Government Offices work with regional partners to develop, implement and monitor ‘Regional Spatial Strategies,’ which set out Government’s planning and transport policy for each region for a 15-20 year period. The strategies provide frameworks for determining planning applications, as well as for preparing both Local Development Documents and Local Transport Plans.
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Public Consultation on Proposed Changes to Draft North West Regional Spatial Strategy
A public consultation on the Proposed Changes to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West of England was launched on 20 March 2008 and closed on 23 May 2008. The Regional Spatial Strategy is part of the statutory development plan for every local authority in the North West and provides a framework for development and investment over the next fifteen to twenty years.
The consultation has given the Government an opportunity to hear views on the published proposals from all who want to comment. After considering the responses the Government will publish the final version of the Regional Spatial Strategy this summer.
The proposed changes to the draft Regional Spatial Strategy take account of the recommendations of the independent panel of inspectors following its Examination in Public into the draft strategy between November 2006 and February 2007.
Background
Regional Planning Bodies have the main responsibility for preparing Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS). In the North West this is the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA). Later stages are the responsibility of Government Office for the North West, on behalf of the Secretary of State. We also play a key role in implementing the RSS.
NWRA launched a Full Review in July 2004 and, following informal consultations at issues, options, and Interim Draft stages, submitted the Draft RSS to the Secretary of State on 30 January 2006.
The Draft Submitted RSS for North West England (also known as ‘The North West Plan’) was published for public consultation on 20 March 2006.
