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Grass
Roots
Online
Issue 32 | |
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The Civic
Trust - better places for people |
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The Killian Pretty review
The Killian Pretty review of ways in which
decisions on planning applications may be made faster
and more responsive has been published. The review
recommends that nearly 40% of minor non-residential,
mainly commercial, planning applications, such as for
small scale alterations and extensions, should be taken
out of the planning system altogether or subject to a
much quicker process. It also recommends improving the
pre-application phase, particularly for major
developments, with a much greater focus on getting
developers, councils and consultees, including local
communities, to sort out key issues that could cause
lengthy delays later in the process. It proposes a new
customer focus for council planning performance based on
the quality of service provided throughout the whole
process, not just on its speed.
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Help create a knowledge base of Civic
Trust fact sheets!
One of our ambitions is to produce more summaries
of national legislation, regulations, guidance,
PPGs, etc., in a way which will give Civic
Societies, in concise form, the information you need to
engage as effectively as possible with the planning
system. The proliferation and complexity of planning law
and guidance, and the rapid rate of change being pushed
forward by Government, means that new and updated
information of importance to their ability to engage
effectively is needed, and it is difficult for us to
provide this service at present. The Civic Trust want to
establish a virtual team of Civic Societies who
are keen to offer advice and share expertise,
and in doing so help The Civic Trust develop a series of
fact sheets that will help you engage as effectively as
possible with the planning system. If you would
be interested in supporting us in this initiative, please click
here. |
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A
Civic Trust Membership for
Christmas A Civic Trust
Membership makes a great gift for birthdays, retirement,
Christmas or any other special occasion.
A
special gift pack can be sent directly to you or we can
send your gift to the recipient complete with your
personal message. Existing members get 20% discount on
all new annual memberships purchased as a gift.
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Basement extensions - Householder
development consents review
The report recommends the creation of a new
basement extensions class which includes limitations
based on length, breadth and depth. For the first time
basement lightwells will be defined as "permitted
development". The limitations proposed would ensure that
the possible adverse environmental impacts of basement
extensions can be properly controlled.
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A unique opportunity to hear Civic Trust
Chairman Philip Kolvin
A unique opportunity to hear Philip Kolvin,
Chairman of the Civic Trust and leading licensing
barrister speak. Philip will be presenting ways in which
Civic Societies can get involved at an early stage in
the local licensing process. This will be an interactive
event with opportunity to ask questions and expand your
knowledge of this high profile issue. Please click
here |
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"Energy Act now in
force"
The Planning and Energy Act 2008 came into force on
13/11/2008. This short piece of legislation enables
local authorities to include in development plans
reasonable requirements for a proportion of energy used
in new developments to be from local renewable sources.
Similarly, policies may also stipulate that a proportion
of energy be low carbon energy. The Act also enables
polices to require that development is to comply with
energy efficiency standards which are in excess of those
in building regulations. This legislation started life
in 2007 as a private members bill designed to enshrine
the 'Merton Rule'
Please click
here |
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Civic Trust
launches My Card in Camborne
The Civic Trust is piloting a new scheme in
Camborne, Cornwall, which allows shoppers to save money
and donate to their favourite local charities at the
same time. Please click
here |
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Shortlist announced for Sheffield Design
Awards
SIX examples of outstanding architecture have been
shortlisted for the first Sheffield Design Awards.
The competition, which aims to highlight the
most impressive buildings in the city, was organised by
Sheffield Civic Trust and the Royal Institute of British
Architects (RIBA) Yorkshire.
If your society would like advice on creating your
own Design Award please click
here |
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The Sustainable Communities
Act
The Act received Royal Assent on 23 October 2007.
The aim of the Act, as stated by Hazel Blears for DCLG,
is to promote the sustainability of local
communities.
Guides to the Act can be seen here and
the views of a Councillor on the LGA can be seen at here
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Sincerely,
Civic Societies Team
The Civic Trust
T: 0151 231 6908
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