News Release : 17 June 2005

STEP FORWARD FOR SOUTH EAST PLAN

Key principles of the South East Plan - a 20 year planning vision for the region - have been endorsed by the South East England Regional Assembly's planning committee.

Meeting on 13 June, the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) recommended approval of 53 policies that will create a framework for development in the region to 2026. Policies cover topics such as sustainability, social deprivation, resource use, climate change, the economy, housing and infrastructure.

On housing, the committee recommended an average 28,900 homes a year for the South East over the next 20 years. However, the annual figure will fluctuate over the 20 year period, with annual numbers expected to be higher in the first 10 years to help clear the region's housing backlog.

It was emphasised this scale of growth would be conditional on provision of adequate infrastructure investment, which would be closely monitored. The committee meets again on 23 June to give further consideration to a package of infrastructure proposals and to resolve outstanding issues on the strategy and pattern of sub-regional growth.

The committee's combined recommendations from 13 and 23 June will be discussed by the full Assembly Plenary meeting on 13 July in Winchester. Decisions agreed by the full Assembly will form the core of its proposals to Government for the South East Plan.

Regional Planning Committee Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell endorsed the level of growth but explained: "Continued housing growth should be conditional upon adequate progress on the delivery and funding of infrastructure, including money to support affordable housing."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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).
   
   
3. 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.

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