Latest news with #PlanningAct
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Minister dampens optimism over Wexford SETU campus – ‘I'm not aware that there's money ready to go for this'
A legal challenge taken by the principal landowner against Wexford County Council's compulsory purchase of lands at Ballynagee – stretching from Whiterock to Killeens – was rejected at the High Court, clearing the way for the local authority to move forward with the purchase and plans for the establishment of a new South East Technological University (SETU) campus. However, in a questionable performance on South East Radio's Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran on Thursday morning, Minister Lawless rowed back on previous assurances given by predecessor, Tánaiste Simon Harris, regarding funding for the campus and stated that it was still a long way off becoming a reality. Initially the Minister seemed poorly briefed on the cause of the latest delay and the outcome of the latest court proceedings. 'It's good news that it was refused in court,' he said. ' A judicial review was taken. It's one challenge with building infrastructure like this, there's always someone can object. That is there right, but it's not their right to hold up society for a number of years. The process is too slow. We're trying to address that with the Planning Act. I'm not making a comment on this particular case in saying that, however.' In this instance, of course, it was not an objection but a challenge to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) taken by landowner Mr Scott Mernagh. Additionally, the purchase had not been subject to a full judicial review. Mr Mernagh's application to take this action was refused by the High Court. The Minister then stated that 'the ball is back with Wexford County Council' who he imagines will move 'full steam ahead' with the CPO. He also spoke of a need for 're-engagement' between SETU and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). However, the most worrying aspect of Minister Lawless' interview came when the subject of funding was broached. On several occasions, Tánaiste Simon Harris gave assurances that money would be in place for the construction of a 'state-of-the-art college campus' as soon as the acquisition of the site was completed. 'The state is not in the habit of purchasing assets to leave them lying idle,' he said at the time. However, having taken over the role of Minister for Higher and Further Education from Patrick O'Donovan in January, Minister Lawless was not quite so definite. 'I don't promise money,' he said. 'My own approach has always been 'steady as she goes' . ADVERTISEMENT 'If the right proposal comes in, I'd be hopeful that the funding will be there, but I think we're putting the cart before the horse to talk about money before we even have a proposal on the table. Let's see what's proposed first and then we'll look at the money.' When host Alan Corcoran pointed to the numerous assurances given by the Tánaiste, Minister Lawless was non-committal. 'I'd have to go back and look at it,' he said. 'I'm not aware of what promises were made. I don't know if any money was ring-fenced or not. I'm not aware that there's money ready to go. That would be premature. The CPO process held things up, but the council is in a position to progress that at this stage.' When asked if this is still some way off from becoming a reality, Minister Lawless responded: 'I'll tell you straight. I've come into this department and this is a project on the list, but there's no site, no plan and no planning permission. It is probably a bit off still at this stage, being honest. SETU need to come into the HEA with a full spec plan. 'I will make this a priority and I will work with the players involved, but colleges are autonomous. The college is welcome to come to the HEA with plans and we will engage and discuss them. There'll be parts we'll agree on and parts we won't agree on. 'Let's see where this goes,' he concluded. 'I think, though, it would be premature to make promises regarding funding on a site that is not even owned yet.'
ITV News
02-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Norfolk villagers angry after letter says their homes could be 'required' for East Pye solar farm
A great-grandmother has told ITV News she feels "overwhelmed" after dozens of residents in her village received a letter saying their homes "may be required" by a solar farm developer. The East Pye Solar Project would see more than 2,500 acres of countryside across 100 fields in south Norfolk turned into one of the UK's biggest solar farms, affecting villages including Hempnall, Saxlingham and Tasburgh. Proposed last year, it would power around 115,000 homes and a statutory consultation will begin this summer. But 89-year-old Yvonne Davy and dozens of fellow residents have received a letter from developer Island Green Power's lawyers which has left them "alarmed". The letter, from firm Dalcour Maclaren, said East Pye Solar Ltd believe they may have an interest in the residents' land or property, which could be "required for the project". Ms Davy told ITV News Anglia she was "absolutely appalled" to receive the letter, which she feels implies residents' property could be acquired. The great-grandmother, who has solar panels on her roof and drives an electric car, said: "I thought, they'll get my property over my dead body, which is a bit extreme but it would really damage me a great deal. "I'm just overwhelmed by it, really." The project is deemed to be of national significance, meaning the final decision will be made by the Planning Inspectorate. That could give the developer the power to compulsory purchase land, but they have said their intention is to deliver the scheme without doing that. "It left me feeling unsettled": Rob Setchell spoke to Hempnall residents who received the letter The parish council said residents felt "harassed" after residents were also contacted on their personal mobile phones. David Hook, chairman of Hempnall Parish Council, told ITV News Anglia the power to compulsory purchase property and land is "a very worrying thing". He said: "Everyone should love the countryside, it's a precious national asset. "We should be protecting it, not destroying it. "It's everybody's legacy." Island Green Power said: "East Pye Solar will be undertaking Land Interest Questionnaires (LIQ) to identify people and organisations that have a legal interest in land or property that may potentially be impacted by the Scheme. "This is a statutory obligation under the 2008 Planning Act and is routine for helping to identify those with legal interest in land. "Completing land referencing questionnaires allows these stakeholders to be consulted on the Development Consent Order (DCO) application and ensures they receive formal notification such as when the Scheme is accepted for examination." It said East Pye is crucial for meeting climate targets to triple solar power by 2030. Around three quarters of people who responded to the first local consultation last autumn were against the plan.
