Regional Spatial Strategy
Encyclopedia
Regional spatial strategies (RSS) provided regional level planning frameworks for the regions
of England
outside London
. (In London, spatial planning is the responsibility of the mayor
.) They were introduced in 2004. Their revocation was announced by the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat government on 6 July 2010.
, which abolished structure plans and replaced regional planning guidance
(RPG) with RSS, which then became the strategic level plan charged with informing local development frameworks (LDFs). These were required to be in ‘general conformity’ with an RSS, which is a statutory, legal document.
Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies commonly abbreviated as PPS 11, set out the procedural policy on the nature of RSSs and focuses on what should happen in preparing revisions to them and explains how this relates to the Act and associated regulations. The current version was introduced in September 2004.
They were each subject to a strategic environmental assessment
.
, and were then submitted to the Secretary of State
. Once the RPB prepared a draft RSS, it published it for at least 12 weeks public consultation.
Following public consultation, an Examination in Public was held to debate and test the RPB’s proposals. A Panel formed by the Planning Inspectorate
- independent of the RPB and central Government - oversaw this process. Following the Examination in Public, the Panel prepared a report of findings and recommendations to the Government on how the draft RSS might be improved. The Government then issued 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 made any final amendments in the light of the responses to the Proposed Changes consultation, and issued the final ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’.
Local authorities then prepared Local Development Documents, which were to be consistent with the Regional Spatial Strategy, identifying specific locations for development and conservation, and establishing local policies for managing development
.
In other regions, Examinations in Public were held in 2006 and 2007. The Panel's reports on each of these have been published, and in some cases proposed changes to the RSS have been subject to public consultation. Up-to-date information on the progress of each RSS can be obtained from the Planning Portal website.
In October 2008 the RSS for the SW attracted more than 40,000 objections during Public Consultation thus placing the programme for roll out into serious delay. By June 2009 objectors to the RSS for SE succeeded at judicial review on the basis of various aspects of incompatibility of the document with European law, particularly on issues of Sustainability and Natural amenities.
Supporting guidance to local authorities upon the revocation of RSS stated: "In the longer term the legal basis for Regional Strategies will be abolished through the “Localism Bill” that we are introducing in the current Parliamentary session. New ways for local authorities to address strategic planning and infrastructure issues based on cooperation will be introduced."
In respect of housing figures, the guidance stated that: "Local planning authorities will be responsible for establishing the right level of local housing provision in their area, and identifying a long term supply of housing land without the burden of regional housing targets. Some authorities may decide to retain their existing housing targets that were set out in the revoked Regional Strategies. Others may decide to review their housing targets."
On 10th November 2010 Mr Justice Sales ruled in the case of Cala Homes (South) Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was not entitled to use the discretionary power to revoke regional strategies contained in s 79(6) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to effect the practical abrogation of the regional strategies as a complete tier of planning policy guidance.
published its report on the implications of the abolition of the RSS system. It stated that: "The intended abolition of regional spatial planning strategies leaves a vacuum at the heart of the English planning system which could have profound social, economic and environmental consequences set to last for many years." Committee chair Clive Betts
said:
The committee expressed concern about the lack of robust and consistent evidence to support local development plans, and asked the Government to bring forward transitional arrangements to ensure a coherent, efficient planning system for the future. It also warned that the abolition of RSSs will hamper the UK's economic recovery and delay new house building.
Regions of England
In England, the region is the highest tier of sub-national division used by central Government. Between 1994 and 2011, the nine regions had an administrative role in the implementation of UK Government policy, and as the areas covered by elected bodies...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
outside London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. (In London, spatial planning is the responsibility of the mayor
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
.) They were introduced in 2004. Their revocation was announced by the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat government on 6 July 2010.
History
RSS emerged from the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...
, which abolished structure plans and replaced regional planning guidance
Regional Planning Guidance
Regional planning guidance is the predecessor of regional spatial strategies. The RPGs include:*Regional Planning Guidance 1: North East *Regional Planning Guidance 6: East Anglia to 2016 *Regional Planning Guidance 8: East Midlands...
(RPG) with RSS, which then became the strategic level plan charged with informing local development frameworks (LDFs). These were required to be in ‘general conformity’ with an RSS, which is a statutory, legal document.
Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies commonly abbreviated as PPS 11, set out the procedural policy on the nature of RSSs and focuses on what should happen in preparing revisions to them and explains how this relates to the Act and associated regulations. The current version was introduced in September 2004.
Objectives of RSS
Regional Spatial Strategies were expected to:- establish a ‘spatial’ vision and strategy specific to the region - for example, identifying in general terms areas for development or regeneration for a period of about 20 years ahead
- contribute to the achievement of sustainable development
- establish regionally specific policies, which are expected to add to rather than replicate national ones
- address regional or sub-regional issues that may cross county, unitary authority or district boundaries
- outline housing figures for district and unitary authorities to take forward in their local development frameworks
- establish priorities for environmental protection and enhancement, and define the ‘general extent' of areas of green beltGreen Belt (UK)In United Kingdom town planning, the green belt is a policy for controlling urban growth. The idea is for a ring of countryside where urbanisation will be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where agriculture, forestry and outdoor leisure can be expected to prevail...
- produce a regional Transport Strategy as part of the wider spatial strategy
- outline key priorities for investment, particularly in infrastructure, and identify delivery mechanisms, in order to support development
- identify how the region's waste should be dealt with
- be consistent with and supportive of other regional frameworks and strategies.
