Latest news with #PlanningInspectorate
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Thrapston solar farm rejection appeal dismissed
An appeal into the rejection of plans for a major solar farm has been dismissed by the Planning proposed facility at land south of Wood Lodge Farm near Thrapston would have covered 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the appeal was lodged after North Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning the government's Planning Inspectorate has dismissed the appeal saying it would have a "significant effect" on the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Special Protection Area. The applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 group Staunch, which fought against the appeal, said it was an "exceptional effort" to have it said in a social media post it would "continue to object to developments that are inappropriate for the location but, likewise, support sensibly sorted renewable energy that will be needed to support future".In the Planning Inspectorate's report following the appeal hearing it said it would "lead to the loss of foraging habitat for sufficient numbers of qualifying species" within the Special Protection Area (SPA).Planning inspector Philip Major said "the need for renewable energy is accepted and is of significant weight" but added issues with the SPA and the lack of mitigation meant the appeal was developer had been contacted for comment. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Sycamore Gap yob facing jail and being kicked out of his home
Daniel Graham is facing years behind bars when he is sentenced at Newcastle crown court for the crime which shocked millions. He has been told he has to find 'other accommodation' One of the Sycamore Gap 'morons' who chopped down arguably the most famous tree on the planet is about to lose his home as well as his freedom. Daniel Graham is facing years behind bars when he is sentenced at Newcastle crown court tomorrow for the crime which shocked millions of nature lovers. In the run up to his 'moronic mission', Graham, 39, was locked in a bitter planning dispute with his local council. He was issued with an enforcement notice by Cumberland Council for his home and business premises at Millbeck Stables on the edge of Carlisle, Cumbria, within Hadrian's Wall 's UNESCO World Heritage site 'buffer zone'. Now he has been told that he has until October 28, 2025 to find 'other accommodation'. That is almost certain to be prison for Graham and his co-accused Adam Carruthers. But the decision means Graham will have no home to come back to when he is released from his sentence. A Cumberland council spokesperson said: 'A decision was taken to uphold the council's enforcement notice. We are now bound by the conditions from the Planning Inspectorate. 'Mr Graham has six months from the date of the decision to find other accommodation, which is October 28, 2025. If he doesn't comply, we will consider our position at that point in time.' Graham had a grudge against authorities who rejected his bid to live near Hadrian's Wall. He had made an application for a 'Lawful Development Certificate' in 2022. Residents and planning officials from Beaumont Parish Council, a remote Cumbrian rural community, told how they felt threatened by Graham's 'dominant and oppressive behaviour'. The council rejected his retrospective bid to live on the site of his Millbeck Stables and warned he faced eviction. In a 'decision and reasons report', Graham was told that the application was 'far beyond a replacement dwelling' as he had claimed. One of the reasons for objecting to his plans was because of its proximity to Hadrian's Wall. "The application site is located approximately 100m south west from Hadrian's Wall vallum and within the World Heritage Site's buffer zone," the documents state. Locals said heavy plant vehicles were regularly going in and out of the property with several 'near misses' on the rural roads. A neighbour in the village, Grinsdale Bridge, close to Graham's home, said: "Every reasonable complaint he received about this monstrosity he built was met with threats and aggression." A large burial plot, apparently for a dead horse, can be seen from the gates to the property, decorated with lions' heads. A final letter of refusal was made in April, 2023. The Sycamore Gap tree was felled little more than five months later. Several locals objected to his application to live on the site, and believe his rage against authority may have been part of his motivation for the crime.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dorchester Town Council's solar panel plan rejected
A town council's application to install solar panels on the roof of its Grade II listed building has been turned Town Council applied to put a total of 13 solar panels on 19 North Square, its 19th Century mid-terrace building, but saw an application rejected by Dorset applied to have that overturned by the Planning Inspectorate but that also dismissed the town council was told the proposal, if approved, would "fail to preserve a listed building and its special interest, would harm the settings of those nearby, nor preserve the character or appearance of the [Dorchester Conservation Area]". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Public can have say on latest oil drilling update
A campaign group is urging residents to have their say on the latest stage of a long-running legal battle over oil drilling in the Lincolnshire Wolds. The decision to approve an oilfield in Biscathorpe was quashed in July last year following a Supreme Court judgement after a claim had been brought in by SOS Biscathorpe. Last year, justices at the Supreme Court said emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites. The public have until 28 July to submit their opinions on further information submitted by the developer, Egdon Resources, on the potential climate impact of burning extracted oil. Mark Abbott, chief executive officer at Edgon Resources, said the company had submitted an assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions at the request of the Planning Inspectorate. The documents can be viewed on the planning applications portal on Lincolnshire County Council's website. The application for an oil well at Biscathorpe was initially refused by Lincolnshire County Council in 2021, but the company successfully appealed it before it was taken to the High Court. SOS Biscathorpe, which has been fighting the plans for years, said the development "delivers almost nothing for national energy security, while threatening the integrity of one of Lincolnshire's most treasured natural areas". Mr Abbott said: "Although we are in transition away from fossil fuels, we are still highly reliant on oil and gas for transportation, heating our homes and running our businesses." According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Egdon Resources previously said it could potentially extract 6.5 million barrels of oil over 15 years at the site. People wanting to submit their opinions can do so by writing to the Planning Inspectorate using the Planning Inspectorate Portal on its website, a document on the appeal application stated. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Wolds oil drilling plans quashed in landmark ruling Oil drilling decision questioned at High Court 'National need' for oil justifies drilling decision Decision still awaited on oil drilling appeal Biscathorpe oil drilling appeal Planning Inspectorate Egdon Resources SOS Biscathorpe Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
10-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Flats in Luton must be demolished, says Planning Inspectorate
Flats created at a former office block were converted without planning permission and some of them need to be demolished according a Planning Inspectorate Investments Ltd converted Shire House in Luton into 109 residential flats in Council said the development was "substandard" and the government's inspectorate has now said the three two-storey structures on the site, on Dallow Road, must be taken down. A spokesperson for Devonhurst said "the option to remove the central block of 28 units was a viable solution". A Luton Council spokesperson said the Planning Inspectorate's decision represented a partial outcome for both sides which "strikes a difficult balance – removing the worst aspects of the accommodation while safeguarding families who have made this place their home"."While planning permission has been granted for the change of use of the site and the retention of 81 residential units, permission was refused for two buildings that were found to provide wholly unacceptable living conditions," they said."These blocks – around 28 units – must now be demolished within 17 months.A spokesperson for Luton Council said the inspector's decision "strikes a difficult balance – removing the worst aspects of the accommodation while safeguarding families who have made this place their home". In April 2022, Luton Council issued an enforcement notice saying the three two-storey structures built on the land, behind the outer brick structure, did not have planning said the buildings had "inadequate access to natural light, ventilation, and poor outlook available" to residents who were mostly placed there by local authorities in the decision notice, the government's planning inspector said the 81 units within the retained buildings in the outer section could remain as residential this was subject to various conditions including putting in landscaping, a play area, cycle parking spaces and waste/refuse storage areas. Former Big Brother contestant Trish Balusa, who used to live in the block with her autistic son, said hearing that some of it would have to be taken down was the "best news"."This win feels so personal because I know from my own experience how traumatising living there was," she said. Luton Council said it was "currently reviewing and digesting the decision to ensure we can support the residents affected". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
