An independent report calling for more homes in the South East received cautious acceptance today from the South East England Regional Assembly - as long as Government funds vital extra infrastructure.

But there was strong support for the report's findings on affordable homes, which back the Assembly's argument that Government funding not mass building is needed to make housing more affordable.

Planning inspectors gave the Assembly's 20-year South East Plan a clean bill of health on 11 out of 12 key topics. They praised the Assembly's approach to climate change, water resources and joint work with SEEDA on a single delivery plan covering the South East Plan and Regional Economic Strategy. On the final key topic- housing - the inspectors have recommended the region builds 32,000 homes a year until 2026, instead of 28,900 a year proposed by the Assembly.

Assembly Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell said:

“The South East is committed to maintaining its position as the UK's economic powerhouse and this report shows we can do that without the need for the massive levels of housebuilding proposed by Government.

“We do recognise the world has moved on since we prepared our figures three years ago and around half the inspectors' increase comes from Assembly member councils, who have offered to accommodate more housing.

“Infrastructure costing £89 billion was central to our original plans to make sure new homes have good transport, schools, parks and water supplies - but obviously that bill will now rise to meet demand from extra homes and deliver much needed affordable housing.”

He added:

“The inspectors praise our “pioneering work” on infrastructure, and we are confident this will strengthen our case for extra Government investment to support new, more ambitious house building targets.”

Government will now consider the inspectors' report before consulting on changes to the South East Plan recommended in the report. Consultation is expected at the end of the year.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The South East England Regional Assembly spent three years preparing the South East Plan, which is built on robust evidence and extensive public consultation. It sets 20-year targets for housing, transport, the economy and the environment.
   
   
2. Independent planning inspectors published their report on the South East Plan on 29 August following four months of public hearings from November 2006 to March 2007.
   
   
3. The inspectors' report will be available from 9am on Wednesday 29 August at on the Government Office for the South East website.
   
   
4. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
   
   
5. 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) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
   
   
6. The Assembly has six roles:
   1. Regional Planning:
      preparing and delivering the South East Plan
   2. Regional Housing:
      the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
   3. Regional Transport:
      the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
   4. Advocacy:
      pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
   5. Accountability:
      scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
   6. Alignment:
      co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 18 September 2007