PR 3184
HAMPSHIRE PUTS CASE FORWARD ON DEVELOPMENT
Growth in Hampshire must not exceed the 6,100 new homes a year proposed in the draft South East Plan, and must be matched by guaranteed Government funding for new roads, schools and healthcare. This is Hampshire County Council's message to Government as the next stage of the development of the South East Plan begins.
On Tuesday 28 November 2006 a Government appointed independent panel of three planning inspectors starts its examination of the South East Plan, which sets out a strategy for growth and development across the region over the next 20 years. The 11 week inquiry will debate the major issues identified by the panel. The County Council will be putting forward Hampshire's viewpoint on a number of key issues based on its consultation with residents last year.
The first debate Hampshire County Council has secured a voice on is housing levels and this will take place on 6 December.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: Through our `Holding out for Hampshire' campaign we consulted with residents and carried out comprehensive research to establish what level of house building could be accommodated to meet the needs of local people without compromising the character and identity of the county's cities, towns and villages and the quality of life of the residents who live in them. Based on the results the County Council has agreed that the 6,100 new homes per year for Hampshire over the next 20 years, which is around the same as the current house building level, could be accommodated - but only if it is accompanied by adequate and timely investment in infrastructure by Government.
"Throughout its representations on the South East Plan, the County Council has voiced strong concerns that Hampshire's roads are already near gridlock, our health and social services are buckling under the strain of an increasing elderly population, and our water and sewerage supplies are stretched to capacity. Having the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time is essential for good quality of life and to create more sustainable developments by reducing the need for people to travel to access facilities and services. That is why we standing firm that new development can only be accommodated if Government invests in the infrastructure improvements required to accompany it.
"A report by Government commissioned consultants has suggested higher growth could be accommodated in the South East despite also recognising that there is not the capacity to deal with the increased demand on services such as waste disposal and water supplies and the additional traffic on roads and trains. The County Council has joined forces with the other South East County Councils to fight any moves by Government to push for additional housing over and above that allocated in the draft South East Plan."
Other key debates for Hampshire will be those focussing on all aspects of development in particular sub-regions - South Hampshire, and the Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley and policies relating to central Hampshire. Important issues that will be raised in these debates will be sustainability and infrastructure.
On conclusion of the inquiry the panel will make recommendations to Government about exactly how provision for areas such as housing, environment, economy and transport in the region need to be improved and developed over the next 20 years.
ENDS
Notes for editors
Audio interviews with the Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber (one on the Examination-in-Public generally and one specifically relating to housing levels) are available with this news release.
The audio clips can be found on our online Media Centre: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/communications/mediacentre/cx-corporatecommunications-newpage/cx-corporatecommunications-seplanaudio.htm?debug=210&debugimg=on
The Examination-in-Public runs from 28 November 2006 to 30 March 2007. More can be found at www.eipsoutheast.co.uk. Only invited participants can make representations to the panel
The Government consultants report can be found at http://www.go-se.gov.uk/gose/news/newsarchive/417702/
The South East County Leader's Hampshire County Council `Battle for the South East Campaign' aims to ensure that:
· More affordable homes are built for young people and essential workers
· No new homes are built without adequate and timely investment in infrastructure, such as water and sewerage systems, road and rail networks
· No more than the 28,900 new homes a year (578,000 in total) are built and those in Whitehall appreciate the strength of feeling in the South East and understand that any increase in house building, above the amount outlined in the Draft South East Plan, will not be tolerated
Looking after Hampshire, Looking out for you
For media enquiries please contact:
Kirsty Gunner, Press Officer
Tel: 01962 847110
Email: kirsty.gunner@hants.gov.uk
24 November 2006