John Prescott has this week come under a barrage of criticism from a committee of MPs who are not in the least bit impressed with the communities plan that the Deputy Prime Minister is behind.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister select committee has published a report on the Communities Plan, in which it argues that a greater share of housing proposed for the four main South East growth areas should be given over to low wage earners. The committee argued that this is necessary because merely increasing housebuilding is not likely to be sufficient to cure the housing shortage, as the blend of housing supply also needs to be altered.

It also recommends that:

• local authorities enforce the ‘brownfields first’ sequential test more rigorously;
• funding for affordable housing in areas in the south east outside of the growth zones should not be cut;
• £20 billion of ‘long-term’ investment will be needed to pay for new infrastructure including transport links, schools and hospitals in the four growth areas;
• no need for new agencies to drive forward regeneration in the growth areas; and
• an urgent examination of whether the growth areas’ water supplies can support the planned development

The committee’s chairman Andrew Bennett said: ‘We are far from convinced that the government’s plans to increase house building in the south east will be sustainable. It could create a characterless urban sprawl serving commuters into London, rather than vibrant communities with affordable homes, jobs and leisure facilities, which the government wants.’