EEDA supports the aspiration to increase the level of housing within the three growth areas within the East of England linking to those areas in need of regeneration. Without the step change in growth, areas under threat will continue to decline. (This has been demonstrated in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands study for Luton and Bedford.

  Sub Regional studies are now complete for both the Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth area and the London, Stansted, Cambridge corridor to inform the spatial pattern of development. This spatial pattern should be determined through a democratic process engaging stakeholders through the full consultation process. Regional Planning Bodies have a strong role in ensuring timely incorporation into the relevant development plans and reducing timescales for regional, structure and local plan preparation. Early review of these sub regional studies through an examination in public type consultation could be advanced prior to the completion of RPG14. The potential significance of the outcomes of SERAS on the London, Stansted, Cambridge Corridor will need to be taken on board to ensure timely implementation of any development proposals.

  The comments below set out briefly our views on implementation and obstacles to delivery:

—  Shortage of development sites ready for development and brownfield sites needing remediation.

—  Inadequate supporting infrastructure and uncertainty about delivery commitment, process and timetables and the funding and delivery of supporting community infrastucture.

—  Capacity of the industry to deliver, market forces and the availability of skilled labour in the construction industry.

—  The responsiveness of the planning system.

  The new guidance on CPO will be published later this year and RDA will work together with English Partnerships to agree the best way forward to bring forward sites to achieve "quick wins". Many preferred sites are brownfield which are more expensive and take time to deliver. Affordable housing contributions from such sites may be lower given viability issues of decontamination. It is also essential that in developing sites quickly, problems for the future are not created and that high quality design is secured.

  It is clear from partners around the region that this scale of development should not be pursued without commitment to investment from central government for the necessary hard and soft infrastucture commensurate to the amount of development. The studies together with emerging multi modal studies provide clear guidance on the infrastructure requirements. To achieve sustainable non-car dependent communities commitment to investment is needed to include the process and timetable for implementation.

  EEDA has identified a shortage of skilled resources within the construction industry. (FRESA)

  Recent analysis of Thames Gateway South Essex, commissioned by EEDA and undertaken by Roger Tym and Partners considered the key constraints to development. This has been forwarded to ODPM and can be made available here. These included, technical, procedural, market, financial and other general constraints. Issues pertinent to the Thames Gateway location is identified infrastucture deficit including rail and road provision and the capacity and capability of the prevailing organisational arrangements. This approach to assessment of obstacles to growth can be adopted in the other areas.

  Depending upon the spatial pattern and focus of development, existing local delivery mechanisms may be appropriate. However, delivery mechanisms are required which build a common agenda, acting for the greater good of the community. However, to achieve this, it is also necessary to improve the planning capacity and capability through a planning task force or revisions to planning powers. The model of the delivery vehicle is dependent upon the existing delivery mechanisms and the appropriateness and ability to co-ordinate, programme and deliver development. However, where objectives are not being met, consideration must be given to other delivery mechanisms to bring forward development.

  It is not anticipated that the provision of new housing will reduce house prices given that any development will only represent a modest percentage of the overall housing stock. Other fiscal policies would need to be amended to effectively reduce the cost of house purchase. However, by increasing supply in an area where there is currently unmet demand is anticipated to reduce the rate of increase in house prices. However, affordable housing including key worker housing, social housing and housing to meet the intermediate market must still be progressed and secured to meet the identified need.