Month: July 2018

New Housing Minister Kit Malthouse MP sees housing delivery in action on a visit to Rochester Riverside development in Medway today (26 July 2018) as part of his role in building a housing market fit for the future.

Hot off the heels of major planning reforms announced earlier this week by the government, the minister joined council leader Alan Jarrett to tour the Medway-based development, meet apprentices and see how the site is helping to support the needs of the community.

Working closely with joint landowners, Medway Council and Homes England, Countryside has already started 400 of the 1,400 homes since work began in 2018.

Minister of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse MP said:

There are few missions more important than building more homes in the places that desperately need them.

Rochester Riverside is a great example of high quality, well designed homes with the infrastructure needed to create thriving communities that people want to live in. This is exactly what is at the heart of our new planning rule book which will help to deliver the 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s.

Leader of Medway Council, Councillor Alan Jarrett said:

We were delighted to welcome the new Minster of State for Housing, Kit Malthouse, to Medway and show him our flagship regeneration site, Rochester Riverside.

Here we are undergoing a monumental regeneration programme and delivering developments across our 5 towns to provide new opportunities and growth for all our residents.

We recognise the importance of meeting the housing demand and providing a range of accommodation, from luxury riverside homes to affordable.

We have a rich cultural heritage and this year represents our twentieth anniversary, in which we are celebrating the huge transformation journey.

We will continue to strengthen our economy, as well as provide further housing opportunities, over the next 20 years. It’s definitely an exciting future for those who choose to live, learn, work and visit Medway.

Touring the first phase of the construction site, the minister saw for himself the design and materials used as the homes were being prepared for new residents to move in.

He also met apprentice brick layers working on the site, building the homes while also learning valuable skills to set them up for the future.

The minister’s visit follows the launch of the new National Planning Policy Framework on 24 July 2018, setting out new requirements for delivering high quality new homes, giving the community a real say in development proposals and also introducing tougher environmental protections that safeguard wildlife and air quality.

The government has been clear on its ambition to achieve 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, which follows 217,000 homes built last year, the biggest increase in housing supply in England for almost a decade.

Rural businesses and communities are set to benefit from improved broadband access as part of a £45 million boost by the government.

The new funding for the government’s Rural Broadband Infrastructure Scheme adds to the £30 million investment announced last year, increasing the total pot of funding available to £75 million.

The money will be made available through grants to local authorities that have already applied for funding, in areas where broadband services at speeds of 30Mbps or faster are not available or planned. The funding will be used to support full fibre wherever possible.

It follows the launch of the Government’s Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review this week which outlined plans to prioritise hard-to-reach rural areas for roll out of full fibre connectivity.

Visiting North York Moors National Park today, Lord Gardiner will announce that North Yorkshire is one of the local authorities to receive funding through the scheme with a grant offer of over £11 million.

Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner said:

I am delighted to announce today that North Yorkshire has been awarded a grant of £11 million towards improving its broadband infrastructure.

Rural areas should not be left behind in the connectivity slow lane, missing out on the opportunities high speed broadband can bring. The funding made available through the Rural Broadband Infrastructure Scheme champions our countryside communities and businesses by opening up access to broadband of at least 30 Megabits per second, in some of the most hard to reach areas.

The increased funding for the Rural Broadband Infrastructure Scheme follows a positive response and a high number of applications from local authorities. It is part of planned investment of at least £3.5 billion into our rural economies by 2020, supporting the quarter of businesses in the UK which are based in the countryside.

The scheme is delivered by the Rural Payments Agency and supports those rural areas which are not currently scheduled to receive broadband as part of commercial delivery plans or under the Government’s Superfast Broadband Programme, which expects to give access to superfast broadband to around 97% of UK premises over the next few years.

With nearly a fifth of people living in the countryside, it is important that the needs of rural communities are heard loud and clear across government. In addition to driving forward high speed internet, the government is championing housing availability and supporting job creation.

Lord Gardiner is today visiting the North York Moors National Park as part of National Parks Week where he will also meet a number of young workers and apprentices. North York Moors supported 120 apprentices through its Apprenticeship Programme, amounting to over 50,000 working days.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has approved an application from Dover Harbour Board (DHB) to carry out aggregate dredging at Area 521, known as the South Goodwin Sands.

The marine licence granted by the MMO gives DHB permission to extract up to 3 million tonnes of aggregate by trailer suction hopper dredging, which is proposed to be undertaken between September 2019 and September 2020. This follows an application DHB originally made to the MMO in May 2016. The aggregate is required to provide fill material for the wider Dover Western Docks Revival project.

The decision follows extensive public consultation, during which over 1,300 specific representations from the public were received. Issues raised during this consultation were taken into account by the applicant, the MMO and its primary advisers in determining the application.

The MMO believes it was appropriate to grant the licence because it is satisfied, on the basis of the evidence provided, the assessments that have been undertaken and on advice from its primary advisers, that sufficient measures were proposed to protect the marine environment, prevent interference with legitimate users of the seas and mitigate impacts to any other relevant matters. These measures have been captured in the marine licence conditions.

