120,000 new homes to be built in Thames Gateway

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 12:00 AM

The Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott has announced the first sites to be developed as part of the Government's massive programme of house building.

Mr Prescott announced that the Government intends to build 120,000 new homes in the Thames Gateway area by 2016.

The areas earmarked for development are East London, Greenwich - Woolwich, Barking Reach, Thurrock and North Kent-Thameside.

The Government will be providing £330 million over the next three years for 100 projects which are expected to create 180,000 jobs and lever in at least £1-2 billion from other public and private partners.

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced that the Government has earmarked £164 million over the next three years for three other growth areas - Milton Keynes-South Midlands; London-Stansted-Cambridge; and Ashford.

However, Edward Davey, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor warned that the Government's plans could be jeopardised if the Government does not supply the appropriate social and transport infrastructure.

Mr Davey commented, 'Attempts to tackle the chronic shortage of affordable homes in the UK are always welcome, but the Government must be careful not to concentrate new dwellings in just the south east. John Prescott's plans must be backed up with the appropriate social and transport infrastructure. Without schools, hospitals and public transport links, these new communities will struggle to succeed.'

London's Development Agency welcomed the £56.8 million outlined for Stratford and the Lower Lea Valley in east London claiming that it would aid the basic infrastructure improvements needed to make the London Thames Gateway an attractive place in which to live and work along with the capital's Olympic bid.

However, environmental campaigners continue to object to the proposed new building - warning of the further contraction of the Green Belt and of the inadequate infrastructure in these areas to support large influxes of population.

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