Regional strategy for North West finalised

The Government has published the final version of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for North West England. The plan sets out to deliver some 416,000 new homes by 2021 (23,111 annually from a base year of 2003) to meet housing needs.

The strategy has focused growth in the three city regions of Manchester, Liverpool and Central Lancashire and identified the regional centres of Manchester and Liverpool as the first priority for investment and regeneration. Other towns highlighted as priorities include Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Preston and Wigan.

Regionally significant economic development will be focused in city regions and in growth and regeneration locations in Cumbria and North Lancashire. The RSS has called for existing employment land to be reviewed to ensure it is available and attractive to the market in a bid to reduce the need for additional employment land in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.

Tourism opportunities highlighted by the strategy include the regeneration of Blackpool and other coastal resorts, the heritage city of Chester, the Lake District National Park and World Heritage Sites Hadrian's Wall and the City of Liverpool. At this juncture there are no proposals for strategic changes to the Green Belt.

The regional plan puts tackling climate change high on the agenda to support national targets to reduce CO2 by 60 per cent by 2050 and sets out how growth will be brought forward sustainably. This includes promoting development at locations well served by public transport, the re-use of land and buildings, targets for electricity to be generated from renewable sources and interim targets for the generation of renewable energy on new development sites.
 
Communities minister Baroness Andrews said: "The North West needs a long-term strategy for boosting its economy, addressing housing need, and protecting the environment by tackling climate change.

"The North West Plan sets out an achievable vision for reducing the social and economic disparities in the region while protecting its distinctive character and environment."

Read the Communities and Local Government press release.

Download the North West Plan and supporting documents.

Roger Milne

2 October 2008