Commenting on the publication of a report from the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) identifying recreational land which could potentially be used to mitigate new development in the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley said:
“Today’s announcement is a welcome step towards finding a solution to the effective moratorium which has been placed on development in the Thames Basin Heaths SPA area.”
“However, SEERA’s report recognises that further work needs to be done to establish ways of delivering the potential identified. It is essential therefore that the Government, SEERA and local authorities leave no stone unturned in taking early action so that businesses are not penalised unfairly, and potential homebuyers and key workers are not denied an opportunity to access the property market in the areas they need to live.”
“Given the current chronic shortage of housing in the South East and the subsequent impact on the price of housing, it is imperative that a speedy and lasting resolution is found to this issue.”
Notes for Editors
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies. www.hbf.co.uk
The report published by SEERA identifies recreational land which could be used as land to mitigate development taking place within the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. The report can be found at: http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/news/releases/2006/31july.html
The Thames Basin Heaths SPA was created on 9th March 2005, covering 8,400 hectares across 11 local authority areas in North Surrey, East Berkshire and North East Hampshire.
The area covered by the SPA and its immediate vicinity has been designated to accommodate 40,000 new homes in the next ten years, including 12,000 units of affordable housing.
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