News Release : 02 April 2004

Thames Gateway Needs Infrastructure For Growth

REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REGIONAL PLANNING BODIES – THE SOUTH EAST, EAST OF England and London regions - met planning minister Keith Hill this week to discuss growth in the Thames Gateway. The three regions strongly emphasised the need for infrastructure investment to support the development of sustainable communities, including health, education and public transport.

The regions have been working on a response to the Sustainable Communities Action Plan, published in July 2003, which will be published shortly. This statement will set out how the regions will work to address the Government's policy statement within their regional spatial strategies.

Keith Hill MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, commented: "This was a very helpful meeting and I am very grateful to the three regional planning bodies for preparing such a clear and constructive document that sets out where growth in the Thames Gateway should be accommodated. I find this a very welcome contribution.

"We are determined to build upon the economic dynamism of the South East, creating thriving sustainable communities, with homes and jobs where they're needed most. We fully recognise that there is a clear need for additional infrastructure and I am keen to continue working with colleagues in the regions to identify what is most needed."

Chairman of the Advisory Forum and Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly’s Planning Committee, Councillor Keith Mitchell, speaking on behalf of the three regions said: "This meeting was a step forward and a sign that clear progress is being made. We were pleased to hear the minister explain how government departments were working closely together to address the growth agenda. We strongly pressed on the minister our concerns about the need for assured and timely infrastructure investment, particularly in transport, to secure the balanced and sustainable growth proposed in the statement. We were encouraged to know that addressing transport infrastructure needs is firmly on the Government's agenda."

The three regions work on issues of common concern through the Advisory Forum. Present at the meeting were Keith Hill MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly’s Planning Committee, Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of the East of England Regional Assembly’s Regional Planning Panel and Nicky Gavron, London Assembly member, the Mayor of London's representative on strategic planning issues.

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Notes to editors:

1. The Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England is made up of members from the South East England Regional Assembly, Greater London Authority (GLA) and the East of England Regional Assembly. The role of the Forum is to advise on planning issues, such as the Mayor of London’s newly published ‘London Plan’, Regional Planning Guidance and water resources, which affect London and its neighbouring regions. Together, the three regions represent 20.6 million people.
2. The Mayor, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the ALG represent London at the Advisory Forum. Please see the website for information on www.london.gov.uk

The East of England Regional Assembly

1. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) is the designated Voluntary Regional Chamber under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) exists to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the region through a partnership of elected representatives and appointed representatives from social, economic and environmental interests within the region.
2. EERA is the Regional Planning Body for the East of England, responsible for producing Regional Planning Guidance. Information on the East of England Regional Assembly is available from the EERA website at www.eera.gov.uk

The South East England Regional Assembly

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