The Planning Inspectorate publishes its 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts
Today (16 July 2019), The Planning Inspectorate published its Annual Report for 2018/19. The report shows that it is making great strides in modernising the way it works and is on track to improve its performance and meet targets during the next 12 months.
Commenting on the improvements highlighted in the report, Sarah Richards, Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate said:
”This, the second year of our journey of planned improvements, has begun to show beneficial impacts on our performance. The programme to transform our end to end operational delivery processes is firmly under way and customers will soon see an improved and simpler appeals casework portal.”
Key points from the report include:
Casework performance in Wales broadly met or exceeded targets
Casework performance in England is improving
99.4% of Local Plan examinations completed in agreed timescales
All Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) applications were determined within statutory timetables
The Inspectorate has successfully recruited the required number of new Inspectors and Appeal Planning Officers to support an improved level of performance.
The Performance Recovery programme is on track to deliver performance improvements over the next 12 months.
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email: pressoffice@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Consultation on a revision to Harbour Order application fees
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is seeking views on proposals to revise Harbour Order (HO) application fees. The consultation, which launches on 16th July, gives Local Harbour Authorities and anyone interested in, or involved with, harbour activities that take place in England and the Port of Milford Haven (a reserved trust port) the chance to have their say on the proposed changes.
HO has been administered by the MMO since 2010, through a delegated function from the Department for Transport (DfT). However, the current fee structure was last updated 25 years ago in 1994 and does not reflect the actual costs to the MMO in determining HO applications, nor does it recognise the increased complexity of these applications.
Despite significant under recovery of costs since 2010, the MMO has taken actions to improve services and increase efficiencies in the processing of HO. This includes the allocation of dedicated resource via the creation of the Harbour Orders Team, improving online guidance to assist applicants, and streamlining internal processes, all of which have contributed to a significant decrease in the average application time from 29 months (2008-2011) to 12.5 months (2012-2018)
Going forward the MMO intends to make further improvements to the HO service by further enhancing online guidance and providing a named case officer for each HO application. However, it is difficult for the MMO to sustain the current level of service provided or pursue any further improvements to the HO service at the current level of cost recovery; especially as we face competing priorities and increasing pressure on resource and Government subsidy.
As a result, the MMO and DfT are now proposing to revisit HO fees, in-line with HM Treasury guidelines on Managing Public Money and to ensure that a greater proportion of the cost of a HO application is met by applicants.
To submit your response to the consultation you are invited to:
complete the online questionnaire provided through Citizen Space a response through this means would be preferable as it allows for more efficient analysis of responses and a quicker government response to the consultation.
in writing to: Harbour Orders Team, Lancaster House, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle, NE4 7YH
The eight-week consultation will close at midnight on 10th September 2019.
Norfolk Boreas Power Station – People interested in the proposal can register to give their views
The application submitted by Norfolk Boreas Limited for a proposed Offshore Wind Farm (Power Station) – Maximum Capacity 1.8GW also associated infrastructure required to export the electricity to the National Grid substation at Necton in Norfolk. The proposed Norfolk Boreas site is approximately 73km from the Norfolk coast at its nearest point and was accepted by The Planning Inspectorate for examination on 4 July 2019.
Further information about the project can be found in the development consent application documents which are available on the The Planning Inspectorate website
Alternatively, they may call The Planning Inspectorate’s helpline: 0303 444 5000 for a printed registration form.
Sarah Richards, Chief Executive of The Planning Inspectorate said. “This is an opportunity for people to play a part in the planning process and influence the outcome. We encourage people to get involved by registering as an interested party. By doing so, people will be able to participate fully in the examination of this proposal”.
Those who register will be entitled to provide evidence in writing to support their representation, to attend the Preliminary Meeting, to request an open floor hearing and to speak at other hearings where appropriate.
A copy of the application together with further information about the proposal and how to register to make a relevant representation is available on The Planning Inspectorate website.
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate’s Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email: press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
More information on this application, including details of the developer’s website, is available in National Infrastructure’s Programme of Projects. Visit: the Projects page.
Notes to editors:
The Planning Inspectorate is an agency of the Ministry for Housing, communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and operates within the policy framework prescribed in the Planning Act 2008, secondary legislation and the National Policy Statements.
The process in a snapshot
There are six key stages within the process. The summary below provides examples of when and how people have an opportunity to provide evidence to the Planning Inspectorate.
Pre-application
Key activities:
Project development / developer’s pre-application consultation and publicity.
Environmental impact assessment preparation and scoping, where required.
Public involvement:
Have their say on the proposal to the developer through their pre application consultation
Acceptance by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State
Key activities:
The Secretary of State has 28 days from the day after receipt to decide whether or not an application should be accepted for examination
Public involvement:
Details will be posted at the Planning Inspectorate’s website on how to register as an interested party – if an application has been accepted for examination and publicised by the developer.
