The draft Plan, including the Secretary of State's proposed changes, was reassessed against the EU Habitats Directive between July and September 2007. It found that minor amendments needed to be made. However, the proposed changes do not affect the level of growth for the region or the Plan's strategy.
The Further Proposed Changes mainly concern clarifications to ensure that the Plan's policies can be delivered in ways that are fully compliant with the EU Habitats Directive. Two examples are:
- in regard to the area served by the Rye Meads sewage treatment works, which includes Harlow, Stevenage and Welwyn, the treatment capacity will need to be expanded to meet the needs of the growing population in such a way as to avoid harm to the protected habitat adjoining the works;
- in regard to Thetford, where there is a group of protected habitats around the town and the further proposed changes introduce additional guidance to ensure development does not affect the integrity of the protected habitats.
Brian Hackland, Regional Director of the Government Office for the East of England, said:
"The East of England Plan is a key milestone in putting in place sustainable higher growth and hence addressing the problems of homelessness and housing affordability.
"Following responses to the consultation held, we commissioned this further work and have published some further changes to the Plan based on its findings.
"We encourage people to look at these further changes and respond as part of the consultation."
These changes build on the foundations of the Draft East of England Plan, which was prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly; the recommendations of the independent Panel who conducted an Examination in Public into the Draft Plan; and the Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Draft Plan.
The East of the England Plan provides a clear, agreed, long-term spatial vision for the region to 2021 and beyond. It is the framework for putting into place the Government's growth agenda within the East of England and in ensuring that growth is sustainable. It provides guidance on the scale, broad location and timing of development; the associated measures needed to achieve the vision of sustainable communities; and on related planning matters, including waste and water resource management.
The Plan also contains the Regional Transport Strategy. Its main purpose is to provide a framework for local planning authorities to prepare their development plan documents, which must conform to the East of England Plan.
All responses on the consultation must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 18 December.
Following consideration of responses to the consultation on the Proposed Changes and these Further Proposed Changes, the Secretary of State is expected to publish the finalised East of England Plan in early 2008.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is the East of England Plan important?
The East of England Plan is a crucial tool in putting in place the Government's sustainable growth strategy within the East of England. It is one of the first two region wide reviews of Regional Spatial Strategy to reach the Secretary of State's Proposed Changes stage. It guides development in the East of England to 2021 and puts in place a direction of travel for the longer term. It will replace the Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia and relevant parts of the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East within the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England. It contains the Regional Transport Strategy. Its main purpose is to provide a framework for local planning authorities to prepare their development plan documents, which must be in general conformity with it.
How can I obtain a copy?
The following are available on the GO-East website www.goeast.gov.uk
- the full text of the Plan, incorporating both the Secretary of State's Proposed Changes and these further Proposed Changes;
- the Report of the Appropriate Assessment; and
- further copies of the response form.
A paper copy of those sections of the Plan that have changed is available on request; copies of the previous Proposed Changes version of the Plan are also available - please telephone the Regional Planning team on 01223 372547.
How can I respond?
Should you wish to comment on the further Proposed Changes, the Appropriate Assessment, or related matters, you may do so:
- on line, by using the following link from the GO-East website http://www.goeast.gov.uk; or
- on paper, using the response form provided - further copies can by downloaded from the GO-East website.
Comments should be submitted by 5 pm on Tuesday 18 December.
When will the Plan be finalised?
Following consideration of responses to the consultation, the Secretary of State is expected to publish the finalised East of England Plan early in 2008.
