Latest news with #planning
ABC News
a day ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Federal Group wants 'independent assessment and oversight' of Macquarie Point stadium
Daniel Hanna I think we always thought this would be the final process. Obviously, we had a debate not that long ago about referring the stadium proposal to the Project of State Significance and the Planning Commission. So we put in submissions in good faith. And yeah, I certainly believe probably the process should continue. I think we need some independent assessment and oversight of this proposal. Obviously, we've got quite a number of concerns about what is proposed for the stadium at Macquarie Point. I want the opportunity to hear them and think they should be independently assessed. David Reilly So to be clear, you feel like this overriding legislation that's been proposed or that's been supported, that's already been tabled and supported by both Labor and Liberal, we're expecting after the election, you feel that that is the wrong approach, Daniel Hanna? Daniel Hanna Yes, absolutely we do. I've had a good look through that draft legislation, which was previously tabled. And there obviously was a consultation process. We put in a submission to that, but we had a lot of concerns. I mean, effectively that draft legislation, if anyone can have a look at it, I'd encourage them to do so. Really what that took away was all of the, for example, the appeal rights for any third party. It would override any piece of legislation, anything in the planning scheme, and also would give the Minister of the Day absolute discretion to make amendments at any time. So really there's, we thought all of the usual protections that neighbours and other parties have would be overridden. And it's, I don't think a good piece of legislation at all. David Reilly So opening submissions today, you're not due to give evidence, I think for a week or so, is that right? But what's the gist of what you'll be telling the commission? Daniel Hanna Yeah, look, we're appearing next week and we'll be making our submissions. Obviously we put in a comprehensive submission to the TPC and we'll be making submissions along those lines. I mean, we've got a number of concerns and certainly some of the more general ones are around this. We believe this stadium is just, what's proposed is in the wrong location. It's in a heritage zone. We, as a private sector operator and investor, have developed in good faith, complying with the existing Sullivan's Cove planning scheme, which represents a lot of those heritage values. And we just don't think a 55 metre tall stadium of the bulk and height that's proposed is appropriate right to the edge of Evans Street. And it will forever change what is a beautiful maritime heritage zone that's valued by Tasmanians and visitors. David Reilly Well, also, of course, valued by your company, it does push up pretty closely against some of your own accommodation assets. Exactly what's in that area that Federal Group currently owns and operates? Daniel Hanna So we own and operate the Henry Jones Art Hotel and the facilities that surround the Henry Jones. We've also got the Mac One Hotel, both on the waterfront. Clearly the Henry Jones is probably the most impacted. If you look at that iconic vista, I guess, from the docks from Mures over towards Hunter Street and the Henry Jones, it really is one of the iconic images in Tasmania. Unfortunately, with the stadium that's proposed, we'll have a massive structure looming right over the top of Henry Jones, right to the edge of Evans Street. We've also got some other very direct concerns around the stadium during construction and operation in that location. And that goes to things like getting access, for example. We believe Evans Street will be closed a significant proportion of the time during construction and then operation. And that's how our guests, our staff and our suppliers can all access our hotels. We're very concerned about access. We're also concerned about other things, yeah, noise, lights and shadowing, and parking as well, to be frank. David Reilly We've had a couple of people asking about this Mac 2.0, the Stadium 2.0 proposal, backed by Dean Coleman and of course, former Labor Premier, Paul Lennon. One text are asking, is it true that Federal Group is behind Stadium 2.0? Now it's sort of gone off the boil a little bit, this project, but is that still your preference, that site? Daniel Hanna Yeah, look, that would still be our preference. I think it deals with a lot of the heritage issues that we've got concerns about. So I would certainly encourage whenever we run over this election and we have a new government in place to consider that proposal. But let me first of all, address the concern raised in that text. I can absolutely tell you that Federal is definitely not behind 2.0. David Reilly So not linked to 2.0 and Paul Lennon? Daniel Hanna No, we have nothing to do with that project. Obviously the proponents of that project have presented to us in the past as a company, many months ago. And we thought that that was a very good project, worthy of consideration, would address a lot of our concerns and is, I think, still worthy of consideration. We think it's a much better location and I think delivers a better bang for the buck.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Gloucestershire housing targets 'putting councils under pressure'
