Archive site for WMRA material up to 31st March 2010:
Please view West Midlands Leaders Board site for material post April 2010 http://www.wmleadersboard.gov.uk/policy
WMRSS Technical Work
The following reports have been prepared on behalf of the West Midlands Regional Assembly, the Regional Planning Body, as technical advice to support the Regional Spatial Strategy working and has been structured around RSS topic areas (please note: The views expressed in the documents do not necessarily reflect those of the West Midlands Regional Assembly. The Assembly cannot accept any responsibility for misrepresentations, omissions, errors or inaccuracies).
Phase One: the technical work which was prepared as part of the RSS Phase 1 revision.
Phase Two technical work
Overarching
Communities for the Future
Prosperity for All
Quality of Environment
Transport and Accessibility
Implementation and Infrastructure
Assessments and Appraisals
Other Technical Work
Phase Three technical work
Phase Two technical work
Overarching
Rural Renaissance
Critical Rural Services Rural Services Scoping Study - Final Report February 2006
Culture, Sport and Tourism
- The West Midlands’ Cultural Assets - Mapping and Gapping Project.
This study is currently being undertaken.
Communities for the Future
CD224 - Housing Background Paper Supplement - WMRSS Phase Two Revision - March 2009
WMRSS Phase 2 Preferred Option Housing Background Paper - January 2008
Superseded Housing Background Paper - January 2007
Housing Demand Paper
Infrastructure Implications of Housing Options
RSS Affordable Housing Study - Final Report and Technical Appendices - September 2005
RSS Housing Phasing Study - Final Report - June 2005
Regional Housing Land and Urban Capacity Study 2004 and Technical Appendix - August 2005
Migration Report, Average Annual Migration 1999 - 2004
Local Housing Market Areas - Final Revised Technical Report Items 1 & 2 - October 2006
Local Housing Market Areas - Final Revised Technical Report Item 3 & Item 4 - October 2006
Annex 1 & 2 - Part A, Part B and Part C
Local Housing Market Areas - Report of Initial Findings
Regional Housing Land and Urban Capacity Study Refresh - Analysis Report, Technical Appendix and Technical Appendix 2 - November 2006
Regional Housing Land Potential Study - October 2007
Potential Affordable Housing Delivery for the West Midlands Survey of Local Authorities 2008 - Technical Appendix - WMRA - June 2008
Redditch Joint Study, White Young Green - Stage 2 - 26 January 2009:
Redditch Joint Study, White Young Green:
Regional Land for Affordable Housing Survey 2006 - Final Report
Housing Projection Based Estimate of Housing Demand and Need in the West Midlands Region 2006-26, Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research
The Nature and Structure of the housing market in the West Midlands - Prepared for the West midlands Regional Forum of Local Leaders - March 1996 - Halcrow
The West Midlands Housing Markets: Changing Demand, Decentralisation and Urban Regeneration - Centre for Urban and Regional Studies - The University of Birmingham - March 2001
Sites for Gypsies, Traveller & Travelling Showpeople
- Regional Interim Statement on Gypsy and Traveller Policy - March 2007
Following direction from CLG for the WM Region to undertake a review of G&T policy at its earliest opportunity, the Regional Assembly (working with the Housing Corporation) agreed to develop an Interim Regional Statement on Gypsy and Traveller Policy in advance of a formal review being undertaken within RSS Revision Phase Three. The Interim Statement was submitted to CLG on 28th March 2007. - Travelling Showpeople Supplement
The Travelling Showpeople Supplement was presented to the Regional Planning Partnership on Monday 22nd October 2007 and formally endorsed for addition to the Interim Regional Statement on Gypsy and Traveller Policy.
Should you have any queries regarding the Interim Statement or Supplement please contact the Housing Secretariat on 0121 678 1033 or by email.
