IHBC NewsBlogs

An online survey by the independent built environment research organisation Create Streets has revealed an interesting insight into the types of housing preferred by design professionals and students.

The quick and visual survey was designed to assess which may be the preferred housing type of people from various backgrounds, by first presenting four visuals to choose from, then enquiring as to the respondent’s current place of residence (urban, rural or suburban) and profession.  Select summary interpretations of the results include:

• Place trumps time
• People are from Mars. Professionals are from Venus.
• Architectural awards ARE a good indicator of popularity – but only if you invert them.
• Style matters more than cars
• Style matters more than precise heights.

View the poll analysis

Participate in the second poll

More information on Create Streets

IHBC NewsBlogs on housing

IHBC NewsBlog has received the following amendment to the NewsBlog of June 3rd 2015 in which it was reported that ‘Groups including the Country Landowners’ Association have expressed concern about the Authority’ s policy on barn conversions and a move to set a fee of £90,000 per conversion’.

IHBC Newsblog has received the following statement from the NPA:

‘The Supplementary Planning Guidance is not in draft or out for consultation as your article suggests it was accepted at the National Park Authority meeting on 22 May 2015.’

And including a press release as follows:
A spokeswoman for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: “There seems to be some misinterpretation of the purpose of the Supplementary Planning Guidance. The adopted policy of the National Park Authority, in line with Welsh Government Planning Policy, and found sound by PINs at examination in 2013, is to secure economic reuses of redundant barns, with some provision for the use of such buildings for affordable housing and/or rural enterprise dwellings where there is a need. The policy itself is explicitly restrictive of open market residential conversions. The newly adopted guidance provides some flexibility to this policy position by enabling applicants for open market residential conversions to meet the requirements of the policy by equivalent financial contribution. It also provides flexibility for farming families, allowing them to occupy barn conversions without the contribution to affordable housing until such time as the property might be sold on the open market, and is also flexible in the instances of saving buildings of local or national significance, for example Listed buildings.

“Supplementary planning guidance aims to ensure that we encourage rural regeneration and enable appropriate development in the countryside which allows farming businesses and developers to continue to bring forward appropriate planning applications. We know it might not be popular with everyone but we think it is a fair way of interpreting national policy. The Authority has reviewed the evidence in relation to the implementation of the adopted policy and is satisfied that the policy is bringing about its stated aims, that is, to encourage the reuse of barns for economic reuses. The number of applications are broadly equivalent to that prior to the adoption of the policy, however whereas the majority of these used to be for housing, they are now for economic uses, such as workshops for local crafts people or holiday lets. This indicates to us that the policy does not present a barrier to development and it’s an effective tool in providing economic regeneration within countryside locations. The Local Development Plan process is one of continuous review and accordingly, the evidence relating this policy position will be reviewed as part of the planned review which commences in 2017.”

View the consultation draft

Planning Portal Blog

Do you employ or know of a young person in the building trade who has outstanding skills? If so, why not nominate them for the Youthbuild young builder of the year (closing date 31 July)

Youthbuild writes:
Applications for the 2015 Young Builder of the Year Awards are now open. Could you be the winner and collect £1,500 worth of prizes?

The 16th Young Builder of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements of young people, who despite having to overcome a range of barriers have succeeded in training for and or gaining employment in the construction industry

We are seeking applications from two categories: –

• 14 to 16 year olds still in education
• 16 to 24 year olds in employment or training

Applications opened on Tuesday 5 May 2015.The closing date for applications is Friday 31 July 2015.  Judging will take place in August and 20 finalists will be chosen.

The finalists will be invited to the Awards Ceremony at the House of Commons on Thursday 15 October 2015, when the winners will be announced.

For 2015 there is a prize fund of £7,500 and all shortlisted finalists will receive an award.

• The overall winner will receive up to £1,500 (including tools)
• The runner up will receive up to £750 (including tools)
• The winner of the 14 to 16 year old category will receive up to £750 (including tools) and their educational establishment will receive tools worth up to £500.

