Regional Spatial Strategies

A Regional Spatial Strategy is a document that outlines how a strategy for region should look in 15 to 20 years time and possibly longer.

The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the scale and distribution of new housing in the region, indicates areas for regeneration, expansion or sub-regional planning and specifies priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals and waste treatment and disposal.

Most former Regional Planning Guidance is now considered RSS and forms part of the development plan.

Regional Spatial Strategies are prepared by Regional Planning Bodies.

Public participation

Your Regional Planning Body (RPB) has a statutory duty to prepare and publish a statement of public participation setting out how it is going to involve all those with an interest throughout the Regional Spatial Strategy revision process.

The statement of public participation should explain how and when the RPB intends to involve the public and should also identify who the RPB's main partners will be and how it intends to work with them in undertaking the revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).

The statement should be treated as an integral part of the RSS and be managed in the same way as the rest of the revision process.

This will include revising the statement where circumstances have changed and the original proposals are no longer appropriate.

Find the contact details for your Regional Planning Body.