Forget about Horley Master Plan -The South East Plan is going to be massive in comparison. Read from the Fact sheet 3 .PDF file:-

1. What is the South East Plan?

The South East Plan is the regional framework for managing future development in the South East and will replace current government planning guidance for the South East. This framework is being prepared by the South East England Regional Assembly. It will set the standards and principles for the physical development of the region for 20 years and will be used to guide the production of local plans and strategies by district and unitary councils. It fulfils the requirements of a Regional Spatial Strategy that we are charged with producing under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2. What is the timescale of the Plan?

The South East Plan will come into effect in 2006/07 and wilt cover the period up to 2026. The Regional Assembly will submit the first draft of the Plan to the Government Office of the South East in the summer of 2005.

3. What themes are covered in the Plan?

Key themes for the South East Plan include:

Making urban living more attractive through physical and social regeneration, improved design and a renaissance of our towns and cities, including improvements to public spaces and transport.

Improving access to housing by providing what the region needs in terms of new homes including affordable homes to buy or rent.

Making access easier for people who need to reach services such as shops and doctors, workplaces or leisure, cultural and recreational facilities. A key aim is to reduce the need to travel long distances by car.

Encouraging more prudent use of natural resources such as water and energy as well as reducing the amount of waste we all produce.

4. What consultation is taking place for the Plan?
The Assembly is looking for public opinion on important choices about development in our region to 2026. The consultation period runs from 24 January to 15 April 2005. During this period a questionnaire is being sent to every household in the region or feedback can be given on the Assembly website.

5. How will the South East Plan relate to other regional strategies on sustainability and the economy and the Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan?

The Sustainable Communities Plan’s objectives will be incorporated in the South East Plan. The original timeframe for the Communities Plan was set for 2016; the Plan will cover up to 2026. The Plan will provide the spatial context for the other regional strategies (Regional Transport Strategy, Regional Minerals Strategy etc) and will be in line with the Sustainable Development Framework.

Here’s the basics of the what they want to acheive:-

Taken from executive_summary.pdf

Development Options

The Assembly is required, under the terms of the new Act, to consult on a range of options, at both the regional and sub-regional levels. After considerable debate, the Assembly has decided that the consultation should focus on options for three levels of regional growth, and two options for distribution of that growth. The three growth options are:

25,000 additional homes per annum - a lower figure than the planned rate

28,000 additional homes per annum - approximately the current planned rate

32,000 additional homes per annum - higher than the current planned rate

Source:- http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/

Pretty scary stuff. We have until the 15th of April to voice our concerns. Though don’t bother with the “Have Your Say” poll on the site - it’s completely biased!