National Planning Policy Framework 2012

This was published yesterday, takes effect immediately.

In general, there seems to be a collective sigh of relief from bodies such as the National Trust which had campaigned vigorously against what was initially seen as a 'developers' charter'.

How it will work out in reality we will have to wait and see.

I'll add further links* but for the moment:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2115939.pdf

There is the doc.

Here is a link to English Heritage's Commentary on the National Planning Policy Framework:

https://sites.google.com/site/ehcommsinfo/nppf

Nem

*Heritage Alliance response to #NPPF

http://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/tag/national-planning-policy-framework/


Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/mar/27/reaction-nppf-publication-greg-clark?newsfeed=true


Tim Stansfield Planning Blog:

http://timstansfeld.planningresource.co.uk/2012/03/28/national-planning-policy-framework-pass-or-fail/

Should Abbey Road Studios be a National Trust treasure?

http://www.abbeyroad.com/

UPDATE 23rd February

It has just been announced that Margaret Hodge has agreed to the spotlisting of Abbey Road Studios at Grade II.  HOORAY! 

Thanks to English Heritage, here's the full listing description:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/27390081/Abbey-Road-Studios-West-Minster


Now Minister, how about all that backlog of listing recommendations (and delisting challenges...) you have still to decide?

UPDATE Sunday 21st Feb EMI now says it won't sell Abbey Road Studios:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8527095.stm

That still leaves, however (see below) the matter of the listing recommendation made by English Heritage to the Secretary of State in 2003; it would be a great pity if this was not now acted upon...


Apologies for the gappy blogging, there's a great deal to catch up on but I'm not feeling my usual ebulliently (over) wordy self at the moment so here's a brief one.

Abbey Road Recording Studios is under threat. The National Trust has asked for views on whether or not it should attempt to 'save it for the nation'.

For anyone who has been marooned on a desert island for the past fifty years this may be a cause of some surprise, but the Trust has moved with the times and feels this could be added to its property holdings in order to safeguard its historic and cultural significance. The Trust owns the childhood homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and there is of course the Beatles connection with  Abbey Road.

In the Trust's own write (sorry about that, small Beatles pun for the uninitiated):

An astonishing outpouring of public emotion has greeted the reports of a plan by EMI to sell the Abbey Road recording studios, with many calling on the National Trust to campaign to save the iconic studios for the nation.

On hearing of EMI's plan, listeners to the Chris Evans show on BBC Radio 2 and to BBC Radio Five live contacted the programmes to urge us to take on the property made famous by the Beatles' Abbey Road album. A possible role for the Trust was suggested on the radio when presenter Chris Evans and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney both raised the prospect of support from the National Trust. Their proposition triggered an immediate reaction from listeners, with many emailing support for the idea. The public have also been adding their voice on Twitter.

'It's not often that the public spontaneously suggests that we should acquire a famous building”, said a National Trust spokesman, “However, Abbey Road recording studios appear to be very dear to the nation’s heart - to the extent that we will take soundings as to whether a campaign is desirable or even feasible.'

We're asking you to let us know whether you think the studios should be saved. No price has been put on the building in the affluent St John’s Wood district of North London, but there has been speculation that it could be worth between £10 million and £30 million. If there is enough momentum, we may launch a campaign to save the studios.

Our Director General, Dame Fiona Reynolds, took time out to talk about the campaign and ask the world what they thought on the Chris Evans show on BBC Radio 2.

That short section of radio broadcast from yesterday can be heard here:



and the Trust is asking people to log on to its website and vote here:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-should-national-trust-save-abbey-road-studios.htm

English Heritage has made the following statement:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.17644

Abbey Road Studios

We applaud the public enthusiasm and support for safeguarding the future of the Abbey Road Studios and call on Ministers to turn their attention to the advice that we provided in 2003 and endorse our recommendation to list the building at grade ll.

English Heritage believes that the Abbey Road Studios possess outstanding cultural interest as the world's earliest purpose-built, and still the most famous, recording studios. Its importance as the leading force in popular music is perhaps greater today than ever and is revered internationally.

Listing would recognise that the building is special – it is not a tool to frustrate change or even a possible sale, but will mean that any decisions affecting the building’s future would need to be considered very carefully.

We welcome the National Trust’s exploration of options regarding a possible acquisition.

Unfortunately, the current crop of politicians at the DCMS appear not to have a great deal of understanding  of listing and its benefits; however, no doubt a few e-mails to the Minister Margaret Hodge at the DCMS wouldn't come amiss.

