The 2005 report shows that – while we have seen some improvements – increased development is putting pressure on our environment across the region. These pressures include demand for water; energy consumption; the amount of waste and increased road traffic. The impacts of climate change will add to these over the coming years.

By putting the environment at the heart of new development in the South East we can minimise the effects of increased population. Steps that need to be taken include:

• Ensuring that inappropriate development does not take place on flood plains and that flood risk management is incorporated into new development projects.

• Building new sewage treatment facilities to cope with further demand.

• Encouraging less waste, more recycling and building new waste facilities.

• Ensuring sufficient green spaces for wildlife and recreation and to provide drainage for rainfall.

• Improving energy efficiency in addition to increasing the use of renewable energy.

• Improving water efficiency in addition to increasing, replacing and protecting water resources to ensure sufficient clean water for all.

• Ensuring that buildings are developed to a high environmental standard.

Howard Davidson, Regional Director for the Environment Agency in the South East said:

"The environmental impacts of growth in the South East are invisible to most people so it can be difficult to take the risks to the environment seriously. We can’t stress enough how important it is that the environment is at the heart of these new developments.

"More homes mean more people. More people mean more rubbish, more demand for water, more sewage, more energy use and more transport. And more homes mean more pressure to build in areas of flood risk. If we plan for these changes now, we can safeguard the environment for this and future generations."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The positive highlights included in the report are:

• Improved air quality: overall air pollution from industry processes regulated by the Environment Agency have been cut substantially. However, heavy road traffic in the region contributes substantially to local air pollution and must be addressed if air quality is to improve.

• Quality of our bathing waters: all our beaches passed the minimum standards for cleanliness in 2005. More beaches are passing the higher EU "guideline" standards than ever.

• Biodiversity: Although otters remain rare, the actual numbers and number of sites where they can be found has increased. Sea trout populations appear to be recovering as a result of improved river management.

• Building on previously developed land: the percentage of new homes built on previously developed land has increased. There is also an opportunity to make more efficient use of derelict land and vacant buildings across the region.