Latest news with #greenfield
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brackley housing estate development to go to planning inspector
A decision to build 700 homes on the outskirts of a market town will be made by the Planning Inspectorate following opposition from a local council. The plans for the homes, on 86 acres of greenfield in Brackley, Northamptonshire, were submitted by developers Ashfield Land and Vulpes Land. Ashfield Land said the housing estate would include public open spaces, allotments, an extension of Brackley Rugby Club, and access from Halse Road and the A422 Brackley Northamptonshire Council is opposed to the application. Councillors have not been able to agree the level of financial contributions the developer should make, known as a Section 106 agreement. The decision was referred to the Planning Inspectorate after the authority failed to issue a decision on the plans for four years, the Local Democracy Reporting Service council received more than 100 letters opposing the plans. Local people cited a lack of dentists, doctors and schools in the area, a loss of farmland and biodiversity and increased traffic. 'Enough is enough' Farthinghoe Parish Council, the Wildlife Trust and the Campaign to Protect Rural England also objected. Conservative councillor Fiona Baker said adding more houses would be "detrimental to the quality of life of the residents already in the town"."There's a mention of allotments and a rugby pitch. This is in no way compensation for the increase of a minimum of 1,400 people joining the area," she in the morning was already "like a mass exodus from the town"."I ask you to refuse this application, not because it's 'not in my backyard', but because enough is enough," she said they would work with the developers to secure appropriate Section 106 conditions, ahead of the appeal, due at the end of October. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'They want to concrete us over': Furious locals in one of Britain's most desired villagers say they are under siege from 10 different newbuild estates which will box them in and 'dismantle their society'
Locals from one of the best places to live in Britain fear plans for developers to build thousands of new homes on green field land could 'dismantle the fabric of their society'. Residents from Eccleshall, Staffordshire, are furious at the proposals put forward by four major developers, which will turn over 200 acres of green space into ten new estates. They claim the new homes would double their population, lead to a strain on public services and destroy the community. 'The infrastructure can't cope with it as it is. The sewage is overflowing, the schools are full, the doctors surgeries are full, and we're thinking of importing about another 1,500 houses,' explained Susie Clowes, who has lived in Eccleshall for 45 years. 'It's a fantastic place to live, the press have labelled it as one of the best places in the country to live and since then the developers have pounced like locusts. 'We have no car park in the town. It's just very sad that this wonderful agricultural land that we've got, Grade II agricultural land is being torn up for houses and we'll never get it back.' The key developers are Blore Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Muller Property Group and Bellway Homes, and if plans go ahead it could see the town grow four times in size. Blore Homes have said they would build a surgery and a school to help with the increased population of the area but residents fear it's an empty promise. Martin Peet told MailOnline: 'At the Parish Council surgery last week they said there's no promise of building a school at all, and there's no promise of a new surgery. 'Apparently what's happened is they've said "We'll locate you a piece of land". 'So Staffordshire Borough Council have got to find the money to build a new school, they haven't got the money.' If the building goes ahead, it is also likely that 40 per cent of the new homes will be classified as affordable or social housing - a notion that residents fear will 'destroy' Eccleshall. 'The fabric of Eccleshall society, will be totally dismantled,' Mr Peet added. 'Because 40 plus is going to be social, the whole dynamic will change. We will no longer have that village feel, it will be gone.' This year, Eccleshall was named one of the best places to live in Britain because of its 'village feel'. David Whitaker, 61, who has lived in Eccleshall for 10 years told MailOnline: 'This place is so nice it's no wonder they're developing, but it will ruin it. Stephen Harding (pictured), whose property will look over one of the developments where 500 homes are expected to be built said the proposal has led to sleepless nights Residents claim the new homes would double their population, lead to a strain on public services and destroy the community 'It's appalling, it's a lovely place, it hasn't got the capacity to cope with all the developing that's going on. 'It's going to take away the honesty of the place and the feel good factor will go. 'It can just about cope now with everybody living here.' But not every resident is opposed to the plans, Mollie Feeney, 22, thinks it could provide an opportunity for younger people to step onto the property ladder. 'I think it's positive that they're doing it,' Ms Feeney told MailOnline. 'I was a first-time buyer a year and a half ago and I know that it is more accessible when you buy in a newbuild. 