The Examination in Public of the South East Plan by Government-appointed Inspectors concludes today (Weds) that its regional target for new housing should be increased by just 10 per cent from 28,900 to 32,000 a year.
In East Sussex, the Inspectors have proposed an increase of just five per cent with several districts' figures recommended to remain as proposed in the Plan.
East Sussex County Council believes today's recommendations do not support Government plans for three million new homes in the UK by 2020, which could require large increases on the numbers proposed in the South East Plan.
The authority has long argued vehemently against excessive home building because of the need to give priority to economic development and limited opportunities for major new development.
The 20-year plan for the region was drawn up over three years by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA), with strong input from several county councils, including East Sussex, which led work on the strategy for the Sussex Coast and the housing targets across the county. The Panel's report makes recommendations to the Government on the regional plan.
Despite the recommendation for a small increase across the South East, the Inspectors concluded that the housing figures for Eastbourne and Hastings Boroughs, and Rother and Lewes Districts should not be increased.
Of the East Sussex boroughs and districts, only the figure for Wealden should be increased, the Panel argues, by 80 a year – or 1,600 between 2006 and 2026. It suggests 600 of these extra homes could be focused on Uckfield.
SEERA member Councillor Tony Reid, who is East Sussex County Council's Deputy Leader, said: "This is a ringing endorsement of the work the County Council led to advise the Assembly on a strategy for the Sussex Coast. It recognises the importance of reviving our economy, the danger that too much extra housing could not be matched by sufficient jobs, the need for investment in infrastructure and the need to ensure much of the extra housing is affordable.
"These are points we have been making for some time and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the districts and boroughs in the future in continuing to make those arguments to the Government."
It is now expected that Government will consult on changes to the Plan later this year or early in 2008, after it has considered the recommendations of the Inspectors.
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