John Tuckett, Chief Executive of the Marine Management Organisation, said:

“We understand the strength of feeling surrounding this development, both for and against. As a regulator that has to balance and manage competing uses of the marine environment we accept that not everyone will be happy with the decisions we make.

“However we are entirely impartial in our marine licencing process and consider and are satisfied that this decision is based on the best available evidence and is proportionate and complies with relevant policy.”

The MMO is committed to transparency and helping people to access the evidence on which it bases its decisions. Details about this case, including the MMO’s decision report and Marine Conservation Zone assessment are available online via the public register of marine licence applications (case reference MLA/2016/00227) and via a page on the MMO’s website.

Companies wanting to carry out commercial aggregate extraction may also need other permissions, such as from the Crown Estate as the owners of the seabed. More information is also available on the Crown Estate’s website.

It is now up to DHB to decide whether they proceed with the dredging project.

Two men who attacked a man outside his home will spend longer in prison after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred their sentences to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

Greg Wenham, now 36, and Jack Siksnys, now 23, approached their victim as he stood outside a local Crayford pub. They took some of his belongings and threw them on the floor before giving chase when he attempted to flee. Wenham and Siksnys then attacked the victim as he tried to get into his house, repeatedly punching and kicking him in the head and genitals. They dragged him into the street and continued this attack even after the victim had fallen unconscious, ignoring shouts from a neighbour, and did not stop until the police arrived.

The victim suffered multiple fractures to his face which required permanent metal implants; and he continues to suffer emotionally from the attack.

Wenham and Siksnys were originally sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in May, where they were imprisoned for 3 years 9 months and 4 years 6 months respectively. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased their sentences. Wenham will now serve 6 years and Siksnys 5 and a half years.

Commenting after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“Wenham and Siksnys carried out a sustained attack against their victim, failing to stop either when called out by witnesses or when their victim fell unconscious. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today agreed with my referral, and hope this brings some comfort to the victim.”

The UK and India are committed partners in the fight to transform lives through research and modern technology. To reinforce that cooperation, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Sam Gyimah and Indian Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan today (Thursday 26 July) co-chaired the biennial Science and Innovation Council meeting in New Delhi.

During the council meeting, the ministers celebrated the human impact that existing cooperation through the 600 projects supported by the Newton-Bhabha Partnership had brought, such as using technology to monitor maternal health and make water safe.

They reinforced their desire to use science and innovation to address some of the biggest challenges facing society – for example the threat of climate change, food security and energy consumption – and to harness the opportunities brought by technological advancements.

They signalled their commitment to a deeper relationship by jointly announcing four new awards worth £4.8 million under the Civil Nuclear Energy programme and seven new awards worth £10.8 million under Phase 2 of the Global research programme on health. They also renewed a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on environmental challenges and another on arts and humanities.

Speaking from Delhi, Science Minister Sam Gyimah said:

The UK believes in the power of research and development to tackle global challenges and improve people’s lives for the better. India is the fastest rising research and innovation power in the world, and so I’m excited by the huge potential for enhanced collaboration as we support high-quality, high-impact research that changes lives.

Today’s Science and Innovation Council meeting has reinforced our strong relationship, and the announcements we have jointly made today will ensure that cooperation continues to go from strength to strength.

The ministers also applauded India’s growing science capability and innovation-focused science policy approach. They reinforced their commitment to the India-UK Technology Partnership – announced by PMs Modi and May in April – which brings together the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy and India’s core science and innovation initiatives.

Indian Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Harsh Vardhan said:

Technology Cooperation is the key to the future. India and the UK should work on sustainable, affordable, and low energy consumption technologies.

The council was created to strengthen the 2 countries’ science, technology and innovation relationship. This year’s meeting focussed on the rapid growth of the UK and India’s joint research portfolio and recognised the strength of the bilateral relationship – India is the fastest growing research power and the UK is a major, high-quality research power. Bilateral research collaboration has seen exponential growth from £1 million in 2008 to £400 million by 2021.

During his visit to India, Sam Gyimah also gave the welcome address at an Education Technology event in Delhi. He will visit research projects in Chennai funded under the Newton-Bhabha partnership.

Notes to editors

Examples of how the UK-India partnership is changing lives:

Better monitoring of maternal health will help save lives

Obstetric haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and sepsis account for more than 50% of maternal deaths worldwide. Early detection and effective management of these conditions relies on vital signs monitoring, including pulse and blood pressure. A Newton-Bhabha funded project is testing the introduction of a new vital sign device into routine maternity care at community and hospital level in 10 sites in India, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Malawi and Haiti. Developed at KCL in London, the ‘CRADLE Vital Signs Alert’ is a hand-held semi-automated device which measures blood pressure and pulse, detecting hypertension and circulatory shock with an early warning system. It is affordable, easy-to-use, and portable with low power requirements.