All finalists end the day with a trip on the London Eye.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

To find out how to apply, please download the document ‘About the 2015 Young Builder of the Year Awards’ and complete the appropriate application form.

• Find out more about the awards
• 14 to 16 2015 Young Builder of the Year Application Form
• 16 to 24 2015 Young Builder of the Year Application Form 

An application for Heritage Lottery funding to help support works to Victoria Pier has not been successful, and demolition previously reported in the IHBC NewsBlogs may be pursued by the Council, although a new application for funding is still possible. 

Conwy County Borough Council writes:
‘We realise the Trust will be disappointed by this decision. The HLF process is highly competitive and applicants face a tough contest for the limited funding.

We have had continued dialogue with the Trust and the Town Council, and would welcome talking to them further about proposals for legacy.

In January, the Council resolved that if Trust’s application was successful, requests made by the Trust, including in relation to the provision of Conwy County Borough Council funding and matters relating to ownership of the pier, would be considered.

As the application was unsuccessful, the Council’s application to demolish the pier will continue through the planning process.

HLF have clearly identified, as had Conwy County Borough Council, that the project is high-risk, due in large part to the absence of other confirmed financial support and the potential for increasing costs.’ 

See the previous NewsBlog

View the HLF statement

History of local authority statements on the pier

View the Victoria Pier campaign website

View the Council statement

£668,000 of additional funding has been announced by the Scottish Government (SG) to support community led regeneration initiatives as part of the Strengthening Communities Programme, including conversion of buildings into new facilities. 

The Scottish Government writes:
Enterprising community groups who are delivering economic and regeneration benefits to their areas by refurbishing disused buildings, developing renewable energy projects and creating jobs opportunities, will receive a share of an additional £668,000 investment.

A boost to the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) will see an extra 26 projects drive forward community-led regeneration in their areas. This comes on top of the £3 million which was allocated to around 50 projects in April 2014.

The additional funding will help build the capacity of local organisations and allow communities to deliver initiatives which respond to their aspirations. It is part of the extra £10 million announced in the Programme for Government, to give people and communities the powers to address inequalities.

Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi revealed the successful community groups on a visit to Mac Arts in Galashiels which will receive support towards its long-term aim of converting a former council building into a multi-purpose arts facility. He said: ‘I am delighted that 26 innovative projects across Scotland will be able to benefit from £668,000 of funding from the Strengthening Communities Programme. Very often, it is the people within their own communities who can best identify how their areas should be improved, which is why this increased investment and support for these local projects is so crucial.  This funding will help communities breathe life into disused buildings, produce opportunities for renewables generation, establish community transport and tourism initiatives and create new jobs.  People living in rural areas clearly have different priorities to communities in the central belt and the wide range of projects reflects Scotland’s diversity.

‘This investment shows exactly what we want our Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill to achieve. The Bill, which reaches its final stage next month, will support and make it easier for groups to tackle inequalities in their areas, it will give communities more powers to take over assets and will strengthen their voices in the decisions that matter to them.’

Other new projects to benefit from SCP include the Crossroads Community Hub in Ayrshire which is working to redevelop an old school site into a food and education hub, Balornock East Residents Association in Glasgow’s new community centre plans and the Unst Partnership in Shetland’s community renewables and waste recycling schemes.

After lying empty for four years, the St Andrews Arts Centre in Galashiels was transformed into Mac Arts, which is run by the Duncan MacKinnon Music and Arts Trust (DMMAT). The Trust took over the former Borders Council building in 2012 with the goal of transforming it into a cultural and recreational venue for the local area.

View the press release

More information on the strengthening communities programme

IHBC NewsBlogs on regeneration

The Irish Times has reported on criticism of the Living City Initiative for Dublin, as it may exclude larger Georgian properties. 

