News Release : 09 November 2004

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS VOTE TO CONSULT ON HOUSING NUMBERS

People in the South East are to be asked their view on how many new homes the region needs over the next 20 years.

The South East England Regional Assembly’s Regional Planning Committee yesterday (8 November) recommended that consultation next year should ask for views on three levels of housing growth:

• 29,500 a year (this equals 590,000 homes in 20 years, the current Government target)
• 32,000 a year (this equals 640,000 homes in 20 years)
• 36,000 a year (this equals 720,000 homes in 20 years)

The Assembly’s Planning Committee includes councillors and stakeholders such as the CBI and environmental groups. They discussed the implications of different levels of housing growth for the region’s transport and community infrastructure and environment, as well as the effect on future levels of economic growth and homelessness.

These possible growth rates will form part of widespread consultation on the South East Plan, a 20-year framework for the South East. In addition to the future need for housing, the Plan will cover key issues that cross local authority boundaries such as transport, business development, protection of the environment, waste and energy.

The housing figures and the rest of the consultation draft of the Plan will be further debated at a full meeting of the Assembly on 29 November before consultation begins in January 2005.

Contact

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Alistair Moses, 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