COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (230) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 30 September 2008
A new regional
strategy that directs long-term housing and economic growth and
environmental protection in the North West was announced by
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews today.
A vision for sustainable social and economic development in the
North West up to 2021 is unveiled in the North West of England
Plan. The Plan aims to raise the economic performance in the North
West by supporting the provision of new job opportunities and
reducing local inequalities. It puts protecting the North
West's environment at the heart of new development
The Plan sets out to deliver 413,000 new homes (23,111 a year) by
2021 to meet housing needs. With people living longer and more and
more choosing to live alone households are projected to grow in
the region by at least 25,600 per annum to 2026.
The provision of housing is vital to supporting the growth of the
North West economy and delivering a higher quality of life to all.
The largest need for housing is in Manchester, Salford and
Liverpool where there are major requirements for urban
regeneration and housing market renewal.
The North West Plan focuses growth in the 3 city regions of
Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire and identifies the
regional centres of Manchester and Liverpool as the first priority
for investment and regeneration, ensuring they will be firmly
established as world class cities.
Other towns highlighted as priorities include Blackburn,
Blackpool, Bolton, Preston and Wigan. The Plan also seeks to
maximise the economic potential of the region's rural areas
whilst respecting their character and natural environment.
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:
"The North West needs a long-term strategy for boosting its
economy, addressing housing need, and protecting the environment
by tackling climate change.
"We have an ageing population with more people choosing to
live alone and new households are growing faster than new homes.
If more homes are not built now the housing ladder will get even
further out of reach.
"The North West Plan sets out an achievable vision for
reducing the social and economic disparities in the region while
protecting its distinctive character and environment."
Publication of the final plan follows comprehensive public
consultation and independent examination process.
The Plan also provides a regional policy framework for major
transport, waste and environmental issues in the North West.
The regional plan puts tackling climate change high on the agenda
to support national targets to reduce CO2 by 60% by 2050 and sets
out how growth will be brought forward sustainably. This includes
promoting development at locations well served by public
transport, the re use of land and buildings, targets for
electricity to be generated from renewable sources and interim
targets for the generation of renewable energy on new development sites.
A modern transport system that concentrates on the development of
better transport links between the region, and between the North
West and other regions is a priority. The Plan sets out the
general priorities for future investment in transport
infrastructure. Further details will be set out in an
Implementation Framework to be published later in the year.
Earlier this month the Department of Transport announced a
£93.8million investment in North West transport schemes. DfT
expect to fund 34 major road and public transport schemes in the
North West up to 2015 out of £1.34bn provisionally allocated for
the period 2005/06 to 2015/16.
The government has already made available £100million of national
funding in the second round of New Growth Points announced in July
2008. In the North West of England these included Greater
Manchester, Carlisle, Central Lancashire & Blackpool, West
Cheshire, Halton/St.Helens/Warrington, and Mersey Heartlands. New
Growth Points have also been invited to submit bids for the
£200million Community Infrastructure Fund which is designed to
link funding for transport infrastructure with the delivery of housing.
The Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes said:
"The people of the North West have made their views known
throughout our comprehensive consultation process.
"They've talked about the need for new housing
provision and jobs, increased transport accessibility and the
protection and enhancement of the distinctive environment of the
North West.
"This Plan provides a framework to help realise the full
potential of the North West and we now need to work together to
meet the challenge of delivering it."
4NW's Director of Planning, Transport & Housing, Michael
Gallagher, added: "We welcome the Government's
publication of the Regional Spatial Strategy. The RSS released
today is the culmination of strong partnership working in the
region. We are delighted that the Government has endorsed our
shared vision for the North West to improve the quality of life
for the people in the region.
"4NW - the Regional Leaders Forum has worked closely with
the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Government to
ensure RSS is closely aligned with the Regional Economic Strategy
and Regional Housing Strategy; taken together, these strategies
provide a solid foundation for the preparation of the new,
Regional Strategy and delivery of Local Development Frameworks
over the next few years."
Summary of Key points in plan:
* Higher housing growth to deliver 413,000 new homes (23,111 a
year) by 2021 to address household growth and affordability issues
in the region. At least 70 per cent should be built on brownfield land.
* Councils must set out what affordable housing is required in
their area and the Plan provides a menu of options to meet need
including making the most of publicly owned land and including
affordable homes within new housing development.
* Development and investment to be focused on towns and cities
within three City Regions, Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire.
* Emphasis placed on regenerating inner areas of Manchester and
Liverpool and other areas of housing market renewal and restructuring
* Development in rural areas focused on selected towns and
villages which will act as key service centres for surrounding areas.
* Regionally significant economic development to be focused in
City Regions and in growth and regeneration locations in Cumbria
and North Lancashire.
* Existing employment land to be reviewed to ensure it is
available and attractive to the market, with the need for
additional employment land in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.
* Tourism opportunities promoted including regeneration of
Blackpool and other coastal resorts, heritage city of Chester, the
Lake District National Park and World Heritage Sites
Hadrian's Wall and the City of Liverpool.
* No need for strategic change to the Green Belt at this time.
* Waste management strategy including targets to increase
household waste recycling and composting to 55% by 2020.
Notes to Editor
1. The plan is part of an ongoing process of Government reforms
and delivery that is strengthening regional regeneration, growth
and accountability. Under proposals set out in the Sub-National
Review as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Regional
Spatial Strategy (RSS) and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES)
would be replaced by a new Single Regional Strategy for the region
covering jobs, homes, transport and investment. These plans will
continue to require transparent and open consultation with
councils, local communities, businesses and environmental groups.
2. Under the Single Regional Strategy elected local leaders will
have more say over housing and planning, giving them a stronger
role in developing and signing off regional strategies, and better
scrutiny of the Regional Planning Body through local leader forums.
3. Copies of the North West Plan and supporting documents are
available for public inspection in local planning authorities and
branch libraries throughout the region. They can also be viewed
and downloaded from the website of Government Office for the North
West http://www.gos.gov.uk/gonw/Planning/RegionalPlanning/?a=42496.
Hard copies can be purchased from The Stationery Office (TSO),
which can be contacted through it's website (http://www.tsoshop.co.uk), by
email (book.orders@tso.co.uk) or by telephone (0870 600 5522).
4. Revised projections of households in the English regions to
2026 can be found at http:/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/707319
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