Beatles 1969 album cover Abbey Road

Apologies to readers for this link which (red alert) is to a Daily Mail story today,  in which it claims that Andrew Lloyd Webber is promising his millions to help buy the studio:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1252116/Ill-save-Abbey-Road-Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-promises-30m-plus-buy-studios.html

so there is hope.

For those who are unaware of the Beatles (pictured above) phenomenon (a once popular beat combo M'Lud) then this past post may or may not bring some enlightenment, and amusement:

http://nemesisrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/11/hard-days-night.html

Nem

National Trust properties devastated by floods (updated 23rd Nov)

Pics: Top Wordsworth House, Cockermouth,  front, Nov 23rd,  courtesy National Trust  (see pictures below also)

Bottom  Cockermouth, main street, Cumbria, Friday 20th courtesy of the BBC

Update Monday
NATIONAL TRUST LATEST AND APPEAL FOR FUNDS

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northwest/w-northwest-news/w-northwest-news-flood-updates.htm

I had a talk with the NT regional office today, naturally all are simply 'firefighting' at the moment, but later no doubt volunteers will be appreciated to help with the clear up. The @nationaltrust Twitterfeed is posting #cumbriaupdates.  All are grateful for all the concern and interest shown in this difficult time.

Today this video was posted, showing how badly affected Fell Foot tearoom and park is, on the shore of Windermere:

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/35b3500bdfd16fde3d8ba8245418e9b5/video/7461347

and BBC news is being updated with film and information of the region, including Cockermouth

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cumbria/hi/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8374308.stm

Very distressing.

Another blog with pictures and on the spot news from the weekend

http://www.g4ilo.com/2009/11/cockermouth-floods.html

Update Sunday
National Trust Twitter message: @nationaltrust Message from Cumbrian team: "Thank you. We have received so much support and it makes a big difference to know that people care."

Latest news from the BBC at mid-day
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8372775.stm

Sunday 6pm via Twitter
@nationaltrust It has finally stopped raining in Cumbria and by tomorrow eve the teams will be able to assess the full impact of the wettest day on record

Pictures today from Fell Foot tea room ( a former boathouse) thanks to the Cumbria NT team:

Update Saturday latest report and vid from the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/20/policeman-dies-floods-cockermouth-cumbria

Latest from the Whitehaven News, including pictures:
http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/

Post 20th November
I was mid blog updating about Gazprom and St Petersburg WHS (coming soon...) when the National Trust Twitter feed posted news closer to home of the damage caused by the floods in the north-west. Cockermouth has been particularly badly hit. I have re-tweeted as much as I can. If you can, please RT this message.

Terrible news from Workington where a policeman has tragically lost his life when a bridge was been swept away, and of course there is devastation to homes and businesses. No doubt stock in fields will have suffered very badly also. 

Deepest sympathy goes to all affected, especially the family of PC Barker.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8370865.stm

As far as this blog is concerned, which is mostly about buildings, so I'll not dwell on the appalling human cost which I know all readers will appreciate, the grim  news at the moment is that Wordsworth House in Cockermouth has been badly hit, which isn't a surprise as the river runs closely behind.  Hilltop (Beatrix Potter) at Sawrey has suffered,  as has the Beatrix Potter Gallery at Hawkshead, Fell Foot tea room is under water, and roads are flooded around the region. Sizergh is hit but not the buildings.

NT Twitter: @nationaltrust
#cumbriaupdate Wordsworth House.Severe flooding to basement, reception, shop and garden. House sandbagged. Flooding now reached ground floor

Film:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8370656.stm

At Cockermouth the staff have sandbagged the main building and have worked  hard to get the furniture upstairs.  But the damage to the ground level buildings etc is bad.  It's not only basements. The garden is badly flooded; a great deal of time has recently been spent restoring and replanting. After foot and mouth, the area was sorely in need of new ways to attract custom and business, and now this - it will take a very long time to recover.

The NT tells me via Twitter that volunteers may well be welcome; but currently the Ennerdale office is hit by power cuts. The answering machine is working and I have left a message. As many roads are flooded, travel may be difficult of course, but if anyone can get safely to flood hit properties, call

01946 816940

I'll update when I can. See side column, Twittering on.

UPDATE  18.00 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northwest/w-northwest-news/w-northwest-news-unprecedented-weather.htm?campid=twitter

I have no doubt there are other flood hit historic buildings, and Dumfries and Galloway reported to be in danger too, but at the moment, that's the news I have.  Sorry it's a bit rough and ready, will post more when I have it.

For excellent pictures pre-flood see
Cockermouth:

http://www.visitcumbria.com/cm/cmouth.htm

Wordsworth House:

http://www.visitcumbria.com/cm/wordhse.htm

19.00 @cumbriadotcom   #FF



Nem