News Release : 17 November 2004

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EAST-WEST RAIL KEY TO MK GROWTH SAYS ASSEMBLY

The Government’s proposed changes to the 20-year development strategy (2001 – 2021) for Milton Keynes and South Midlands need more emphasis on affordable housing and infrastructure, the South East England Regional Assembly agreed this week.

However, members of the Assembly’s Regional Planning Committee welcomed other Government comments on the strategy that was produced jointly by three regional assemblies – the South East, East Midlands and East of England.

Key issues Government should reconsider are:

• Deleted targets for affordable housing in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury should be reinstated as they had been locally agreed to reflect the critical need for affordable housing in the area.
• References to infrastructure needs are inadequate and the strategy should reinstate the commitment to the proposed new East-West rail link.

Milton Keynes’ Planning Committee member Councillor Graham Mabbutt said: “We are very concerned about the lack of commitment to infrastructure in the strategy and would like to see the affordable housing figures reintroduced, although they are still in place in local plans.”

The Assembly’s Planning Committee welcomed the following clarifications from Government:

• Support for the overall levels of growth proposed in the draft strategy;
• Recognition of the key infrastructure requirements to support the levels of growth proposed;
• Explanation of the uncertainty in relation to the long-term growth of Aylesbury;
• Enhanced guidance on utilities, community infrastructure and green infrastructure.

The Government’s proposed changes are subject to an eight-week public consultation, which will close on 23 December.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Public Examination into the draft Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy (MKSM SRS) took place over a six-week period during March and April 2004. The Panel conducting the Examination published its report at the beginning of August 2004. At the end of October 2004, the Secretary of State published the Government’s Proposed Changes.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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