New homes plan for East of England 'must be funded and flexible'

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Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing , Local Government
Monday 12th May 2008 - 12:51pm

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TODAY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

East of England new homes plan 'must be funded and flexible'

Government plans for 508,000 new homes in the East of England by 2021 should be more flexible and supported by upfront investment in transport and public services, according to the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).

The final East of England Plan, which will guide planning and development in the East of England to the year 2021, was published by Government today.

The Assembly submitted its draft East of England Plan to Government in December 2004 proposing 478,000 new homes until 2021 (see notes to editors for more information on the history of the East of England Plan).

Assembly Chairman Councillor John Reynolds said: "The draft Plan submitted by the Assembly in 2004 came with a caveat that Government must invest in transport, health and education services and care for the environment.

"Councils and other public bodies need more money to deliver the Plan's new jobs and homes. We must create communities for families and not just housing estates."

With house prices currently falling faster than at any time since 1993, the Assembly also cautioned that targets for the number of new homes in each local authority area up to 2021 should be more flexible.

Councillor Reynolds said: "Long-term planning is vital to match jobs, homes and public services. But Government should also allow local flexibility to respond to changes in economic conditions and any weakening of the region's economy or housing market."

Delivering the Plan's new jobs and homes in a sustainable way will be a major challenge. For example, the Highways Agency estimates an increase in road traffic on the strategic highway network in the East of England of 44% between 2001 and 202.

The Assembly is now working with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East) to develop an East of England Implementation Plan.

It will help deliver the regional growth promised by the East of England Plan and the Regional Economic Strategy, which is to be published by EEDA in the summer.