Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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The regional strategic framework
4.16 The Regional Housing Strategy must be seen in the broader context of, ‘Sustainable Futures:
The IRS for the East of England’.
4.17 The Vision for the IRS is to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives or works in the
East of England by delivering the following High Level Outcomes:
• an exceptional knowledge base and a dynamic economy in the Region
• opportunities for everyone to contribute to, and benefit from, the Region’s economic
dynamism
• strong, inclusive, healthy and culturally rich communities
• a high-quality and diverse natural and built environment
• a more resource efficient region.
4.18 In seeking to achieve the Vision and High Level Outcomes, Priorities for the East of England
are to:
• achieve high quality and sustainable solutions in Growth Areas and other parts of the
Region facing growth and regeneration pressures
• harness fully the Region’s strengths in science, research and development and in
surrounding commercialisation processes
• address the causes and implications of persistent deprivation and social exclusion –
wherever it exists in the Region
• effect a step-change in the efficiency of resource use and management of the Region’s
distinctive natural and built environmental assets
• capture the benefits from, and manage the impacts of, the Region’s international gateways
and national transport corridors.
4.19 The IRS recognises that there are potential areas of conflict between existing strategies that
are complex, but need to be confronted if the over-arching vision is to be achieved. These
have been identified as ‘critical issues‘ and the first relates to housing supply, growth and
sustainability. It raises major challenges in relation to resource use and in ensuring that new
and expanded communities really are sustainable; with appropriate jobs, transport, greenspace,
cultural and social infrastructure.
4.20 The IRS proposes a decision-making hierarchy to encourage regional agencies to make positive
decisions to help achieve the IRS vision, along with a Regional Strategy Board to pursue delivery.
This Board would provide an overall co-ordination and reference point for regional working and
an interface with central government.
4.21 In particular the RHS must deliver on the challenges posed by the draft East of England Plan (also
known as the Regional Spatial Strategy). The Plan proposes a spatial policy framework
for the East of England over the period 2001-2021.