COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (172) issued by The Government News Network
on 15 July 2008
Plans for a
sustainable social and economic renaissance in the North East were
set out today by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews.
A new vision to deliver jobs, homes and infrastructure to the
region up to 2021 was unveiled in the North East of England Plan,
the revised Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
Publication of the final plan follows comprehensive public
consultation and independent examination process.
The Plan sets out to deliver 128,900 new homes (7,600 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 6,647 a year up to 2021.
The Plan focuses on accelerating economic development within the
Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley City-Regions as well as creating a
vibrant rural economy. Gross Value Added growth is expected to
accelerate averaging 2.8% per annum (over 04-21). Areas including
the Tyne River Corridor, the River Wear Corridor, Durham City,
South East Northumberland, the Durham and Rural Coalfield areas
and East Cleveland have been identified as key development areas.
The Plan supports recently announced goals to create up to 73,000
new jobs in the North East by 2016 as set out in the Regional
Economic Strategy. 3,400 hectares of land is identified for new
business. Land for growth has been specifically reserved at Key
Employment Locations: Newcastle Great Park; Newburn Riverside,
Baltic Business Quarter, West Hartford, Cramlington, NorthEast
Technology Park, Sedgefield; Wynyard, Stockton/Hartlepool;
Heighington Lane West, Newton Aycliffe; Faverdale, Darlington.
In addition to mainstream infrastructure funding the Government
is making millions more available through the Community
Infrastructure Fund and Housing and Planning Delivery Grants,
which will incentivise councils to increase housing supply
sustainably. The Second Round of New Growth Point areas to be
announced shortly will include the North of England for the first time.
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:
"This plan is about realising the full potential of the
North East through major social and economic renaissance. We want
to deliver a high quality of life for present and future
generations by addressing housing shortages, strengthening the
economy, modernising transport networks, protecting the
environment and tackling climate change.
"Beyond the short term squeeze of the credit crunch the
population is ageing, more people are choosing to live alone and
new households are growing faster than new homes. If more homes
are not built now 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.
"This North East Plan sets out a vision for reducing the
social and economic gap between the North East and other regions
while building upon its distinctive strengths and assets."
The Plan also addresses major transport, waste and environmental
issues in the North East.
A modern transport system that supports the economy and improves
accessibility to and within the region is a priority. Spending on
the region's transport network has risen by 30% in the last
five years from £481million to £623million. The Plan promotes
better public transport, improved parking and tackles congestion
problems. Major capital investment will be available for schemes
that can deliver on time and on budget.
The plan also puts tackling climate change high on the agenda to
support national targets to reduce CO2 by 60% by 2050. It sets an
interim 10% renewable energy target until councils are able to
bring forward their own challenging targets for new developments.
Summary of key points in the plan:
* Higher housing growth to deliver 128,900 new homes by 2021
(7,600 a year) to address housing shortages and affordability
issues in the region.
* An accelerated GVA growth averaging 2.8% per annum (over
04-21). Increased population with more people taking advantage of
local jobs, services and better quality housing.
* Priority Areas for development, regeneration and conservation -
the Tyne River Corridor, the River Wear Corridor, Durham City,
urban areas of the Tees Valley, South East Northumberland, the
Durham and Rural Coalfield areas, East Cleveland and other
Regeneration Towns and Rural Service Centres.
* 3400 hectares of land to boost local jobs in Key Employment
locations at NewcastleGreat Park; Newburn Riverside, Newcastle;
Baltic Business Quarter; West Hartford, Cramlington; NorthEast
Technology Park, Sedgefield; Wynyard in Stockton/Hartlepool;
Heighington Lane West, Newton Aycliffe; Faverdale, Darlington.
* Support development in rural communities including improved
public transport and the delivery of affordable housing.
* A sustainable Regional Transport Strategy for improving public
transport, rail links, parking policies and tackling congestion.
Including A1/East Coast Main Line; A19/Durham Coast rail line;
A66/Tees Valley rail line; A69/Tyne Valley rail line.
* Major transport studies on congestion levels for the A1 through
County Durham and the A19/A66/A174 in Tees Valley. A second round
of Regional Funding Allocation for further projects is expected to
be announced later this year.
* Tackle climate change policy as set out in the Energy White
Paper to make significant progress on cutting carbon dioxide
emissions significantly by 2020, and achieve a 60% cut by 2050.
* Interim 10% target to secure energy from renewable and low
carbon sources for new major developments until local authorities
set own ambitious targets. Potential areas have been identified
for onshore wind energy development; following further consultation.
* Waste management strategy including targets to increase
household waste recycling and composting to 46% by 2016.
* Protection from damaging development for environment and
historic buildings including World Heritage Sites Hadrian's
Wall and Durham Cathedral and Castle to promote tourism.
* Protection for the Green Belt to safeguard the countryside from
encroachment around Tyne and Wear and Durham City. A policy to
prevent settlements from merging in Tees Valley.
One NorthEast's Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy), Pat
Ritchie, said:
"We welcome the Government's adoption of the Regional
Spatial Strategy. One NorthEast has worked closely with the North
East Assembly and Government to ensure it is closely aligned with
the Regional Economic Strategy; taken together, these strategies
provide a solid foundation for the preparation of the new,
integrated Regional Strategy over the next few years."
Alex Watson, chair, North East Assembly, added:
"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 East to
improve the quality of life for the people who live here. We look
forward to working more closely with One NorthEast to ensure that
this planning framework provides the best possible outcome for the
region as we begin to develop the new single regional strategy."
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. The North East of England Plan announced today was formally
published by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament. The
plan is the revised Regional Spatial Strategy and covers the
Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley sub-regions.
4. The Plan incorporates the Regional Transport Strategy to
ensure the integration of land use and transport planning and has
been informed by sustainability appraisals and a habitats
regulations assessment to ensure that it meets the requirements of
the European Habitats and Strategic Environmental Assessment Directives.
5. Existing Regional Planning Guidance for the North East (RPG1)
became the statutory RSS in 2004 when the Planning and Compulsory
Purchase Act came into force. The North East of England Plan
replaces RPG1 and is based on the submission draft version of the
RSS which was prepared by the North East Assembly in 2005. The
original proposals have since been amended through the Secretary
of States Proposed Changes (2007) and Further Proposed Changes
(2008), and were also subject to an independent Examination in
Public in 2006.
6. The next steps are for the region's local authorities and
delivery bodies to implement the policies of the North East of
England Plan through preparation by the Assembly of an
Implementation Plan and through Local Development Frameworks,
other strategies and the determination of planning applications.
7. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 strengthened the
role and importance of regional planning, introducing Regional
Spatial Strategies as the top tier of the statutory Development
Plan in all regions of England, except London, where the London
Plan provides a similar role. The Act sets an objective for
RSS's to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
8. Copies of the North East 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
East (http://www.go-ne.gov.uk) and
the North East Assembly (http://www.northeastassembly.gov.uk).
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).
9. Revised projections of households in the English regions to
2026 can be found at http:/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/707319
News Releases: http://www.communities.gsi.gov.uk