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Stouffville May Escalate Push to Open Protected Lands for Additional Housing
● Stouffville's Council will debate a proposal June 4 requesting expanded housing permissions on Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt lands from the Ontario government. ● The recommendations encourage the Province to allow two Additional Residential Units (ARUs) per rural property. ● Currently, ARUs are restricted in key environmental zones like Oak Ridges Moraine Natural Core and Linkage areas and the Greenbelt's Natural Heritage System. ● Staff say expanded ARUs could support multi-generational living, affordable housing, and secondary income for rural residents. ● Critics have condemned such expansion of development permissions, saying they threaten conservation efforts. ● The report also recommends broader reforms to conservation area governance, including streamlined processes for minor amendments and expansion of land uses. ● If approved, the Town will submit the request to Provincial ministers and circulate it to other affected municipalities. Stouffville is weighing a bold step that could reshape housing rules on some of Ontario's most protected lands. On June 4, Council will debate a proposal to formally ask the Province to ease development restrictions within the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt. A report prepared in response to a February 2025 Strong Mayor directive from Mayor Iain Lovatt recommends the Province amend both the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) and the Greenbelt Plan to allow for up to two Additional Residential Units (ARUs) on Stouffville's rural properties. The proposed request would build on Council's April endorsement of a resolution from the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, which urged the Province to generally amend restrictions preventing property owners on Oak Ridges Moraine lands from building ARUs. Under Ontario's Planning Act, an ARU refers to a second or third self-contained living space. These units can be located within a primary residence or in a detached accessory structure and are permitted on properties with a detached, semi-detached, or townhouse-style home. The proposal would apply across all land designations within the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt, including the Moraine's Natural Core and Linkage areas, and the Greenbelt's Natural Heritage System, where ARUs are currently prohibited. Each ARU would function independently, with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, and would be required to meet all applicable building and fire code standards. 'The majority of the Town's rural residents are unable to utilize Federal and Provincial incentives to build even a single ARU,' the report explains. 'Allowing for ARUs more broadly would accommodate multi-family residential units on the same lot, allowing older residents to stay in their homes longer, and allow younger families to live in their own units and save money to afford their own home.' 'ARUs can also provide a source of secondary income and contribute to the provision of more affordable housing options within the Town,' the report adds. The recommendations seek to align ARU permissions in the conservation lands with the recently adopted Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 (PPS 2024). That policy document permits up to two ARUs per lot in prime agricultural areas, but only outside protected conservation plan boundaries. This allowance would come with some conditions. When two units are proposed, at least one must be located within or attached to the main home. Guidelines stipulate that ARUs must not interfere with farm operations and must be supported by suitable water and sewage infrastructure. Units must also be of 'limited scale' and situated close to existing homes or farm buildings to avoid unnecessary loss of agricultural land. The Staff report does not advise specific size or scale limits for new accessory structures intended for the ARUs. Instead, it recommends the Province provide general guidance to ensure new development remains appropriately scaled and compatible with the area's rural and environmentally sensitive context. 'Given the environmental sensitivity associated with lands within the Provincial plan areas, it may also be appropriate to include additional development criteria for permitting ARUs to ensure the objectives of the ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan are maintained,' Staff explain. In addition to size considerations, potential criteria could include setbacks from key natural heritage and hydrologic features, as well as vegetation protection zones. 'My Strong Mayor directive was catalyzed by a number of residents facing intergenerational housing inequity who struggle to support their families due to Provincial policy limitations,' Lovatt said in comments to Bullet Point News. 'With a municipality made up of 90% protected lands, reasonable reform is required to address the challenges Stouffville families are facing.' 'This directive does not seek to eliminate protections of the Greenbelt or the ORM, rather it seeks to allow specific permissions at a local level to address our unique realities,' he added. Critics, however, remain opposed to expanding housing and development permissions within the protected areas. The Greenbelt Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 organizations that describes itself as a 'watchdog and defender of Ontario's innovative Greenbelt,' has recently raised concerns about the growing push for ARUs from municipalities within the ORMCP area. 'It takes unwavering vigilance to protect the Greenbelt. Most municipalities think their land is unique. A protected landscape can't be piecemealed by political flow everywhere,' they wrote in an April 13 post on X. Bullet Point News reached out to the umbrella group for comment on the Staff report but did not receive a response by deadline. Beyond ARU permissions, the report proposes a series of broader land use policy reforms intended to update governance within the conservation areas. These changes are designed to grant municipalities greater flexibility in addressing local planning needs. Staff recommend that the Province establish a process for municipalities to make minor amendments to the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt plans without triggering a full provincial review. They also call for a more efficient and clear method for evaluating whether prime agricultural lands can be reclassified as rural. Further recommendations include expanding permissions for small-scale