Leicester streetlight savings, Essex business funding, Bridgend new homes, Energy compliance concern
0Leicester saves half a million through streetlights scheme
Leicestershire county council has switched off or dimmed over 21,000 lights during certain times, making a £506,000 saving since June 2010. Over the next 12 months another 2000 roadside lights will be switched off between 7pm and 7am, 1000 lights switched off totally and a further 40,000 streetlights will be out between midnight and 5.30am in towns and villages.
Essex proposes £2m for business
Essex County Council has set aside £2m to boost its local economy. £875,000 will go towards education, employment and skills, £650,000 to roads and infrastructure and £400,00 to business support.
Yorkshire and Humber regional strategy abolished
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced last week that the regional strategy for Yorkshire and Humber would be scrapped, allowing the area to decide on its own planning and house-building. The city of York, as it doesn’t currently have a Local Plan in place with defined green belt boundaries, will see its green belt policies retained as part of the regional strategy.
Bridgend County Borough Council adds 830 homes
Bridgend County Borough Council has added 830 extra homes to its Local Development Plan, to be built before 2021. The addition brings the total number of new houses to be built in the borough before 2021 to 10,660. The plans include a 600-home mini-town, Parc Afon Ewenni.
Trade body worries over public building energy compliance
Local Authorities could be ignoring European energy efficiency regulations, according to trade body the Property and Energy Professionals Association. The organisation has sent requests under the Freedom of Information Act to the chief executives of every council in England and Wales, asking for details on public buildings that do not comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive by having an Display Energy Certificate, showing the building’s energy consumption, in public view.
