Transport & energy infrastructure planning news, May 2018
01 May 2018
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Print this planning news
Headline news |
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Government announces plans for city-wide 5G test-bed
As part of the Industrial Strategy, the Government has announced plans for a city-wide trial of 5G internet (before future roll out across the UK), as part of the ‘Urban Connected Communities Project’.
5G is the latest generation of wireless communication, allowing greater speed, lower latency, and the ability to connect to many more devices at once - it has become increasingly important with the proliferation of smart devices in cities.
The Government is inviting local and combined authorities with populations of around 500,000 to put forwards bids to lead the delivery of the project. Smaller cities with strong leadership and a clear vision and strategy for digital in their area will also be considered.
The Programme aims to test how the new technology can improve the quality and efficiency of the services within cities, with the aim of making cities healthier, safer and greener. The winning bid will have to demonstrate how 5G can be applied across a variety of sectors including transport, healthcare, public services and culture.
The Government will announce the winning city this summer.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Search begins for a UK 5G city of the futureDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Urban Connected Communities Programme
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Quote of the month |
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| Digital Minister Margot James, announcing plans for 5G trialling | ||
National News |
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NSIP water project thresholds under review
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has again consulted on the proposed National Policy Statement on Water Resources (NPS); this time on the threshold sizes of dams and reservoirs, above which proposals would be considered as nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).
The 2008 Planning Act introduced the NSIP regime for streamlining the approval of major infrastructure projects of national importance; as highlighted in the November 2017 National Policy Statement for Water Resources, the Planning Act 2008 (Commencement No. 3)(England) Order 2017 commenced the relevant sections for water from 1 January this year.
The consultation, launched on 5 April, closed on 26 April. Responses will inform the final amendments to the Planning Act 2008 infrastructure thresholds which it is intended will be laid before Parliament later this year. The consultation on the draft NPS will then follow.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, National policy statement for water resources – infrastructure types and sizesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Consultation on developing a National Policy Statement for Water Resources and proposals to amend the definition of nationally significant water infrastructure in the Planning Act 2008
Transport |
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Rail
Rail Minister calls for collective push for northern transport projects
On 5 April, at the first Transport for the North Partnership Board meeting in Liverpool, Rail Minister Jo Johnson called on leaders across the north to speak with ‘one strong, unified voice’ in a push to drive forward major transport and infrastructure projects.
Last year, Transport for the North (TfN) became the first sub-national transport body in England. The body, which has been granted statutory powers, was created with the aim of connecting northern towns and cities with fast and reliable transport infrastructure.
Backed with £260 million of Government funding, it is intended that the body will be a key driver of the Northern Powerhouse project.
Rail Minister Jo Johnson commented:
‘With significant new powers to drive forward transformative projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail and smart ticketing, I am confident that TfN will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of northern transport.’
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published 'Beyond the Horizon - The Future of UK Aviation: next steps towards an aviation strategy’, officially starting a period of engagement and policy development that will inform the contents of a green paper. The ‘Next steps’ document sets out the Government’s key objectives for the strategy, as well as the challenges and actions the Government intends to undertake to meet its goals.
Building on more than 370 responses that were received to last year’s ‘Call for Evidence’, the ‘next steps’ document outlines six key objectives for the sector that include:
- ‘Build a global and connected Britain’
- ‘Support growth while tackling environmental impacts’, and
- ‘Develop innovation, technology and skills’.
Detailed policy proposals around the identified objectives will be published in the proposed green paper in Autumn 2018, with a view of publishing the final Aviation strategy in early 2019.
Department for Transport, Beyond the horizon, the future of UK aviation, next steps towards an Aviation StrategyDepartment for Transport, Government puts consumers at heart of the aviation industry
Ports
Report launched with aim of improving the connectivity of UK ports
The Department for Transport have launched a study of England’s port connectivity, ‘Transport Infrastructure for our global future - A Study of England's Port Connectivity’. The paper sets out how improving the connectivity of ports could boost the UK’s economy.
