‘Housing numbers game is up,’ says KCC Leader

Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter says the Government’s housing numbers game is up.

The Government’s Planning Inspectors report has been published, recommending 32,000 new homes across the south east region every year for the next 20 years,

Mr Carter said:
“County council leaders across the south east region fought very hard to contain housing growth within acceptable levels. The planning inspectors’ report published today is suggesting an additional 10 per cent of homes across the south east region. I am relieved that for Kent they are recommending a slight increase of only three per cent.

“The big issue will now be how the Government responds to the inspectors’ report. The government have already indicated that they will be demanding substantial increases over and above current regional proposals, this concerns me greatly.

“Kent will already struggle with current plans, for example, brownfield sites are running out, we have the prospect of flooding and much of our highways infrastructure is already overloaded.

“Unless the Government massively increases infrastructure investment the idea of an additional 20% more homes on the 6,500 proposed is outrageous.

For copies of the inspectors’ report, go online to www.gose.gov.uk/gose/planning/regionalPlanning/?a=42496

KCC News Release Ref No: 616/07 29 August 2007

For further information contact Philip Scrivener at Kent County Council Press Office on 01622 694013 or email phil.scrivener@kent.gov.uk
More news releases are available online at www.kent.gov.uk/news