The Gatwick area (1) needs well-designed housing that supports the economy without destroying the countryside, the South East England Regional Assembly this week told Examination in Public hearings into the South East Plan - the region's 20 year planning vision.

The Assembly's Plan, developed with local councils, aims for excellent, sustainable design for homes that will support the local economy and will maintain its attractive landscape. The Assembly also seeks balanced growth with new development in existing towns and villages to meet local needs, which is supported by necessary transport and local services. The Plan will see 1,650 homes per year, with a target of 40% affordable housing, in the next 20 years.

Assembly Chairman, Cllr Keith Mitchell, said:

"Gatwick and its surroundings have many character towns and villages that are settled within an attractive countryside. The Assembly encourages well-designed homes that will provide for local needs, support the economy and maintain the area's rural character. The area has a dynamic and prosperous economy, which is underpinned by Gatwick Airport. It is vital that new development and economic growth should positively contribute to people's quality of life."

Topics at the hearing this week at Reading Town Hall, Reading:

• Wednesday 7 March
  Gatwick, focusing on role, economy, infrastructure and implementation
• Thursday 8 March (morning)
  Gatwick, focusing housing and environment
• Friday 9 March (morning)
  Discussion on other parts of East and West Sussex.

(1) Gatwick area includes Crawley, Horley, East Grindstead, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and Horsham.

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 2006, will examine the Assembly's South East Plan. 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 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.
6. 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.
7. 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