East of England 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, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) has today said.

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

The Assembly submitted its draft East of England Plan to Government in December 2004 proposing 478,000 new homes until 2021.

Assembly Chairman Cllr 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.”

He added:

“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.”

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 (see notes to editors).

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.