Draft plan for region criticised

Plans for extra housing in the region are being challenged

Government support for a second runway at Stansted Airport and an extra 30,000 homes in changes to the draft plan for the East of England have been attacked.

The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) is concerned the housing figures are "minimums" to be exceeded if more sites can be found in urban areas.

The proposed changes to the draft plan mean 508,000 homes could be built by 2021, 30,000 more than EERA wanted.

The government said the plan was a major step forward for the region.

Meg Munn, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities, said: "The plan is a key milestone in putting in place sustainable higher growth and continuing to address the problems of homelessness and housing affordability."

'Rejects runway'

EERA is also concerned the government is not providing the funds needed to spend on roads and infrastructure.

John Reynolds, EERA planning panel chair and councillor, said: "The assembly rejects the need for a second runway at Stansted Airport which will have significant adverse environmental impacts, particularly in terms of carbon emissions and climate change.

"The government also needs to listen carefully to the concerns of those communities where new housing has been proposed beyond that contained in the draft East of England Plan."

The Regional Assembly will be considering its detailed response to the Government's proposed changes to the draft East of England Plan at its next meeting on 2 February 2007 in Norwich.