East of England Report – October 2016
“The people have spoken, but it will take a while to determine exactly what they said.”
President Bill Clinton, 2001, on the confusion following the Bush/Kerry election…a sentiment that may be appropriate elsewhere.
The East of England and Brexit
By an overwhelming margin the East of England backed leaving the EU with just five of the region’s 47 council areas (Norwich, Cambridge, and St Albans amongst them) backing remain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36613698
Despite this the East of England office at Brussels will remain open for business. In the words of Essex County Councillor Kevin Bentley “the East of England is known for its entrepreneurship and growing business economy and it is important that our Brussels office is there to support them in trading with the EU in future”. http://eelga.gov.uk/news/brussels-office-has-an-important-place-for-the-eas/
Speaking at the Local Government Association conference soon after the Brexit vote, Minister Greg Clark said that Whitehall cannot be the “default destination” for powers returned from Brussels and that there has to be a “radically expanded role for local government”. He stressed that local government must be represented at the negotiation table. http://www.theplanner.co.uk/news/clark-confirms-that-local-government-will-be-part-of-brexit-talks
The Home Building Fund
The Government has set up the Home Building Fund with a kitty of £3billion loan funding to meet development costs of building homes for sale or rent. https://www.gov.uk/homebuildingfund Of this, £1.5 billion will consist of new loans, with the balance actually coming from existing funding streams. A new housing white paper is anticipated later in the year and the new Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid is also expected to announce a new scheme, ‘Accelerated Construction’ under which the Government will take direct action to build homes on Government land. http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/government-unveils-3bn-home-building-fund/7017039.article
The Housing and Planning Act 2016 – an attack on local democracy?
Writing in The Guardian, Harry Blain delivered his verdict on the recent Housing and Planning Act as a “direct attack on local democracy”. He declares that it is a far cry from Cameron’s former emphasis on localism, noting that the Act gives no fewer than 32 new powers to the secretary of state. He also points out that obliging local authorities to sell public housing at a discount may make it all but impossible for them to build replacements. https://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2016/aug/08/housing-planning-act-attack-local-government
The Green Belt
· Minister approves 129 homes in green belt at St Albans
In one of his last acts as Communities Secretary, Greg Clark approved proposals for 129 homes in the green belt at Bricket Wood overruling a previous rejection by St Albans City and District Council. The site includes mature parkland, a Grade II listed mausoleum and the site of an ancient Roman villa. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/336/residential_development_allowed_in_hertfordshire_green_belt
· Report (another) calls for relaxation of development in the green belt
In a 21st Century Green Belt the London School of Economics makes the case for a strategic approach to the green belt in which a limited number of corridors surrounded by ‘green wedges’ would be developed. Rather than piecemeal development of the green belt (to an extent permitted by the present regime) it proposes the building of settlements making more sense strategically and environmentally. The report proposes strategic development along corridors and suggests a ‘pioneer corridor’ running out to Cambridge. http://www.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/news/archives/2016/07/ReviewOfLondonsGreenBelt.aspx
The report repeats the well-worn criticism that much of the green belt is not particularly attractive or of great environmental merit. This is hardly new: Duncan Sandys – one-time Churchill son-in-law and Housing Minister responsible for the inception of green belts – was clear from the start: green belts did not have to be green or particularly attractive.
Neighbourhood Planning
· Government presses ahead with neighbourhood planning changes
In September DCLG published a response to a consultation confirming that it would press ahead with measures to make it easier for residents and businesses to come together to produce a neighbourhood plan. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementation-of-planning-changes-technical-consultation The changes place added pressure on local authorities by introducing together deadlines. So, councils will now a have five week limit to decide whether neighbourhood plans meet basic conditions and legal tests. http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/ministers-press-ahead-with-neighbourhood-planning-changes/7016675.article
· Consultation on implementation of neighbourhood planning provisions in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill
DCLG opened another consultation in September on the detailed regulations of the Bill. The proposed regulations will cover (1) modifying neighbourhood plans, (2) the examination of neighbourhood plan proposals where a neighbourhood area has been modified and a neighbourhood plan already relates to that area and (3) requirements for local planning authorities to review Statements of Community Involvement at regular intervals. The deadline for responses is 19 October.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementation-of-neighbourhood-planning-provisions-in-the-neighbourhood-planning-bill
· Appetite for Neighbourhood Planning in the East
While Neighbourhood Plans continue to reach fruition, there are doubts over the public’s real appetite. In July there were two votes in Broadland and both – like the vast majority of local referenda – passed. In Kilsby there was a respectable turnout of 50% whereas in Drayton the turnout was a mere 13%. Marden, Suffolk’s turnout in September was almost 25%. http://www.ourneighbourhoodplanning.org.uk/news/2016/09/27/AugustSeptember_2016_referendum_news
The five-year housing land supply conundrum
· Missing five year supply obliges Essex council to give green light to major development at Frinton-on-Sea
Tendring Council approved plans for 210 homes at Turpins Farm after planning officers revealed that the district council only had a 4.4 year supply. Councillor Nick Turner noted that 800 homes were being built within 2.5 miles of each other and that the planning committee was clearly worried “about the developer going to appeal.” A familiar problem; often of help to developers.
