The public will be asked for their views on how many more homes are needed in the East of England in a major public consultation being launched in September, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) has announced.

The consultation will run until 24 November 2009 and will primarily seek views on four different scenarios for the number of new homes needed in each council area every year to 2031.

Eleven consultation events are being held across the region in September where members of the public can hear more.

EERA Chairman Cllr John Reynolds said: "This consultation is to promote public debate on planning for the future of the region and specifically the issue of new homes.

-- Advertisement --

"The East of England Plan is of interest to everyone in the region as it provides the framework for councils' local plans and covers the economy, housing, transport, the environment and climate change.

"The Assembly has already rejected the highest end of the range of new homes being proposed by the Government.

"But we do need to plan ahead to ensure that people can gain access to homes they can afford and that new homes are close to jobs, transport and other public services."

The Government has asked the Assembly to revise the East of England Plan which sets out how many new homes should be built each year.

The revised Plan will not be completed until 2011 and the public will have further opportunities to have their say. It is the responsibility of local councils to determine the exact locations of where new homes should be built through their local development frameworks.

(CD/BMcC)