Gateway 'could take 91,000 homes'

A blueprint to develop a huge section of east London suggests an extra 31,000 homes could be built to ease the housing shortage.

The London part of the Thames Gateway, is already earmarked for 60,000 new homes.

But Mayor of London Ken Livingstone says it could take at least 91,000 to meet London's long-term housing needs.

The report says 55 primary schools, six police stations and 19 health centres are needed for the new population.

Mr Livingstone said the area was a priority for regeneration.

"Nowhere else in the city offers a comparable opportunity to deliver new homes at the same time as delivering major improvements for existing residents."

But some environmental campaigners are worried about the fate of the green belt, poorer air quality and worse traffic.

And there have been some concerns about the possible effect on the flood plain of the Thames.

Proposals for a £385m six-lane bridge from Greenwich to Newham which aim to bring new investment to the area were recently backed by Transport for London (TfL).

The mayor's London Development Agency has been working with east London councils, the NHS, TfL, the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships on the framework.