NEW HOMES - GOVERNMENT PLEDGE ON INFRASTRUCTURE

This was the statement by Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper to South East England Regional Assembly representatives.

As the Assembly puts the final touches to its draft South East Plan, Chairman Cllr Keith Mitchell met with ODPM Minister Yvette Cooper to discuss ways of increasing infrastructure investment to support growth in the region. The meeting was part of the regular dialogue with Government sought by the Assembly under its 'infrastructure concordat'.

Deputy Chairman of the Assembly, Cllr Don Turner, and Planning Chairman Cllr Christine Field were also involved.

The debate addressed Government's proposals for a Planning Gain Supplement and the draft guidance on planning for housing (PPS3).

Reflecting on the discussion, Housing and Planning Minister, Yvette Cooper said:

"We have always been clear that building homes for the next generation will be firmly linked to increased investment in transport infrastructure and local services in addition to new design and environmental standards.

"That's why we are consulting on a Planning Gain Supplement to unlock the increase in land value and have announced plans for a cross-cutting review looking at how to deliver infrastructure across Government departments. We want to work with local authorities and other partners to find the right way to make development sustainable and I hope the Regional Assembly takes an active role in the consultation process."

Cllr Keith Mitchell added: "The Assembly recognises that the Planning Gain Supplement could make an important contribution to funding the vital infrastructure the region needs, even at current levels of growth. The devil is in the detail, however, our greatest fear is that money raised in the South East will be siphoned off elsewhere. So we welcome the offer to work closely with Government to find ways through these concerns."

Brownfield and greenfield land

The meeting found less common ground on the draft Planning Policy Statement on Housing (PPS3). The Assembly's view that the new arrangements will impede the development of brownfield land was strongly disputed by the Minister.

Cllr Mitchell commented: "Local authorities obliged to maintain a ready land supply for housing will come under intense pressure to release greenfield sites."

But Yvette Cooper responded: "We agree that we need to continue to give priority to brownfield development, reform the planning system for housing and give more help to first-time buyers. Draft PPS3 maintains our commitment to prioritise development of sustainable brownfield sites for housing. A record 72% of new homes are now being built on brownfield land, ahead of our target of 60% by 2008."