New sustainable framework for homes and jobs in the North West

A new regional strategy that directs long-term housing and economic growth and environmental protection in the North West was announced by Communities Minister Baroness Andrews today.

A vision for sustainable social and economic development in the North West up to 2021 is unveiled in the North West of England Plan.The Plan aims to raise the economic performance in the North West by supporting the provision of new job opportunities and reducing local inequalities. It puts protecting the North West's environment at the heart of new development.

The Plan sets out to deliver 416,000 new homes (23,111 a year from 2003 - 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 25,600 per annum to 2026.

The provision of housing is vital to supporting the growth of the North West economy and delivering a higher quality of life to all.The largest need for housing is in Manchester, Salford and Liverpool where there are major requirements for urban regeneration and housing market renewal.

The North West Plan focuses growth in the three city regions of Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire and identifies the regional centres of Manchester and Liverpool as the first priority for investment and regeneration, ensuring they will be firmly established as world class cities.

Other towns highlighted as priorities include Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Preston and Wigan.The Plan also seeks to maximise the economic potential of the region's rural areas whilst respecting their character and natural environment.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:

"The North West needs a long-term strategy for boosting its economy, addressing housing need, and protecting the environment by tackling climate change.

"We have an ageing population with more people choosing to live alone and new households are growing faster than new homes. If more homes are not built now the housing ladder will get even further out of reach.

"The North West Plan sets out an achievable vision for reducing the social and economic disparities in the region while protecting its distinctive character and environment."

Publication of the final plan follows comprehensive public consultation and independent examination process.

The Plan also provides a regional policy framework for major transport, waste and environmental issues in the North West.

The regional plan puts tackling climate change high on the agenda to support national targets to reduce CO2 by 60 per cent by 2050 and sets out how growth will be brought forward sustainably.This includes promoting development at locations well served by public transport, the re use of land and buildings, targets for electricity to be generated from renewable sources and interim targets for the generation of renewable energy on new development sites.

A modern transport system that concentrates on the development of better transport links between the region, and between the North West and other regions is a priority. The Plan sets out the general priorities for future investment in transport infrastructure. Further details will be set out in an Implementation Framework to be published later in the year.

Earlier this month the Department of Transport (Dft) announced a £93.8million investment in North West transport schemes. DfT expect to fund 34 major road and public transport schemes in the North West up to 2015 out of £1.34bn provisionally allocated for the period 2005/06 to 2015/16.

The government has already made available £100million of national funding in the second round of New Growth Points announced in July 2008. In the North West of England these included Greater Manchester, Carlisle, Central Lancashire  per cent Blackpool, West Cheshire, Halton/St.Helens/Warrington, and Mersey Heartlands. New Growth Points have also been invited to submit bids for the £200million Community Infrastructure Fund which is designed to link funding for transport infrastructure with the delivery of housing.

The Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes said:

"The people of the North West have made their views known throughout our comprehensive consultation process.

"They've talked about the need for new housing provision and jobs, increased transport accessibility and the protection and enhancement of the distinctive environment of the North West.

"This Plan provides a framework to help realise the full potential of the North West and we now need to work together to meet the challenge of delivering it."

4NW's Director of Planning, Transport  per cent Housing, Michael Gallagher, added:

"We welcome the Government's publication of the Regional Spatial Strategy. 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 West to improve the quality of life for the people in the region.

"4NW - the Regional Leaders Forum has worked closely with the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Government to ensure RSS is closely aligned with the Regional Economic Strategy and Regional Housing Strategy; taken together, these strategies provide a solid foundation for the preparation of the new, Regional Strategy and delivery of Local Development Frameworks over the next few years."

Summary of Key points in plan:

• Higher housing growth to deliver 413,000 new homes (23,111 a year) by 2021 to address household growth and affordability issues in the region. At least 70 per cent should be built on brownfield land.
• Councils must set out what affordable housing is required in their area and the Plan provides a menu of options to meet need including making the most of publicly owned land and including affordable homes within new housing development.
• Development and investment to be focused on towns and cities within three City Regions, Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire.
• Emphasis placed on regenerating inner areas of Manchester and Liverpool and other areas of housing market renewal and restructuring.
• Development in rural areas focused on selected towns and villages which will act as key service centres for surrounding areas.
• Regionally significant economic development to be focused in City Regions and in growth and regeneration locations in Cumbria and North Lancashire.
• Existing employment land to be reviewed to ensure it is available and attractive to the market, with the need for additional employment land in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.
• Tourism opportunities promoted including regeneration of Blackpool and other coastal resorts, heritage city of Chester, the Lake District National Park and World Heritage Sites Hadrian's Wall and the City of Liverpool.
• No need for strategic change to the Green Belt at this time.
• Waste management strategy including targets to increase household waste recycling and composting to 55 per cent by 2020.