NO GROWTH WITHOUT INVESTMENT, SAYS ASSEMBLY

We will not be able to achieve the sustainable communities envisaged by the Government unless it invests serious money in transport and community services. This was the initial response of the South East England Regional Assembly to the Government's Communities Plan which was launched today.

Speaking at the South East launch of the Plan in Ashford, Cllr Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Assembly, said: "We are very pleased that the whole of the region, not only the growth areas of Thames Gateway, Milton Keynes and Ashford, will benefit from extra funding for affordable housing.

"However, we are very concerned about the extra 200,000 homes projected for the growth areas. The Assembly- as the regional planning body for the South East- will need to do much more detailed work on housing requirements and provision before we can commit ourselves to this figure.

"We are also concerned about infrastructure investment. We have said all along that the Plan isn't just about houses. The Government really must deliver on transport and community investment if we are to achieve sustainable communities."

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