MASSIVE INCREASE IN HOMES DEMAND

A regional breakdown suggests that an additional 5,400 new homes should be built annually in the South East between now and 2026.

The panel had conducted a public inquiry style hearing into a new South East plan and its figures are substantially less than the 38,000 a year that many feared would be needed to meet the 3 million new homes target recently announced by Gordon Brown.

But a regional breakdown revealed Sussex communities would be hard hit by increased housing quotas with the coastal region forced to find an additional 5,400 new homes to meet the 59,400 overall target set in the report for the next 20 years.

In West Sussex, the new figures translate into an increase of more than 7,500 new homes in addition to initial predictions made by the South East England Regional Assembly.

Arun experienced the highest potential increase from 9,300 to 11,300 while Adur, Chichester and Mid Sussex would each have to find a further 1,000 new homes, Gatwick a further 1,500, Crawley 500 and Horsham 600.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette September 5