A strategy for delivering the new homes, jobs and infrastructure the South East needs until 2026 was announced by Communities Minister Sadiq Khan today (6 May 2009).
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 percent 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 18%, 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 percent by 2050. Therefore the Plan sets a challenging target of at least 16 percent of electricity being derived from renewable sources by 2026.
The South East Plan is available to download on the South East Plan page of our website.
