English Partnerships chief executive David Higgins has warned that infrastructure has to keep pace with growth to reduce opposition in south eastern growth areas. He said: “It will always be a challenge achieving growth especially when people think communities are expanded without infrastructure. There is an issue in the growth areas. We have to make sure infrastructure keeps up with it so that new development doesn’t become a burden on existing infrastructure.” EP announced that the Broughton Gate site in Milton Keynes would be the first in the UK to have an infrastructure tax agreed by the developer, Gallagher Estates. This could be a forerunner for Barker’s planning gain supplement (PGS). Higgins said: “We are very interested in the PGS. The infrastructure tariff at Milton Keynes is consistent with the principle of the PGS.” Higgins also praised housebuilders for adapting to the government’s agenda. “I think it is worthwhile recognising the significant transformation that housebuilders have made. We have to build on a momentum that is already underway.” Higgins comments came as EP launched its annual report, which reveals that EP made £215 million from land and that its investment programme grew from £410 million to £483 million in the …