Regional Spatial Strategy Revision

The Regional Spatial Strategy was published in June 2004. At that time, the Secretary of State supported the principles of the strategy but suggested several issues that needed to be developed further. The Revision process is being undertaken in three phases.

Further details on the overall RSS revision process are set out in the Revised Management Plan - 22nd October 2007.

In approving the RSS in June 2004, the Secretary of State identified a number of policy issues that needed to be addressed in future revisions to the document (see para 1.33 of RPG 11).

Given the range of matters to be considered, the volume of work and the long timescales involved, the West Midlands Regional Assembly as the Regional Planning Body (RPB) agreed that the issues raised by the Secretary of State should be looked at in three phases:

• Phase One - Black Country Study.
• Phase Two - Launched in November 2005 and will cover housing figures, centres, employment land, centres, transport and waste.
• Phase Three - Phase Three of the RSS Revision will be looking at critical rural services, culture/recreational provision, various regionally significant environmental issues and the provision of a framework for Gypsy and Traveller sites. Preparatory work for Phase Three is underway and a Draft Project Plan is to be launched in the Autumn 2007.

More information on the agreed adjustment to the Phase Two Timetable.
Further details on the overall RSS revision process are set out in an Outline Management Plan - Revised 6th November 2006.

If you require further information please contact John Pattinson, Tel: 0121 678 1041 or Stefan Preuss, Tel: 0121 678 1018