The East of England Plan – have your say - Return to Public Consultation
The East of England Plan sets out a draft strategy to guide the planning and development of the East of England to 2021. It sets out policies for economic development, housing, the environment, transport, waste management, culture, sport and recreation and mineral extraction. Click here for more on the East of England Plan
East of England Regional Assembly suspends its endorsement of the Plan due to lack of central government funding for essential infrastructure.
However, the Assembly reiterated its commitment to the public consultation on the draft East of England Plan in order to gauge response and gather comments on the development proposals.
Why is the East of England Plan important?
It sets out policies that address the needs of the East of England (the counties and districts of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and the unitary authorities of Luton, Peterborough, Southend and Thurrock) and those of its key sub-regions (Thames Gateway/South Essex, Haven Gateway, Great Yarmouth Lowestoft, Norwich, Peterborough, King’s Lynn, Cambridge and Stansted/M11).
Key features of the Plan include:
plans for 421,500 new jobs across the East of England up to 2021 to meet future economic growth needs and regeneration needs of less prosperous areas;
provision for 478,000 new homes by 2021. Nearly 60,000 have already been built since 2001 and, of the balance, more than half already have planning permission or are allocated in existing development plans;
a major increase – more than doubling – of the supply of social rented, key worker and other forms of affordable housing to address housing shortages and the widening gap between house prices and incomes in the region.
proposals for more sustainable forms of transport which seek to reduce the rate of growth in car and lorry traffic and promote public transport, walking and cycling;
an extensive package of proposals for environmental and social measures such as more energy/water efficient development, investment in education, skills training and health services and cultural and recreation development.
The Plan rejects:
proposals for a second runway at Stansted Airport
Government’s request that a further 18,000 homes be built, on top of those already proposed in the Plan.
And the Plan warns that without strong commitment from Government and others to increased investment in physical, social and environmental infrastructure it will be impossible to deliver its proposals. The outcome of a bid to Government earlier this year for £1.5 billion extra investment in additional services is still awaited.
How can I comment on the Plan?
From 8 December copies of the Plan, along with a sustainability appraisal of its proposals, are available to view at main local authority offices and public libraries and on the EERA website at www.eera.gov.uk. Copies are also available through EERA (tel 01284 729438/442; e-mail planning@eera.gov.uk or write to EERA at Flempton House, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6EG (please note there will be a charge for multiple copies).
From 8 December 2004 to 16 March 2005, you will be able to make comments on the draft strategy:
on-line at www.eera.gov.uk
or down load the response form and return by e-mail to planning@eera.gov.uk
by post to EERA at Flempton House, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6EG
by fax to 01284 729447
What happens after the consultation?
The Plan will be tested at an Examination in Public (EiP) starting in September 2005 in front of an independent panel. Responses to the consultation will be used by the panel to help decide the key issues for discussion and who should participate in the EiP. But all comments made in response to the consultation will be taken into account by the Panel in drawing up its recommendations on the Plan. The EiP panel will report back to the Secretary of State who will then produce the final version of the East of England Plan during 2006.
You can find out more about what is planned for your area at special presentations - look out for details on www.eera.gov.uk and in the local press.
