Laura Sharman 13 February 2015

Pickles rejects Coventry Gateway plans

Coventry City Council is ‘amazed’ and ‘bitterly disappointed’ that plans to develop Coventry and Warwickshire Gateway have been rejected by Eric Pickles.

The local government minister has turned down plans to develop a 700 acre site around Coventry Airport. However, the council said the scheme would have created up to 10,000 new jobs

Cabinet member for business, enterprise and employment, Cllr Kevin Maton, said: ‘The scheme, put forward by Coventry and Warwickshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership had the potential to provide a real boost to the local economy, and I’m amazed the minister couldn’t support the plans.

‘It’s particularly disappointing news, given that Vince Cable was in the area just yesterday talking about the vital role the region and Coventry engineering expertise played in the economy nationally. This scheme would have helped support further development of this expertise while creating thousands of jobs.’

Mr Pickles said planning for the scheme had been refused mainly due to the ‘substantial Green Belt harm’ the development would cause, which were not outweighed by the benefits of the scheme.

Photo: ©Robin Stott

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£36,734 to £39,278
We are looking for Social Workers who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are passionate about promoting independence and who share the vision of ‘Home First’ and reablement, to ensure people have choice and control over their own lives Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley

Highway Asset and Development Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N Scp 50 £59,031 to Scp 53 £62,076, plus car allowance
To be responsible for leading, developing and delivering an effective, efficient and safe Highway Asset Management Service Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Bridge Engineer

Somerset Council
£34,834 to £39,186
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. Taunton
Recuriter: Somerset Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.