Regional Spatial Strategy
Abolition of Regional Strategies
The Planning Inspectorate has published a letter of 27 May 2010 from the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to Council leaders highlighting the Coalition Government's commitment to abolish Regional Strategies'
View Eric Pickles letter 
170kb
From 1 July 2006, responsibility for the administration of the Regional Planning Budget transferred to the Planning Inspectorate from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Government Office Websites
East of England
East Midlands
London
North East
North West
South East
South West
South West - Additional Pitch Requirements for Gypsies and Travellers
West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humber
Background
‘Regional Spatial Strategies’ deal with a range of issues including:
- The scale and distribution of new housing and employment
- Priorities for the environment, such as countryside enhancement
- Key infrastructure to support development
- How waste will be dealt with
The Regional Planning Body (RPB) for each region is responsible for reviewing the ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’ and preparing draft revisions in partnership with local and regional stakeholders. Once the RPB has prepared the draft strategy, it publishes it for at least 12 weeks public consultation.
Following public consultation, an Examination in Public is held to debate and test the Regional Planning Body’s proposals. A Panel - independent of the Regional Planning Body and central Government - oversees this process.
Following the Examination in Public, the Panel prepares a report of findings and recommendations to the Government on how the draft ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’ might be improved.
The Government then issues Proposed Changes to the draft strategy, taking account of the Panel’s recommendations and representations on any matters not considered at the Examination in Public.
The Secretary of State then makes any final amendments in the light of the responses to the Proposed Changes consultation, and issues the final ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’.
Local authorities then prepare Local Development Documents, which are consistent with the ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’, identifying specific locations for development.
Legislation
Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies
Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies technical amendment
The Town and Country Planning (Initial Regional Spatial Strategy)(England) Regulations 2004
The Town and Country Planning (Regional Planning) (England) Regulations 2004
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004