News Release : 15 July 2005

ASSEMBLY AGREES FUTURE FOR SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

The South East England Regional Assembly has agreed a way forward for the next 20 years, balancing economic, social and environmental needs in the South East Plan to help deliver communities that are sustainable.

Economy
The Assembly agreed at its annual meeting this week to plan for an economic growth rate* of 3% for the first ten years (2006-2016). This is broadly in line with current levels of economic performance. There is a specific need to stimulate economic activity in some parts of the region that are performing less well.

Social
An annual average of 28,900 homes are to be built in the next 20 years, with a higher number in the first ten years to help reduce homelessness and provide for about 35% affordable housing. Also agreed is a breakdown by sub-regions and counties**, which can now be used for allocating housing to district councils. Later this year, local authorities will be undertaking consultation and advising the Assembly on housing numbers for each district council area.

Environment
The Assembly aims to maintain a good quality of life for South East citizens. It will continue to make the case to Government for investment in infrastructure reducing congestion, supporting housing and improving access to public services for a growing population.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly said: “We had a passionate debate about housing and good arguments were heard from various groups. There is a great need for affordable housing and we need to address homelessness across the region. It is about balancing the need for growth, while protecting the environment to ensure a good quality of life. The Assembly has now achieved a major milestone in preparing the South East Plan and agreed the way forward for the South East region. The planned growth is needed to keep the economic engine of the country going.”

Future development in the region will be planned in line with the preferred spatial strategy, including a focus on:

• Development that supports urban renaissance
  
  
• Rural development to provide for thriving and mixed communities
  
  
• Improving poorer areas by addressing economic and social differences within the region
  
  
• Housing and economic development in existing Growth Areas (Thames Gateway, Ashford, Milton Keynes/ Aylesbury Vale) and in South Hampshire.

* The 3% rate is Gross Valued Added (ie the value of goods and services produced in the region).

** Detailed table of housing numbers is available here.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

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 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).
   
   
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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