'It does seem to be the older generation that are disapproving of the plans but I really feel it's a generational divide.' The proposed developments would border the town and bring vast amounts of footfall to the area. Christine Easter, 76, who has lived in the area for 45 years, told MailOnline: 'It's the shock of actually seeing the planning coming in for it on fields. 'They're too big, there's too many. We've already had three housing projects that have gone. When we moved in there were field behind us, now there's houses there. 'It will affect parking and the doctors and the schools aren't going to cope.' Stephen Harding, whose property will look over one of the developments where 500 homes are expected to be built said the proposal has led to sleepless nights. Mr Harding said: 'There's four big developers. If they have their way they'll concrete us to Stafford. 'There's been no offer of intended development of infrastructure from the council. The town is busted, its got as far as it can go. 'Gradually over the years the town has filled, filled and filled. We had a battle to have two windows on the side of our house, there's no consistency with what was allowed in the 80s and what's happening now.' But despite constant campaigning locals feel overlooked and Mr Peet feels more action needs to be taken. 'I've downloaded the rules for a referendum and it looks like we're going to have to go to a referendum. It's non-binding but it will send a signal out,' he told MailOnline. 'We don't want this, we can't cope. I rang last week for a doctors appointment and it was four weeks. The grids lift every time we have a bit of rain. 'All these sites on the periphery it will just mean two to three thousand cars will be going to Eccleshall everyday. 'Six years ago we had 950 houses now we have 15,000. To make Eccleshall four times the size it is today is wrong.' A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: 'Taylor Wimpey will deliver 150 new homes, 60 of which are affordable, as part of the proposed development for Eccleshall. 'Following a public consultation on our proposal, we have reviewed and incorporated, where possible, the feedback received to ensure it reflects the views of the wider community. 'The proposal includes a large area of public open space, which is currently private land, designed to include a park and village green for the benefit of both existing and new residents. 'All landscaping has been carefully considered to respect the Eccleshall Conservation Area and include new grassland and wildflower beds, native thicket, and tree planting to contribute to biodiversity gains on site.' A spokesperson for Stafford Borough Council said: 'We have not received any planning applications for hundreds of new homes in Eccleshall in the last few years.'
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, Saudi emerge as global investment giants in 2024
The UAE and Saudi Arabia emerged as global investment giants in 2024, ranking within the world's largest 20 capital importers and exporters. With foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of around $45.5 billion last year, the UAE was the 10th largest recipient of foreign capital in 2024. In its 2025 World Investment Report released at the weekend, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said Saudi Arabia was ranked 20th, with FDI inflow of nearly $15.7 billion last year. Both Gulf oil producers also emerged as among the top 20 capital exporters, with FDI flow from the UAE standing at $23.4 billion and that from Saudi Arabia at $22 billion. The UAE, the second largest Arab economy after Saudi Arabia, was also second only to the US in the number of announced greenfield projects, with 1,369 launched in 2024. Despite a global slowdown in greenfield project growth to 0.8 per cent, the UAE posted a 2.8 per cent increase, with announced greenfield project capital reaching $14.5 billion. Key sectors driving this growth include software and IT services (11.5 per cent of total greenfield project value), business services (9.7 per cent), renewable energy (9.3 per cent), coal, oil, and gas (9 per cent), and real estate (7.8 per cent). UAE Investment Minister Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi has attributed the high inflows to strategic reforms and long-term policy direction. 'The UAE's investment ecosystem has become a global model, thanks to its stability, transparency, trade openness, and ease of doing business,' he said recently. UNCTAD's report showed FDI flow into the UAE and Saudi Arabia accounted for nearly 83 percent of the 2024 capital flow into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which also groups Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. FDI flow into the GCC totaled around $73.5 billion last year, up from $67 billion in 2023. Flow out of the six members rose to $58.5 billion from $52 billion in the same period. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Gulf Business
20-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
UAE ranks 10th globally for FDI in 2024, attracts record Dhs167.6bn
