A new vision to deliver jobs, homes and infrastructure to the region up to 2021 was unveiled in the North East of England Plan, the revised Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
Publication of the final plan follows comprehensive public consultation and independent examination process.
The Plan sets out to deliver 128,900 new homes (7,600 a year) by 2021 to meet housing needs. With people living longer and more and more choosing to live alone households are projected to grow in the region by at least 6,647 a year up to 2021.
The Plan focuses on accelerating economic development within the Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley City-Regions as well as creating a vibrant rural economy. Gross Value Added growth is expected to accelerate averaging 2.8 per cent per annum (over 04-21). Areas including the Tyne River Corridor, the River Wear Corridor, Durham City, South East Northumberland, the Durham and Rural Coalfield areas and East Cleveland have been identified as key development areas.
The Plan supports recently announced goals to create up to 73,000 new jobs in the North East by 2016 as set out in the Regional Economic Strategy. 3,400 hectares of land is identified for new business. Land for growth has been specifically reserved at Key Employment Locations: Newcastle Great Park; Newburn Riverside, Baltic Business Quarter, West Hartford, Cramlington, NorthEast Technology Park, Sedgefield; Wynyard, Stockton/Hartlepool; Heighington Lane West, Newton Aycliffe; Faverdale, Darlington.
In addition to mainstream infrastructure funding the Government is making millions more available through the Community Infrastructure Fund and Housing and Planning Delivery Grants, which will incentivise councils to increase housing supply sustainably. The Second Round of New Growth Point areas to be announced shortly will include the North of England for the first time.
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:
"This plan is about realising the full potential of the North East through major social and economic renaissance. We want to deliver a high quality of life for present and future generations by addressing housing shortages, strengthening the economy, modernising transport networks, protecting the environment and tackling climate change.
"Beyond the short term squeeze of the credit crunch the population is ageing, more people are choosing to live alone and new households are growing faster than new homes. If more homes are not built now older people will have fewer choices, and the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live.
"This North East Plan sets out a vision for reducing the social and economic gap between the North East and other regions while building upon its distinctive strengths and assets."
The Plan also addresses major transport, waste and environmental issues in the North East.
A modern transport system that supports the economy and improves accessibility to and within the region is a priority. Spending on the region's transport network has risen by 30 per cent in the last five years from £481million to £623million. The Plan promotes better public transport, improved parking and tackles congestion problems. Major capital investment will be available for schemes that can deliver on time and on budget.
The plan also puts tackling climate change high on the agenda to support national targets to reduce carbon dioxide by 60 per cent by 2050. It sets an interim 10 per cent renewable energy target until councils are able to bring forward their own challenging targets for new developments.
Summary of key points in the plan:
- Higher housing growth to deliver 128,900 new homes by 2021 (7,600 a year) to address housing shortages and affordability issues in the region.
- An accelerated GVA growth averaging 2.8 per cent per annum (over 04-21). Increased population with more people taking advantage of local jobs, services and better quality housing.
- Priority Areas for development, regeneration and conservation – the Tyne River Corridor, the River Wear Corridor, Durham City, urban areas of the Tees Valley, South East Northumberland, the Durham and Rural Coalfield areas, East Cleveland and other Regeneration Towns and Rural Service Centres.
- 3400 hectares of land to boost local jobs in Key Employment locations at NewcastleGreat Park; Newburn Riverside, Newcastle; Baltic Business Quarter; West Hartford, Cramlington; NorthEast Technology Park, Sedgefield; Wynyard in Stockton/Hartlepool; Heighington Lane West, Newton Aycliffe; Faverdale, Darlington.
- Support development in rural communities including improved public transport and the delivery of affordable housing.
- A sustainable Regional Transport Strategy for improving public transport, rail links, parking policies and tackling congestion. Including A1/East Coast Main Line; A19/Durham Coast rail line; A66/Tees Valley rail line; A69/Tyne Valley rail line.
- Major transport studies on congestion levels for the A1 through County Durham and the A19/A66/A174 in Tees Valley. A second round of Regional Funding Allocation for further projects is expected to be announced later this year.
- Tackle climate change policy as set out in the Energy White Paper to make significant progress on cutting carbon dioxide emissions significantly by 2020, and achieve a 60 per cent cut by 2050.
- Interim 10 per cent target to secure energy from renewable and low carbon sources for new major developments until local authorities set own ambitious targets. Potential areas have been identified for onshore wind energy development; following further consultation.
- Waste management strategy including targets to increase household waste recycling and composting to 46 per cent by 2016.
- Protection from damaging development for environment and historic buildings including World Heritage Sites Hadrian's Wall and Durham Cathedral and Castle to promote tourism.
- Protection for the Green Belt to safeguard the countryside from encroachment around Tyne and Wear and Durham City. A policy to prevent settlements from merging in Tees Valley.
One NorthEast's Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy), Pat Ritchie, said:
"We welcome the Government's adoption of the Regional Spatial Strategy. One NorthEast has worked closely with the North East Assembly and Government to ensure it is closely aligned with the Regional Economic Strategy; taken together, these strategies provide a solid foundation for the preparation of the new, integrated Regional Strategy over the next few years."
Alex Watson, chair, North East Assembly, added:
"The RSS released today is the culmination of strong partnership working in the region. We are delighted that the Government has endorsed our shared vision for the North East to improve the quality of life for the people who live here. We look forward to working more closely with One NorthEast to ensure that this planning framework provides the best possible outcome for the region as we begin to develop the new single regional strategy."
