EAST OF ENGLAND DRAFT PLAN 'TOO NARROW', SAYS SOUTH EAST ASSEMBLY

The South East Regional Assembly has criticised the Eastern region's consultation document on new regional planning guidance (RPG14) for paying too little attention to links with other regions. The draft plan has potentially big implications for the South East in terms of transport, labour supply, commuting flows and housing. In particular, the East of England's proposed policy on waste overplays local self-sufficiency and needs to take a broader view of inter-regional waste movements.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Assembly's Regional Planning Committee, said: "The East of England Local Government Conference's (EELGC's) consultation puts forward a very broad range of development options with little supporting detail. While we welcome the consultation and EELGC's recognition of the need for a rail freight bypass to London, improvements to east/west transport links and the opportunities offered by a lower Thames Crossing, we are disappointed with the lack of reference more generally to the key interactions with our region."

"The absence of detail concerning the pattern of growth requires continuing dialogue between our two regions as the Government's draft planning guidance policies are developed."

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