Policy & Politics Update

Property, Transport, Environment and Infrastructure

8th October 2012

Property, planning and regeneration

Government shifting on NPPF? Last week, it was speculated that the Government was set to announce a review of planning guidance, following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in March 2012. The anticipated review, potentially led by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor, chair of the National Housing Federation (NHF), has not been confirmed by the Department for Communities and Local Government or the NHF. On 8 October, at the Conservative Party Conference, new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning, Nick Boles MP, paid tribute to his predecessor, Greg Clark MP, for his work on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). He stated that: The last thing we need now is another upheaval." (Source: Estates Gazette) Cut-price school designs revealed Three designs for pre-fabricated schools which cut costs by a third were unveiled by Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on 2 October. The two primary and single secondary austerity schools, which are smaller than those developed under the abolished Building Schools for the Future programme, were designed following a 2011 review into funding for school builds led by chief executive of Dixons, Sebastian James. The new designs are not mandatory, but headteachers must source alternative funds to opt for other designs. (Source: BBC) MPs sceptical over infrastructure projects MPs are sceptical that major infrastructure projects, including High Speed Rail 2 and New Nuclear Build, will be delivered on time or within budget, according to research by the CITB-Construction Skills ComRes panel. The panel survey results, revealed on 4 October, showed that of 107 MPs, 54 per cent expressed doubts. The Infrastructure Alliance, which brings together a range of construction and engineering bodies, has adopted a four-point plan for the stimulation of infrastructure projects and will be challenging the political parties at conference this month. (Source: CPA) Councils planning league table published The Government has published a league table detailing local authorities performance on determining planning applications. Of the 315 authorities that responded in every quarter of 2011-12, only three authorities (one per cent) determined all planning applications within 26 weeks. In addition, only 12 authorities (four per cent) determined all major planning applications within that timeframe. (Source: Planning Portal) Open house at 91 construction sites 91 construction sites across England and Wales will be open to the public on 9 and 10 November as part of a pilot Open Doors programme, which aims to showcase careers in construction and emphasise the sectors role in the economy. 23 construction employers will be taking part in the scheme, with Open Doors sites including Balfour Beattys Olympics Aquatic Centre, Maces Tate Modern and BAMs Leeds Arena. (Source: ConstructionSkills) New generation of community architects needed The Chairman of the National Self Build Association, Ted Stevens, has said that Britain needs a new generation of community architects to reinvigorate the self build movement. According to Building Design on 3 October, Ted Stevens comments were echoed by Rod Hackney, former Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) president, who said that todays architects were using only 10-15 per cent of their skills and needed to reexamine their profession. (Source: Building Design)

Map for England launched An interactive Map for England has been launched by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and software specialist, Idox. The Map for England is an online mapping tool that allows the public to view the impact of datasets such as projected household growth or the High Speed Rail 2 route. Its developers intend to add further datasets to the map as the pilot progresses. (Source: RTPI) House prices slip 1.4 per cent The price of a typical house fell by 0.4 per cent in September, leaving the price of the average home 1.4 per cent lower than last year at 163,964. According to analysis by Nationwide, the annual percentage change indicates relative stability in the housing market. Policy measures such as the Bank of England Funding for Lending scheme, which will lower the cost of credit, should support activity in the housing market moving forwards, though labour market developments will remain a crucial factor. (Source: Nationwide) Construction dives with weak housing market August 2012 saw the second sharpest fall in construction output since April 2009, suffering a drop in both residential and commercial building work. According to the latest data from the Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchase Managers Index, employment in the sector was resilient, but new business levels dropped for the fourth successive month in September. (Source: Markit/CIPS UK) Wales to extend permitted development The Welsh Government has unveiled plans to extend permitted development rights in sectors which will boost economic growth. In an announcement on 3 October, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths AM, launched consultation on proposals which would allow owners of shops, offices, factories, schools and hospitals to make minor changes to their premises more easily. (Source: Welsh Government)

Transport
West Coast Main Line decision frozen On 3 October, Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, announced that the decision to award the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup PLC has been suspended and the Department for Transport (DfT) would not be contesting the judicial review sought by Virgin Group Ltd. The announcement followed the discovery of what the DfT referred to as significant technical flaws in the way the franchise process was conducted. The decision on the franchise, which expires on 9 December, along with all other forthcoming franchise competitions have been suspended pending two independent reviews launched by the Secretary of State. (Source: DfT) New four-runway Heathrow proposed A leading think tank has proposed that a new four-runway airport should be built three kilometres west of Heathrow to solve Britains airport capacity crisis. Policy Exchange, the centre-right think tank, has published its report Bigger and Quieter: The right answer for aviation which advocates a new airport, a blanket ban on the noisiest type of aircraft and night flights and steeper landing angles. According to the report, 700 homes would need to be demolished to bring about the project, around half the homes that would need to make way for a Thames estuary airport. (Source: Policy Exchange) Boris demands progress on aviation The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has called on the Government to speed up work on proposals for a new four-runway airport in the southeast, once again ruling out expansion of Heathrow. In a speech on 4 October, the Mayor criticised the timetable of the Governments Davies Commission on airport capacity, which is scheduled to report to Parliament in 2015. (Source: GLA) Consultation on Network Rail innovations Network Rail has published its draft innovation proposals for trams, railway electrification and the expansion of community rail initiatives. The organisation has produced a draft study, titled Alternative solutions, draft network route utilisation study for consultation in collaboration with industry stakeholders. The study looks at conversion of heavy rail to tramways, battery-powered trains, the role of community rail partnerships and a range of other ideas for development. (Source: Network Rail)

Energy and environment

Ofgem: power shortage by 2015 On 5 October, energy regulator, Ofgem reported that by 2015, Britains spare electricity capacity could have fallen from 14 per cent to four per cent. The regulators assessment notes the major impact of early coal-fire power station closures and indicates that the drop in capacity could lead to Britain relying on imported gas supplies. (Source: Ofgem) Offshore wind group takes off A new network group dedicated to long-term offshore wind strategy in the northern seas held its first meeting on 4 October. The creation of Norstec, which draws together manufacturers, developers, supply-chain firms, researchers and industry bodies, was announced by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, in April. The first meeting aimed to begin the process of successfully communicating the potential of clean energy in the northern seas to the public, businesses and politicians. (Source: Edie) Green policy compensation announced The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched consultation on its 250 million Energy Intensive Industries Package (EIIP). The EIIP aims to reduce the cost implications of energy and climate change policies, such as the Carbon Price Floor and EU Emission Trading System, for energy-intensive industries. By compensating these industries, the EIIP aims to maintain jobs and Britains manufacturing base. (Source: BIS)

Other news
EU targets European-wide growth On 3 October, the European Commission adopted the Single Market Act II in an effort to drive integrated growth in Europe. The Act proposes 12 key measures that aim to better integrate transport and energy networks, enhance cross-border mobility for citizens and businesses, support the digital economy, and reinforce regulation to boost confidence among consumers and entrepreneurs. (Source: Europa) Services sector stays solid Activity in the UK services sector continued to rise steadily in September, owing to gains in new business. According to the latest data from the Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers Index, growth rates remained below trend and staff levels were cut for the first time in ten months, but there was a small bounce in activity following the Olympic Games lull. (Source: Markit/Cips)

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