House building in Gloucestershire is increasing but councils in the county are concerned the government's targets are too this year the government released proposed housing targets for each local council in England to meet as part of their pledge to build 1.5 million homes by the end of the councils such as the Cotswolds and Stroud have found it difficult to find places for new properties."The reality is the planning landscape has changed significantly," said Juliet Layton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning at Cotswold District Council. Recently the Hunts Grove phase four on the outskirts of Gloucester was approved, adding 620 homes to more than 1,000 already Tewkesbury and Cheltenham more than 4,000 homes have been approved at Elms between Sharpness and Berkeley, outline planning permission is being sought for 2,750 plans also include a primary, secondary school and a railway station. The Labour MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher, said the planning process "simply takes too long in this country". "I think it's essential we build houses for young people and young families in this area, because there's a real lack of housing and that has all sorts of repercussions," he added. "Local people are having to move out of the area, whereas they want to work and stay in the area."Dr Opher has been speaking with government transport bosses around improvements to junction 14 of the M5, which has been cited as one of several issues holding up the approval of Stroud District Council's local plan. "The area that can be developed is limited because we've got the flood plain of the Severn on one side and the area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the other," he added. "This has taken so long to do this. Four or five years of waiting for housing developments, when local people are desperate for new houses to move in to."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Planning application fees in Guernsey to rise by 17%
The cost of putting in a planning or building control application will rise by 17% from 30 an email sent to agents, the Director of Planning for the States of Guernsey, Jim Rowles said the Development and Planning Authority (DPA) agreed to the increase in response to "inflation and to truly reflect the cost of the service being provided".According to latest data, inflation in Guernsey currently sits at 4.2%.Mr Rowles added in the email that the approach was in line with guidance from the Policy and Resource Committee to "make sure that costs are met by those who use the service rather than being funded by other taxpayers who may never use the service". 'Not entirely fair' Planning and building control fees last rose in 2024 by 7.3%.Officials said the service was looking into how AI and other technology could improve efficiency. Chris Crew, senior planning consultant at law firm Collas Crill, said he was "surprised" by the increase and would have liked to have seen an explanation of how the figure of 17% came Crew added it was "not entirely fair that all of the costs of delivering the system be placed on applicants" but that he understood the States wanted "to make services supported by those who are using them".
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Developer sets out new details for 475-home estate near Hinckley.
Developers have unveiled further details of their plans for an estate of 475 homes on the outskirts of Properties intends to build the homes north of the A47 Normandy Way and east of Stoke scheme was given the go-ahead by a government inspector in 2024 after Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council refused it planning a new application has been submitted for the site laying out the development's finer details. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the latest documents did not provide any information about a potential new primary school, for which land has been set Properties' new planning application said there would be a mix of one-bed maisonettes, bungalows and flats and larger developer has said it would deliver at least 95 affordable properties. A number of children's play areas and green spaces, including three parks, are also included in the plansThe developer has said that "the vision for the site is to provide a new living environment of the highest standard".
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on planning in Ireland: vital clarity must be restored
An Coimisiún Pleanála was quietly ushered into existence last week. The Minster for Housing, James Browne, formally established the body which has taken of the role of An Bord Pleanála, the previous appeals body for planning applications. It had lost the confidence of the public and the previous government amidst serious governance failures and lengthy planning delays. The establishment of the new commission comes as a worrying sense of drift envelopes this Government's efforts to address the seemingly intractable shortage of housing. The lengthy gestation of the new body is in itself evidence of a seeming lack of urgency. The Planning and Development Bill which created it was was first brought before the Dáil in November 2023, but was only passed by the Oireachtas last October. That was an inexcusably long time, even allowing for committee debate. It took another six months for the minster to commence the section relating to the planning commission. Many other measures remain to be commenced. The costs of such delay are clear for all to see. The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office - published last Friday - show that residential construction activity is falling. READ MORE Paul Reid, a former head of both Fingal County Council and the Health Service Executive has been appointed chairman of the governing body of the new commission. He would seem well qualified to meet the challenges of leading the new body. The biggest is restoring public, political and industry confidence in the speed and clarity of the planning process which rightly carries much of the blame for the housing shortage. The new statutory targets that have now been set for decisions on planning cases including critical infrastructure projects for transport, water, grid and energy as well large-scale residential developments , need to be met. For that to happen the new body will have to get the resources it needs when it needs them. If it doesn't, then the new commission risks being seen as little more than old wine in a new bottle.
