Chichester hosts hearing into the South East Plan

Investment and economic growth are vital to improving quality of life along the Sussex coast. This is the message from the South East England Regional Assembly as Chichester hosts Examination in Public hearings into the South East Plan - a 20 year planning vision for the region. Hearings start on 16 January 2007.

The Assembly's Plan, developed in conjunction with the region's local authorities, aims to boost economic growth from Chichester to Rye to help regenerate poorer areas, improve the supply of affordable housing, improve transport and protect and enhance the countryside.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Assembly, said:

"The Sussex Coast has many great assets such as the vibrant city of Brighton and Hove, attractive seaside towns like Worthing and Eastbourne, and stunning natural scenery. But Brighton and Hastings also have some of the most deprived areas in the South East with low earnings and high unemployment. By investing in well designed new development, transport improvements and local services, the area can reach its potential and boost the economy thereby lifting people out of poverty. The Assembly also wants to protect the culture, history and landscape of the Sussex coast. The South East Plan aims for a lasting economic revival."

Hearings at Chichester are from Tuesday 16 to Friday 26 January at Chichester Park Hotel, Westhampnett.

Topics at the hearing this week:

• Tuesday 16 January - Biodiversity (region-wide discussion )
• Wednesday 17 January - Countryside, coast, rural and small towns, and the built environment (region-wide discussion )
• Thursday 18 January - Sussex Coast - role, economy, housing and infrastructure
• Friday 19 January - Sussex Coast - housing and infrastructure.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. What is the South East Plan?
   It sets a framework for how the region needs to change through to 2026 - for example to provide the jobs, homes and environmental protection that will make sure we continue to be economically successful and offer all residents a good quality of life. The Plan is based on evidence gathered over three years, with significant input from councils, businesses and community organisations and extensive public comments.
2. Examination in Public
   Four months of public hearings, which started on 28 November, will examine the Assembly's South East Plan. The hearing on Wednesday 6 December will discuss the level of housing. A panel of three independent planning inspectors will hear views on the Plan's content from organisations in the region before making recommendations to Government about any changes they think may be needed.
3. Facts and figures about the Examination in Public
4. The Assembly's statements
5. The South East England Regional Assembly is a regional partnership with 112 members representing local authorities as well as social, environmental and business sectors.
6. The Assembly was established by South East local government in January 1999 to provide a representative voice for the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
7. Assembly members include elected councillors from the region's 74 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.
8. The Assembly has four key roles:
• Advocacy
  Pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels.
• Accountability
  Scrutinising the plans and performance of regional bodies such as SEEDA to align the region's priorities.
• Regional planning
  Preparing and delivering the South East Plan - the 20-year statutory plan for the region that sets the framework for the sustainable development of the South East.
• Regional policy
  Advising Government on the co-ordination of regional strategies and spending priorities for housing, transport, planning and economic development to improve the impact of public expenditure.

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

Last updated: 21 August 2007