The Government today (Monday) launched the final version of its plan for the East of England [1].  Despite repeated submissions from interested parties at all stages in its preparation and the consultation process, the Government has persisted in sticking to its targets for very high rates of growth and development in the region.

Countryside campaigners point out that this would have a devastating effect on the countryside and on those in the region. CPRE [2] East of England Chairman Lawrence Wragg said:

‘This is a sad day for all who live and work in the Eastern Region. From the outset, the Government was warned of the impact that development on such a scale would have on our environment and quality of life, but has chosen to ignore it.’

‘If the Government had been listening then their hearing aid was turned down low, because all they have seemed to hear was the voice of the Treasury.’

‘People in the East of England will now have to bear a substantial environmental cost for the Government’s growth plans [3] over which they have virtually no say.’

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1.  The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk and is available to download from http://www.go-east.gov.uk/. A draft RSS was published back in 2004 and underwent extensive consultation, including an independent Examination in Public in winter 2005-06. The Secretary of State published proposed changes in December 2006.

2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Bill Bryson. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk

3.  Key proposals within the RSS include a minimum of 508,000 additional dwellings and 452,000 additional jobs between 2001 to 2021. Reviews of the Green Belt are recommended at Stevenage, Broxbourne and North Hertfordshire, as well as in Hemel Hempsted, Dacorum, St Albans, Harlow, east Hertfordshire and Epping Forest districts. The RSS takes account of the expansion at Luton and Stansted airports.