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31/10/2011

Why do some cash-strapped councils reimburse developers? Plus, the archaeologist whose love of flying has enabled him to make some remarkable discoveries from the air.

Investigating why our cash-strapped councils are refunding money to developers. New developments aren't often popular with residents, so one way that councils can sweeten that pill of controversial development is to demand community facilities in return. Developers give money to the council to build the facilities, but Inside Out has discovered that councils don't always spend the money, some have millions of pounds in unspent money, some have handed it back to the developers.

Ben Robinson has two loves - archaeology and flying. And as one of Britain's handful of Aerial Archaeologists he combines them both. Archaeologists are usually on the ground with a trowel and brush. But being up high hundreds, or even thousands, of feet above the earth gives a new and entirely different perspective. We find out why fields of crops can reveal archaeological secrets hidden for centuries and take a look at some of Ben's remarkable discoveries.

The solar energy company racing to build solar farms in Norfolk. Subsidies for solar electricity generation are intended for home owners but were also seen by companies as an opportunity to profit from solar energy. The government changed the rules and gave companies a deadline to complete their farms or lose their subsidy. We follow one company as they race to beat the deadline and ask if this is the best way to encourage renewable energy.

29 minutes

Last on

Mon 31 Oct 2011 19:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter David Whiteley
Participant Ben Robinson

Broadcast