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New housing and jobs for Yorkshire and Humber

Published	21 May 2008

A twenty year vision to deliver new houses, tackle climate change, encourage economic growth and regeneration of the Yorkshire and Humber region was published today by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews.

The Yorkshire and Humber Plan (revised Regional Spatial Strategy) will deliver a long term vision for renewal and growth to all communities in the region in a planned and sustainable way over the next two decades. 

Publication of the final Plan follows a thorough public consultation and independent examination process that started back in 2004. It will deliver the sustainable economic and housing growth the region needs to tackle its genuine affordability problems. The Plan also responds to environmental and transport issues affecting the region.

More new houses have started to be built in recent years but the latest statistical projections show that new households are expected to grow in the region by over 23,000 a year up to 2026 which means housing provision needs to accelerate to keep up with demand. The RSS sets out a plan to deliver 400,680 more homes (22,260 a year) and economic growth could deliver almost 300,000 new jobs (29,000 a year).

Some of the region is vulnerable to the affects of climate change such as coastal erosion, flooding, and air pollution. The Plan sets out a robust approach to managing existing and future risks.  It sets a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region by 20%-25% by 2016 with further reductions thereafter. All new development will need to be designed to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use.

Many towns and cities in the region suffered from decline and deprivation in the later half of the twentieth century.  However, since 1997 under this government's drive there has been a sustained urban renaissance. The plan will extend the economic growth already happening in the Leeds and Sheffield city regions. Development will be focused around 4 key 'regional cities' Leeds, Hull, Sheffield and now Bradford. The Humber ports and Robin Hood airport will play vital roles as economic drivers and key gateways to the region.

The Government is making millions of pounds of funding available to support infrastructure and housing growth across the country. Growth Funding will be allocated later this year and successful areas will be eligible for Community Infrastructure Funding and Housing and Planning Delivery Grants. In addition the Community Infrastructure Levy currently being considered by Parliament will potentially create another important funding source for councils delivering new housing.

Communities Minister, Baroness Andrews, said:

"Yorkshire & Humber needs a long term vision for delivering much needed sustainable growth that addresses its housing shortages, tackles climate change and strengthens the region's economy.

"Beyond the short term squeeze of the credit crunch the population is still ageing with more people choosing to live alone which means new households are growing faster than new homes. If more homes are not built now in Yorkshire and Humber the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live.

"This plan represents a key milestone in tackling housing pressures for the people of Yorkshire and Humber. It will deliver the affordable housing, better transport networks, stronger environmental protections and new jobs that the region needs."

Rosie Winterton, Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber said:

"The Yorkshire and Humber Plan is crucial to delivering sustainable development in the region for the next 15 to 20 years.

"It is a blueprint for better economic performance, more jobs and the new homes that the region needs to grow and prosper. At the same time it will help protect the environment and improve the quality of our cities and towns. 

"The Plan has been through rigorous public consultation and independent analysis and it is now important for all partners to work to implement it so that we can realise its vision."

Summary of key points in the Plan:

• confirmation of higher housing growth to deliver over 22,000 homes each year from now until 2026.
• confirmation of expected annual job growth of around 29,000 and policies to support economic development in city and town centres and other locations.
• detailed plans for the seven sub regions:  Leeds City Region; South orkshire; Humber Estuary; York; Vales and Tees Links; the Coast; and Rural North Yorkshire.
• development to be focussed on 'Regional Cities' of, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and now Bradford; And eleven sub regional towns - Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Halifax, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Scunthorpe, Grimsby, Harrogate, Scarborough and York. Limited growth in 3 rural areas such as Craven, Hambleton and Ryedale.
• the Plan proposes around 5000 more affordable homes, and a better mix of housing including more homes for families and for the elderly.
• a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region by 20%-25% in 2016 from 1990 levels with further reductions thereafter, and policies to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• a robust strategy to manage flood risk, based on protecting cities and towns and the transport network, ensuring new development is in lowest risk areas, and improving flood storage and land management.
• the plans sets out a sustainable waste management strategy and will protect and improve water supply, water quality, woodlands, agricultural land, biodiversity, historic environment, and the region's diverse areas that protects landscape, biodiversity and other aspects of the environment.
• its sets out priorities for transport management and investment, and a focus on making best use of existing infrastructure and to deliver a coordinated approach to development and infrastructure improvements
• in this plan the Green Belts in the region are to remain unchanged. However West Yorkshire may need to consider how best to accommodate planned growth in the Leeds City Region.

New eco-towns could also help meet housing needs in the region. Any successful bid from the region will be included in the further RSS review to be carried out which will take account of new population and housing projections. The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly are committed to carrying out this review by 2011.

The 2 shortlisted eco-town locations in the region have only reached the first stage. Bids that have cleared the first hurdle will face considerably tougher tests ahead if they progress and will need to improve proposals still further. All the shortlisted locations will face further examination including public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal which will test the merits and challenges for each one.

All bids will have to reach zero carbon standards by promoting leading edge green technologies, provide high levels of affordable housing, demonstrate how they will deliver key infrastructure such as good public transport, schools and health facilities and safeguard local wildlife.

The Plan is part of an ongoing process of Government reforms to deliver more regional accountability, regeneration and growth.  In addition locally elected leaders will have even more say over housing and planning under the single regional strategy. 

From 2010, the regional spatial strategy (RSS) will be joined up with the economic strategy (RES) to create a new Single Strategy for Yorkshire and Humber for new jobs, homes, transport and investment.  This new strategy will continue to require transparent and open consultation with councils, local communities, businesses and environmental and social groups.

Notes for editors

1. The Yorkshire and Humber Plan announced today was formally published by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in a Written Ministerial Statement to parliament. The Yorkshire and Humber Plan is the Regional Spatial Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber.
2. The Yorkshire and Humber Plan can be viewed and downloaded from the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber's website: www.goyh.gov.uk. Hard copies can be obtained from: Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT. Tel: 0113 341 2757. Email yhregionalstrategies@goyh.gsi.gov.uk.
3. Revised projections for households for the English regions to 2026 can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/707319
4. The Plan also contains the Regional Transport Strategy. The main purpose of RSS is to provide a framework for local planning authorities to prepare their development plans.
5. The SA Statement, SA/SEA Assessment and Appropriate Assessment demonstrate how the Plan accords with the principles of sustainable development and meets the legal requirements of the European Habitats and Strategic Environmental Assessment Directives.
6. The Yorkshire and Humber Plan is based on a draft version of RSS prepared by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly and published for consultation in January 2006. An independent Panel held an Examination in Public in September and October 2006. The Panel report, setting out its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of State was published in May 2007. Consultation on the Secretary of State's Proposed Changes to the draft Plan took place between September and December 2007. Following consideration of responses and further changes, the final version of the Plan has been published.
7. The next steps are for the region's local authorities and delivery bodies to implement the policies of the Yorkshire and Humber Plan through preparation of Local Development Frameworks. Meanwhile, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly will start work on a review of the Yorkshire and Humber Plan. This review will only be a 'mini' review, focusing on the Government's housing growth agenda and take account of emerging guidance on Ecotowns and NHPAU advice. Further information on the review can be found at: www.yhassembly.gov.uk.
8. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 strengthened the role and importance of regional planning, introducing Regional Spatial Strategies as the top tier of the statutory Development Plan in all regions of England, except London, where the London Plan provides a similar role. The Act sets an objective for RSSs to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

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