Latest news with #Lichfields
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dudley Council rushed local plan 'to avoid new rules'
A tough examination of Dudley Council's plans for borough development started with claims it was rushed to avoid new regulations. Government planning inspector Louise Nurser will hold six days of hearings throughout June to assess the Dudley Local Plan. During the first session at Dudley Council House on June 10, the inspector told participants representing the council, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust and the construction industry, she could either approve the plan, reject it but say it could be improved or throw it out completely. READ MORE: 'Disruption' warning as key short cut near M6 closed until Autumn READ MORE: The killer Midlands gang members who brought violence and death to our streets Read more: Dudley 'has enough brown field land' for building as local plan hearings start Read more: See which Midland council is set to approve felling dangerous trees She added: "I am here to examine the plan on behalf of the secretary of state to make sure it is sound and legally compliant, I am not here to make it better." Carl Mellor, Dudley Council's head of planning, told the inspector the plan was supported by robust evidence. He said: "The new local plan builds on adopted policies and plans and provides sustainable development and protects the borough's natural and historic environment. "The plan provides a sound and positive strategy for the borough." Discussion on the plan will be split into separate sessions to delve into the details and how it was formulated first on the agenda. In their submission to the hearing, planning consultants Lichfields on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey pointed out the plan was prepared under rules which have been superseded. The consultant says under the new framework, Dudley's plan which promises 10,470 new homes, is 13,821 homes short of what will be needed. Developers complained Dudley rushed the plan through using a framework which allowed them to avoid including greenbelt to provide land for the extra homes. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here Myles Wild-Smith, from Lichfields, said: "It was a politically motivated push to get it over the line, the plan will not last a year before it is undermined by appeal or speculative applications." Peter Goatley KC, for Dudley Council, told the hearing the framework used for the plan meant it was not necessary to release greenbelt land and the council intended to protect it.
Business News Wales
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Planning Consultancy Expands Team as it Marks 25 Years in Cardiff
Planning Consultancy Expands Team as it Marks 25 Years in Cardiff Rising demand for housing, infrastructure and energy projects across Wales has driven continued growth at Lichfields' Cardiff office, which this year marks 25 years in the capital. The team of 17 planning professionals is one of the largest planning teams in Wales, currently advising on major schemes across the housing, education, commercial, retail, tourism and energy sectors. The Cardiff office has steadily expanded since its launch in 2000, growing in both team size and scope of work. Its planning professionals bring a mix of public and private sector experience, enabling the office to advise on everything from strategic land promotion to detailed site delivery. Recent projects include the regeneration of Central Square and Central Quay in Cardiff, the delivery of Plasdwr, Cardiff's flagship garden city, and work for the Welsh Government on the strategic site at Slade Lane in Haverfordwest, where proposals for affordable housing are being brought forward. In the education sector, Lichfields is advising on net-zero further education colleges in Rhoose and Barry for WEPCo and Cardiff and Vale College, now under construction with Bouygues UK. The team also continues to support clients in the energy sector, including Welsh Power and Pulse Green Energy. Andrew Cockett, Senior Director and Head of Lichfields' Cardiff office, said: 'We're seeing strong demand for planning advice across housing, education and energy as Wales responds to changing infrastructure needs and economic pressures. Our role is to help clients bring forward sustainable, commercially viable projects in that context.' Tourism and leisure have remained a consistent area of work for the Cardiff team, supporting long-standing clients such as Bluestone and Haven, alongside town centre regeneration and mixed-use development projects across Wales. Looking ahead, Lichfields expects further activity to be driven by the infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and shifting patterns of land use in city centres and surrounding areas. The broad remit of the Cardiff team including planning, economics, design and Environmental Assessment has enabled the team to work with a wide variety of developers, investors, government bodies and contractors. Andrew added: 'With public sector resources under pressure, planning work increasingly depends on close partnership between consultants, clients and local authorities. We're continuing to develop the team to meet that demand and support future growth across Wales.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Streetscape improvement funding scheme deadline extended
