Ben Lee, Planning, 16 January 2009

Consultancy Arup's brief for the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) was to look at possible locations for major settlements as evidence for the review of its regional spatial strategy (RSS), which is being extended to cover the period to 2031.

Its proposals, released today, suggest that towns could be sited in Alconbury, the A5120-Midland Mainline corridor, the east Bedfordshire strategic corridor, south of the A120, east of Stansted and near Braintree.

The site of the shortlisted eco-town plan in Marston Vale, where up to 15,400 homes are proposed, could also accommodate a 20,000-home town, Arup suggests.

The report adds that Cambridge, Chelmsford and Norwich could become regional centres for populations of up to 400,000 people.

Bury St Edmunds, Colchester and Ipswich also have the potential for major growth within existing urban boundaries, the report says. But it considers the RSS's 21 other growth areas unsuitable.

Team leader for planning Simon Meecham said every option will be studied but it is unlikely that all will go ahead. EERA has already published details of 100 sites put forward by developers for the RSS review including failed eco-town bids Coltishall and Hanley Grange (Planning, 7 November 2008, p3).

The study is available at PlanningResource.co.uk/doc