Major apps ‘take 25 weeks’
Major planning applications are taking almost double the government’s 13-week target to be approved, with the average application in London, Manchester and Greater Bristol taking 25 weeks. GL Hearn and the British Property Federation’s Third Annual Planning Survey found that while the time taken has improved since the survey’s inception, 71% of applicants were dissatisfied with the delay.
Betfred owner eyes PRS
Betfred owner Fred Done has submitted plans to enter the PRS market with a 380-home project in Salford, Greater Manchester. Done’s company, FICM, plans to start on the project, including the grade II-listed Black Friars pub – to become the building’s entrance – on Trinity Way and Blackfriars by spring 2015.
Southwark housing planned
Notting Hill Housing has submitted plans to build 3,500 homes on a 60-acre Aylesbury Estate in Southwark.Twin applications have been prepared by a team led by architects HTA Design, with Deloitte Real Estate advising, and include 50% affordable housing.
LibDems plant garden cities
The Liberal Democrats have used their party conference to pledge to build 10 garden cities, including up to five along the re-opened Oxford-Cambridge rail link. Up to 50,000 new homes would be built along the line – to be renamed the Garden City Line – with express stations and high-frequency connections used as incentives to expand existing towns.
Cardiff Uni to expand
Cardiff University has unveiled plans for a £300m facility expansion, including the world’s first social science research park. The university is planning four buildings for former industrial space on Maindy Road.