commercial, industrial, and institutional uses within the Greenbelt Plan and ORMCP, and enabling the development of public service facilities—such as fire stations, community centres, and parks—in areas where such development is currently restricted. Town Staff are also requesting a formal process for settlement area expansions into the conservation plan zones where justified by local municipalities. The report calls for the Ontario government to 'expedite the review of these Provincial plans, as opposed to waiting until the mandated 10-year review (anticipated by 2027), to establish a consistent planning framework and ARU permissions across the province and help facilitate the development of needed housing.' If endorsed by Council next week, the Town would submit its request to Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the Ministers of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Red Tape Reduction. The report would also be circulated to other municipalities within the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt areas. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
West Australian
26-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie scraps $1bn Rockhampton wind farm
A $1bn wind farm project in central Queensland has officially been scrapped after Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie used ministerial powers to refuse the development application. The Moonlight Range Wind Farm, proposed by Greenleaf Renewables, was to include 88 turbines and a large battery energy storage system spanning 24 parcels of land at Morinish, about 40km west of Rockhampton. The project aimed to generate up to 450 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 260,000 homes annually. Despite receiving state planning department approval in December last year, the project was called in for reassessment by Mr Bleijie in January. More than 500 submissions were received - including 142 from local residents - during a two-month public consultation period, with 88 per cent of respondents opposing the development. Key concerns included pressure the 300 expected construction workers would put on accommodation, inadequate community consultation, environmental risks, and potential bushfire hazards. Mr Bleijie said the rejection reflected a new approach requiring renewable energy projects to meet the same rigorous approval standards as major developments in other industries such as mining and agriculture. 'If communities support these projects, they will go ahead,' Mr Bleijie said. 'But 88 per cent of local residents opposed the Moonlight Range Wind Farm proceeding. 'We believe renewable energy projects should have the same community buy-in as other sectors.' The project had promised 300 jobs during construction and about 10 ongoing positions once operational, with construction slated to start in 2026. However, community opposition proved decisive. Member for Mirani Glen Kelly, who campaigned against the project, said community concerns had been listened to and considered as part of the approval process. 'The voices of regional Queenslanders who host these projects in their backyard are an important state interest and are finally being heard,' Mr Kelly said. 'These large-scale developments impact on local infrastructure, people living and working in these communities and also the natural environment. The wind farm would have connected to the nearby 275kV Powerlink transmission network to distribute clean energy. However, with the refusal now official, the project will not proceed. Under the Planning Act, the minister's call-in decision cannot be appealed.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Shock move on $1bn wind farm
A $1bn wind farm project in central Queensland has officially been scrapped after Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie used ministerial powers to refuse the development application. The Moonlight Range Wind Farm, proposed by Greenleaf Renewables, was to include 88 turbines and a large battery energy storage system spanning 24 parcels of land at Morinish, about 40km west of Rockhampton. The project aimed to generate up to 450 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 260,000 homes annually. Despite receiving state planning department approval in December last year, the project was called in for reassessment by Mr Bleijie in January. The Moonlight Range Wind Farm, proposed by Greenleaf Renewables, was planned to include 88 turbines and a large battery energy storage system spanning 24 parcels of land at Morinish, about 40 kilometres west of Rockhampton. NewsWire/Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia More than 500 submissions were received - including 142 from local residents - during a two-month public consultation period, with 88 per cent of respondents opposing the development. Key concerns included pressure the 300 expected construction workers would put on accommodation, inadequate community consultation, environmental risks, and potential bushfire hazards. Mr Bleijie said the rejection reflected a new approach requiring renewable energy projects to meet the same rigorous approval standards as major developments in other industries such as mining and agriculture. 'If communities support these projects, they will go ahead,' Mr Bleijie said. 'But 88 per cent of local residents opposed the Moonlight Range Wind Farm proceeding. 'We believe renewable energy projects should have the same community buy-in as other sectors.' A $1 billion wind farm project northwest of Rockhampton has been officially cancelled after Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie used ministerial powers to refuse the development application. Dan Peled / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia The project had promised 300 jobs during construction and about 10 ongoing positions once operational, with construction slated to start in 2026. However, community opposition proved decisive. Member for Mirani Glen Kelly, who campaigned against the project, said community concerns had been listened to and considered as part of the approval process. 'The voices of regional Queenslanders who host these projects in their backyard are an important state interest and are finally being heard,' Mr Kelly said. 'These large-scale developments impact on local infrastructure, people living and working in these communities and also the natural environment. The wind farm would have connected to the nearby 275kV Powerlink transmission network to distribute clean energy. However, with the refusal now official, the project will not proceed. Under the Planning Act, the minister's call-in decision cannot be appealed.
