Latest news about our work, and industry insights

This week Richard Fitter gave evidence as an expert witness at his (and most others') first online S73 Public Inquiry. There were the usual technical glitches that we have all become familar with in 2020 but the process generally ran very smoothly. Being cross-examined by a barrister and addressing your responses to the Inspector is very different via MS Teams than it is in person. It will be interesting to see whether PINS continue to conduct some appeals using this process once things get back to 'normal'.  We eagerly await the decision! [APP/P1560/W/20/3256190] 

Last August we were successful at appeal, making the case that planning applications should not be refused on the basis of 'any increase' in traffic (see Entran News Aug 19). This week we received planning permission from PINS for another site in the same Borough. We made an almost identical argument and received a consistent decision from the Inspector. In both cases the Inspector agreed with us that although the existing historic road layout did not conform to modern standards, the modest increase in traffic would not cause harm to highway safety [3254159]

The Planning Inspectorate allowed our appeal today and granted planning permission for a retail unit and residential accommodation in Sidcup. The planning application was refused by LB Bexley on grounds of insufficient parking and servicing, but the Inspector overturned both objections on the basis of our appeal statement. The Inspector concluded that it was not reasonable for LBB to insist on car parking above the London Plan maximum standards, and nor was it reasonable to object to the servicing arrangements given that the site is currently in retail use. [APP/D5120/W/19/3223832] #Montreaux #Iceni

London Borough of Newham granted planning permission today for 854 new homes close to the ExCeL centre in London. Mount Anvil and LIEC have commenced construction of the second phase of their Western Gateway development but now have permission for an enhanced 22 storey scheme for Phases 2 and 3. A second application for public realm improvements to Seagull Lane was also granted permission. Entran was pleased to work alongside EPR architects and DP9 planning to provide Transport and Environmental consultancy services in support of this successful planning application.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to look beyond responding to the here and now, and to reimagine the future of transport in the UK. The national response to the coronavirus pandemic has pressed Ctrl/Alt/Delete on our travel behaviour. So what happens next?

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All Entran offices have been closed since 19th March 2020 but we have ensured complete business continuity, enabling staff to work from home with full access to their normal IT resources and project files. We have now put measures in place to allow the Bristol office to open from 1st June 2020. We will continue to monitor Government advice and some staff will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. Thank you and stay safe!