Prosperity for All
WMRSS Phase 2 Preferred Option Employment Land Background Paper - December 2007 (Revised Version) - March 2009
WMRSS Phase 2 Preferred Option Town and City Centres Background Paper - December 2007
West Mildlands Regional Logistics Study - 2009 Update - May 2009
West Midlands Regional Logistics Study: Stage Two- Final Report and Appendices - September 2005
West Midlands Regional Logistics Study:Stage One - for AWM - June 2004
The Social and Economic Impact of Casino Development in the West Midlands Region - Final Report - March 2006
West Midlands Regional Centres Study Further Update - May 2009
West Midlands Regional Centres Update Final Report November 2007, Roger Tym & Partners & King Sturge and Appendix
Regional Centres Study - Main Report - March 2006
Office Locations Study - October 2007
Study to examine the interface between housing & the economy in the West Midlands region and Appendix 1 - October 2007
Quality of the Environment
Examination of Positive Uses of the West Midlands Green Belt DTA - April 2009
Regional Flood Risk Appraisal Update FINAL February 2009, WMRA - Halcrow Group Limited
Executive Summary
Main Report
West Midlands Regional Flood Risk Appraisal - Final Report and Figures - 15th October 2007
WMRSS Phase 2 Preferred Option Waste Background Paper
- December 2007
Regional Waste Scenarios Study (p1-65) - July 2005
Regional Waste Scenarios Study (p66-136) - July 2005
West Midlands Waste Facilities - Future Capacity Requirements - November 2004
Waste Treatment Capacity Survey - August 2004
Waste Residues Report - June 2006
A study into Future Landfill Capacity, Appendices C and Appendices D - May 2007
Final WMRTAB Report and Supporting Appendices - May 2007
Environment Agency - The Impact of Housing Growth on Water Quality and Waste Water Infrastructure - June 2007
Environment Agency - The Impact of Housing Growth on Public Water Supplies - June 2007
Waste Background Paper
CD148 Scenario Analysis of the carbon dioxide emissions of the West Midlands Housing, based on the alternative housing options - Stockholm Environment Institute
Transport and Accessibility
Airports Economic Study - Final Report - July 2005
Air Transport - Surface Access & Environmental Issues - August 2005
West Midlands Environmental Baseline Reference Document - December 2006
Coventry Airport Airspace Implications for the Regional Spatial Strategy - Final Report - August 2006
Parking Standards Study - Draft Scoping Report
West Midlands Strategic Park and Ride Strategy - September 2003
West Midlands Regional Freight Study - Final Report - January 2005
Demand Management - Final Report - July 2005
Implementation and infrastructure
Infrastructure Implications of the Emerging Preferred Option
In developing the Preferred Option within the RSS Phase 2 Revision, the Regional Planning Body were concerned that proper consideration was given to the infrastructure implications and to ultimately ensure that these feed through to the development of the Revised Implementation Plan which will be submitted alongside the Submission in late 2007.
To this end, in May 2007, Mott MacDonald and GVA Grimley were commissioned to undertake a study to support the Regional Assembly in this work (Consultants Brief).
Here is the Final Draft of the project's Interim Report - Infrastructure Review. The findings of this assessment are being fed into the further refinement of the Preferred Option and will also inform the ongoing development of the Implementation Plan. Although subject to further amendment and updating, it is felt by the Assembly that this information should be placed into the public arena at the earliest opportunity to support debate over the coming months.
The Final Version of this Infrastructure Review, integrating all changes, is avaliable here: Final RSS Infrastructure Review Report 1st November 2007.
Assessments and Appraisals
Sustainability Appraisal
The purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is to promote sustainable development through better integration of social, environmental and economic issues in the RSS. A Sustainability Appraisal of the RSS Revision is obligatory and must also include a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
The SA will be integrated with the RSS Revision following the procedure set out in government guidance. Here is a summary of how SA is incorporated within the revision process.
