Development consent orders have been granted for the onshore transmission infrastructure supporting the Morgan and Morecambe offshore wind farms in Fylde. The scheme includes export cables, transition joint bays, two onshore substations and underground connections to the National Grid, despite local objections over the proposed Green Belt substation sites and the current absence of a developer for Morgan.
Anwyl plans to appeal Denbighshire County Council’s refusal of a 59-home affordable housing scheme at Maes Farrelly in Rhyl, despite the application being recommended for approval by planning officers. The committee rejected the proposal on greenfield, settlement-boundary and highway-impact grounds, while the developer argues the scheme would help meet significant local affordable housing need.
A 70-home residential scheme in Wetheral, near Carlisle, has been approved after a four-year delay linked to nutrient neutrality restrictions. The project, on greenfield land west of Steeles Bank, includes a mix of house types and 21 affordable homes, and had already secured a Section 106 agreement that required reassessment when the rules changed.
Preston City Council’s planning committee has unanimously removed a remaining barrier to Morris Homes and CEG delivering 443 homes in Cottam, following discussions over affordable housing and the associated Section 106 agreement. The revised approach allows the scheme to proceed with 62 affordable homes, with the developers arguing that nearby affordable provision should be considered alongside the adjacent Breck scheme.
Wirral Council has unanimously refused Peak Cluster permission to access council-owned land for survey work related to a proposed carbon capture pipeline. The decision is likely to delay the project, though councillors acknowledged it may not ultimately prevent the scheme from progressing through other legal routes.
Manchester City Council has completed a Section 106 agreement for Renaker’s five-tower Great Jackson Street scheme, clearing the way for 2,388 flats across buildings up to 71 storeys. The project had faced a lengthy approval process and continued objections, particularly around the absence of affordable housing and the viability assessment underpinning the scheme.
Sefton Council officers are recommending approval for a hybrid redevelopment at the Formby Bypass site, known as The Point, which would bring Lidl and M&S retail units forward first, followed by substantial employment floorspace, a medical centre and other uses. Approval is also recommended for the redevelopment of Greenbank High School in Birkdale, where the existing buildings would be demolished and replaced in phases while the school remains operational.
Manchester City Council’s executive is being asked to approve a compulsory purchase order for a single derelict residential property at the former Reno nightclub site in Moss Side. The CPO would unlock a wider regeneration scheme by Mosscare St Vincent’s for 212 affordable homes, including social rent homes, alongside community space.
Stockport Council has updated its draft local plan, which would allocate land for around 24,253 homes and additional employment space through to 2042. The plan still falls short of the borough’s identified housing and employment needs, despite proposing the release of around 30 Green Belt sites and revising several allocations after consultation and viability review.
Bury Council is expected to approve Watson Construction as preferred bidder for two council-owned brownfield sites, Pyramid Park and Q-Park, with the aim of delivering around 200 homes. The scheme is tied to wider town centre regeneration, including remediation works, transport interchange improvements and the need to resolve existing lease and occupational interests at Q-Park.
Grosvenor has appointed Martin Property Group to refurbish and later operate The Chester Grosvenor, following the planned closure of the hotel due to the cost and complexity of remediating potentially unstable RAAC above function rooms. The project is described as a major, multi-million-pound investment, with refurbishment plans now being developed and the works expected to take around two years once they start, subject to planning.
Cityside has submitted plans for an 88-home residential scheme in Wilmslow on 10 acres of Green Belt land, which it says meets Grey Belt criteria. The proposal includes a landscape-led layout with a shared meadow, orchard and 45% affordable housing, but the application has not yet been validated by Cheshire East Council.
