Green group urges homes rethink

A meeting about the plans is due to take place on Friday

Plans for almost 500,000 new homes in the East of England should be thrown out to prevent irreversible damage to the environment, a rural group claims.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is urging a re-think on a mass building scheme across the region.

The government plans have already been given the initial backing by the East of England Regional Assembly.

But the CPRE says the decision must be reconsidered in light of new evidence which shows the damage it would cause.

The group is hoping to help sway the assembly, which is due to discuss the housing plans at a crunch meeting in Southend, Essex, on Friday.

This is the moment of truth for assembly members - they must do what is right for the region and the quality of life of its people Barry Porter, CPRE

In a letter to assembly members, Barry Porter, chairman of CPRE East of England, called on them to reconsider their original decision in the light of "damning new evidence".

The CPRE claims an environmental assessment has revealed the extent of the damage that housing estates on such a large scale would cause in the region.

It said development on any significant scale could lead to irreversible damage to landscapes, wildlife, rural tranquillity, water resources, air quality, recreation and the character of historic cities, villages and towns.

It adds traffic would increase, congestion would become worse and it could also contribute to climate change.

Mr Porter said: "This is the moment of truth for assembly members - they must do what is right for the region and the quality of life of its people."

The government's designated "growth" area for the east encompasses Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.