Planning Matters

Shropshire’s second home owners could soon be charged full council tax on second homes and any empty properties they own.

The move is the result of proposals announced by the Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, which could lead to...

Frank Whitley has joined Balfours Property Professionals as a Town Planner, adding further strength to the growing Planning and Development team at Balfours.

Head of planning at Balfours, Karine Swanson, welcomes his appointment: “We...

Residents of West Felton have had the opportunity to consider preliminary proposals for residential development in the centre of West Felton and have their say on the way ahead.

More than 80 residents from the parish attended a public...

A public consultation meeting is to be held on Saturday 25 June at West Felton village hall to discuss the possible development of land at West Felton. The proposed scheme, which is being promoted by Balfours on behalf of the Tedsmore Estate,...

The aim of the Localism Bill is to give people greater participation in matters that affect them, particularly planning, and allow more decisions to be made at local level, reflecting local circumstances, but, whoever is making those planning...

Rising fuel prices, Middle East unrest, oil spills in the Mexican Gulf and recent events in Japan are all clear indications that something drastic has to happen with energy production and supply.

The introduction of Feed in Tariffs...

A new approach to the way planning services are delivered in Shropshire has received a cautious welcome. With effect from April 1, Shropshire Council will charge anyone seeking planning advice, the friendly duty officer being axed...

Landowners and developers in Shropshire must undertake preliminary drainage surveys and detailed drainage proposals to satisfy Shropshire Council’s additional responsibilities for flood management.

Karine Swanson, head of planning at...

Shropshire Council intends to charge all new open market housing a tax towards providing essential infrastructure. The money raised will go towards road improvements and transport, flood defences, education, medical facilities, open space and...

Balfours planning department reports another successful year in terms of securing planning permission on a wide range of development throughout Shropshire and surrounding areas.

Consents have been achieved for a variety of developments...

There has been lots of press coverage on the provisions of this bill as it continues on its path through parliament and rightly so as it contains significant and radical reforms to the planning system we are used to. The whole concept of...

If you are considering a small development or conversion scheme, now is the time to apply for your planning permission – to avoid or minimize new charges.

The message comes from head of planning at Balfours Property Professionals,...

Local authorities are to be given the power to set their own planning fees, under new government proposals.  For Shropshire’s beleaguered developers that means no end to the escalating costs of submitting a planning application.

With 8,500 people on Shropshire Council’s housing waiting list, the answer could lie with our farmers, but only with the compliance of local planning authorities.

The Coalition Government’s Home on the Farm scheme aims to encourage...

How do we see our countryside in 50 years time? This was one of the key questions asked at a conference of more than 60 Midlands professionals and landowners. Hosted by Staffordshire Rural Forum, the event discussed how planning policy can...