Transport & energy infrastructure planning news, June 2018
01 Jun 2018
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Print this planning news
Headline news |
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Network Rail launches Digital Rail Strategy
On 10 May, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne launched Networks Rail’s Digital Rail Strategy. The Strategy will see the introduction of digital technology on trains and signalling technology across the entire railway network.
With over half the existing analogue signalling systems in need of replacement within the next 15 years, Network Rail believes that upgrading to new digital signalling systems will provide a more cost-effective alternative. The planned work will see the introduction of the new standard, European Train Control System (ETCS), which is currently in use across all of Europe’s high-speed rail networks.
The technology acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and the track, providing detailed information that will allow trains to travel faster, and in closer proximity, increasing capacity across the system. Better monitoring will also open up opportunities to improve the safety of the network, as well as potentially reducing costs associated with maintenance.
Department for Transport, Digital rail revolution will reduce overcrowding and cut delays
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Quote of the month |
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| Network Rail Chief Executive, Mark Carne, commenting on the launch of the Digital Rail Strategy | ||
National News |
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New Clean Air Strategy published
On 22 May, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove published a draft of the new Clean Air Strategy 2018. The finalised strategy will play a key role in the Government’s 25 Year Plan to improve the environment.
The document states that later this year the Government will ‘provide guidance for local authorities explaining how cumulative impacts of nitrogen deposition on natural habitats should be mitigated and assessed through the planning system’.
The Strategy is now out for consultation until 14 August.
DEFRA, New Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Secretary Michael GoveDEFRA, Air quality: draft Clean Air Strategy 2018, consultation document
Fracking |
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New measures aim to simplify planning process for fracking
On 17 May, the Government announced a package of measures aimed at delivering its manifesto pledge to support the development of shale gas extraction.
The measures include plans to streamline the regulatory process, as well as a new £1.6 million fund which will support local authorities in dealing with shale gas applications.
Furthermore, the Government has announced the intention to hold a consultation on the principle of whether the early stage of shale exploration should be considered under the permitted development regime, as well as consulting on the criteria required to trigger the inclusion of shale gas projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.
In a Written Ministerial Statement, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark stated:
‘Recent decisions on shale exploration planning applications remain disappointingly slow against a statutory time frame of 16 weeks where an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. So, we are announcing a range of measures to facilitate timely decisions.’
MHCLG, New measures to back British shale gas explorationWritten Ministerial Statement, ‘Energy Policy’
Campaign groups and industry representatives advise on fracking planning guidance
On 30 April, industry representatives and anti-fracking campaign groups took questions from the House of Commons’ Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee as part of its ongoing inquiry into planning guidance on fracking.
The inquiry, which was launched in January 2018, was set up to examine whether current planning guidance is adequate, or whether it should be replaced with a single, comprehensive document that brings together all existing guidance.
A written response submitted by Friends of the Earth stated that the definitions within planning guidance are unsound, and that they also fail to mention geological context or the physical properties of the rock types concerned.
Also providing evidence was the Campaign to protect Rural England Sussex (CPRE Sussex), who stated that planning policies should ‘regulate a halt to all unconventional exploitation of all onshore hydrocarbon reserves’.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, written evidence submitted by CPRE Sussex
£2m of funding to improve connectivity in the South East
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has announced £2 million of funding for sub-national transport organisations in the south east. The funding will help in supporting local transport plans, with the intention being to fill the gap between national and local transport systems.
Chris Grayling commented:
‘This will help us build the modern and effective links our country needs, improving journey times, boosting housing development and economic growth, and getting people and goods where they need to be faster, safely and more comfortably.’
Rethink of ‘Operation Stack’ will ease congestion on local roads
On 18 May, the Department for Transport released a Ministerial Statement announcing plans to help keep traffic moving along motorways through Kent, ahead of any potential disruptions created by lorries queuing for the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.
The new plans will see an overhaul of ‘Operation Stack’, the emergency plan introduced in response to the queues created by strike action at Calais in 2015; sections of the M20 were closed allowing up to 3,600 lorries to park, whilst other vehicles accessed the port and tunnel via local roads.
