18 July 2008
Plans to build thousands of new homes in the region look set to become a reality as yesterday the Government announced its proposed changes to the South East Plan, the document that will shape future development of the region until 2026.
The proposed changes, which are now subject to a 12-week public consultation, are the Government’s response to the recommendations of an independent examination of the plans.
The draft South East Plan, prepared by SEERA (South East England Regional Assembly), recommended that 29,800 homes a year should be built in the region. The EIP (Examination In Public) inspectors recommended 32,000 homes a year should be built, something they recognised would be unlikely to be possible without the release of green belt land. Now, the Government has proposed a total of just over 33,000 new homes a year in the South East (excluding London) - bringing Surrey’s total for the plan period to just over 59,000.
For Guildford, this means land will need to be made available for an average of 422 new houses a year up to 2026 - an increase of 100 a year above the original proposals in the South East Plan, the same level as recommended by the EIP inspectors. The Government says that use of some green belt land is likely to be needed for the new homes and that the Council should look to north east Guildford for this as it prepares the local plan for future development - the Guildford Development Framework. Development pressures will also remain in suburban areas.
Says Lead Councillor for Environment, Cllr Jenny Wicks: “Whilst we are very disappointed that the Government still wants 422 houses to be built each year, we are pleased that, following the concerns raised by the Council, an even greater number of houses has not been suggested as it has in other areas. We remain extremely concerned about the additional 100 homes each year and the threat this brings to the green belt, and will be making strong representations to the Government vigorously opposing the changes to the South East Plan.
“While we are committed to providing much needed affordable housing for residents in the borough, we have consistently argued for the maintenance of the current green belt boundaries and that we could accommodate sufficient housing growth within the existing urban area and villages of the borough. It is therefore extremely disappointing that the Government has proposed a further 100 homes a year for the borough - particularly in the current climate - which will mean we will have to review green belt land.
“We would like to make it clear to residents we will do everything we can to avoid building on the borough’s green belt and any over development of suburban areas”.
“The South East England Regional Assembly, in consultation with many other authorities including Guildford Borough Council, has spent years working on the South East Plan and some months defending it at an independent examination. If, following the consultation, the Government decides to go ahead with the proposals we will do our best to make sure that a high proportion of all new homes are affordable for local people and to ensure that any new development is built to the highest environmental standards. The additional housing will require considerable infrastructure investment and we expect to work with the Government to secure the necessary funding and programming of these essential works early on."
A special public meeting on the South East Plan, organised by the Council will take place in early September. Further information will be available shortly on our website and in the local press.
After assessing the responses to the current consultation, the Government will publish and approve the final plan later this year or early 2009.
For more information visit links below.
Web: Government Office for the South East website (this page opens in a new window)
Web: South East Plan home page (this page opens in a new window)
Or contact the Planning Policy team:
Planning Policy Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444661
Email: planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk