Government eroding our powers

THE GOVERNMENT intends to dilute county planning powers and ignore calls for a better local infrastructure, it was claimed this week by East Sussex County Council leader Cllr Peter Jones.

During a recent speech to the House of Commons, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced plans for thousands of new homes for the south-east with the emphasis on affordable housing.

He also proposed that county structure plans which provide a strategic balance to development and the protection of the countryside be removed and replaced with a weaker role for county councils.

Said Cllr Jones: 'While we welcome the Deputy Prime Minister's view on affordable houses for key workers, we are very concerned about the possible impact of new housing on the environment and on communities that just don't have the infrastructure to cope.

'Our weak economy and cuts in Government support for infrastructure improvements make it impossible for East Sussex to meet the Government's proposed housing numbers. We must all resist this unreasonable pressure.

'At the same time the Government seems to be going against public opinion by proposing that county structure plans be scrapped. In their place we appear to have a watered-down role of just giving our views to some non-elected regional quango. A recent consultation resulted in about 90 per cent opposing this move.'

The council is also concerned about news of planned rail improvements in East Sussex being thrown out.

Cllr Jones added: 'We have been calling on Government to ensure that any new housing developments have the infrastructure in place to be able to cope. This means better transport, more schools, hospitals and community facilities.

'Isn't it ironic that on the day Mr Prescott gives his speech about all these new homes, we learn that the Strategic Rail Authority has thrown out plans to electrify the Hastings to Ashford and Uckfield to Hurst Green rail lines.

'If we can't make these kinds of improvements to our rail network, provide better road and public transport and more community facilities then how are we going to be able to cope with all this new housing?'