News Release : 24 November 2004

SOUTH EAST PLAN DEBATE

Community representatives from all over the South East meet next week to decide on consultation options that will influence the future of the region for the next 20 years.

At a full meeting of the South East England Regional Assembly on 29 November, councillors from every local authority in the region, together with business and voluntary sector representatives, will debate an initial draft of a new regional plan for South East England.

The ‘South East Plan’ will set the framework for the physical development of the region over the next 20 years. This includes economic growth, homes, transport infrastructure and the environment.

A key decision for the Assembly on 29 November is to decide what levels of housing development to put before the public.

Following their decision, the Plan will be published in January for full public consultation that runs until April 2005. Consultation will include opinion surveys, media campaign, public meetings and a questionnaire to each of the 3 million plus homes in the region.

The Assembly meeting will be held on Monday 29 November 2004 at

HG Wells Suite
Woking,
Surrey
Start time: 11am

If you would like to attend, please contact:

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive- 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220


Notes to editors:

  1. What does the Plan cover?

    1. How much growth do we want?
      The South East is generally prosperous with a good quality of life. A healthy, growing economy offering well-paid jobs needs land for employment, homes and infrastructure.
    2. How many new homes are needed?
      Data suggest there will be up to 1 million more people in the region in 20 years. Unless we increase the number of homes, housing is likely to become even dearer and homelessness is likely to rise.
    3. What about the environment?
      We need to minimise our impact on the environment by, for example, focusing building on previously developed land, using water and energy more efficiently, reducing the amount of waste we produce, and protecting the countryside.
    4. What infrastructure is needed?
      Already many areas suffer from transport congestion and pressure on public services; investment is needed to deal with present needs as well as future growth.

  2. What are the arguments for and against more homes?
    1. Too few homes may restrict economic growth and job prospects.
    2. Too few homes means people may not be able to afford a home of their own.
    3. Too many homes may use land unnecessarily and may impact more on the environment.
  3. 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.

  4. The Assembly is made up of 111 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).

  5. 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.

Copyright © 2004 SEERA Limited. All rights reserved.