Latest news with #DevelopmentPlan
Edinburgh Reporter
12 hours ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes – including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038, but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers 'would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. 'I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together, we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; 'We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.' The latest information on LDP2 can be accessed via the West Lothian Council website: By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In slum rehabilitation schemes HC upholds decision for open spaces, says 35% be strictly reserved for public park
The Bombay High Court on Thursday upheld the state government's 2022 regulation permitting non-buildable open spaces exceeding 500 square metres in the city to be used for slum rehabilitation (SR) schemes. However, it has directed that at least 35% of the vacant space on such lands used for SR Schemes must be treated as a public amenity, such as a functional and usable public park, and not as a private area for residents only. The HC was hearing the plea, challenging the consistent use of public open spaces (POS) that are reserved for recreational purposes to implement SR schemes. Such public open spaces used for SR schemes are those which are otherwise non-buildable and reserved under the Development Plan for parks, gardens, playgrounds, etc. The HC also directed the BMC to complete the GIS-based mapping and geo-tagging of all plots designated as open space in the sanctioned development plan and the same be published on its website within four months. The bench said that once the SR project is completed, 35 % of its open space must be handed over to civic bodies for management within 90 days of obtaining occupation certificate for the project, unless the corporation permits joint maintenance with housing a society and such space shall not be enclosed or restrict entry of local public. 'No portion of the open space shall be reserved exclusively for any private group, resident association, or developer,' it noted. The HC directed the state government and Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) to form a dedicated committee or appoint a senior officer to oversee implementation of regulation on the ground and quarterly reports be submitted to the SRA and Urban Development Department (UDD), which shall be uploaded on their websites. A division bench of Justices Amit Borkar and Somasekhar Sundaresan passed a verdict on a plea by NGO Alliance for Governance and Renewal (NAGAR) and others, argued through senior advocate Shiraz Rustomjee. The petitioners had challenged the Regulation 17 (3)(D)(2) of the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR), 2034 under Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act inserted in the year 2022. The impugned decision allowed that non-buildable open spaces of over 500 square metres can be used for SR schemes, provided 35 % of the ground area is kept vacant and continued to serve the designated public reservation. However, the petitioners argued that the said regulation in effect legalised the diversion of up to 65 % of land from the reserved public use and permitted its use for construction. Therefore, the said regulation diluted the purpose of reservation and was robbing Mumbai of its much-needed green and open spaces,' they added. Rustomjee argued that public parks and open spaces 'should not be sacrificed to accommodate encroachments or private development, even under the banner of welfare schemes.' The petitioners further argued that the 2022 decision was an extension of the 1992 notification, They added that that while the 1992 notification sought minimum plot size of 1000 square metres, the 2022 regulation reduced it to 500 square metres, which will lead to more smaller open plots available for construction and further reducing already scarce open space in the city. In a 191-page judgement, Justice Borkar for the bench observed that the impugned decision 'tries to achieve the balance' that the government has to strike between its duties to protect, improve urban environment and to ensure shelter and safety for weaker sections of the society. Upholding the validity of the regulation in question, the HC also said disciplinary action be taken in case of any violations and projects retaining more than 35 % vacant space should be encouraged. It also directed the BMC to give ward wise action plans listing all reserved open spaces to UDD and conduct quarterly inspections to identify encroachments. Among a slew of directions, the court also asked the state government to undertake a comprehensive policy review of the impugned regulation within two years. It said that HC verdict should not be 'read as giving a free hand to the State to reduce open spaces in the city.'
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
PCMC cancels Charholi town planning scheme after CM's directive
Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation officially cancelled the proposed town planning (TP) schemes for Charholi on Wednesday, following a directive from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to the civic administration to withdraw the plan in the light of strong opposition from residents. Civic officials said the proposal to cancel the TP schemes was approved in the general body meeting by municipal commissioner and administrator Shekhar Singh on Wednesday. "Town planning schemes are meant for planned development. When landowners themselves are opposing it, it is not appropriate to proceed," a Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) official said. Fadnavis had said during his visit to the city on Wednesday, "The govt will not implement any project without taking people into confidence." He emphasised the importance of inclusive planning, particularly in a rapidly growing city like Pimpri Chinchwad, where development needs to be envisioned with a 50-year perspective. Residents argued that they lost a significant portion of land for various development works under the Development Plan (DP). They claimed that the new TP schemes would further reduce their landholding. Local political leaders also opposed the plan, pointing out that similar schemes had not been very successful in other parts of the state and could delay the development in Charholi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "A revised draft of the DP for Pimpri Chinchwad has been published. It includes reservation for several amenities in the Charholi and Chikhali areas. Hence, a separate TP scheme was not needed," said a resident. Earlier, PCMC proposed five TP schemes in Charholi, spanning over 1,425 hectares. A strong resistance from residents, including a call for a "bandh" and a dramatic protest where residents climbed up a water tank, prompted the civic body to initially pause the scheme. The demand for a permanent cancellation of the schemes led to the final decision announced on Wednesday. A similar TP scheme proposed for the Chikhali area over 380 hectares was also cancelled following opposition from residents.
Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built by 2038 under development plan
A full meeting of West Lothian Council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. West Lothian could see another 12,500 homes built in the decade to 2038. And communities have told planners that a more diverse choice of homes - including more bungalows- are needed to meet the needs of an ageing population. A full meeting of West Lothian council agreed to approve the first stage of a new Local Development Plan as a blueprint for the future look of communities. National planning demands call for West Lothian to have another 9.850 homes by 2038 but planners raised that to more than 12,000 having accepted community calls for greater diversity of house styles, including more bungalows as well as more smaller homes to allow downsizing among a growing elderly population. There has also been a call for more affordable housing. This initial stage known as the Evidence Report now goes to the Scottish Government for approval. It sets out where development should take place and what is needed to accompany that development. Councillors gave cautious welcome to the proposals but aired concerns about health care provision and transport infrastructure, both of which dominate the conversation on existing housing development proposals. Earlier worries that they would not have enough time to work through the hefty document's 1,000 plus pages were allayed. Linlithgow Lib Dem Sally Pattle had, at a recent meeting, warned that developers ' would be watching us like hawks' as she stressed the need for councillors to 'get things right' in the plan. She told the meeting: ' After being slightly alarmed a couple weeks ago I'm pleased to say I have had some really good discussions with officers and I really wanted to say extend my thanks for the time that they have provided me with in the last couple of weeks so that I understood the process and am a lot clearer about what is going happen going forward. 'I am now reassured that we have to get this evidence report in I understand the tightness of the timescales we are up against I also have been reassured that we just at the beginning of this process. 'As long as we all keep working together we'll be able to get there with the best outcome for West Lothian so thank you very much.' Proposing a motion accepting the paper council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick said; ' We are taking a big step forward; it has required a significant amount of work by council officers. I'm glad to note there has been massive interaction between officers and councillors with regard to queries. I move that we accept the recommendation which includes the corrections to be included.' Planning officers stressed that the Evidence gathering had consulted communities on their hopes and expectations for the future. The final Local Development Plan which has to be in place for 2028 should reflect those community demands. A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'We would like to thank everyone who engaged in the process that has enabled planning officers to prepare this evidence report. It is important to stress this is an early point in the process of creating a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian. 'Completion of this gate check process will then allow planning officers to prepare the first draft of the new local development plan for West Lothian. This process will once again require extensive engagement with key stakeholders and local communities and the council will once again be calling on members of the public to participate. Details of how you can get involved will be shared in due course.'
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Narrower Roads, Vanishing Spaces: 186 Public Utility Plots Deleted In Nagpur DP Revision
Nagpur: In a city where even the widest roads now feel choked due to rampant roadside parking, the deletion of 23 reserved parking plots from Nagpur's Development Plan (DP) is raising serious alarm. The irony runs deeper — as vehicular population surges and traffic congestion worsens, the civic body has quietly erased 186 plots originally earmarked for key public amenities, including those meant to ease urban pressure. Nearly 25 years after Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) crafted the 2000 DP to ensure a liveable and well-serviced city, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is now revising that vision — but not without controversy. A detailed review of the 2000 DP reveals that reservations for playgrounds, parks, schools, health centres, fire stations, libraries, markets, and even plots for CRPF camps and air cargo hubs have been axed or merged — with little public explanation. The 2000 DP had earmarked 882 plots specifically for such civic infrastructure. These included 86 land parcels for parking, 166 for playgrounds, 23 for sports activities, 26 for gardens, and 11 for fire stations — reflecting a conscious attempt to create a balanced and accessible urban environment. However, in the revised draft, only about 696 of these reservations may remain. Over the years, the NMC reportedly deleted the reservations. Among the most heavily affected are playgrounds (27 deletions), parking lots (23), 13 primary schools, 10 secondary schools, 9 parks, and 8 gardens. Notably, several of these vanished plots were located in newly developing localities — precisely where public infrastructure is urgently needed. The revised Development Plan is being formulated to earmark land for public amenities such as playgrounds, parking spaces, and schools, based on projected population growth over the next 20 years. However, Nagpur's vehicular population has already crossed 21 lakh, putting immense pressure on the existing infrastructure. In response, NMC has begun designating on-street parking zones across 51 roads in the city, which can collectively accommodate about 17,500 vehicles — including 13,500 two-wheelers and 4,000 four-wheelers. Urban planners argue this is a reactive move that falls far short of addressing long-term mobility needs in a rapidly growing city. Urban planners and citizen groups warn the deletions will not only accelerate inequity but also push Nagpur further away from its Smart City goals. "You can build flyovers and lay expressways, but without parks, schools, and clinics, urban life becomes unsustainable," said a former NIT planner who was part of the original DP team. "By deleting these reservations, we are dismantling the civic architecture of the future. " Even spaces reserved for the dis-housed, slaughterhouses, and an ambitious air cargo hub near the airport have disappeared from the plan, highlighting a trend where real estate pressures appear to be outweighing public needs. A former town planner from the NMC admitted that some plots in the 2000 DP may have overlapped with previously allotted residential land, which was challenged in the high court. "Yes, the earlier DP had its flaws. But it at least acknowledged the city's long-term needs. The new deletions seem less about corrections and more about commercial convenience," he said. Citizens are now urging the NMC to restore these reservations or provide adequate substitutions. "Once these plots are deregulated, they're lost forever to private developers. No one comes back later and sets up a school or park," said a housing rights activist. With the draft DP currently open for public suggestions and objections, pressure is mounting on the NMC to clarify its rationale and ensure transparency in the planning process. "City planning isn't just about land use — it's about people's right to a dignified life," said a member of a local civic group. "Those 186 missing plots aren't numbers. They are lost opportunities for a fairer, healthier, and more liveable Nagpur. " Unless rectified, planners warn, the revised DP could transform Nagpur into a dense, concrete city — efficient in form, but hollow in function.
