Plan for region's future reviewed

The East of England Regional Assembly oversees housing growth in the region

A master plan for future jobs and homes in the East of England is being reviewed and extended.

The plan for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, at present goes up to 2021, but now will look to 2031.

The East of England Regional Assembly is planning ahead to meet the needs of the region's growth and respond to issues such as climate change.

As present the region is set to see 25,400 new homes each year to 2021.

The East of England Plan will include plans for new jobs and homes, including affordable homes, and less intensive use of natural resources.

The review will ask important questions about where new jobs will be created and how can we protect and improve the local environment Councillor Derrick Ashley

The Assembly, a regional grouping of councils and stakeholders which is independent of Government, will publish a public consultation document in Spring 2009.

Councillor Derrick Ashley, chairman of the Assembly's regional planning panel, said: "Despite the current economic downturn, we must start planning for people's future needs as a million more people will live in the East of England by 2031.

"The review will ask important questions about where new jobs will be created and how can we protect and improve the local environment.

"It will also look at long-term housing needs, an important issue for many people across the region struggling to find affordable housing.

"Crucially, the investment that will be needed from Government to make it all happen will also be thoroughly examined."

EERA's Regional Planning Panel will oversee the review which is expected to be completed by Government in 2011.

The Assembly has started the review by asking for advice from councils and commissioning expert studies on a range of issues including housing, transport, water, flood risk and waste.

New jobs and homes targets in the current East of England Plan will be reviewed and extended to 2031.

More information is available on the Assembly website.