http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/News/14787257.210_homes_approved_at_Turpins_Farm/
· Norfolk rugby club makes way for 390 homes – lack of 5 year supply also a factor
In September, Javid approved a development in Wymondham, Norfolk on appeal as part of which the local rugby club would move to new purpose built facilities. The move will be funded by the development of 390 homes; 90 on the existing pitches and 300 on a second piece of land off Norwich Common. South Norfolk District Council was “obviously disappointed” by the ruling. Some rugby traditionalists who prefer muddy turf to all weather pitches may feel the same way. http://www.wymondhamandattleboroughmercury.co.uk/news/path_cleared_wymondham_rugby_club_s_vision_to_relocate_and_for_390_new_homes_1_4691455
Elsewhere in planning…….
· Land Registry sell off abandoned
In September the new administration announced that the Land Registry – in public hands since 1862 – would not, after all, be sold off. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/may-halts-controversial-plan-to-sell-off-land-registry-gm92kv7c0.
· Affordable Housing Exemptions for small sites: yes or no?
In early 2016 the Government reinstated rules exempting small housing developments from obligations to provide affordable housing. A Planning Inspector’s decision in September – concerning a proposed development of 8 dwellings in South Cambridgeshire – has thrown this into doubt.
The Inspector concluded that the Government’s policy concerning such exemptions needed to be addressed alongside local policy and that the development needed to comply with the local plan’s requirements concerning affordable housing. http://www.firstplan.co.uk/news/1190/
· Closure of military bases to make way for development
The Ministry of Defence announced the closure of 13 bases including RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire and Middlewick Ranges near Colchester. In part a drive to provide land for up to 17,000 homes, it is also testimony to the shrinking military (the army’s manpower is reduced to levels last seen before the days of Napoleon) and the Government’s need to raise money – this latest wave of sales is due to raise in excess of £200 million. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37287613
RAF Henlow is anticipated to close by 2020 and to become up to 780 homes. Middlewick Ranges is expected to house up to 2000 homes, but is not, currently, allocated for residential development in the local plan and is an area popular with dog walkers and as amenity land. http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ministry_of_defence_to_sell_middlewick_ranges_near_colchester_for_2_000_home_development_1_4686909
· Javid refuses major housing development in Essex
The minister refused planning permission for 800 homes in Elsenham and 700 in Dunmow. Campaigners against the proposed developments argued that the only viable solution to housing need is a brand new settlement. It was decided that the schemes would cause significant harm to the countryside and cause the loss of good agricultural land. The fact that the Uttlesford Distrcict Council was able to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply was significant. http://www.residents4u.org/2016/08/26/secretary-states-refusal-extensions-uttlesfords-existing-towns-villages-leave-new-settlement-viable-option-meet-housing-need-press-release/
· Javid also refuses 400 homes at Newmarket to protect racing industry
Javid ignored the Planning Inspector’s ruling and overturned the local authority’s approval for major residential development at Hatchfield Farm. The Secretary of State’s decision was swiftly criticised by local councillors who claimed that the “perception of damage to the horseracing has halted the delivery of 400 homes”. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/hatchfield-farm/story-29675875-detail/story.html
· New stadium in Luton
Luton Town Football Club have submitted an application for a new 17,500-seat stadium at the former Power Court site. http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/luton-town-football-club-submit-planning-application-for-new-17-500-seater-stadium-at-power-court/story-29609316-detail/story.html While Power Court is a brownfield site with concerns over contamination, the club has also applied for associated development on land just off the M1.
