§ The report of the South East Economic Planning Council, "A Strategy for the South East" was published last November. It proposes, among other things, a pattern of physical settlement for the long term based largely on the concentration of new settlements along the main radial routes (road and rail) out of London, coupled with the preservation of extensive amenity areas. The Council pointed out that these proposals would require further detailed study and discussions with the authorities concerned, and recommended them as a basis for further planning study. At the same time, the local planning authorities in the region have, through the Standing Con- 112W ference on London and South East Regional Planning, been themselves undertaking studies towards a regional strategy.
§ 2. The Government accept that further planning study is required. But the future planning of this large and important region containing one-third of the nation's population is a matter in which the Government are deeply involved since the development of London and the South East raises issues of great importance both in themselves, in terms of investment and in relation to national and regional policies.
§ 3. While the ultimate responsibility for a final decision must rest with the Government, it is clear that the Regional Planning Council and the local Planning authorities have a very important contribution to make to the evolution of a planning strategy for this vital region. The Government propose therefore to invite both the Council and the Standing Conference to co-operate with the Government Departments in commissioning a planning study to forward the planning started by the Council and the Conference to the point of reaching a definitive strategy for the region.
§ 4. To this end, the Joint Parliamentary Under Secretary of the D.E.A., Mr. A. J. Williams, will be calling a meeting shortly at which the Ministers of Departments concerned, the Regional Council, and the Standing Conference would be represented. This would be, in effect, the "commissioning body" for the proposed study and its task would be to reach agreement on the broad scope of the work, the time to be taken, and the machinery for carrying it out. The starting point of the study would be the strategy proposals of the Planning Council, but it will also be necessary to take into account Government policies and the Planning work that has been undertaken by the Standing Conference.
§ 5. The Government has in mind that the commissioning body could meet from time to time as necessary during the course of the work. But it is proposed that the actual steering of the study, including the preparation of detailed terms of reference, should be the responsibility of a small group of senior officials, under the chairmanship of the D.E.A., while the planning work would be carried out under the control of a full-time professional team. The team would consist of Government planners (seconded from D.E.A., M.H.L.G., Ministry of Transport and the South East Planning Board) and Standing Conference staff, led by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's new Chief Planner, Dr. Wilfred Burns.
§ 6. It is intended that the regional planning machinery and the Standing Conference should participate in the work of all these Groups, and how best to do this will be discussed at the meeting of the commissioning body.
§ 7. The setting up of this study does not mean that planning decisions will be held up. Planning for the medium term in the South East will continue on the basis of the local development plans, and of decisions taken following the Government's review of the South East study. The Government will also 113W continue to consult the Planning Council on issues affecting the economy of the region.
§ 8. The Government is in no doubt as to the magnitude of the task involved, but they are confident that, given the good will and co-operation of all concerned in the planning of the region's future, it can be carried through to a successful conclusion within a reasonable time in order to provide a basis for essential decisions affecting the long-term planning of the South East.