East of England Plan - more houses, more jobs, little or no infrastructure

5.38.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 12th May 2008

Today government has released the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which sets out the development plans for the next 13 years in the region.

The plan calls for 508,000 houses to built and the creation of 452,000 jobs in the region and suggest the growth areas throughout the region including Chelmsford, Hemel Hempstead and Thurrock.

However the plan does not cover the extend of infrastructure improvements that will be required for this kind of growth. Nor does it provide the financing for this.

Chris White, Liberal Democrat Leader in the East of England Regional Assembly said: 'It has been a long wait for the publication of this document. It suggest major changes for growth areas but as usual has no money to implement the changes that are required in infrastructure. Not only do we need increased investment in roads and rail to cope with these increases in population but also schools and community facilities.'

'The launch and distribution of the document has also been a mess. Press have been informed and given details and data, but nobody seems to have told the councils who will have to implement these orders from government.'

Contact: Chris White 01727 845300

Press Officer: Susan Gaszczak 0789 900 1598