FRESH plans for a Pembrokeshire holiday park extension have been submitted after a high court judgement overturned a council approval against repeated officer recommendations for refusal. In late 2023 councillors approved a contentious application by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd for works including the installation of 48 bases for holiday lodges, a spa facility at a former pub, holiday apartments, a café and cycle hire, equestrian stables, a manège and an associated office at Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley/Stepaside. It was said the scheme, next to the historic remains of the 19th century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, would create 44 jobs. The final decision was made at full council after members of the planning committee had twice supported the scheme against officer recommendations of refusal, based on the Local Development Plan, included the site being outside a settlement area. Approval was given, by 37 votes to 16, with two abstentions, as it was considered that greater weight should be afforded to economic benefits of the scheme rather than policy. Since that approval, a successful legal challenge was launched by Stepaside & Pleasant Valley Residents' Group (SPVRG Ltd), who had objected to the original application. A March High Court hearing presided by Judge Jarman KC recently ruled against the council decision, quashing that approval, and saying 'the reason given by the council did not deal adequately with the important principal issues of development in the countryside, sustainability and precedent'. It added: 'Nor did it deal adequately with the important principal issue of the extent to which detrimental impact on existing sites was or should be taken into account when weighing the economic benefit of the proposed development. The economic assessment of the interested party expressly dealt with the latter, but not the former.' It said the 'major departure from countryside and sustainability policies is likely to have a lasting relevance for the question of policy in future cases,' and the 'council's resolution [was] simply to endorse the resolution of the planning committee, which predated the fuller report of the head of planning to the council.' A fresh application has now been submitted by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd, through agent Lichfields, which is identical to that previously approved, aimed at addressing issues raised in the recent judgement. In its lengthy submissions, Lichfields says 'it is clear that members can reach a decision that is contrary to the development plan without setting a precedent'. It adds: 'However, given that there remains a conflict with the plan policies, there is also a need to consider the nature of the 2024 scheme that comprise unique circumstances that mean that the decision would not set a precedent.' Listing a long list of 'unique circumstances' reasons, it says: 'Together the application offers a unique development which, when considered in its entirety, is a bespoke offering that means that there are specific reasons why the proposed development at Heritage Park should be granted and that in doing so, this will not be setting a precedent for future decisions.' It finishes: 'The council has already granted planning permission for the development with members having grappled with many of the issues raised in the judgment. We would welcome the council reaching the same decision while also setting out the requirements raised in the judgment as part of the reasons for granting planning permission. 'This will ensure that there can be no further delays to the delivery of the proposed development and investment being made at Heritage Park while supporting the wider economic development and community offer for the local area and Pembrokeshire as a whole.' Amroth Community Council has once again objected; councillors proposing the scheme be 'called in' for decision by Welsh Government organisation Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). The latest application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
North Wales Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Luxury holiday lodge and glamping pod plans near Bangor rejected
Luxury Lodge Group Ltd, through the agent Helen Ashby-Ridgway (Lichfields). had submitted revised plans to erect 25 holiday lodges and four glamping pods at Coed y Wern, Ty Gwyn at Glasinfryn, near Bangor. Plans for a development at the site were first submitted in 2018 and this application had been deferred for a site visit on April 28. The plans noted that 'Zone 5' of an earlier proposal had been removed 'to avoid a more ecologically sensitively area' and the number pods had been reduced from 11 to four. But that failed to sway Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee who voted to reject the scheme, against officer's recommendations to approve. Local member Cllr Beca Roberts told the meeting it went 'beyond what was considered a 'small' development. She urged rejection based on 'over-development, the 'busy, dangerous road,' insufficient public transport, community and landscape impact, traffic and noise, and 'not being a suitable location,' noting there were already approximately 100 luxury cabins at Ogwen Bank at nearby Bethesda. It offered 'no guarantees' over jobs and profits 'would go straight to the Luxury Lodge group's HQ in Manchester,' and create 'no net benefits' locally, she said. TOP STORIES: Companies linked to new Anglesey development site owners enter administration Man crashed into ex-wife's car on Anglesey after 24-year marriage ended Man crashes into ex-wife's car on Anglesey after marriage ended Gwynedd woman refused breath test after driving wrong way on A55 for 10 miles Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones proposed rejecting. He felt the site was 'too large, and brought no positive elements' but would bring visual impact and residential disturbance. Cllr Gareth Jones added 'these are going to be large cabins, 25 of them, three bedroomed spaces for at least two families, with two or three cars to each one.' He felt it was 'over development and over provision'. 