COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (051) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 12 March 2009
Plans for
delivering the new homes, jobs and infrastructure the East
Midlands needs up to 2026 were announced by Communities Minister
Sadiq Khan today.
The East Midlands Regional Plan will support the long-term
economic performance in the region by encouraging the provision of
new job opportunities and meeting the region's housing needs.
It also deals with the key issues of tackling climate change,
including flood risks, and protecting the region's natural
and historic environment.
Increasing the supply of housing provision remains absolutely
critical despite the current difficulties in the housing market
and challenging economic outlook. The Plan sets out to deliver
430,300 new homes (2006 - 2026) to meet the region's
long-term housing needs. The East Midlands population is
continuing to grow more quickly than the national average with
people living longer and increasingly choosing to live alone. The
latest statistics show the number of households in the region is
projected to grow by some 564,000 over the next 20 years.
The gap between average house prices and average wages in the
region has also widened and the plan sets out that at least 32 per
cent, 137,500 homes, of the housing provision must be affordable.
The Plan focuses growth in the three cities of Nottingham, Derby
and Leicester, where almost half of the region's population
live, and Northampton and Lincoln. Significant levels of
development should also be concentrated in the Growth Area towns
of Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
The region will benefit from growth in most parts of the region,
particularly in areas supported by over £100m from the Growth Fund
over the next two years. This includes £48.3m for
Northamptonshire, £38.9m for the Three Cities Growth Point around
Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, £6.6m for Lincoln, £5.4m for
Newark, £5.2m for Grantham and £1.5m for Gainsborough
Growth Areas and Growth Points in the East Midlands have also
applied to the Government's £200m Community Infrastructure
Fund to support transport related proposals.
Sadiq Khan said:
"The East Midlands needs a long term strategy that
strengthens the region's economy, addresses housing shortages
and tackles the threat of climate change.
"The population is growing rapidly with more people living
alone and the gap between average houses prices and average wages
is widening. If more homes are not built the housing ladder will
grow even further out of reach leaving the next generation with
nowhere to live.
"The East Midlands Plan sets out a vision for reducing the
social and economic disparities in the region and delivering a
higher quality of life for all."
The Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope said:
"Despite the current difficulties in the market, the number
of households in the East Midlands is growing and to keep up with
the rise in demand we do need to provide more homes.
"While I am totally committed to helping people and
businesses with the problems they have today, it is very important
that we continue to plan for the future, including the new homes
we need.
"The Regional Plan has the potential to touch the lives of
everyone living in the East Midlands and is an important part of
the long term plan for the region."
Publication of the final plan follows a comprehensive public
consultation and independent examination process.
The Plan supports the implementation of the existing Regional
Economic Strategy (RES) with its emphasis on raising skills,
economic diversification and a move towards a knowledge based economy.
It also provides a regional policy framework for major transport,
waste and environmental issues in the East Midlands.
Tackling the threat of climate change is a key concern to support
national targets to reduce CO2 by 60 per cent by 2050. The Plan
sets an interim 10 per cent renewable energy target on new
development sites until councils are able to bring forward their
own challenging targets. A new policy on Air Quality has also been added.
The Government has rejected the Panel's recommendation to
scrap much of the Green Belt around Nottingham and instead a full
review of land availability will be carried out both in the
existing built up area of Nottingham and around the conurbation to
establish the capacity to accept new building.
Notes to editors
1. Summary of Key points in plan:
* Higher housing growth to deliver 430,300 new homes by 2026 to
address household growth and affordability issues in the region.
At least 60 per cent should be built on brownfield, previously
developed, land.
* A range of affordable housing targets across the region with at
least 32per cent all new housing across the region affordable.
* The Plan sets out the need for a strategy for the coastal
districts of Lincolnshire to consider flood risk, housing,
regeneration and infrastructure needs. Limited growth levels until
a coastal strategy is drawn up and agreed.
* Inclusion of a target for 10per cent of new developments'
energy to be secured from local renewable and low carbon sources.
* A modern transport system that supports the economy and
improves accessibility to and within the region is a priority. The
Plan sets out priorities for future investment in transport
infrastructure and promotes better public transport, improved
parking and tackles congestion problems.
* Rejection of the Panel's recommendation to scrap much of
the Green Belt around Nottingham. Instead a full review of land
availability should be done to establish the capacity to accept
new building in the existing built up area of Nottingham and
around the conurbation.
* Revised pitch numbers for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.
* Eco-towns are not part of the Regional Plan but will be looked
at in the next Partial Review of the Plan which is due to be
published in autumn 2011.
2. The former Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands
(East Midlands Regional Plan) was published as RSS8 in March 2005.
In September 2006 the East Midlands Regional Assembly submitted a
draft revision of the RSS to Government. Following public
consultation this was considered before an independent Panel at an
Examination in Public during May-July 2007. The Panel's
report, which includes their many recommended changes, was
published on 28 November 2007. Proposed Changes, taking into
account these recommendations, were published by the Secretary of
State for Communities and Local Government on 22nd July 2008
followed by a twelve week public consultation ending on 17th
October 2008.
3. Copies of the revised Regional Plan have been placed in the
Libraries of both Houses and are being sent to all East Midlands
MPs, MEPs, local authorities, the East Midlands Regional Assembly
and the East Midlands Development Agency. Other stakeholders will
be advised how to obtain a copy. The Plan will also be available
for public inspection at local authority offices and libraries
across the region during normal working hours.
4. From approximately 9.30am on 12th March the Plan and all
related documents will also be available to download from the
Government Office for the East Midlands' website http://www.gos.gov.uk/goem/planning/regional-planning/.
5. The latest 2006-based Household Projections were published by
CLG on 11 March and are available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1172133.pdf.
These new projections will be taken into account during the
preparation of the next RSS review.
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