Latest news with #housingdevelopment
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Plan to reopen open cast mine in Wakefield village rejected
Plans to build 92 homes on a former colliery have been rejected due to coal needing to be extracted from the site the Yorkshire Mining Company planned to open cast around 10,000 tonnes of coal and 25,000 tonnes of clay at the former Whitwell Main site to the east of Streethouse village, near Wakefield.A total of 177 people and Featherstone Town Council objected to the plans over concerns for residents' health due to noise and dust from the open cast development was then turned down after government planning inspector John Dowset said it would "cause harm to the living conditions" of residents in the village. In his written decision after the developer's appeal, he said: "I have found that the site would not be a suitable location for new residential development and that the mineral extraction element of the proposal would cause harm to the living conditions of the occupiers of nearby residential properties due to noise."An officer's report added: "The application fails to demonstrate that the development will not contribute to, or be adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of noise pollution."Other objectors to the development said it would destroy wildlife habitats, lead to the loss of a public right of way and increase traffic in the there were 18 comments in support from residents who said there was a need for more homes in the village and it would boost the local economy. Wakefield Council originally refused an application by the company to carry out the work in 2022, according to the Local Democracy Reporting site was previously occupied by Whitwell Main Colliery, which dates back to the late pit closed in the 1960s and some open cast mining took place in the of the area then became scrubland after buildings on the site were applicant said the land was contaminated and old mine shafts had been proposals included capping off much of the site with soil following mineral extraction to make it safe for housing. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
New flats spark fears for Birmingham Jewellery Quarter's heritage
Plans to build more than 400 flats in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter have been recommended for approval, amid a row over the demolition of two industrial are seeking permission to build 422 apartments across four blocks, with residential courtyards and business space.A previously-approved scheme for the site had sought to retain 123 and 128 Northwood Street, but was "undeliverable" and no longer financially viable, a council report Jewellery Quarter Development Trust has objected to the revised plan and describes the proposed demolition of the buildings as "unacceptable and unnecessary", arguing they are key to the conservation area. Keeping buildings 'not viable' If approved next week, the development would take shape on land close to Newhall Street and St Paul's council report noted both buildings, dating to the early 20th Century, were "characteristic of the Jewellery Quarter's industrial history", but said: "It is no longer economically viable to retain them."Demolishing the buildings presented an opportunity to "deliver a viable, largely new-build scheme", the report said while the buildings were considered to be locally significant, they added: "Their complete loss would not in itself make the overall scheme substantially harmful."The proposed scheme, the report continued, provided "a significant amount of commercial floorspace", supporting the economic "vitality" of the area with space for creative and local concluded there were enough benefits, including regeneration of an important site and housing, to outweigh limited one, two and three-bed apartments would contribute towards the city's need for new housing, the report said, adding that the plan presented "an opportunity to unlock this otherwise unviable site for redevelopment".The proposals will be considered by Birmingham's planning committee on Thursday. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Plans to turn former Exeter police station site into housing
Plans have been submitted to knock down a former Devon police station to build more than 800 homes for university students and local people. The plans for Exeter's former police station, on Heavitree Road, would see the demolition of the existing buildings, with them replaced with a "mixed-use" development of purpose-built student accommodation and co-living refers to a development of small, affordable apartments with some shared facilities. The buildings to be knocked down also include the former magistrates' court on the latest application was a revised and redesigned version of one previously rejected by the city council. That application was refused in February 2023, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) passed by the city council, the development would have 414 co-living units and 399 units for students. Would-be developers said the revised plans addressed and resolved the key concerns raised. 'High-quality development' The development's overall impact had since been reduced, they said, creating "a high-quality development that better aligns with the character of the area".Instead of the previously proposed two large buildings, the new design features seven smaller ones, which are lower and take up less space. The blocks would now be between four and six storeys high, with the tallest ones on "less sensitive" parts of the new plans include a new public route through the site, as well as measures to minimise disruption to the environment, including more than 150 new trees being planted.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Wildlife trust criticises new biodiversity net gain proposal
A wildlife trust condemns the government's proposal to weaken biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements warning that it could "devastate local nature".The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) says the government's requirements for small and medium-sized housing developments will erode community wellbeing across the three was introduced to ensure that new developments leave nature in a better state than Executive of BBOWT, Estelle Bailey said: "This is an alarming and short-sighted proposal from a Government that just months ago promised to put nature at the heart of development." Under the government's new plans which is out for consultation, smaller development which make up 70% of all housing projects in England, could be trust said: "This would cause widespread damage to local wildlife, green spaces and community health." Ms Bailey explained that in the three counties smaller housing developments often take place near "treasured wild space" which is home to declining species like hedgehogs, bats and said: "Removing BNG requirements would not only jeopardise the survival