An independent report has called for 505,500 new homes

The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) decided at its annual meeting at Newmarket that the maximum number of homes should be fixed at 478,000.

A recent independent report said that new provision should be increased to 505,000 homes in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Milton Keynes, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The assembly said infrastructure and water issues had not been addressed.

A motion was passed at EERA's annual general meeting calling for the government to test the sustainability of the proposal in the report and to consult with local communities before considering any changes to the existing draft plan.

Serious concerns

Assembly chairman Sue Sida-Lockett said: "We are concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed extra housing which should be fully tested by the government with a sustainability appraisal.

"The year ahead is critical for the region as the government will make key decisions on the amount of new housing to be included in the final East of England Plan and the amount of funding to be made available to support new jobs and housing.

"The assembly will be seeking to influence the government to ensure the region gets its fair share of resources."

EERA's motion urged the government to promote greater efficiency in energy and water consumption as well sustainable transport.

It expressed serious concern that the increased target of 440,000 new jobs would create a mismatch with available housing and that 421,000 posts was still the most appropriate target.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly is currently reviewing the East of England Plan having taken over the role from John Prescott.