Regional Spatial Strategy

Background

Changes brought in by the 2004 Planning Act mean that planning now takes place at two key levels – regions and local authorities. Salisbury District Council is one of over 40 local authorities within the South West, which is one of nine planning regions in England. The South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) is the body responsible for regional planning in the South West, at the heart of which is the Regional Spatial Strategy. Whilst the SWRA is not itself an elected body, it is predominantly made up of elected councillors from local authorities in the region.

What is the Regional Spatial Strategy?

The Regional Spatial Strategy outlines strategies and policies for the region over the next 20 years. One of the most high-profile elements of it is identifying the scale and distribution of new housing for each local authority in the region. It will also indicate areas for regeneration, and priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, and minerals and waste. In March 2006, the South West Regional Assembly approved a draft version of the RSS.

Consultation

The draft RSS document, published on the SWRA website, was subject to public consultation during 2006.

Copies of the draft document are available at public libraries as well as the planning office at Wyndham Road, and the Information Point at Amesbury.

An independent Panel's report on the draft RSS has been published by the Assembly following an Examination in Public between 17 April to 6 July 2007. The Secretary of State for Communities, Hazel Blears, will now consider the independent Panel's recommendations and representations made. She will then publish proposed changes to the Draft RSS this Spring (2008), together with a further Sustainability Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment. She will then produce a final version of the RSS, which is expected to be published in Autumn 2008. The RSS will replace Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG 10) and will form a statutory document with which Local Authority development plans will need to conform.

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434362

email:
forwardplanning@salisbury.gov.uk...

Postal address:
Forward Planning & Transportation
Planning Office
61 Wyndham Road
Salisbury
SP1 3AH