The South East England Regional Assembly has slammed speculative new housing numbers released by Government today (20 June) as unproven fantasy figures that bear no relation to the region's needs.

After more than two years of technical work and public debate the Assembly submitted its 20-year South East Plan to Government on 31 March making the case for 28,900 homes a year.

Now Government has published a report putting forward a range of higher growth alternatives, including a possible 46,000 homes a year - a 59% increase on Assembly figures.

Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell said:

“These figures are pure fantasy. There is no clear evidence base behind the figures or the way they have been allocated across the region.

“In contrast, we have devoted more than two years to ensuring our own plans are practical and deliverable, balancing the need for homes with environmental concerns and ensuring a high quality of life. Strong technical work and the country’s largest regional planning consultation mean we have built a high degree of consensus behind the South East Plan - it is disingenuous of the Government to try to counter our democratic decision because they do not agree with it.”

The new figures are not Government targets. The Government commissioned the report as technical input to the forthcoming public examination on the South East Plan.

Cllr Mitchell added:

“This is back of the envelope stuff compared to the robust evidence base developed by the Assembly. With the support of public opinion too, I am confident that we will have the strongest case at November's Examination in Public.”

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. A Government-commissioned report ‘Augmenting the evidence base for the Examination in Public of the South East Plan’ is published on the website of the Government Office for the South East
2. The South East England Regional Assembly research programme in 2004-5 and 2005-6 totalled more than £1.5 million.
3. Extensive South East Plan consultation in 2005 by the Assembly and member local authorities attracted over 95,000 responses from public and stakeholders that helped inform development of the Plan.
4. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
• It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
• 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.
• 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