Regional Spatial Strategy

Since April 2003 the Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the West Midlands Region, charged with producing and implementing the West Midlands Spatial Strategy, formerly Regional Planning Guidance (RPG 11).

Click here to view the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy.

The letter from RT Hon Keith Hill MP informing the Assembly about the enactment of RPG 11 (now RSS)

RSS Revision - Phase One and Phase Two of the Spatial Strategy Revision are underway, Phase Three is due to launch in 2007.

What is the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)?

• It is part of the national planning system.
• Its main purpose is to provide a long term land use and transport planning framework for the Region.
• This framework guides the preparation of local authority development plans and local transport plans.
• It determines (amongst other things) the scale and distribution of housing and economic development across the Region, investment priorities for transport and sets out policies for enhancing the environment.
• It incorporates the Regional Transport Strategy.

Why is the West Midlands Spatial Strategy so important?

• It is one way that regional partners can jointly address major economic, social and environmental issues facing the West Midlands and agree 'what is best for the region'.
• The West Midlands RSS has statutory status. All local development frameworks / documents must conform with its principles, policies and proposals.
• The West Midlands RSS sets out an overarching spatial strategy for the region providing an important means by which other regional policies and proposals can be better 'joined up' and integrated.

The West Midlands Spatial Strategy Made Simple

To help planners, professionals and businesses understand how the West Midlands Spatial Strategy may affect their work, the Assembly has published a range of easy to understand RSS guides:

Training Courses - New Development Planning System

The 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act is bringing the most substantial changes to the planning system ever made. The West Midlands Regional Assembly has developed a suite of training modules aimed at its partners in conjunction with The Planning Cooperative. The eight training modules focus on detailed aspects of the development aspect of the new development planning system introduced by the Act.

Futher information and details of the training modules

If you require further information on the West Midlands Spatial Strategy please contact David Thew, Regional Spatial Strategy Team on 0121 678 1041.