The Living City Initiative covers Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford, and is designed to encourage people to live and work in the city, through tax incentives and measures designed to help with repair and regeneration works.

View the Dublin Times article

Information on the Irish Living City Initiative

Irish Tax and Customs Living City Initiative regulations

Dublin Civic Trust website

IHBC Republic of Ireland branch

Plans for events to be staged in the garden of the former home of Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath in Salisbury have been turned down by Wiltshire Council.

Planning Portal writes:
The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation wanted to stage 24 events a year for up to 150 people at Arundells, in Cathedral Close, Salisbury. But the planning committee refused the proposal on the grounds of the impact it would have on neighbours despite officers recommending the use should go-ahead.

For more on Arundells

Planning Portal Blog

The latest update on action taken relating to measures to deal with adaption for climate change has been discussed in a new report for the Scottish Government (SG), and includes updates on actions relating to matters affecting the historic environment.

Measures detailed in the report that affect the historic environment include:

• Historic Scotland have been involved in designing new visual materials to raise awareness of climate change
• Better information sharing among agencies around climate change and best practice (including those who work to protect the historic environment)
• new work is being carried out by Historic Scotland on climate change risk assessment criteria
• the National Marine Plan published in March 2015 includes matters relating to the historic environment

View the press release

Download the full Climate Ready Scotland: Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme, Annual Progress Report 2015

Scottish Government climate change resources

IHBC newsblogs on climate change

Nominations are sought from the public as to the person from the field of visual arts (including architecture and craftspeople) who ought to be featured on the next £20 Bank of England, with nominations closing on 19 July. 

The Bank of England writes:
On 19 May 2015, the Bank opened a two-month nomination period in which members of the public can suggest who they would like to feature on the next £20 banknote.

The next £20 banknote will celebrate Britain’s achievements in the visual arts and we would like the public to nominate who they would like to feature on the note 

The Bank is seeking nominations so the Banknote Character Advisory Committee can consider a wide range of potential characters. The decision will be based on the strength of the contribution of the nominees, not on the number of times they were nominated, so please do not send multiple nominations for the same character. It is possible to nominate more than one individual.

You can also send your nominations via post to: The Banknote Education Team, Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH.

The visual arts is broadly defined and covers architects, artists, ceramicists, craftspeople, designers, fashion designers, filmmakers, photographers, printmakers, and sculptors. Their areas form part of our everyday lives, from the buildings around us to the artwork that inspires us, the clothes we wear and the objects we use.

Britons have been at the forefront of the visual arts for many centuries and we hope you will nominate someone who you think has shaped the UK.

View the Bank of England information on nominations 

The London Evening Standard featured an opinion piece by Simon Jenkins on the ‘u-turn’ by Historic England on the proposed King’s College London demolition and redevelopment works, looking at the power of public opinion, and the press.

View the article by Simon Jenkins

HE have launched their first issue of Historic England Research, the new magazine detailing innovation and news in the heritage research sector, including new projects into housing for the elderly and railway goods buildings. 

The issue includes articles on:

• Current HE news and publications
• East Coast War Channels in the First World War
• London warship remains
• First World War Northumbrian practice trenches studied by aerial surveys
• Nottingham caves survey
• Drones for field survey work
• Ground-penetrating radar imagery technology
• Housing for the elderly surveys
• Survey work on railway good sheds

Download the magazine

Members with a keen interest in landscape design, historic parks and gardens (or considering training in this area) will be interested to hear of a new initiative between The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has partnered with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to offer travelling scholarships. 

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) writes:
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has partnered with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to create and fund a series of Travelling Fellowships aimed at supporting the development of the UK horticulture industry. The scheme, which will run until 2017, will offer two Travelling Fellowships each year to horticulturists and garden designers to discover new perspectives and generate innovative solutions to inform and further the UK’s reputation as a global centre of horticultural knowledge and expertise.

