Regional Spatial Strategy
22nd Sep 2010
Regional Spatial Strategy documents (RSS) provide planning policy at regional level. Since July 6, however, all RSS in England have been revoked by the new coalition government, except for the London Plan.
Although the RSS has been revoked, legislation has not yet been passed to abolish it.
During this intervening period between revocation and abolition, guidance has been issued by the government to local planning authorities (LPA) on how to bring forward their Local Development Frameworks and formulate planning decisions.
The guidance identifies that the policy statement on the RSS is cancelled and references to the RSS in national Planning Policy Statements are no longer valid.
LPAs are advised to have regard to the Local Development Plan when determining planning applications.
The guidance also acknowledges that LPAs may have regard to the evidence base that originally informed the preparation of the revoked RSS when determining applications.
The evidence base consists of local authority data and research findings from private and public sector companies and educational establishments.
No further advice is provided within the guidance as to how the evidence base should be interpreted and in which cases the evidence base would apply.
The government has advised that the revocation of RSS can also be a material consideration in determining applications thereby enabling LPAs to determine current applications, including those which rely heavily on RSS policy, in light of the RSS revocation.
In the absence of the RSS, the government has identified that LPAs will now be responsible for establishing the level of local housing provision required for their area and for identifying a long term supply of housing land.
However, LPAs will be able to choose whether to retain, or review, housing targets which were previously set out in the RSS.
The government also advises local authorities in determining applications to have regard to other material considerations including national policy.
Only a brief description on the effect of RSS revocation upon planning applications has been provided within the guidance and therefore it appears to be at the discretion of individual LPAs on how to interpret it.
During this transitional period it is likely there will be an element of uncertainty in determining planning applications which generate strategic and regional considerations.
Although the RSS evidence base does provide a certain level of guidance at regional level, it is clear that all planning practitioners will have to adjust to the changes.
* Louise Oakley is a planning consultant with BHP Develop and can be contacted on 0191-221 0898.
Author: Louise Oakley, Planning Consultant (LouiseO@bhpdevelop.co.uk)
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