TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2006

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

INFRASTRUCTURE VITAL TO PROTECT SOUTH EAST REGION FROM OVER-CONGESTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

 

Billions must be invested in infrastructure to support housing growth in the south east region, the Town and Country Planning Association said today.

 

Massive investment is needed to ensure that communities do not become choked by traffic congestion, flooded, or hit by drought as the region responds to the twin pressures of housing demand and climate change, the TCPA said.

 

The investment is needed due to the huge numbers of new households forming in the region, caused by factors such as people living longer, living alone and rising divorce rates.

 

This growth is causing a housing shortfall on a scale to match the pensions crisis giving rise to the need for an extra 36,000 new homes per year, the TCPA, a member of the Campaign for More and Better Homes, said.

 

Taking part in the south east Examination in Public, the main hearing on the region’s future housing and growth plans, TCPA Chief Executive Gideon Amos will say:

 

“We must plan our communities with far more ambition if they are to be affordable and desirable for the increasing numbers of people working and putting down roots in the south east.

 

“At the heart of every successful community lie houses for families with gardens and open space for the environment and the right infrastructure around them.

 

“Jobs, green spaces, local services, transport links, and “mini grids” providing community-based heat and power must be provided alongside more homes if we are to meet pressing social and economic need.”

 

Below is a summary of the TCPA position on a range of key issues:

 

Energy

Community energy from renewable and other low carbon sources will play an important part in reducing CO2 emissions from energy generation and use. It will play a complementary role to energy efficiency and help ensure clean energy supplies and security for the region.

 

Water

Water companies will need to make considerable long term investment to reduce leakage and improve efficiency in order to support growth and secure clean stable water supplies. New homes should also be built to ensure at least 25% water efficiency on today’s standards.

 

Housing

Key factors driving household growth, which is fuelling housing demand, include longer lives, more single person households, and rising divorce rates.

The TCPA therefore recommends that an additional 36,000 new dwellings per year should be accommodated within the Assembly Plan. Provision should therefore be made for one or more free standing new settlements in the region, supported by a full range of services as outlined above.

 

Household growth

Increasing longevity, shrinking household sizes (as more people choose to live alone), rising divorce rates, and to a lesser extent immigration, have been identified in the latest update of the landmark TCPA report Housing the Next Generation, as key drivers behind unprecedented growth in household numbers. Housing supply will come under acute pressure particularly as a result of people, (especially men) living longer, and remaining in family homes after retirement.

 

Connectivity

The South East is part of the Spatial Vision for North West Europe. London, for example, has identified its place within the North West European region (see London plan, p.16). The draft South East Plan does not. Although there are some statements about growing connections between Northern France and Kent via the English Channel, the plan does not offer a comprehensive approach towards an interregional and European thinking in terms of connectivity, knowledge transfer, and infrastructure improvements.

 

Climate Change

To examine likely effects of climate change on the coastal region of the South East, a joint collaboration with the coastal regions of France, Belgium and the Netherlands should examine the effects of climate change on tourism, coastal environment and economic development on both sides of the channel. The ESPACE-project is addressing integration of climate change adaptation measures into spatial planning with European partners, and should be seen as a model for such an initiative

 

Overall recommendations

§         Single purpose body committed to sustainable growth

§         Power to assemble land

§         Power to capture development values

§         Plan-making powers across relevant local authority boundaries

§         Ability to raise large-scale long-term funding

§         Transparency and accountability

 

 

 

 

Notes to Editors

 

MEDIA CONTACT: KIRSTEN GOGAN 020 7930 8903 / 07952 545355

 

1.       The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent charity working to improve the art and science of town and country planning. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of policy debate and inspires government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues, including planning policy, housing, regeneration and climate change. Join the TCPA at www.tcpa.org.uk 

 

2.       Our objectives are to:

·         Secure a decent, well designed home for everyone, in a human-scale environment combining the best features of town and country  

·         Empower people and communities to influence decisions that affect them  

·         Improve the planning system in accordance with the principles of sustainable development

 

3.       The TCPA will giving evidence at the EiP during the following sessions:

·         Wednesday 29th – Matter 1B Inter regional and Inter national issues (am only) – Sir Peter Hall

    • Matter 1C Climate Change (pm only) – Robert Shaw speaking
  • Thursday 30th – Matter 1D Infrastructure and Demand management (am only) – Gideon Amos
  • Tuesday 5th December – Matter 1G Economy and Jobs – housing alignment (all day) – Martin Simmons
  • Wednesday 6th December – Matter 1H Housing Levels (all day) – Hugh Roberts
  • Friday 8th December – Matter 2B Green Belt & Strategic gaps (am only) – Sir Peter Hall

 

4.       The latest update of Housing the Next Generation was prepared by LSE and Cambridge (respectively) academics and demographics experts, Christine Whitehead and Alan Holmans. The executive summary is available on our web site at http://www.tcpa.org.uk/news.htm