Planning, building and the environment

Further consultation on vital South West development vision

Published	22 July 2008

A 12 week consultation on the South West's vision to tackle climate change, address housing shortages and strengthen the region's economy was launched by the Government today (22 July 2008).

Following an independent public examination proposed changes to the South West's draft Regional Spatial Strategy were published today. The report includes updates on housing, sustainable energy, transport and employment. Proposals include:

A 29 per cent increase in housing provision to 29,623 pa (592,460) to address housing shortages, affordability issues and take account of past under delivery in the region following the recommendations of the Independent Panel. An additional 1,150 homes a year will ensure West of England, Exeter and Plymouth housing matches anticipated job growth.
The latest household projections forecast that over 28,000 new households will form a year in the region up to 2026. The South West is already the only region with above average house prices and below average incomes.
An increase in the affordable housing target to 10,000 homes per annum (35 per cent of total housing provision).
Projected economic growth of 3.2 GVA per annum will help deliver 484,500 jobs.
Development to focus on the strategically significant cities and towns of Bristol (£22m already allocated through New Growth Point funding), Bath (£2m), Cheltenham, Chippenham, Swindon (£11.5m), Salisbury, Dorchester, Exeter (£5.5m), Gloucester, Newton Abbot, Weymouth, Plymouth (£10m), Torbay (£5m), Taunton (£8.5m), Weston-super-Mare, Yeovil and the Cornish towns of Redruth, Truro (£5m), Falmouth, Pool and Camborne (£3.7m), as well as other market and coastal towns.
Kerrier, Restormel and Teignbridge have also just been identified as New Growth Points and will now be eligible to bid for growth funding to support development in their areas.
Strong support for appropriate development in rural areas, including provision for housing and economic development in rural communities, including small towns and villages where development will deliver greater self containment and stronger local communities.
Plans to help tackle climate change and contribute to delivering our national renewable energy targets.
Strategic flood risk assessments will ensure new development is delivered in a way that mitigates the threat of flooding.
Promoting sustainable public transport, walking and cycling and tackle congestion problems in our main urban areas particularly around Bristol.
Ensuring development is supported by effective infrastructure.

Today's public consultation will last until Friday 17 October. After considering any further views received as a result of this consultation, the final Regional Spatial Strategy will be published, if possible, before the end of 2008.

Announcing the consultation Communities Minister, Baroness Andrews said:

"The South West needs a long term development vision that tackles the threat of climate change, addresses housing shortages and strengthens the region's economy.

"Beyond the short term squeeze of the credit crunch the number of new households are still outgrowing the number of homes being built - not least because our society is ageing and more people are choosing to live alone.

"In a rural region known for its quality of life if more homes are not built now the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live further exacerbating the real problems in the South West. Already it is the only region with above average house prices and below average incomes.

"The proposals in this strategy set out a vision for the South West's future. It is important that local views and all who are interested in the future development of the area have the opportunity to comment before the final report is published."

The Matthew Taylor MP Review is also expected to provide important steps for planning and affordable housing to breathe new life and prosperity into rural communities.

The Government has already made up to £133m available to councils affected by last summer's floods to date to allow councils to enforce this action plan. It has also put in place tough new planning rules (PPS25) that protect new homes against flood risk that mean the Environment Agency must be consulted on all new developments.

Notes for editors

1. The current RSS for the South West was originally published as Regional Planning Guidance (RPG10), and became the formal RSS in 2004. In 2006 the SW Assembly submitted a draft revision of the RSS to Government. This was considered by an independent Panel of Inspectors at an Examination in Public during April to July 2007.

2. The Proposed Changes Report and the accompanying documents can be viewed and downloaded from the Government Office for the South West's website - www.gosw.gov.uk (external link). Copies of the report are being sent to all those who took part in the Examination in Public. The report will also be available for public inspection at local authority offices and libraries across the region during normal working hours.

3. Also being published for comment are reports of the Sustainability Appraisal of the Proposed and the Habitats Regulation Assessment of the Proposed Changes.

4. Revised projections of households for the English regions to 2026 can be found at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/707319.

5. The Growth Fund allocations for the region have already been announced. Details can be found at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/growthareas/growthfundallocations/.

6. The proposed eco-town in St Austell is still at an early stage and has not been included in the current review of the Regional Spatial Strategy. Short listed eco-towns have only reached the first stage and locations have to go through public consultation and a detailed Sustainability Appraisal to test the merits of each one. If successful, St Austell would be included in any future RSS review.

7. The timing of any future reviews of the South West RSS will be discussed with the Regional Assembly. However it is important that the Regional Spatial Strategy allows for rapid recovery of housing supply to meet long term demand. The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit recently published advice on the long term levels of housing needed to meet the growing needs across English regions. Last week Government published guidance on how this advice should be used by Regional Assemblies in any future reviews.

8. The Prime Minister asked Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, to conduct a review on how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing.

Matthew Taylor has explored how these issues can be addressed - within the context of existing protection for the natural environment - through the application of land use and planning policy. His particular terms of reference are:

The identification and release of appropriate land for local economic development and affordable rural housing provision, working in conjunction with local government, parish councils and land owners;
Investigating the potential for increasing the provision of live/work space within rural communities;
Assessing the local implementation of new planning rules on rural housing following the recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/planningpolicyimplementation/reformplanningsystem/matthewtaylorreview/.

9. Last week floods Recovery Minister John Healey announced that 62 local authorities would receive a share of almost £31million to support their continued efforts to rebuild their communities following last summer's floods:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/896018.

In addition the Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund was set up by the mayors of Gloucester and Tewkesbury. The £1.8m raised has been distributed to 2,200 households in the local area to help meet the costs they incurred: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/896230.