Image: WAM/ For illustrative purposes The UAE ranked 10th globally in 2024 for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, bringing in a record Dhs167.6bn ($45.6bn), a 48 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's ( World Investment Report 2025 . The country accounted for 37 per cent of all FDI inflows into the region, reinforcing its position as the leading investment destination in the Middle East and North Africa. 'Out of every $100 invested in the region, $37 comes to the UAE,' said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE also ranked second globally, after the US, in the number of newly announced greenfield FDI projects, with 1,369 projects launched in 2024. Despite a global slowdown in greenfield project growth to 0.8 per cent, the UAE posted a 2.8 per cent increase, with announced greenfield project capital reaching Dhs53.3bn ($14.5bn). Key sectors fuelling UAE FDI inflows Key sectors driving this growth include software and IT services (11.5 per cent of total greenfield project value), business services (9.7 per cent), renewable energy (9.3 per cent), coal, oil, and gas (9 per cent), and real estate (7.8 per cent). The energy sector alone attracted Dhs4.8bn ($1.3bn) in greenfield FDI, aligned with national goals to triple renewable energy production capacity by 2030. Since 2015, annual FDI inflows into the UAE have grown from Dhs31.6bn ($8.6bn) to Dhs167.6bn, representing a compound annual growth rate of 10.5 per cent. The cumulative FDI stock reached $270.6bn by the end of 2024. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, attributed the record inflows to strategic reforms and long-term policy direction. 'The UAE's investment ecosystem has become a global model, thanks to its stability, transparency, trade openness, and ease of doing business,' he said. The Ministry continues to support investor confidence through enhanced legislation, full foreign ownership in mainland companies, a 9 per cent corporate tax rate, and streamlined licensing. The country also ranks fifth globally for attracting highly skilled talent and third in AI talent, according to recent studies by INSEAD and Stanford University. This talent pool supports ongoing digital transformation, including a $1.5bn AI-focused joint venture between Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based The UAE's National Investment Strategy 2031 aims to double annual FDI inflows by the end of the decade, targeting Dhs2.2tn in cumulative FDI by 2031. Strategic focus areas include advanced manufacturing, clean energy, financial services, and IT. 'Our foundation is strong, our future is promising, and our focus on our goals is crystal clear,' said Sheikh Mohammed. 'Our message is simple: development is the key to stability, and the economy is the most important policy.'
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
New iron ore concentrator project in Oman advances
MUSCAT - The development of a greenfield iron ore concentrator plant is gaining momentum at Sohar Port and Freezone, with international companies announcing key contracts for the supply of critical equipment and project management services. A joint investment of approximately $627 million is being made in the Sohar Concentrator Plant by Brazil-based global mining conglomerate Vale and leading Chinese steelmaker Jinnan Iron & Steel Group. First unveiled last October, the state-of-the-art facility will produce high-quality iron ore concentrate for the manufacture of pellets and briquettes—crucial feedstock for the production of low-carbon steel via the Direct Reduction (DR) route. The concentrator plant will process 18 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore annually, yielding 12.6 million tonnes of high-grade concentrate. Vale has committed $227 million to connect the new plant to its existing pelletisation facility in Sohar, while Jinnan will invest approximately $400 million to build, own, and operate the plant. On Tuesday, Finnish industrial machinery manufacturer Metso Corporation announced it had signed an agreement to supply core process equipment for the project. The contract includes the delivery of heavy-duty grinding machinery with a total installed capacity of 25 MW, large slurry pumps, and mill discharge pumps. Commenting on the agreement, Piia Karhu, President of the Minerals business at Metso, said: 'This project marks Jinnan's first venture in Oman, a country rich in diverse mineral resources and with a strategic vision to develop its mining sector as part of broader economic diversification efforts. As a leading supplier of process technology and services for concentrator plants worldwide, Metso is pleased to partner with Jinnan Iron & Steel Group on this greenfield initiative.' Earlier, Chinese media reported that MCC Changtian International Engineering Company, a subsidiary of China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC Group), had been awarded a general contracting and project management contract by Jinnan Iron & Steel for the Sohar facility. MCC Changtian's scope also includes development of a supporting stockyard, long-distance slurry transport systems, and a dry tailings stacking system. MCC Changtian is a leading Chinese engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company specializing in metallurgical and infrastructure projects. Once operational by mid-2027, the concentrator is expected to establish Oman as a key global supplier of DR-grade iron ore. Joint venture partner Vale has indicated it intends to replicate this investment model across its proposed Mega Hubs in other locations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and the United States. Under this model, Vale will construct and operate ore concentration and briquetting plants, while local partners develop the required logistics infrastructure. Metso is well-established as a supplier of mineral processing equipment for Oman's industrial and mining sectors. Earlier this year, the Finnish firm signed an agreement with Mazoon Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of Minerals Development Oman (MDO), to supply key process equipment worth $30 million for its copper concentrator plant located in Yanqul. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
