John Prescott's plans to build an extra half a million homes in the east of England has been criticised by an independent consultant's report commissioned to study the proposals.

The report was finished a few days ago and according to the Guardian concludes that the plan "is likely to have serious negative impacts on water resources, biodiversity, tranquillity, air quality, recreational access and congestion".

The consultants, Levett-Therivel, say that a sensible approach would have been to compare benefits of developing in the area with other parts of the country, particularly in the north.