It examines the capacity of the UK’s rail and road networks for moving freight between ports and key economic areas, setting out a vision for future improvements, as well as recommending the initial steps that the government should take to get there.
It also examines how Government and industry can raise the profile of shipping, whilst increasing collaboration and information sharing between different service providers.
Speaking at the launch, Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani said:
“Shipping is still one of the most efficient way of transporting goods from across the globe into our homes. But the journey doesn’t stop at a port. Good connections to distributors and manufacturers are also vital in ensuring that products reach our shelves without delay.”
Department for Transport, Transport Infrastructure for our global future - A Study of England's Port ConnectivityDepartment for Transport, Better connections to ports to help business growth
Energy |
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National news
Grant funding available for smart energy systems R&D
As part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, UK Research and Innovation have launched a new grant scheme aimed at supporting the development and deployment of ‘smart energy systems’.
‘Smart energy systems’ take an integrated and holistic approach to managing energy storage and distribution, making use of real-time digital monitoring across electrical, heating, cooling, and industrial systems. The technology can improve the efficiency of energy networks, whilst offering consumers better knowledge and control over what they use.
The funding is aimed at supporting a number of projects across the UK that hope to improve the provision of local energy networks, with the Government’s intention being one of helping the UK to become a world leader in low-carbon technology, systems and services.
Scotland news
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 will come 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.
Scotland sees 26% increase in renewable energy generation
Recent figures published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy show that in 2017, renewable energy generation in Scotland had increased by 26%, when compared with the 2016 figures. In 2016, the proportion was just over 14 percentage points lower at 54%.
Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse commented:
‘Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering Scotland's future and through the strategy we want to ensure the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this much valued sector of Scotland’s economy as it goes from strength to strength.’
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Energy Trends: renewable, National StatisticsScottish Government, Record year for renewables generation
Wales news
Wales to pioneer EU funded community energy scheme
Welsh Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has announced that Wales is taking part in a €5.4m EU-backed initiative to support the development of local community energy schemes.
The project, which sees the involvement of eleven ‘North West European partners’, aims to build a pan-European network of community energy cooperatives with the view of fostering the growth of the community energy sector.
The Welsh Finance Secretary said:
‘This project will bring together expertise from across Europe, sharing the same opportunities, challenges and resources. I’m delighted to see EU funding supporting this collaboration to help develop a strong and sustainable community energy sector in Wales.’
Welsh Government, Wales a key partner in pioneering EU funded community energy scheme
District-heating network proposal for Cardiff
On 19 April, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet discussed proposals to develop a district heating network in areas of Cardiff Bay and the city centre, resolving to approve in principle the ‘Outline Business Case’ for its implementation.
The proposed £26.5m scheme will generate energy by burning non-recyclable waste coming from the Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility. Both the Central and Welsh Governments have funded the development of an ‘Outline Business Case’ to evaluate the potential of the project.
Welsh Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:
‘We are supporting a range of initiatives and have provided significant assistance to Cardiff Council to develop the project to this stage. We will continue to work in partnership with Cardiff Council with the ambition of making the project a reality.’
Cardiff City Council, district-heating network proposed for CardiffCardiff Council, Cardiff Heat Network: approval of the Outline Business Case for the Cardiff Heat Network, Report of Director of Planning, Transport & Environment
Design of Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network unveiled
The proposal for the first 1km section of the Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network has been unveiled by Cardiff City Council.
The fully segregated cycling infrastructure will run from St Andrew’s Crescent along St Andrew’s Place and Senghennydd Road.
Councillor Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, commented:
‘These proposed designs for the first section of our planned Cycle Superhighways are the start of a journey that, along with other planned improvements to the city’s cycling infrastructure, could transform Cardiff into a world class cycling city.’
A consultation on the design of the proposal will run until 11 May.
Cardiff City Council, Design for first section of Cardiff’s Cycle Superhighway Network revealedCardiff City Council, Cycle Superhighways consultations
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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