COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (101) issued by COI News Distribution
Service on 6 May 2009
A strategy for
delivering the new homes, jobs and infrastructure the South East
needs until 2026 was announced by Communities Minister Sadiq Khan today.
The South East Plan sets out a framework for sustainable growth
that will support long-term economic performance in the region by
encouraging the provision of new job opportunities and meeting the
region's housing needs.
The Plan deals with the key issues of tackling climate change,
including flood risks, and protecting the region's natural
and historic environment. It also sets out the region's
transport strategy and an overall framework for implementation.
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
654,000 new homes until 2026 to meet the region's long-term
housing needs.
The South East 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 39,000 each
year over the next 25 years.
The gap between average house prices and average wages in the
region has also widened and there are some 200,000 households in
the region registered for social housing. The Plan sets out a
target that 35 per cent of the new housing provision must be affordable.
The Plan focuses growth in the South East's regional hubs,
including five strategic development areas in an arc from South
Hampshire through Oxford to Milton Keynes.
Plans for a high-quality transport system that will act as a
catalyst for economic growth are set out in the Plan. The
transport strategy aims to re-balance the system in favour of
sustainable modes, such as public transport, walking and cycling,
to improve the quality of life for all local residents. Total
public expenditure on transport in the South East has increased
over the last five years by 18per cent, from £1.9 billion in
2002/03 to £2.3 billion in 2007/08.
Sadiq Khan said:
"The South East needs a long term strategy to strengthen the
economy, address housing shortages and tackle the threat of
climate change.
"The number of households in the South East is growing
rapidly with housing supply lagging behind and housing
affordability worsening. Despite the current difficulties in the
market we need to keep up with the rise in demand and provide more homes.
"The South East Plan sets out an achievable long term vision
for the area that promotes growth while protecting the countryside
and the environment."
Minister for the South East Jonathan Shaw said:
"We know that the population in the South East is ageing
with more people living alone and new households are growing
faster than new homes. If we don't build more houses in the
long term older people will have fewer choices, and the housing
ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next
generation with nowhere to live.
"The South East Plan sets out an achievable vision for
improving economic growth and addressing housing shortages while
protecting the region's distinctive character and environment."
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 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 South East.
Tackling the threat of climate change is a key concern to support
national targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
Therefore the Plan sets a challenging target of at least 16 per
cent of electricity being derived from renewable sources by 2026.
Notes to editors
1. Summary of key points in the Plan:
* Higher housing growth to deliver 32,700 new homes each year
until 2026 to address household growth and affordability issues in
the region. At least 60 per cent should be built on Brownfield land.
* A range of affordable housing targets across the region with 35
per cent of all new housing across the region affordable.
* Inclusion of a stepped range of targets rising to at least 16
per cent of new developments' energy to be secured from
renewable 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 use and management of existing assets.
* DfT are currently considering proposals by the South East
Regional Transport Board to fund 39 major road and public
transport schemes in the South East between 2009 and 2015, which
would potentially increase expenditure by a further £1.806 billion.
* Five strategic development areas in an arc from South Hampshire
through Oxford to Milton Keynes. A further two strategic
development areas where specific development opportunities exist
will also be pursued at Whitehill/Bordon in Hampshire and Shoreham
in West Sussex.
* No changes to the existing broad extent of the Green Belt,
which should be retained and supported. In order to meet housing
and infrastructure needs in the most sustainable locations,
selective reviews of the Green Belt are required in north-east
Guildford and in the Oxford Green Belt south of the city.
* Eco-towns are not part of the Plan but will be looked at in the
next review.
2. The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South East
replaces Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9)
which was issued in 2001. It also replaces a number of partial
reviews to RPG9 that were carried out since 2001.
3. The South East England Regional Assembly submitted a draft
revision of the RSS to Government in March 2006. Following public
consultation, this was considered by an independent Panel at an
Examination in Public that was held between November 2006 and
March 2007. The Panel's report, which recommended many
changes, was published in August 2007. Proposed Changes to the
draft RSS, taking into account these recommendations, were
published by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government in July 2008. These were subject to a twelve-week
public consultation ending in October 2008.
4. Copies of the final version of the South East Plan have been
placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament and are being
sent to all South East MPs, MEPs, local authorities and the South
East England Partnership Board (which took over from the South
East England Regional Assembly on 1 April 2009). 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.
5. From approximately 9.30am on 6 May, the Plan and all related
documents will also be available to download from the Government
Office for the South East's website http://www.gos.gov.uk/gose/planning/regionalPlanning.
6. The latest 2006-based household projections were published by
Communities and Local Government on 11 March 2009 and are
available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/2031households0309.
These new projections will be taken into account during the
preparation of the forthcoming single Regional Strategy.
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