Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
18 Regional strategies
18.1 Introduction
In this chapter we consider the nature of the regional planning processes operating
in different parts of Britain. The status of the different processes with this title was
explained at the end of the previous chapter as part of an overview of sub-national
arrangements.
We begin by noting the relationship between spatial, transport and other strategies
in the English regions outside London (18.2) and then describing the requirements for
Regional Spatial Strategies and Regional Transport Strategies as set out in Government
guidance (18.3 and 18.4). In section 18.5 we comment on the Government's proposals
arising from its Sub-National Review to abolish the English Regional Assemblies and
to transfer their responsibilities in this field to Regional Development Agencies.
In the following three sections (18.6 to 18.8) we review the regional planning
processes in London, Wales and Scotland highlighting their distinctive features.
18.2 Strategic planning in the English regions
Although the English regions outside London did not benefit from formal constitutional
devolution in 1999 there has nevertheless been a sharp rise since in the significance of
this regional tier of governance. In particular the perspectives of regional stakeholders
have been brought to bear on public decision-making through the activities of the
Regional Assemblies and Regional Development Agencies created at that time.
Responsibility for drafting Regional Planning Guidance was transferred from
Government Regional Offices to the Regional Assemblies - consisting mainly of
elected members from local authorities in the region. Over the last decade the role
of these documents has evolved from a comparatively narrow remit concerned with
guidance to local planning authorities on land use policy to an overarching strategy
aimed at delivering the spatial component of public policies and programmes more
generally. Of particular importance from our perspective is the fact that, since 1999,
they have been required to include a separately identifiable Regional Transport
Strategy (RTS). As a result of this and the subsequent abolition of Structure Plans the
current Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) provide the strategic policy framework for
both Local Transport Plans and Local Development Frameworks.
During this period regional planning has also been important as far as the Government
is concerned in helping drive key changes in policy within more local areas - towards
sustainable development generally and to urban renaissance, the acceleration of
Search WWH ::
Custom Search