§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the housebuilding requirement for the south-east of England as set out in his statement on 7 March will differ from that recommended by SERPLAN. [114404]
§ Mr. RaynsfordAllowing for housing completions between 1991 and 1996, SERPLAN proposed a "baseline provision" of 660,000, with a higher "indicative range" to be provided through the structure plan process of 696,000 to 718,000 additional dwellings in the region outside of London between 1996 and 2016. In London the provision for the same period was 462,000 to 512,000 dwellings, allowing for completions. The Government's proposal 35W would be for an annual rate of provision of 43,000 dwellings outside of London and 23,000 within London. That would amount to 860,000 and 460,000 respectively for the same period. However, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear in his announcement on 7 March that we do not believe in fixed 20-year housing requirements. Instead, there will be a more flexible approach with the level of housing provision for the region adjusted in the light of monitoring. Such reviews will take place at least every five years.