The Fellowships form part of a nationwide series of commemorative events taking place in 2016 to mark the tercentenary of the birth of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, one of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated garden designers. Famed for popularising the English romantic style through an idealised interpretation of nature, Brown’s rolling landscapes and gothic ruins inspired a Europe-wide obsession for Jardins à l’anglaise.

View the news release

IHBC NewsBlogs on historic parks and gardens 

See IHBC Awards etc

More than 20 new bills are proposed in the latest Queen’s Speech, with many relating to issues that may affect the work of IHBC members. 

The Gov.uk website writes:
Housing Bill

The purpose of the Bill is to:

• help give more hard-working people the chance to own their own home
• increase housing supply and access to home ownership

The main benefits of the Bill would be:

• helping more tenants of housing associations to buy a home of their own
• increasing the supply of new Starter Homes (to be exclusively offered to young first-time buyers, at a 20% discount below their open market value)
• helping those wishing to build their own home
• ensuring local people have more control over planning

Energy Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to:

• ensure there will be affordable and reliable energy for businesses and families
• give the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) the powers it needs to become a robust, independent and effective regulator, and enable it to maximise the economic recovery of oil and gas from UK waters
• change the law in line with the manifesto commitment to give local communities the final say on wind farm applications

Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to:

• fulfill the government’s commitments on devolving powers and budgets to boost local growth in England
• work through our long-term economic plan to rebuild our economy

Enterprise Bill
The purpose of the Bill is to:

• cement the UK’s position as the best place in Europe to start and grow a business, by cutting red tape and making it easier for small businesses to resolve disputes quickly and easily
• reward entrepreneurship, generate jobs and higher wages for all, and offer people opportunity at every stage of their lives 

See the main government pages on the Queen’s Speech and briefings

Planning Portal Blog

Take a quiz on the Queen’s speech

Two historic parks in London with origins in the 15th century are the latest designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Bushy Park and Home Park in the London Borough of Richmond.

Natural England writes:
Two of London’s much-loved parks are recognised as being among the most important places for wildlife in England. 

Natural England has confirmed the designation of Bushy Park and Home Park in the London Borough of Richmond as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Bushy Park and Home Park were first notified as of SSSI quality last September and following a consultation period Natural England has now formally confirmed the designation of the site.

SSSIs are the country’s best sites for wildlife and geology – there are more than 4,100 SSSIs in England, covering around 8 per cent of England.

The Bushy Park and Home Park SSSI has been designated because of its internationally significant populations of rare insects, the exceptionally large numbers of ancient and veteran trees growing on the site, and the presence of extensive areas of special grassland habitat.

The trees at Bushy Park and Home Park are survivors of a wood-pasture management that dates back to the 15th century. More than 200 veteran trees have been identified at the site of which 94 are classed as ancient. The site is one of only 44 sites nationally known to support more than 100 veteran trees and is the highest ranking of 10 comparable sites in the Greater London area.

The trees include oak and lime with some horse chestnut and sweet chestnut and around 16 other species of tree. A notable feature is the occurrence of a large number of very old hawthorn trees, many of which are festooned with mistletoe.

The great age of many of the trees also provides habitat for many rare species of wood feeding invertebrates and the site ranks amongst the top 5 in Britain for this highly specialised group of creatures, for which Britain has international importance.

Natural England’s Chairman, Andrew Sells, said: Natural England is delighted to confirm Bushy Park and Home Park as one of London’s newest Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This is a very important site in the heart of London for its special natural habitats and rare species of wildlife.  This accolade provides a great opportunity to enhance both the wildlife and people’s enjoyment of nature in one of London’s historic green spaces and to protect it for future generations. We’re pleased that the new designation has been supported by both the Royal Parks and Historic Royal Palaces and we looking forward to working with them over the future sympathetic management requirements of the special features of the site.

The majority of the 540ha site is held in trust by the Crown Estate. Bushy Park is managed by The Royal Parks and Home Park by Historic Royal Palaces who have both welcomed the SSSI designation.

