News Release : 4 November 2005

SOUTH EAST IS DELIVERING ON HOUSING

New homes built in South East England increased by 12% to 31,900 in 2004-2005 compared to the previous year (28,400). Initial results of last year’s housing completions were published by the South East England Regional Assembly today (Friday).

This is the second year running that housing completions have exceeded the Regional Planning Guidance target for the South East of 28,000. Housing Corporation investment has been one of the factors behind this performance. The average build rate over the past five years was 26,700 homes.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Assembly said: “These figures disprove the charge that South East local authorities are holding back the supply of new homes. They show that the region can respond to growth pressures when the conditions are right and the public investment is forthcoming. If the Government wants this level of growth to continue Ministers need to commit to stepping up investment in affordable homes and infrastructure.”

Although the figures show progress towards meeting the high levels of demand for housing, they also highlighted some challenges for the South East.

• Most housing has been built in urban areas, however if this continues it will put more pressure on local services. To maintain this level of growth, local authorities will need increased revenue support from Central Government.
  
  
• The region’s growth areas also need further Government support with infrastructure investment to deliver future development. Milton Keynes has built 1,400 homes in the past year - 1,000 homes short of its target.
  
  
• Affordable housing is a key aspect of sustainable development and requires public sector investment as well as leverage on private sector developers.

On a county level, Oxfordshire has seen an increase in house building of 44%, Berkshire 39% and Kent 28%. Surrey has built on target for the fifth year in a row. West Sussex has seen a decrease in house building (-19%), and completions fell in Isle of Wight by 35%.*

* A table with the statistics for all the counties in the South East is in the ‘Notes to Editors’.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

Table. Housing completions in the South East

NB: The housing completions are net figures and relate to Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) housing provision areas and include unitary authorities.
Source: Local authorities data supplied to the Regional Assembly, 2005.

1. The South East England 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 Regional Assembly is made up of 112 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) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority..
   
   
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

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