The CPRE says the countryside 'risks being sidelined'

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) made its appeal ahead of the deadline for public comment on the government's draft plan for the region.

It sets out how the South East will develop over the next 20 years.

Up to 32,000 houses may be built in the region each year, a figure the CPRE says is unsustainable.

'Environment sidelined'

Edward Dawson, CPRE's South East regional director, said: "While there are some good policies in this plan, these are undermined by other policies and a disproportionate emphasis given to economic growth.

"Whole sections of the plan seem to have been drawn up in ignorance of other sections so it is not surprising if some policies appear to contradict one another.

"The countryside and the wider environment risk being sidelined as a result."

He said the CPRE recognised the shortage of affordable housing in parts of the South East and said the plan must ensure that need is met.

In many ways, this is an urban plan that ignores the needs of rural areas and the countryside Edward Dawson, CPRE

"But we fear that much of the new housing proposed will simply add to the supply of expensive market housing out of reach of many local people, stoking demand from elsewhere," he said.

The regional assembly's decision not to proceed with the higher level of house building initially proposed has been welcomed by the CPRE.

But it said the level of building would still put pressures on transport, water supply and public services and destroy large areas of the countryside.

Mr Dawson said: "In many ways, this is an urban plan that ignores the needs of rural areas and the countryside.

"The South East is a crowded and congested region, yet still blessed with an attractive and varied rural environment.

"While we recognise that pressures for development are considerable, it is essential that the intrinsic nature of the countryside is protected.

"The draft plan does not do this and we will be calling for stronger policies on the rural environment and sustainable development."

The CPRE will submit its response to the plan and called on others in the South East to do the same.

Under the South East Plan, houses would be built in the Ashford, Thames Gateway and Gatwick areas, in parts of Surrey and along the Sussex coast.

Consultation on the plan ends on Friday.