· Lakenheath homes go ahead despite concerns over aviation noise
Plans were given the go ahead for 375 homes and a school at Lakenheath in Suffolk by Forest Heath District Council who dismissed arguments concerning noise generated by flights paths. http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/plan-for-375-homes-and-school-in-lakenheath-is-approved-by-planning-committee-1-7505513 There are seven proposed developments around the village amounting to 1,465 homes. The 2011 census lists Lakenheath as having a population of 4,691.
· Supermarket punished over unauthorised expansion
South Cambridgeshire District Council has refused the Morrisons supermarket in Cambourne retrospective application after the supermarket expanded its retail area from 2,800 square meters to 3,200 square meters – without the appropriate permission. The council argued that they would be failing their objective to “create a diverse and vibrant High Street around the supermarket” if Morrisons were allowed to increase their retail area. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/morrison-s-store-in-cambourne-punished-by-south-cambs-district-council-over-planning-breach/story-29658916-detail/story.html
· Population increases
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics detail the increases in population in the East of England on a year-by-year basis since 1981 (4,855,000) to 2016 (6,076,500) – an increase of some 25%. https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/gor/2013265926/subreports/gor_pop_time_series/report.aspx? Statistics are also provided on a LEP by LEP basis.
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)
· Cambridge Milton Keynes Oxford growth corridor
Six LEPs including Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough, South East Midlands and Hertfordshire made a joint submission to the National Infrastructure Commission in response to the call for evidence supporting the ‘Growth Corridor’. Prepared by consultants Steer Davies Gleave, the submission called for full funding of East West Rail and a new East West A road “to open up areas for housing and better access to employment”. http://www.semlep.com/news/2016/cambridge-milton-keynes-oxford-growth-corridor/
· Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough LEP (GCGP)
As part of the Greater Cambridge City Deal proposals are being considered to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre. Measures include closing certain key roads at busy times. Public outcry has resulted in no less than 12,000 people signing petitions and demonstrations against the proposals. The executive board is due to meet to discuss the situation this week. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/what-to-expect-from-thursday-s-greater-cambridge-city-deal-executive-board-meeting/story-29802426-detail/story.html
GCGP has welcomed the outcome of the public consultation on devolution of certain powers from Westminster. Like all good consultations it was took place over July and August and showed the majority of people supporting the proposals. http://www.gcgp.co.uk/2016/09/consultation-shows-support-devolution/
Energy
· Inspector refuses wind-farm in West Norfolk on landscape grounds
Proposals for nine turbines on land between the villages of Terrington St Clement and Clenchwarton have been refused on appeal. The inspector made clear that the harm to the landscape character and visual amenity from the 127-meter high structures outweighed the significant contribution to the nation’s renewable energy needs. http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/west-norfolk-wind-farm-appeal-rejected-1-7517166
· Local authority buys £15million solar farm…but not the farm itself
Forest Heath District Council has just completed the purchase of a 17.5 hectare solar farm near Lakenheath, though not the land upon which the infrastructure sits. The council says that this will generate a significant return on its capital reserves which can otherwise not be spent. The 48,000-panel site is now the largest owned by any local authority in the country. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/15million_pounds_solar_farm_near_lakenheath_bought_by_forest_heath_district_council_1_4664967
Transport
· East West Rail http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk
The resurrection of the Oxford to Cambridge railway line inches forward. The Heartland Strategic Alliance’s submission to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) called for the Government to fund the full delivery of East West rail. It noted that while places such as Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge were amongst the fastest growing cities in the country travel between them is far from easy. It is anticipated that the NIC will submit its initial advice to the Government this autumn.
The central section, between Bedford and Cambridge is the most difficult and costly part of the route to reinstate as some of the land upon which the former track sat was sold. A corridor going through Sandy was announced as the preferred route in March 2016, while the Technical Summary Report – detailing strategic options considered for the central section – was published in July. http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/route-selection/
The much-delayed project was projected to open in 2017, then 2019 before being pushed back beyond 2024. Council leaders along the route are concerned that the project is no longer the “third most important” rail project in the country behind HS2 and Crossrail and that funding problems could be exacerbated by Brexit. http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-west-rail-no-longer-third-most-important-project-in-country-
· Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NNDR) – missing link to be filled?
Discussions have been held between Norfolk County Councillors and the Environment Agency and Natural England about completing the missing link from the NNDR to the A47. The link was previously ruled out because of the cost of crossing the River Wensum SSSI and its environmental impact. The lack of a link has been a running criticism of the NDDR. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/push_to_complete_missing_link_on_norwich_northern_distributor_road_and_join_it_to_a47_to_west_of_city_1_4600824