The new plan, named ‘Operation Brock’, will introduce a contraflow system between junctions 8 and 9, allowing traffic to travel in both directions along one carriageway, whilst lorries queue for the port and tunnel in the adjacent lane. This would allow drivers to access motorway junctions, instead of being diverted onto smaller local roads.
Commenting on the new proposals, Roads Minister Jesse Norman said:
‘We’ve seen the severe disruption that people in Kent had to face in 2015 when there were hold ups across the Channel. This interim plan will help to minimise that disruption and mean people will be able to go about their everyday lives, seeing friends and family or going to work, as well as businesses being able to get to their customers.’
A public consultation will be launched shortly, looking to find a long-term solution. It will seek views on whether residents, businesses and the freight industry would prefer to see an on-road solution, or an off-road lorry park.
Department for Transport, New plans to keep Kent moving during Channel disruption
Wales news
£260m for infrastructure investment announced
The Welsh Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford, has announced over £260m of new capital funding to support infrastructure investment in Wales.
The funds are intended to help support a wide range of projects over the next three years, including active travel plans, next generation broadband, the NHS all-Wales programme, as well as the Tech Valleys programme.
Mark Drakeford commented:
‘Our aim is to ensure our infrastructure investment contributes to the growing Welsh economy and helps to deliver prosperity for all.’
Welsh Government, Finance Secretary announces £260m for infrastructure investment
Scotland news
Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, progress report for 2017 published
The Scottish Government has published its annual progress report on the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, outlining the main achievements over the course of last year and up to March 2018, as well as looking forward to development scheduled for this year and beyond.
Over the period up to March 2018, £3bn worth of infrastructure projects have opened, or have completed construction, with the Queensferry Crossing being the main one (£1.35bn investment). During the rest of 2018, £4.1bn worth infrastructure schemes are estimated to be in construction.
Scottish Government, Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, Progress Report for 2017
Regulations introduce new fees for hydro-electric generating stations schemes
On 24 May, the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018 came into force.
The amendment regulations introduce a new category of fees in relation to applications for planning permission for hydro-electric generating schemes. The new fee will be set at £401 per 0.1ha, up to a maximum of £20,055.
Wind farm approved in Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Government has approved plans for a wind farm in the Scottish Highlands, in line with the Inspector’s report published in February 2016.
The development would consist of 39 wind turbines, reaching up to 135 metres in height, with a generating capacity of approximately 133MW. The wind farm will be located on the site of a commercial forest, located in the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area.
Whilst the Scottish Ministers acknowledged the scheme could have a negative impact on local protected birds, the planned re-instatement of moorland would bring about a significant improvement to the landscape character of the area, whilst also supporting the revival of the peatlands. With further gains made from the introduction of clean energy production, the Ministers found the overall benefits of the scheme would outweigh the limited environmental impacts.
Scottish Government: Planning and Environmental Appeals Division, South of Strathy Wind Farm
Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map
On 2 May, the Scottish Government released ‘Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map’.
The Route Map for the Energy Efficient Scotland Programme provides the long-term energy efficiency standards that buildings will need to adhere to by 2040, in order to reduce residential emissions by 23%, and those of the service sector by 59%.
The publication is accompanied by two consultations that cover the key areas of work during the transition phase of the Programme; both consultations close on 27 July.
Scottish Government, Energy Efficient Scotland: Route Map Scottish Government, Energy Efficient ScotlandScottish Government, Energy Efficient Scotland Consultation: Making our homes and buildings warmer, greener and more efficientScottish Government, Consultation on the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post-2020
Community Links Fund doubled
As announced by the Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, the Community Links Fund - aimed at supporting the introduction of new walking and cycling infrastructure - will be more than doubled to £36m in the year 2018/19.
The funding supports a range of programmes to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, through investment in new infrastructure. Funding has previously been used to help projects such as the cycling and walking path between Elgin and Lhanbryde, and a cycle path linking Glasgow City Centre with its southern suburbs.
Scottish Government, Community Links Fund
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The Lichfields perspective |
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| Tom Davies, Planning Researcher | ||
Disclaimer: This publication has been written in general terms and cannot be relied on to cover specific situations. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of this publication. Lichfields accepts no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. Lichfields is the trading name of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited. Registered in England, no.2778116