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.
History
RSS emerged from the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, 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.
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 belt 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.
Process
RSS were prepared by the relevant regional planning body (RPB), in the form of the Regional Assembly, 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.
Implementation
By the end of 2006 there were five revised RSS submitted to the Secretary of State. In other regions, Examinations in Public were held in 2006 and 2007. The Panel's reports on each of these were published, and in some cases proposed changes to the RSS were subject to public consultation.
The East of England's RSS was the first RSS proper to have been submitted but was marred by political wranglings over housing numbers and transport infrastructure. In October 2008 the RSS for the Southwest Region attracted more than 40,000 objections during Public Consultation thus placing the programme for roll out into serious delay. By June 2009 objections to the RSS for the South East England led to a judicial review on the basis of various aspects of incompatibility of the document with European law, particularly on issues of Sustainability and Natural amenities. The West Midlands RSS Phase two Revision underwent Examination in Public in summer 2009, and the panel published its report, but complications over obtaining a further impact assessment for the proposed changes meant that it was not adopted before the 2010 United Kingdom general election, and it progressed no further.