Nicholas Mallory Garbutt, Tree and Wildlife Conservation Manager, Historic Royal Palaces, added:  We are delighted that Home Park has received this recognition of its national significance for wildlife conservation. This historic deer park is a vital part of Hampton Court Palace’s history, which has been enjoyed by everyone from King Henry VIII, to the many visitors who flock to the Hampton Court Flower Show every year.

The results of recent wildlife surveys show that the historic trees and acid grassland of the park provide an important habitat for wildlife conservation, and we look forward to working with Natural England to continue to preserve this environment for future generations.

Ray Brodie, Manager of Bushy Park, Royal Parks, said:  This is a great accolade for Bushy Park and confirms what we have long-known to be true; that Bushy Park is one of the finest sites in England for wildlife and ecology. Bushy Park contains many rare and important species and habitats including rare stag beetles and around 10 different species of bat.

The Royal Parks works hard to conserve and protect this unique environment, while also ensuring that Bushy Park is a peaceful haven for the many thousands of visitors who come each year to relax, unwind and enjoy the natural surroundings.

The confirmation of the SSSI designation comes during London Tree Week 2015 which runs from 23 to 31 May and celebrates and explores London’s trees and woodlands with a series of special activities.

View the press release

Find out more about Royal Parks

Find out more about Historic Royal Palaces land

Information on London Tree Week

IHBC newsblogs on historic parks and gardens

Members who attended the IHBC 2014 Annual School in Edinburgh will recall that one of the tours offered was the Forth Bridge and this week UNESCO progressed its potential inscription, describing it as a ‘masterpiece of creative genius’ and recommending inscription in committee papers relating to its 39th meeting to be held in Bonn on 28 June. 

Page 37 of the committee report recommends inscription and notes further action to be required by UNESCO should the committee be minded to accept the recommendation: ‘(UNESCO) Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2016 a report on the selection of key viewsheds and views of the bridge for inclusion in the appropriate planning instruments and management plan, along with an analysis of their effectiveness in ensuring the protection of these key viewsheds and views, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017’

View the full report

Watch a video of the IHBC summer school forth bridge tour

Book for this year’s IHBC Annual School – Norwich2015

IHBC NewsBlogs on world heritage site issues

The Criminal Justice Inspectorate has recently completed a review of the operation of the Northern Ireland (NI) Environment Agency’s Environmental Crime Unit, noting issues relating to enforcement and assessing how the unit works strategically. 

As the focus of the report is the Environmental Crime Unit, much of the issues considered concentrate on environmental crime such as pollution (with actions recommended for strategic action on assessing the waste sector), however there are also implications for the built heritage as the operating principles and enforcement actions of the unit as a whole are considered (one of the key operating principles of the unit is stated as ‘We will help people see our environment and heritage as an opportunity, not a barrier’).

The introduction to the report by Brendan McGuigan (Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland) notes that ‘We cannot afford to let environmental crime slip down the priority list for public and environmental safety, nor can we afford to let unscrupulous individuals or gangs damage our collective heritage’.

The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) writes:
Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) has recommended the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) enhance its enforcement and regulation activity and develop a more rigorous approach to dealing with offenders involved in environmental crime in Northern Ireland.

The call was made by James Corrigan, Deputy Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland following the publication today (21 May) of CJI’s latest report which looked at the operation and work of the Agency’s Environmental Crime Unit (ECU).

‘CJI was invited to undertake an independent review of the ECU by the Department of the Environment after concerns were raised during the summer of 2014 about the operation of the unit, its processes and investigation practice,’ said Mr Corrigan.

‘While CJI was satisfied the way the unit was operating did not pose any significant concerns, Inspectors have made a number of strategic and operational recommendations designed to strengthen the operation and performance of the unit and its ability to tackle waste crime.

