Regional Spatial Strategy

ON 15^th July 2008, the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) published the final version of the North East of England Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The RSS sets out a broad development strategy for the region for the period up to 2021. It covers Northumberland; County Durham; Tyne and Wear and the Tees Valley.

The RSS addresses matters such as:

• the scale and distribution of provision for new housing;
• priorities for the environment;
• transport;
• infrastructure;
• economic development;
• agriculture; and
• mineral extraction and waste treatment and disposal.

The RSS incorporates the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) to ensure the integration of land use and transport planning.

Previous Regional Planning Guidance for the North East (RPG1) became the statutory RSS in September 2004 when the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act came into force. RPG1 is now replaced by the adopted RSS.

Copies of the adopted RSS and other accompanying documents are available to download here:

• Revised RSS;
• Letter from Baroness Andrews OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, announcing the issuing of the North East of England Plan;
• Statement of publication;
• 2004 Population Projections report;
• Statement of reasons for changes made to the draft RSS;
• Summary of representations received during the consultation;
• RSS further proposed changes (February 2008); and
• NEA response to further proposed changes.

• Habitats Regulation Assessment; and
• Sustainability Appraisal

Read more about the RSS preparation and implementation process using the links below.

Links to more RSS related pages:

Regional Spatial Strategy

Submission draft of the RSS

Two stage RSS consultation

Draft RSS proposed changes

RSS further proposed changes