Latest news with #planning
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
'My wife wants to retire so she can spend time with me. I can't think of anything worse': I can see straight through this letter-writer's motivation, says CAROLINE WEST-MEADS. This is my brutal answer
Q I'm 65 and retired three years ago. Our children have moved out so now it's just my wife and me at home. Since retiring I have formed a very nice social life, and enjoy spending weekends with her. I also find it interesting in the evenings hearing about her busy job – she has a good career. My wife has now told me that she wants to retire in the next six to 12 months. She says that this means we can start planning all the things we have talked about doing together.
ABC News
a day ago
- Business
- ABC News
Building costs blow out due to planning restrictions
The Housing Industry Association is calling for moves to simplify the planning system for building new homes, to get people in the door faster and help to solve the housing crisis. NSW Executive Director Brad Armitage says attitudes need to be more flexible when it comes to the type of housing required to meet demand.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Town centre offices in Reading to be converted into flats
Three floors of town centre offices will be converted into apartments after a planning application was first, second and third floors of St Mary's House in St Mary's Butts, Reading, will be converted to create 31 serviced floor will be built on top of the current building to provide another six apartments but shop units, currently including a Cancer Research charity shop and Caffè Nero, will Borough Council gave the plans permission last week. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Plan to help Jersey's ageing population proposed
Calls have been made to improve planning policies to help Jersey's ageing Inna Gardiner has lodged a proposition to create an "age-friendly infrastructure framework" to adapt planning standards to help elderly said the framework would have age-inclusive planning guidance, improve public transport accessibility and promote "10-minute neighbourhoods" to keep GPs, pharmacies, shops and parks within walking said the island faced a "profound demographic shift" with Statistics Jersey suggesting the older population was expected to increase rapidly over the next 20-30 years. 'Rare opportunity' The proposition also calls for a commitment to developing anti-slip pavements, doorways without steps and more public toilets and sheltered said she felt the island's infrastructure and planning policies needed to adapt."This [framework] gives Jersey a rare opportunity to plan ahead to adapt our public spaces, transport networks, and services before they become inadequate," she added."Failure to do so will increase long-term dependency, health and care costs, and social isolation among older islanders."The earliest date for debate of the proposition at the States Assembly is 8 July.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Miss Wales finalist STILL doesn't have the keys to her £6m Omaze house nearly three months after winning it as planning row rumbles on
A former Miss Wales finalist is still waiting to receive the keys to her £6million Omaze house nearly three months after winning the draw. Vicky Curtis-Cresswell, 38, said it had felt like 'an enormous weight had been lifted' when she was the lucky winner of Larkfields in Norfolk in February. The mansion home was the most expensive ever given in a UK prize draw with the competition raising £4million for BBC 's Comic Relief. But Omaze's so-called notorious 'curse' appears to have struck again as the home, modelled on the luxurious seaside villas in the Hamptons in Long Island, is at the centre of a planning fallout. The tennis court and swimming pool, much lauded in Omaze's spiel to promote the draw, reportedly do not have planning permission. While the pastel blue panelled fronted home has been built larger than was permitted, the BBC reported. North Norfolk District Council launched an investigation in March when a member of the public complained it had not been built to the submitted blueprints. Omaze said it had submitted a pre-application to the local authority and would be filing a retrospective planning application. The fundraising firm said issues with the home had not been found when checks and surveys were carried out before it had been bought. A spokesman said: 'Omaze will transfer ownership of the property to the winner once all planning matters are resolved.' If the retrospective planning application is refused the council could order the company to make changes to the property so it is in line with the original plans. MailOnline has contacted Omaze for further comment. Ms Curtis-Cresswell, who bought her winning ticket for just £10, and who has never owned her own home before, is planning to sell it in order to buy a house in her native Wales. Jamie Minors, managing director of local estate agents Minors and Brady, said last month the planning problems would 'massively affect the chance of sale, as some people will be put off and will not want to buy it. It could also affect the value'. 'Selling it will definitely be more difficult and challenging, as solicitors will definitely advise against it,' he said. Ms Curtis-Cresswell currently lives with her husband, Dale, 41, and young daughter at her in-laws' three-bedroom house in Wales and the family were looking for their own rental property when news of the win came in. Sun loungers by the outdoor pool give a view over spectacular scenery by the north Norfolk coastline The kitchen at the imposing house, which was built in the style of architecture found in Cape Cod and the Hamptons, boasts integrated appliances, a US-style fridge and an island with seating for four people 'Our lives changed forever and we became multi-millionaires,' said Ms Curtis-Creswell, who entered the Miss Wales competition in 2008 and won Most Driven Contestant. 'I was absolutely flabbergasted, my sister-in-law burst out crying. It was a mixture of pure shock and joy. 'Like a lot of people, it's fair to say times can be tough. We both work so hard but things can still feel stretched some months. Winning this house feels like an enormous weight has been lifted. 'It's crazy. One week, we're worrying about our old car breaking down, the next thing we've got a £6 million house.' A £250,000 cash prize came with the 5,000 sq ft house, which also has a summer house, all-weather AstroTurf tennis court and access to a secluded pontoon and has £165,000 worth of furnishings. The property could earn an estimated £5,500 per month if rented out - but Ms Curtis Cresswell added: 'I think we'll sell it to release the money and buy another amazing house somewhere in Wales. 'We'll be having a big party in Norfolk before we sell up. We can't wait to invite our friends and family.' A North Norfolk District Council spokeswoman said: 'We are waiting for an application to be submitted by the owners to try and regularise the current breaches of planning control. 'We are expecting an application to be submitted by the end of this month.'
