News Release : 18 June 2001

PAN-REGIONAL PLANNING FORUM DISCUSSES LONDON'S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

London Mayor Ken Livingstone's Spatial Development Strategy was the main topic of debate at a recent Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England in London (Friday, 15 June 2001).

The Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) will be an all embracing approach to London's future, integrating land use with transport regeneration, economic and social policy and environmental matters. As a first stage, the Mayor has published "Towards the London Plan" setting out initial ideas to stimulate debate. He has invited the adjoining Regional Planning Bodies for the South East and East of England to comment.

Representatives from the South East England Regional Assembly, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the East of England Local Government Conference (EELGC) commented on the Strategy which was presented to the Forum by Nicky Gavron GLA, Deputy Mayor for London who is leading on the preparation of the Strategy for the Mayor.

Said Nicky Gavron GLA, Deputy Mayor for London: "I was very pleased by the positive response to the main policy directions, in particular how the sustainable growth of London thrust will be in the wider regional interest. All parties showed willingness to join together to agree cooperative action on taking detailed work forward."

Said Cllr Nick Skellett, Regional Assembly Planning Chair: "We had a very helpful presentation from Nicky Gavron and a lively and useful discussion, conducted in a very positive manner. We were impressed by much of the thinking and we will now be better able to advise the South East England Regional Assembly on a constructive response."

Said Cllr Roy Davis, Regional Planning Chair for the East of England: "We welcome the Strategy, and its sensible and pragmatic stance on housing, jobs and people. We identified where we need to develop the relationships with surrounding strategies; a process from which we will all benefit."

Other topics discussed at the Forum included progress with Regional Transport Strategies for the South East and East of England Regions and a Waste Management Strategy for London.

The Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England is made up of key members from the South East Regional Assembly, London and the EELGC. The role of the Forum is to advise on planning issues which affect London and its neighbouring regions.

For further information about the Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England, contact the South East England Regional Assembly on 01483 555200 or visit the Assembly website www.southeast-ra.gov.uk. The GLA Press Office can be contacted on 0207 983 4716. For information on the East of England Local Government Conference, contact Alan Moore on 01284 728151.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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