Growth in the Haven Gateway

The Haven Gateway  is one of the key international gateways to the UK and therefore its growth and infrastructure are of national significance to the wellbeing of the UK economy.

Indeed, this fact together with its many other locational and economic advantages means that it is one of the fastest growing sub regions in the Country and contains Colchester, now officially the fastest growing district in England and Ipswich, the ninth fastest. In the period 2001 to 2008, it has been estimated that the population of the Haven Gateway grew from just under 700,000 to over 758,000 - a rise of over 8%. Forecasts of future population growth suggest the area could be home to over 825,000 people by 2021.

The challenge:

• To sustain this growth in the current economic climate;
• To deliver this growth while maintaining a high-quality environment for residents, workers and visitors.