Opportunity to legally challenge a decision not to accept an application.
Pre-examination
Key activities:
Single Inspector or a Panel of Inspectors appointed.
Preliminary Meeting called and held.
Procedure and timetable set for examination.
Public involvement:
Register to say what you agree or disagree with in the application
Submit your representation
View application documents submitted by the developer on the Planning Inspectorate website
Attend the Preliminary Meeting
Say how the examination should be conducted.
Examination
Key activities:
A maximum of six months to carry out the examination
Public involvement:
Submit more detailed comments in writing
Comment on what other people have said
Request and attend an open-floor hearing
If being held, request to speak at open-floor and / or issue specific hearing(s)
Comment on the local authority’s Local Impact Report – detailing the impact of the scheme on the local area.
Decision
Key activities:
A maximum of three months for Planning Inspectorate to issue a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State, with a statement of reasons.
The relevant Secretary of State then has a further three months from receiving the recommendation in which to issue the decision.
Post decision
Key activities:
Six weeks for any legal challenge.
Public involvement: Opportunity to challenge.
Future management of the Grenfell site
Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, and the Independent Site Management Lead, Doug Patterson, exchange letters on the future management of the Grenfell Tower site. This follows government taking freehold ownership of the Grenfell Tower site.
HS2 reveals designs for Automated People Mover
Automated People Mover (APM): at a glance
Services every 3 minutes
Interchange to Birmingham airport in 6 minutes
2.3 kilometre long route from Interchange to Birmingham Airport
Approximately 20 metre long vehicles
Capable of carrying 2,100 passengers per hour in each direction
Travel on a viaduct for entire route – 12 metres off the ground at its highest point
HS2 today unveiled the visuals for its new people mover at the first of a series of events to share emerging designs with the public and explain the role that the people mover will play.
The people mover will provide a fast and frequent transport connection between HS2’s new Interchange Station in Solihull, through to Birmingham Airport in just 6 minutes. When fully operational, the people mover will carry up to 2,100 passengers per hour in each direction.
HS2 has been working closely with the Urban Growth Company (UGC) in Solihull to include extra design elements which will support wider growth plans at the UK Central Hub. This includes modifying the alignment of the people mover as part of a major redevelopment at Birmingham International Station to create a new, multi-modal transport exchange.
The People Mover will provide better connections to key leisure and business locations like Resorts World (pictured), The NEC and Birmingham Airport.
The approximately 20 metre long people mover vehicles will depart from each stop approximately every 3 minutes. They will pick up passengers from Interchange Station, and then travel 2.3 kilometre across an elevated viaduct stopping at Birmingham International Railway Station, the National Exhibition Centre, before reaching Birmingham Airport.
The viaduct will be 12 metres off the ground at its highest point, and the 3 stops will be fully accessible, designed using colour to provide clear wayfinding for passengers, while information screens and audio announcements will provide live journey updates to communicate both HS2 and People Mover services.
These greater connections to key leisure and business locations like Resorts World, The NEC and Birmingham Airport, further enhance HS2’s Interchange Station in Solihull as a major gateway for the region. It will be part of a new public transport interchange serving Solihull and the West Midlands, with unparalleled links to the UK motorway network.
Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd, said:
HS2 is about connecting the country, and the people mover is another example of how we will do that. This entire area in the West Midlands, and the wider regions across the UK will be able to capitalise on the connectivity that Birmingham Interchange Station brings and the people mover is an integral part of this.
The high speed connection into Interchange Station opens up the UK Central Hub, the NEC, Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport to new business and leisure customers who might not have chosen this area previously. With the airport being only 6 minutes from the station, it means better options for air travellers, and makes it more accessible to even more of the UK.
Jonathan Bretherton, Managing Director of the Urban Growth Company, said:
The APM will be a vital and exciting link, connecting HS2 and the Arden Cross site to the NEC and Birmingham Airport, making the whole area easily navigable for those choosing to live, work or play here. Our work to coordinate the views of local stakeholders will continue to ensure that the final APM design fully supports the economic growth we are predicting here.
In particular, our planned redevelopment of Birmingham International Station to accommodate a realigned APM, will make sure the Interchange Station is fully connected to the local and regional transport network.
The exact vehicular system to operate the APM is still to be decided and they will be maintained in a dedicated maintenance facility which will be located along the viaduct on the eastern side of the M42 crossing.
Designs show the driver-less people mover arriving into The NEC station.
HS2 is currently working to finalise the scheme design of the people mover and will hold a further series of events in partnership with the UGC for people to see the designs in Autumn 2019 before submitting an application to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council seeking approval of matters related to design of the People Mover as required within the HS2 Act.
The full list of upcoming events are:
16 July, 11am to 3pm at Melbicks Garden Centre
18 July, 4pm to 7pm at Birmingham International Station (Air Rail Link concourse area)
19 July, 11am to 4pm at National Conference Centre