Cutting fertiliser use in rice production

India accounts for almost half of the global imports for phosphorus fertilisers. Efforts over the last 50 years to boost food production have relied on increasing the yield of dwarf varieties of rice and wheat, using large quantities of chemical fertiliser in areas with poor soil. Increased fertiliser use means increased cost to farmers and fertiliser run-off brings water pollution issues. A Newton-Bhabha Fellowship project looked at the way root systems in rice acquire water and nutrients. Researchers discovered the key genes that control the rice root traits that improve the plant’s ability to forage for phosphate in low nutrient soils. This is providing innovative new tools to advance the performance of rice varieties and minimise the use of phosphate fertilisers for rice production. The development of new rice varieties able to grow efficiently in low nutrient soils promises to have major economic impact by supporting the sustainable intensification of agriculture and reducing environmental pollution.

Making water safe for all

The supply of clean drinking water in rural India continues to be an enormous challenge, with many people acquiring waterborne diseases and a plethora of other sicknesses due to consuming contaminated water. Indian researcher Chandrasekaran J. (Chandra) is now a successful entrepreneur helping to provide safe, clean water to people living in India thanks to support from the Newton-Bhabha Fund. The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme enabled Chandra to join a cohort of researchers from India on a residential visit to the UK where he was mentored by experts in developing his business plans and in pitching his venture to investors for commercialisation. Chandra’s company, WATSAN, now manufactures and distributes low-cost yet effective electricity-free water filters and sanitary solutions to urban slums and rural families who cannot afford other expensive options. Since the inception of its water purifier unit, WATSAN’s pioneering steps in bringing welfare to India have been recognised through a number of national awards.

A man who killed 2 young boys due to driving while intoxicated has today had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

Robert Anthony Brown, 54, was driving at twice the speed limit while under the influence of cocaine when he collided with the Platt-May family who were crossing the road. Two young brothers, aged 6 and 2, were killed by the impact.

Brown has an extensive history of previous motoring-related offences, and at the time of this offence was disqualified from driving, unlicensed, and uninsured.

Brown was originally sentenced at Warwick Crown Court in April to 9 years’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 15 years. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 10 years 6 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

This was an atrocious offence, which Corey and Casper’s family will likely never recover from. Brown had an overwhelming history of similar offences, and he deserved to be jailed for longer. This is such a tragic case, and I hope the increased sentence sends a clear message that anyone who commits such a crime will be met with the full force of the law.

Sections of the A23 at Hooley will have an extra lane added, upgraded traffic signals will be installed and new pedestrian and cycling facilities will be introduced.

Hooley junction is where the M23 motorway terminates, and is a major route from the M25 to Croydon and south London. The 35,000 drivers who use it every day are often held up as motorway traffic merges onto the A23, and queuing traffic frequently blocks access to residential roads.

The improvements seek to address both of these issues, and plans are going on show this weekend (Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July).

Highways England project sponsor Tommy Whittingham said:

These improvements will deliver improvements for drivers and local people alike. The A23 through Hooley is badly in need of improvements. Residents along this stretch often have access to their driveways blocked by queuing traffic, and drivers using the A23 at Hooley have long suffered with congestion with traffic backing up along the carriageway and onto the local roads.

This scheme will add an extra lane to relieve bottlenecks in each direction, while upgraded traffic lights will help to optimise traffic flow. And a new shared pedestrian and cycle path will give a safe, convenient alternative to the main road.

We are holding two public information events at Hooley Village Hall in Hooley on Friday and Saturday this week so people can come and speak to the project team and find out more about our plans.

The A23 is a major route for drivers travelling to and from south London using the M23 and M25, and the junctions between the A23, Star Lane and Netherne Drive in Hooley are often congested. Queuing traffic often blocks access to residential properties driveways, backing up the main carriageway.

The scheme includes:

• widening the northbound A23 from Dean Lane Junction to Netherne Drive to two lanes
• widening the southbound A23 from Netherne Drive to the Esso petrol station to two lanes
• upgrading traffic signals to improve traffic flow at the A23 junctions with Netherne Drive, Star Lane and Church Street
• enhanced pedestrian and cycling facilities with a new shared footway and cycleway. This will give cyclists an alternative to the main carriageway.

The improvements will increase capacity and help smooth traffic flow on the A23 between Dean Lane to Netherne Drive, and provide journey time savings of around two and a half minutes per vehicle. The upgrade will also help to reduce congestion during the peak hours and improve traffic flow for vehicles entering and exiting the A23. The scheme will also reduce the likelihood of traffic backing up on to junctions further along the A23. The scheme design and traffic modelling indicates that it will not move the problem further along the A23.

Drivers, local residents and business owners are invited to find out more about the plans, which will be on show at three public exhibitions at Hooley Village Hall this Friday and Saturday. To find out more about the events, please visit the project web page.

Work is scheduled to start next summer, with the upgraded junction fully open to traffic in Spring 2020.

Anyone interested in the scheme can visit the project page on the Highways England website, where they can also sign up for updates.

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