'Pentir Community Council had concerns over the size and impact on local residents. The estate is very close and will affect their amenities,' he said. 'There will be loss of trees, woodland. I'm not sure how ancient they are, but they are very beautiful trees, it's a real shame to fell so many for cabins. 'Over 5000 have objected by email, I have not seen that kind of thing since being a councillor.' Cllr Elin Hywel added 'we need to protect our communities, noting ' so many have objected'. But Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones was in favour, saying the site was 'concealed, and she felt there was 'a need.' 'People like to come out and stay in woodlands and forest places. I couldn't see a problem with the road, I think it will bring benefits to the area.' Following a public consultation, previous objections had highlighted impact on trees, loss of ancient woodland, biodiversity, flooding, traffic, road safety, excess of holiday units, impact residents, over-development, over-tourism, and effect on local communities and Welsh language. In 2018, Pentir Community Council was concerned at the development's size and impact on the Bro Infryn estate and over traffic and road safety. In 2023, Llandygai Community Council had recommended refusal based on 'more than sufficient' holiday accommodation in the area,
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Luxury holiday park bid in ancient Gwynedd woodland thrown out by planners
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A bid to build a holiday park in ancient woodland, which generated 5,000 objections, has been thrown out by planners. Luxury Lodge Group Ltd, through the agent Helen Ashby-Ridgway (Lichfields). had submitted revised plans to erect 25 holiday lodges and four glamping pods at Coed y Wern, Ty Gwyn at Glasinfryn, near Bangor. Plans for a development at the site were first submitted in 2018 and this application had been deferred for a site visit on April 28. The plans noted that 'Zone 5' of an earlier proposal had been removed "to avoid a more ecologically sensitively area" and the number pods had been reduced from 11 to four. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday But that failed to sway Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee who voted to reject the scheme, against officer's recommendations to approve. Local member Cllr Beca Roberts told the meeting it went "beyond what was considered a "small" development. She urged rejection based on "over-development, the "busy, dangerous road," insufficient public transport, community and landscape impact, traffic and noise, and "not being a suitable location," noting there were already approximately 100 luxury cabins at Ogwen Bank at nearby Bethesda. It offered "no guarantees" over jobs and profits "would go straight to the Luxury Lodge group's HQ in Manchester," and create "no net benefits" locally, she said. Cllr Berwyn Parry Jones proposed rejecting. He felt the site was "too large, and brought no positive elements" but would bring visual impact and residential disturbance. Cllr Gareth Jones added "these are going to be large cabins, 25 of them, three bedroomed spaces for at least two families, with two or three cars to each one." He felt it was "over development and over provision". "Pentir Community Council had concerns over the size and impact on local residents. The estate is very close and will affect their amenities," he said. "There will be loss of trees, woodland. I'm not sure how ancient they are, but they are very beautiful trees, it's a real shame to fell so many for cabins. "Over 5,000 have objected by email, I have not seen that kind of thing since being a councillor." Cllr Elin Hywel added "we need to protect our communities, noting " so many have objected". But Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones was in favour, saying the site was "concealed, and she felt there was "a need." "People like to come out and stay in woodlands and forest places. I couldn't see a problem with the road, I think it will bring benefits to the area." Following a public consultation, previous objections had highlighted impact on trees, loss of ancient woodland, biodiversity, flooding, traffic, road safety, excess of holiday units, impact residents, over-development, over-tourism, and effect on local communities and Welsh language. In 2018, Pentir Community Council was concerned at the development's size and impact on the Bro Infryn estate and over traffic and road safety. In 2023, Llandygai Community Council had recommended refusal based on "more than sufficient" holiday accommodation in the area. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