‘Environmental crime impacts on all of us. Significant organised waste crime has been found to exist in Northern Ireland with criminals, illegal and unscrupulous operators making significant profits from waste crime and illegal waste disposal,’ said the Deputy Chief Inspector.

‘These activities mean legitimate businesses cannot compete as their costs are undercut by criminals who do not see enforcement action as a deterrent.

‘This review found the work undertaken by staff within the ECU is contributing to securing convictions and the confiscation of money linked to waste crime.

‘This type of activity is positive but it must be supported by strong regulation and enforcement.  Criminals and illegal operators must be in no doubt that compliance with the law is the priority of the ECU and a key objective of NIEA and the DoE in tackling waste and other environmental crime,’ he said.

Mr Corrigan indicated the review built upon the findings of previous inspections carried out by CJI in 2007 and in 2011 and supported the development of greater partnership working between the licencing and enforcement branches within the Environment Agency.

‘Strong partnerships across the DoE and its executive agencies and with other law enforcement bodies through the Organised Crime Task Force are critical to the success of future enforcement action.

‘While Inspectors accept that enforcement is costly, doing the same or even less is not a viable option for the DoE, as ineffective enforcement will impose enormous liabilities in the form of clean up operations, EU sanctions and risks to public health,’ he concluded.

View the press release

Download the report

View information on the built heritage work of the NIEA

About NEIA

IHBC newsblogs on heritage crime

The Welsh Government has introduced a new programme to tackle issues in areas of socio-economic deprivation, using arts and cultural activities that are also linked to a national education plan, initially through six pioneer areas across the country. 

The 2014 report ‘Culture and Poverty: Harnessing the power of the arts, culture and heritage to promote social justice in Wales’ by Baroness Kay Andrews OBE highlighted issues between social justice and access to culture; historic environment assets were seen as a key part of this equation.

The new programme includes partnerships between educational organisations and national bodies, libraries and community organisations to provide opportunities for engagement with arts, culture and heritage, for example in the Wrexham area Brymbo Heritage Group will be working with theatrical and literary organisations.

The Welsh Government writes:
Wales will set an example to the rest of the UK by using culture to tackle poverty in some of Wales’ most deprived communities – this is the message from the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, as he launches a new programme to lead this innovative concept.

The Fusion: Tackling Poverty through Culture programme will bring together Communities First and cultural bodies for the first time to engage with and inspire young people and adults who wouldn’t normally have the opportunities to participate in culture and the arts.

The initial strand of the programme establishes six Pioneer Areas in Swansea, Wrexham, Gwynedd, Cardiff, Newport and Torfaen, which will be supported to trial new approaches which will place culture at the heart of their work with disadvantaged communities.

This includes creating a range of opportunities for people in Communities First areas to engage with culture, from school visits to enrich the school curriculum, to cultural volunteering opportunities and accredited learning for adults. Each will focus on helping individuals, families and communities engage with heritage and culture to support learning and developing important skills.

The programme is complemented by the Welsh Government’s Arts and Creative Learning Plan, which will increase and improve arts opportunities in our schools, and greater cultural participation in the Schools Challenge Cymru programme.

Speaking ahead of the launch at the Culture and Media Centre in Butetown, Cardiff – one of the six Pioneer Areas – the Deputy Minister said: ‘Earlier this year I set out my ambition to make Wales the most creative nation in Europe and to do this we must ensure culture is accessible to all.  Participation in culture and the arts has far-reaching educational benefits – improving knowledge, literacy and skills. This is why we are forging a distinctive path in Wales and placing culture at the heart of our work in disadvantaged communities.  We have fantastic museums, arts and drama groups and libraries across Wales, I want to see these thrive and I want to see everyone reaping the benefits. By bringing these together with our Communities First programmes we can enrich lives, improve attainment and prospects of people in some of our most deprived communities.’

