The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) broadly welcomes the Secretary of State's belated publication of the final version of the South East Plan, following consideration by the Government of the consultation responses to their Proposed Changes to the Plan published last year.
The Plan leaves the key strategy and policies for South Hampshire intact, and makes only minor changes to some of the details of particular policies or proposals. The robust evidence base, and the strong links between economic growth, employment and housing needs and infrastructure requirements over the long term provided a strong base for the PUSH strategy, which was widely recognised by the EiP Panel and the Government.
Chairman of PUSH, Conservative Councillor Seán Woodward, said: "We very much welcome confirmation of the long term planning strategy for South Hampshire, and the fact that the Government has very largely accepted the proposals put forward by PUSH. The final Plan published today is an endorsement of our approach in PUSH. We are the only sub-region which has retained its original housing targets and distribution throughout the process, whilst other areas have seen figures increased by the EiP Panel or by the Secretary of State. Following the announcements of funding awards from the Growth Fund last November (£18.7M) and the successful Transport bid for the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit system (£20M) this is another demonstration of how working together for the good of the area pays dividends."
Whilst PUSH also welcomed the decision to drop references to housing numbers as 'minimum requirements' and the decision not to increase the housing requirements across the region, there were some disappointments in the final proposals. PUSH, along with the Regional Assembly and other partners had argued for the need to maintain a link between the rate of development and the delivery of Infrastructure, which is needed to ensure that new communities are sustainable supported by essential services and facilities from health and schools to transport and green spaces. The Government has slightly improved the wording of its infrastructure policies, but has not accepted the case for restoring the link between infrastructure being in place or guaranteed before development proceeds.
"Local Leaders in PUSH have consistently called for the Government to support our growth strategy with infrastructure investment, and this is a very disappointing response. As south Hampshire emerges from the recession and growth development again we know that much more investment will be needed to deliver infrastructure to support that growth. With the fall in land values and the pressure on developers to recover profits there will be an even stronger case for ensuring that the necessary infrastructure can be provided to support our communities. I am very disappointed that the Government is not prepared to acknowledge this, and work with us to address the problem through strong planning policies in the SE Plan."
PUSH also notes with disappointment that the Government has also not been persuaded to support the PUSH suggestions for planning policies to protect undeveloped areas of land which separate individual settlements in South Hampshire. The so called ‘strategic gaps’ policy has been a cornerstone of the planning approach in the area for a number of years.
"PUSH is disappointed that the Secretary of State has not recognised the importance of the “Strategic Gaps” policy, but as local leaders we will do all we can within the more limited powers now at our disposal to protect these important spaces and maintain the character of our individual cities, towns and villages across South Hampshire".
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