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East of England development plan - frequently asked questions
Q. What is the East of England Plan?
A. The East of England Plan (formerly the Regional Spatial Strategy) sets out a draft strategy to guide the planning and development of the East of England from now until 2021. The Plan sets out policies on economic development, housing, the environment, transport, waste management, culture, sport and recreation, and mineral extraction. It also makes proposals for the implementation of these plans.
Q. Who or what is the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA)?
A. The East of England Regional Assembly is an unelected body that covers the counties of Hertfordshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk and the unitary authorities of Luton, Peterborough, Thurrock and Southend.
EERA is responsible for the development of strategic planning guidance across the entire region outlined above. This has come about following the introduction of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act in 2004, which abolished countywide planning structures and replaced them with regional ones.
Q. What does it mean for Hertfordshire?
A. Everyone who lives, works and travels through Hertfordshire will be affected in some way by the Plan. The proposed development within Hertfordshire, which was accepted by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) in November 2004, is for an additional 79,600 homes across the county by 2021. The scale of the development will have a significant impact on Hertfordshire and the existing infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals, water supplies etc.) and there is no indication within the plan of funds being made available to enhance the existing infrastructure to accommodate the additional development.
Q. How many homes are planned for North Hertfordshire?
A. In the plan, there is a proposal for an additional 15,800 new dwellings across the district by 2021. 8,500 of these are earmarked for greenfield / greenbelt land.
Q. Where can I read / see the Plan?
A. It is available for viewing and downloading from the EERA website or in person at your local council offices and public library. You can also telephone to request a copy – call 01284 729438.
Q. How can I comment on the Plan?
A. 1. online at www.eera.gov.uk
2. by email to planning@eera.gov.uk
3. by post to EERA, Flempton House, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6EG
4. by fax to 01284 729447
Q. What happens once the consultation period has finished?
A. The Plan will be discussed at an Examination in Public (EIP), starting in September 2005. Comments received during the public consultation period will be discussed by an independent panel, appointed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Once the panel has concluded its examination of the plan, it will report any findings and recommendations to the ODPM. The final version of the East of England Plan will then be produced – by the summer of 2006.
Q. What does North Hertfordshire District Council think of the Plan?
A. North Hertfordshire District Council is strongly opposed to the unnecessary building of new dwellings on greenbelt land and greenfield sites in North Hertfordshire.
Q. What is North Hertfordshire District Council doing to voice its concern over the Plan?
A. The council has fought the proposals at every stage of the process so far, and will continue to do so in order to protect the district from unnecessary development and development that will cripple our already strained rail and road infrastructure.
As a council, we would urge you to express your views on the proposed development, whether you think this is a good or bad idea or have a view somewhere in between. This is the future of your district, your county, and it is important that your views are heard and taken into consideration
