Region strategy for east of England receives mixed response

Posted: 13 May 2008 11:01:11 GMT

The government has published its Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the east of England.

The government has published its Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the east of England.

It promises to build 508,000 new homes in the region by 2021, translating to 25,400 new properties every year for the next 13 years.

In addition, the strategy sets out plans to create over 450,000 new jobs in that time.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) has welcomed the RSS and said that families will benefit.

"The revised housing figures, up from 478,000 to 508,000 homes by 2021, will help tackle homelessness and meet the needs of the growing number of families in this region of the country," commented TCPA chief executive Gideon Amos.

"The recognition of the robust success of the new towns north of London as a sustainable model that can put a stop to sprawl, planning for sustainable growth and emphasising the need to meet even higher standards in future," he added.

The RSS has received some criticism, with the Campaign to Protect Rural England accusing the government of failing to listen to locals' concerns.

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