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Thames Basin Heaths

Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) when his Department first made an assessment of the implications of the implementation of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area for Government housing plans in the South East; [61351]

(2) what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the distribution of housing allocations between counties within the South East region of the introduction of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area. [61353]

Yvette Cooper: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister officials have been working closely with Defra, English Nature, the South East England regional assembly, and local planning authorities over the last two years to develop a strategic approach to housing delivery around the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA). Our aim is to ensure that we can deliver much needed housing while at the same time providing the necessary protection to the SPA. Discussions are continuing on a draft delivery plan that aims to provide a strategic framework for mitigation against the impacts that new housing development could have on the SPA.

The likely impact of the Thames Basin Heath SPA on the distribution of housing allocations between counties within the South East is a matter for consideration in the context of the South East plan. Work currently being undertaken will inform the examination in public of that plan which is due to begin in November 2006.

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