Author Archive
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Defra approves new farming and forestry grants
Around one thousand rural farms and businesses should soon be able to turn business plans into reality as the first grants from the new £20 million Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme are approved by Defra. Farmers, foresters and horticulturalists can receive grants of up to £25,000 to invest in green projects and new machinery, with the funding backing new profit-boosting green schemes that: Save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Reduce dependence on artificial fertilizers through better use of ...
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Community Infrastructure Levy – your questions answered
The CIL is a planning charge introduced in April 2010 that can be applied by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to development, to fund other infrastructure and community developments that the Council and local communities want. The charge applies to England and Wales when the development starts and is paid by the developer. The amount of the charge is in most cases non-negotiable. Some LPAs have prepared charging schedules setting out the amounts required for different types of ...
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Office of Fair Trading consults with rural communities
The UK's more remote rural communities are being invited to contribute to a fact-finding review by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The watchdog wants to know about the challenges facing consumers and businesses in remote communities, having recognised that prices of many goods (not least fuel!) and services are frequently high. It is also taking a look at access to key services such as shops, dentists, chemists, banks and public transport. As part of the project, workshops ...
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Town Planning Update Autumn/Winter 2011
The Chancellor made a few significant statements affecting planning in his Autumn Statement. These may have not have been noticed but are of importance. The Chancellor made the following statements set out in bold italics. Planning Obligations or Section 106 Agreements – there will be a consultation exercise on a proposal to review planning obligations made prior to April 2010 where the development involved has stalled. With the economic downturn many obligations negotiated and agreed prior ...
