5 steps on getting and keeping an environmental permit
Step 1 – Let’s Talk! Before you start the process of applying for planning permission and an environmental permit and as such start to spend money you should first review the activity you wish to undertake at your site. In … Continue reading
The ever changing face of planning law
The government has decided that changes to the planning system are to play a key role in revitalising the economy. In particular the provision of more housing and the opportunity to enable more development (and by implication generate work for … Continue reading
Decision Based on Evidence Means Planning Application Fails
When a local authority refused to approve a plan to build a 19-turbine wind farm on a peat bog near Swansea, the applicant – energy giant Npower – appealed. The planning appeal was dealt with by way of an inquiry. … Continue reading
Neighbourhood Planning takes a stumble…
Neighbourhood Planning takes a stumble… Dawlish Town Council had been designated by the government as one of the pioneering groups of local representatives to be in the vanguard of the Neighbourhood Development Plan projects. Chosen as on of the 17 … Continue reading
Streamlining Heritage Planning…but only in England
The draft Enterprise and Regulatory Bill was presented to Parliament on the 23rd May 2012. One of its key aims is the “reduction of legislative burdens”. To that end it proposes, amongst other things, to streamline some aspects of heritage … Continue reading
What a difference a day makes…
A recent case in the Court of Appeal has highlighted how important it is to stick to statutory time limits when challenging local development plan documents. Barker -v- Hambleton District Council [2012] involves the unfortunate tale of a trainee solicitor … Continue reading
Landfill Tax – Don’t Let It Bury Your Business!
A Brief issued by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) on 18 May 2012 has revealed two major clarifications to the rules governing Landfill Tax which will inevitably have a considerable impact on the waste industry. The first clarification states … Continue reading
Comply and be damned?
Environmental compliance, although a consideration, will not save you from the common law. The Court of Appeal held in the case of Barr and others v. Biffa Waste Services Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 312 that it is still possible for … Continue reading
Planning for Travellers
With the launch of the National Planning Policy Framework last week the governments new policy guidance on “Planning Policy for Travellers Sites” may have been overlooked. Given the news coverage given to sites such as Dale Farm at Crays Hill … Continue reading
Watch out for listed buildings
It has been announced in the news today that Cheshire is at the heart of a new initiative to help protect historic buildings and monuments. A new study commissioned by English Heritage has revealed the true extent of damage to … Continue reading
The National Planning Policy Framework - A Brave New World
The new National Planning Policy Framework was introduced with immediate effect yesterday by Mr Greg Clark MP, the minister for planning. It is claimed that this is a radical new approach to planning and in one move has removed over … Continue reading
Environment Agency sets up new taskforce
The Environment Agency has set up a new taskforce which will tackle illegal waste sites that blight communities. In December 2011, the Environment Agency announced the creation of a “specialist environmental crime taskforce”. The aim of this taskforce will be to … Continue reading