Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)

An important document which sets out how much development there is going to be in the region as a whole, looking forward over a 15-20 year period, where in general terms it will be located around the region, the pace of development, and how it will happen, together with various principles guiding its quality. It is now part of the official Development Plan for each area. It sets the framework within which each local planning authority’s Local Development Framework is prepared and has to follow.

One of the most important roles of the Regional Spatial Strategy is to set out the amount of new housing that is going to be built in each sub-region and local authority area over the period of the plan. An integral part of the Regional Spatial Strategy is the Regional Transport Strategy.

The Regional Spatial Strategy also indicates areas in the region for regeneration or expansion, sub-regional planning, and specifies priorities for infrastructure and economic development. It specifies priorities for the environment, and looks at the need for both private development (e.g. for agriculture, minerals) and public development (e.g. waste treatment and disposal).

The Regional Spatial Strategies grew out of a former document, the Regional Planning Guidance, which has gradually been replaced.

In turn a Single Integrated Regional Strategy is being developed to combine the various themed regional strategies.