provide a short-term reserve power supply to the local electricity grid. 'It would also act as a fall-back energy source at times when sources of renewable energy and the grid are reduced or do not generate sufficient electricity to meet demand. 'The proposed development would meet a recognised national need for this type of development.' The planning agents argue the site is grey belt - low quality green belt which allows development - but say if council planners don't share that judgment 'very special circumstances' exist to allow building on the green belt land. The statement adds: 'The proposed development will deliver on national and local energy objectives and planning policy and benefit the local community by ensuring a stable energy supply is available. "Any potential harm to the green belt and inappropriate development is clearly outweighed by the economic, social and environmental benefits of delivering this scheme. 'Planning permission should be granted for this essential piece of renewable energy infrastructure.' As the Local Democracy Reporting Service recently reported a similar scheme on green belt land at Burton Green Farm went before council planners and was given the go-ahead on the basis there were special circumstances to allow it. Applicant for that scheme, Conrad Energy (Developments), argued it would help prevent blackouts similar to the one suffered in Spain earlier this year. The Benton Green Lane application was submitted to Solihull Council on June 6 and residents can now have their say. To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/01145/PPFL at https// The closing date for consultation submissions is Wednesday, July 9.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stepaside holiday park plans on hold over water quality concerns
A decision on plans to expand a Pembrokeshire holiday park will have to wait due to concerns over water application by Heritage Park in Stepaside for new buildings, lodges, cafe, stables and a spa was originally approved by Pembrokeshire County Council in the High Court overruled the decision in March, when a judge said the council had not adequately addressed issues over "development in the countryside, sustainability and precedent".A new application was submitted but has been paused by planners after unfavorable water quality conditions were found in the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Bay Marine Special Area of Conservation. It was claimed the expansion of the holiday park, next to the remains of the 19th Century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, would create 44 council had approved the scheme, by 37 votes to 16, with two abstentions, after members of the planning committee supported the proposals, against officer recommendations for economic benefits were found to outweighed the concerns, based on the Local Development Plan, which included the site being outside a settlement successful High Court challenge was launched by Stepaside and Pleasant Valley Residents' Group, who had objected to the original application. The latest application, submitted by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd, aims to address the issues raised by the court its lengthy submissions, planning agent Lichfields suggested members of the planning committee "can reach a decision that is contrary to the development plan without setting a precedent".The agent described the application as a "unique development" which would create a "bespoke offering", adding there were "specific reasons why the proposed development at Heritage Park should be granted" without setting "a precedent for future decisions".Amroth Community Council has objected to the scheme again and the application was recommended to be refused at Tuesday's planning meeting. However, members of the committee were told no decision could be made on the application due to recently reported unfavourable water quality in the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Bay Marine Special Area of Conservation, which many of the schemes under the planning authority's jurisdiction discharge were told the authority's planners were still digesting the information, and interim advice from Natural Resources Wales said it would be "potentially unsound" to make any decision before sufficient information was application will return to a future committee. This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dudley Council rushed local plan 'to avoid new rules'
A tough examination of Dudley Council's plans for borough development started with claims it was rushed to avoid new regulations. Government planning inspector Louise Nurser will hold six days of hearings throughout June to assess the Dudley Local Plan. During the first session at Dudley Council House on June 10, the inspector told participants representing the council, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and the construction industry, she could either approve the plan, reject it but say it could be improved or throw it out completely. READ MORE: 'Disruption' warning as key short cut near M6 closed until Autumn READ MORE: The killer Midlands gang members who brought violence and death to our streets Read more: Dudley 'has enough brown field land' for building as local plan hearings start Read more: See which Midland council is set to approve felling dangerous trees She added: "I am here to examine the plan on behalf of the secretary of state to make sure it is sound and legally compliant, I am not here to make it better." Carl Mellor, Dudley Council's head of planning, told the inspector the plan was supported by robust evidence. He said: "The new local plan builds on adopted policies and plans and provides sustainable development and protects the borough's natural and historic environment. "The plan provides a sound and positive strategy for the borough." Discussion on the plan will be split into separate sessions to delve into the details and how it was formulated first on the agenda. In their submission to the hearing, planning consultants Lichfields on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey pointed out the plan was prepared under rules which have been superseded. The consultant says under the new framework, Dudley's plan which promises 10,470 new homes, is 13,821 homes short of what will be needed. Developers complained Dudley rushed the plan through using a framework which allowed them to avoid including greenbelt to provide land for the extra homes. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here Myles Wild-Smith, from Lichfields, said: "It was a politically motivated push to get it over the line, the plan will not last a year before it is undermined by appeal or speculative applications." Peter Goatley KC, for Dudley Council, told the hearing the framework used for the plan meant it was not necessary to release greenbelt land and the council intended to protect it.
Business News Wales
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Planning Consultancy Expands Team as it Marks 25 Years in Cardiff
Planning Consultancy Expands Team as it Marks 25 Years in Cardiff Rising demand for housing, infrastructure and energy projects across Wales has driven continued growth at Lichfields' Cardiff office, which this year marks 25 years in the capital. The team of 17 planning professionals is one of the largest planning teams in Wales, currently advising on major schemes across the housing, education, commercial, retail, tourism and energy sectors. The Cardiff office has steadily expanded since its launch in 2000, growing in both team size and scope of work. Its planning professionals bring a mix of public and private sector experience, enabling the office to advise on everything from strategic land promotion to detailed site delivery. Recent projects include the regeneration of Central Square and Central Quay in Cardiff, the delivery of Plasdwr, Cardiff's flagship garden city, and work for the Welsh Government on the strategic site at Slade Lane in Haverfordwest, where proposals for affordable housing are being brought forward. In the education sector, Lichfields is advising on net-zero further education colleges in Rhoose and Barry for WEPCo and Cardiff and Vale College, now under construction with Bouygues UK. The team also continues to support clients in the energy sector, including Welsh Power and Pulse Green Energy. Andrew Cockett, Senior Director and Head of Lichfields' Cardiff office, said: 'We're seeing strong demand for planning advice across housing, education and energy as Wales responds to changing infrastructure needs and economic pressures. Our role is to help clients bring forward sustainable, commercially viable projects in that context.' Tourism and leisure have remained a consistent area of work for the Cardiff team, supporting long-standing clients such as Bluestone and Haven, alongside town centre regeneration and mixed-use development projects across Wales. Looking ahead, Lichfields expects further activity to be driven by the infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and shifting patterns of land use in city centres and surrounding areas. The broad remit of the Cardiff team including planning, economics, design and Environmental Assessment has enabled the team to work with a wide variety of developers, investors, government bodies and contractors. Andrew added: 'With public sector resources under pressure, planning work increasingly depends on close partnership between consultants, clients and local authorities. We're continuing to develop the team to meet that demand and support future growth across Wales.'