They were each subject to a strategic environmental assessment
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic environmental assessment is a system of incorporating environmental considerations into policies, plans, and programmes. It is sometimes referred to as strategic environmental impact assessment. The specific term strategic environmental assessment relates to European Union policy...
.
Process
RSS were prepared by the relevant regional planning body (RPB), in the form of the Regional AssemblyRegional Assemblies in England
The Regional Assemblies of England were a group of indirectly elected regional bodies established originally under the name Regional Chambers by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. They were abolished on 31 March 2010 and replaced by Local Authority Leaders’ Boards...
, and were then submitted to the Secretary of State
Secretary of State (United Kingdom)
In the United Kingdom, a Secretary of State is a Cabinet Minister in charge of a Government Department ....
. Once the RPB prepared a draft RSS, it published it for at least 12 weeks public consultation.
Following public consultation, an Examination in Public was held to debate and test the RPB’s proposals. A Panel formed by the Planning Inspectorate
Planning Inspectorate
The Planning Inspectorate for England and Wales is an executive agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government of the United Kingdom Government. It is responsible for determining final outcomes of planning and enforcement appeals and public examination of local development plans...
- independent of the RPB and central Government - oversaw this process. Following the Examination in Public, the Panel prepared a report of findings and recommendations to the Government on how the draft RSS might be improved. The Government then issued 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 made any final amendments in the light of the responses to the Proposed Changes consultation, and issued the final ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’.
Local authorities then prepared Local Development Documents, which were to be consistent with the Regional Spatial Strategy, identifying specific locations for development and conservation, and establishing local policies for managing development
Development Control
Development control, planning control, or development management is the element of the United Kingdom's system of town and country planning through which local government regulates land use and new building. It relies on a "plan-led system" whereby development plans are formed and the public is...
.
Practice up to abolition
By the end of 2006 there were 5 revised RSS submitted to the Secretary of State although most of these were in effect updates to RPGs than 'true' RSSs. The East of England's RSS was the first RSS proper to have been submitted and has been marred by political wranglings over housing numbers and transport infrastructure.In other regions, Examinations in Public were held in 2006 and 2007. The Panel's reports on each of these have been published, and in some cases proposed changes to the RSS have been subject to public consultation. Up-to-date information on the progress of each RSS can be obtained from the Planning Portal website.
In October 2008 the RSS for the SW attracted more than 40,000 objections during Public Consultation thus placing the programme for roll out into serious delay. By June 2009 objectors to the RSS for SE succeeded at judicial review on the basis of various aspects of incompatibility of the document with European law, particularly on issues of Sustainability and Natural amenities.
Revocation
In May 2010 the new Government announced the abolition of the Regional Strategies. They were formally revoked, under s79(6) of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, on 6 July 2010.Supporting guidance to local authorities upon the revocation of RSS stated: "In the longer term the legal basis for Regional Strategies will be abolished through the “Localism Bill” that we are introducing in the current Parliamentary session. New ways for local authorities to address strategic planning and infrastructure issues based on cooperation will be introduced."
In respect of housing figures, the guidance stated that: "Local planning authorities will be responsible for establishing the right level of local housing provision in their area, and identifying a long term supply of housing land without the burden of regional housing targets. Some authorities may decide to retain their existing housing targets that were set out in the revoked Regional Strategies. Others may decide to review their housing targets."
On 10th November 2010 Mr Justice Sales ruled in the case of Cala Homes (South) Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government that The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was not entitled to use the discretionary power to revoke regional strategies contained in s 79(6) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to effect the practical abrogation of the regional strategies as a complete tier of planning policy guidance.
Commons Select Committee Report
In March 2011, the all-party Commons Communities and Local Government CommitteeCommunities and Local Government Committee
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee is a select committee of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The remit of the Committee is to examine the work, the expenditure, administration and policies of the Department for Communities and Local Government and its...
published its report on the implications of the abolition of the RSS system. It stated that: "The intended abolition of regional spatial planning strategies leaves a vacuum at the heart of the English planning system which could have profound social, economic and environmental consequences set to last for many years." Committee chair Clive Betts
Clive Betts
Clive James Charles Betts is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Attercliffe from 1992 to 2010, when he became Member of Parliament for Sheffield South East.- Early life :...
said:
"Regional Spatial Strategies bridged the gap between those planning issues determined by local policy or concern, and those subject to policy goals defined at a national level – such as those for housing or renewable energy. We...are concerned about the hiatus created by their intended abolition. This is giving rise to an inertia that is likely to hinder development - making it much harder to deliver necessary but controversial or emotive 'larger than local' facilities - such as waste disposal sites, mineral workings or sites for gypsies and travellers. It will also make it more difficult to ensure that our national need for new housing is met."
The committee expressed concern about the lack of robust and consistent evidence to support local development plans, and asked the Government to bring forward transitional arrangements to ensure a coherent, efficient planning system for the future. It also warned that the abolition of RSSs will hamper the UK's economic recovery and delay new house building.
See also
- Planning Policy StatementsPlanning Policy StatementsIn the United Kingdom, Planning Policy Statements are statements of the British Government's national policy and principles towards certain aspects of the town planning framework. They apply to England only...
- Town and country planning in the United KingdomTown and country planning in the United KingdomTown and Country Planning is the land use planning system governments use to balance economic development and environmental quality. Each country of the United Kingdom has its own planning system that is responsible for town and country planning devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the...
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...
External links
- Government Policy and Guidance: PPS11 Regional Spatial Strategies
- Government Office for the North West
- The South West [of England] Regional Assembly
- Regional Spatial Strategy. 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. This also includes links to Examination in Public websites