HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 cc11-2W
Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the economic status of the West Sussex coastal strip. [112088]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Public Examination of the Draft RPG, held last year by an independent Panel, considered representations and evidence from a range of organisations and individuals. It included discussion specifically about the economic situation along the Sussex Coast.

Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what grounds the West Sussex coastal strip is no longer to be accorded priority status for special economic support. [112252]

Ms Beverley Hughes

SERPLAN (the London and South-East Regional Planning Conference) proposed a number of Priority Areas for Economic Regeneration in Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South-East (Draft RPG9). The strategy and proposals in Draft RPG9 were the subject of a Public Examination last year. The independent Panel who held that Public Examination recommended that a more targeted area of the Sussex coastal area be identified as a Priority Area for Economic Regeneration. The Secretary of State is considering both SERPLAN's proposal and the recommendation of the Panel and will shortly be publishing "Proposed Changes to Draft RPG" for public consultation.

Forward to