of these habitats, without any obligation to restore or replace them, but it would also see generations to come living in dwellings devoid of nature." Currently, small sites are generally developments with nine houses or fewer, although the consultation is also looking at changing the rules for developments of up to 49 houses. If small sites are removed from BNG, potentially around 80% of demand for BNG units will be wiped out. Director of External Affairs and Land Recovery at BBOWT, Matthew Stanton said: "It tells communities that nature doesn't matter unless it's big or easy to quantify, which is the opposite of what we need during a nature and climate crisis.""Stripping BNG from small developments is a clear backward step that we urge the Government to reconsider," he added.A Defra spokesperson said: "This Government inherited a failed planning system that blocks infrastructure and does little for nature's recovery."We are fully committed to Biodiversity Net Gain and making it work even more effectively for developers and for nature."That is why our consultation explores easier, quicker, and cheaper routes for developers to deliver gains for nature." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Celebs like Jeremy Clarkson are ruining our Cotswold idyll: Chipping Norton locals say influx of famous names is causing 'ridiculous overdevelopment' as they condemn plans for 350 homes
Unhappy homeowners in trendy Chipping Norton have accused celebrities of wrecking their Cotswolds idyll - as they go to battle against plans for 350 new homes. The country town has become a magnet for tourists after the arrival of high-profile figures such as former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, ex-England captain Sir David Beckham, Lord Cameron, Jamie Oliver and Kate Moss. The portrayal of picturesque rural life in TV show Clarkson's Farm has been highlighted as helping to drive demand for housing while putting a strain on local infrastructure and public services. A new proposed development involving 350 homes comes close to Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm and has sparked a backlash from locals saying patience is running thin. Long-term residents have claimed that while Chipping Norton might suggest the promise of a glamorous lifestyle, the reality of living there can be starkly different. And while some fans of Clarkson's Netflix series say they were attracted to moving to the area because of it, some admit they are now regretting their decisions - with complaints that 'there is literally nothing to do'. Jane Hancox and Clare Webb, twin sisters born and raised in Chipping Norton, called the latest housing project an example of overdevelopment driven by the area's newly lofty status. Ms Webb, 49, who works as a cleaner with her sister, said: 'I think Clarkson is good in the way he's bringing money in - but the thing is, the prices are going up. 'There isn't the infrastructure to cope with all the new people coming.' Ms Hancox, 49, said: 'We have had new houses built up the road from us and all we smell is sewage because the sewers can't take it. 'It has got worse over the years with all the houses and people coming through. The roads are not big enough, it has got ridiculous. The traffic is a nightmare. We can't even get to the doctors. 'I've met people who have come up from London and said it's more expensive here than there. 'In our village, the affordable houses were meant to be for people from the village but most have gone to strangers.' The latest proposed development would see three fields next to the town's historic cricket club be turned into hundreds of new homes. Rainier Developments has submitted a scoping report to West Oxfordshire District Council in advance of the potentially 350-home planning application. Also neighbouring the site is another development, of around 90 homes and infrastructure that was approved by the council in 2023. This comes after plans to build more than 100 homes outside Chipping Norton were approved in April from developer Gleeson Land's - despite more than 100 objections. Among the concerns was an increase in traffic, strain to road and sewage systems and the loss of good agricultural land. Scott Sumners, 56, a bricklayer born and raised in Chipping Norton, said celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson were ruining the experience of living in the town. He added: 'We didn't have any troubles 20 years ago. There's still a lot of nice people but there's so many tourists. It can get a bit rowdy out here on a Saturday night. 'I was walking my dog across the road one day and I overheard a couple say they had travelled from Scotland to come and see the town. There's nothing here.' Mr Sumners said he once met Clarkson at the town's petrol station and witnessed an altercation with another resident. He added: 'A man went up to him and said 'hello Jeremy', but he just replied 'That's Mr Clarkson to you'. 'I didn't like that. There's no need to be rude.' The appetite for property in the country town has soared since the arrival of celebrity residents Residents say they like the relative lack of hustle and bustle in the town - but that could change if plans to build nearly 400 new homes are approved Some fans of Clarkson's Netflix series say they were attracted to moving to the area because of the show - but are now regretting their decisions - with complaints that 'there is literally nothing to do' Bianca, a resident living near the proposed Rainier development, said she was a big fan of Jeremy Clarkson and had moved to Chipping Norton three weeks after watching Clarkson's Farm. She added: 'I moved here because of Jeremy but I'm probably going back to London. There's literally nothing here. 'I feel like I probably didn't do enough research. I probably should have stayed here in a hotel for a week first to see what it was like.' Other tourists visiting the town also bemoaned the lack of amenities and things for people to do. Andy Goodyer, a tourist visiting from South Derbyshire, said: 'It's rubbish here - we prefer the Peak District.' Mr Goodyer, 57, who owns a recycling business, added: 'There's millions of tourists coming in, but it's not because of Jeremy. 'I think he's supporting farming in general. I'm sure it's bringing good economics to the area.' David Smart, 76, a tourist in Chipping Norton, said he had been disappointed by the attractions available to visitors. Mr Smart, a retired postman from Northamptonshire, said: 'We were going to go and see the farm and the pub but apparently you can't go in. 'I saw the farm is called Diddly Squat. That about sums it up.' The fourth season of Clarkson's Farm hit Amazon Prime Video last month, with viewers introduced to the 65-year-old eponymous star's new farmhand. Full-time farmer and nurse Harriet Cowan, 24, stepped in to help the former Top Gear presenter while Kaleb Cooper was away, temporarily, on a nationwide talking tour.