Cardiff University will lead the Cardiff Pioneer Area, building on existing cultural outreach work through its Strong Communities, Healthier People community engagement programme. The university will bring together local and national partners, including museums, archives and libraries, and Communities First clusters to ensure residents can become involved in activities, courses and other creative opportunities to gain valuable skills and confidence.

Professor Kevin Morgan, Dean of Engagement at Cardiff University, said: ‘We are delighted to be playing a major role in this inspiring Welsh Government project.  As a University we recognise that the arts, culture and heritage can be a powerful engine for change in our communities.  Our involvement will build on existing strong relationships in communities in Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff to have a positive impact on health, education and wellbeing.  The Fusion programme will seek to implement the recommendations of Baroness Andrews’ Culture and Poverty report, which made a compelling case for the Welsh Government, local government, cultural organisations, community bodies and schools to work together to ensure culture is accessible to all and can benefit our most disadvantaged communities.

The six Pioneer Areas will operate for a pilot year (2015-2016), with a view to rolling out more widely.

Pioneer Areas will work within a national framework of support which will allow participants to promote and share learning and good practice, and also include focussed research and evaluation to measure success of the programme and impact on participants.

Download the report and view more detailed information on the case studies

View the news release

A planning inspector has backed Wiltshire Council and dismissed an appeal by solar farm developer Sun Edison for a 12-megawatt array on land at Little Chatfield close to listed buildings.

The proposed scheme is a mile from the Norrington Solar Farm, which although developed had its planning application quashed earlier this year after a legal challenge.

Planning Portal Blog

CPRE has launched a new interactive map which is designed to show the level of tranquility across the UK, mapping places where you can ‘get away from it all’ and also helping Councils to develop national tranquility policies.

CPRE writes:
New research from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), published today, shows that better data collection and a new indicator of tranquillity are needed to increase protection for England’s most peaceful areas.

In surveying a range of authorities, from National Parks to borough councils, CPRE’s Give Peace a Chance report shows that 90 per cent of authorities would like better guidance and new data to develop tranquillity policies. More than 90 per cent of respondents support the case for new national tranquillity maps, which CPRE believes could greatly help local authorities when new infrastructure projects are planned.

Numerous studies show that immersion in nature is good for health and wellbeing. Tranquillity is therefore a vital resource for people to relieve stress and recharge their batteries. Yet, in 2007, CPRE’s ‘intrusion’ mapping showed that such areas are getting rarer: the tranquillity of England is being increasingly fragmented by urban development and new infrastructure.

CPRE’s report finds that some planning authorities have successfully developed policies to protect tranquillity since 2012, when the Government’s flagship planning reform, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), encouraged them to do so. Yet the report indicates that few authorities outside of those set up to manage protected areas like National Parks have implemented policies protecting tranquillity – and 75 per cent of authorities without a current policy do not plan to introduce one.

Following recent speeches from senior Conservatives advocating the importance of sensitive infrastructure design, and related manifesto commitments [4], CPRE is calling for Government to invest in planning guidance, an agreed definition of tranquillity, and a new ‘indicator’ of tranquillity – including maps and supporting data.

Alongside investment from Government, CPRE would like to see infrastructure providers and regulators set up design panels, as demonstrated by HS2 and Highways England. The panels would develop good design principles aimed at mitigating the impacts of new infrastructure on rural tranquillity through methods such as putting power lines underground, tunnelling and tree planting.

To help people find their nearest tranquil spaces, and to see the most disrupted areas, CPRE is also now releasing its 2007 tranquillity maps in an interactive format. These maps are the best resource for councils to identify tranquillity in their area – yet date back nearly a decade. This highlights the urgent need for a new Government-backed indicator with data to support it.

View the press release

View the ‘Give peace a chance’ report on how good planning can contribute to tranquillity

View the maps

A piece in the current issue of New Statesman calls for the reinstatement of the Ministry for Tourism and Heritage, making links between planning policy of the NPPF and the economic benefits of a vital and flourishing tourism industry, as well as highlighting the importance of heritage. 

View the article