Hot Press - Market News

September 2007

The recently published draft South East Plan, published at the end of August 2007 contains several recommendations.

One is for the establishment of a SDA (strategic development area) in south Reading to cover Reading and its environs. The Panel report recommends a Greater Reading Development Partnership, with executive powers, to be formed as a joint planning and delivery vehicle, to provide strong and coordinated leadership.

In 1990 Campbell Gordon published a report Growth v. Quality of Life: A Thames Valley Solution by Ian Campbell (this may take a moment to download - 2mb file) which examined the success of the Thames Valley in the previous two decades, set out proposals for handling the consequences and building upon the foundations of success in the next two decades. He concluded (Section 8, The "Means of Delivery") that the way forward was to set up an new executive authority in South Reading, with the necessary powers of compulsory purchase and planning control, to provide the means for long term planning in an area of success.

The recommendations of the Government Inspectors have uncanny parallels with the views published nearly two decades ago. Ian Campbell welcomes the new approach if the recommendations are implemented, and says the changes proposed by the Inspectors will enable the Thames Valley to look ahead in a positive climate, which welcomes and builds upon the prosperity of the sub region, particularly for the benefit for those who live and work in the area.