People from Peterborough will be asked for their views on how many more homes are needed at a meeting at Peterborough Town Hall at a meeting today.

The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) has arranged the meeting to seek views on four different growth scenarios for the number of new homes needed for the period from 2021 to 2031.

In Peterborough's case the scenarios range from 850 new homes per year up to 1,560 homes annually with two mid-range options of 1,430. Under existing 20-year plans, Peterborough is expected to provide 25,000 new homes by 2021.


Across the region as a whole, the scenarios range from 26,000 to 33,500 new homes annually.

EERA Chairman Councillor John Reynolds said: "The East of England Plan is of interest to everyone in the region as it provides the framework for each council's local plans and covers the economy, housing, transport, the environment and climate change.

"We need to plan ahead to ensure that people can gain access to homes they can afford and that new homes are close to jobs, transport and other public services."

The government has asked EERA to revise the East of England Plan which sets out how many new homes should be built each year. The revised plan will not be completed until 2011 and the public will have further opportunities to have a say. It is the responsibility of local councils to determine the exact locations of where new homes should be built through their local development frameworks.

(CD/BMcC)