May 23 2007
As the Sustainable Development Commission report recognises, there has been considerable progress in the delivery of our major long-term regeneration and growth programme. Particular improvements have been made in the provision of public services and public transport. The report authors strongly welcome our clear commitment to tackling climate change.
However, there are key criticisms that the Sustainable Development Commission makes that need to be addressed.
It is clear that new development brings environmental pressures. Climate change is now one of the greatest challenges facing Government. We will drive forward our environmental ambitions over coming months in particular through the 'Building a greener future consultation'.
Communities and Local Government, DEFRA, Ofwat and the Environment Agency regularly consult to ensure that our growing population have a secure and reliable supply of water. In addition there is currently an independent feasibility study underway investigating ways of making the Thames Gateway as sustainable as possible. Potentially this could be used across other areas of England.
Nationally, three-quarters of development is now on brownfield land and this rises to over 90 per cent in some areas like the Thames Gateway. This commitment is reinforced in the planning policy on housing (PPS 3), which sets new requirements for local authorities to develop brownfield strategies and to work pro-actively to bring suitable brownfield land into development.
The Housing Market Renewal programme continues to restore neighbourhoods, building sustainable communities. £1.2bn has been invested, with 35,000 houses refurbished and only 9,000 sub-standard properties demolished. Pathfinders work hard to involve local communities in their plans.
We agree that the provision of infrastructure is essential for sustainable communities. Our approach is to ensure that infrastructure, including public services, is provided alongside housing growth. As part of CSR 07, the Treasury has set up a Policy Review into Supporting Housing Growth, to ensure that the increase in housing supply is supported by the necessary investment in infrastructure. We are focussed on delivering housing growth in step with infrastructure, as plans for individual growth locations are developed.
Housing supply and affordability challenges, are now increasingly faced at regional level across England which is why in October we announced forty new Growth Points to achieve a greater supply of housing in mixed and sustainable communities.
Communities and Local Government Minster Angela Smith said:
“We have always been clear that we need to build more houses for the next generation, but we also have to build them in communities with the right infrastructure, social services and green spaces that people need.
“As the Sustainable Development Commission report recognises, there has been much improvement in the provision of public services and public transport, and in our recent green initiatives such as the Code for Sustainable Homes and the pledge to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016. However, we do acknowledge that there is always more we can and should do. This is why we want to work with the SDC and other many important stakeholders as we move forward.
“In the four years since the Sustainable Communities Plan was launched, housebuilding has increased to 185,000 per year, delivering the homes that people need in communities where they want to live. Our investment in the four growth areas totals £1.07bn, with £1.2bn invested into regenerating communities in the North and Midlands. In addition, £3.5bn is committed or planned by DfT for infrastructure schemes in the Growth Areas.”