Background to the Draft RSS
The Regional Assembly was designated the South West’s Regional Planning Body (RPB) on 28 September 2004. This role has two key statutory functions - The Assembly as RPB is required to:
- Review and revise the existing Regional Planning Guidance
This was first published in 2001 as the RPG10, and is now called the Regional Spatial Strategy. - Develop a new Regional Spatial Strategy for 2006 – 2026
This will set a regional framework for development.
The Assembly established a group to advise on Planning and Transport matters. The Regional Spatial Planning and Transport Group was formed to oversee the preparation of the statutory Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The Draft RSS was submitted to Government by the Assembly in April 2006.
The RSS will incorporate the Regional Transport Strategy. The Assembly worked with organisations like the Highways Agency and the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure regional transport priorities are taken into account. Both the South West Regional Development Agency and Government Office South West attend meetings to ensure co-ordination on spatial and planning matters. The Assembly published the document Developing the Regional Transport Strategy (DRTS) to feed into the RSS. To download the DRTS see download related documents below.
The Regional Assembly worked closely with the strategic authorities in developing the strategies for sub-regions. The strategic authorities took the lead technical work in the Joint Study Areas, administering the process, in policy development and in consultation. Any enquiries concerning this work should be directed to the lead strategic authority, see Developing the RSS - Joint Study Areas for contact details.
An independent Strategic Sustainability Assessment (SSA) was also undertaken alongside the Draft RSS. This assessed the likely impacts of the strategy on the environment, economy and social well-being of the region.
To view the SSA Report, Appendices and SSA Non Technical Summary, along with the suite of Draft RSS documents click here.