SA/ SEA of Draft RSS Phase Two Revision for the West Midlands
Final Sustainability Appraisal Report Non-Technical Summary - October 2007
- Annex A - Final SA Report
- Annex B - Chapter by Chapter Review
- Annex C - Detailed Policy by Policy Review
- Annex D - Detailed Analysis of Housing Figures
- Annex E - Audit Trail
- Annex F - Overall Implications of Spatial Options
- Annex G Part A Part B- Baseline Data Full Review
- Annex H - Conditions at Nature Conservation Sites
- Annex I - Review of Plans, Policies and Programmes
- Annex J - Review of Cumulative Effects from Other Plans
Sustainability Appraisal - Phase Two Spatial Options
URSUS Consulting Ltd were commissioned by the West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA) to carry out the Sustainability Appraisal of Phase Two of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy.
The Sustainability Appraisal of Draft Spatial Options was approved by the SA Steering Group in October 2006 and refreshed in December in the light of updated Option Two housing figures for the West Midlands Metropolitan Area.
Sustainability Appraisal - Phase Two Scoping Report
The SA Scoping Report includes a review of relevant policies, plans, programmes ans sustainability objectives, sets out baseline information to inform the Appraisal and identifies key sustainability issues for the region. It includes a Framework for the Appraisal which sets out the criteria against which the Options developed in the Revision will be assessed. The SA Framework has been informed by the Regional Sustainable Development Framework and includes a range of questions exploring how the options will contribute to the region's sustainable development objectives.
The Scoping Report and draft SA Framework was updated following consultation between February - March 2006. The SA Framework has been further updated to reflect the revised Regional Sustainable Development Framework, published in July 2006, and has been signed off by the Chair of the Sustainability Appraisal steering group. The baseline data set out in the Scoping Report will be updated as new data becomes available and published here on the Assembly website.
WMRA commissioned a critique of the NLP Sustainability Appraisal a copy of which can be downloaded below:
Review of Sustainability Appraisal of the NLP Housing Study Relating to the West Midlands RSS Phase Two Revisions - URSUS Consulting Ltd on behalf of WMRA
Habitats Regulations Assessment
Critique of the Habitats Regulations Assessment for the Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners housing study - Treweek Environmental Consultants - 16 October 2008
Habitats Regulations Assessment Final Screening Note WMRSS Phase Two - September 2007
Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Phase 2 Revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands - October 2007
Habitats Regulations Assessment Appendices - October 2007
Rural Proofing
In the process of bringing forward the WMRSS Phase Two Revision, the Rural Accord's Rural Proofing Team has assessed whether the emerging options and proposals are likely to have a different impact in rural areas from that elsewhere; and where necessary, what adjustments or compensations might be made to reflect rural needs and circumstances. The Rural Proofing reports can be downloaded below:
Sustainability Appraisal - Information and downloads.
Other Technical Work
Mapping and gapping' analysis of cultural assets in the West Midlands - August 2008
Risk Assessment: As part of the process of developing the Preferred Option for Phase 2, the Regional Assembly commissioned consultants to examine the risks to achievement of the fundamental objectives of the existing RSS arising from the emerging Revision proposals and to recommend possible mitigating measures. The final Risk Assessment report can be downloaded here:
Risk Assessment Final Report 5 December 2008
Risk Assessment Final Report September 2007
Additional Technical Work Table - Studies / technical work brought to the attention of the RPB through Consultation on the Draft Project Plan (November / December 2005)
On 5th September 2007 the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) presented their preliminary analysis on housing affordability issues in the West Midlands to the Regional Advisory Group and RSS Task Group. The analysis does not necessarily represent the view of WMRA, and WMRA cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, omissions or misinterpretations.
Interregional
Milton Keynes South Midlands Study
Final Report
A1 Forecasting Methodology
A2 Forecasting Results
A3 Steep Analysis
A4 List of AWM Consultees
Smart Growth: Midlands Way Action Plan A234 Final Report - 17th July
Phase Three technical work
Phase Three Revision Scoping Study
Phase 3 Revision Scoping Study - January 2007 Sustainability Appraisal - Scoping Report
This study was commissioned to assist the Regional Assembly in determining the scope of Phase Three. The scoping study report was published in January 2007 and represents the consultants’ independent advice on the scope of Phase Three. The report will inform the Draft Project Plan which will be developed by the Regional Assembly.
Scoping Report for the Sustainability Appraisal of WMRSS Phase 3 Revisions: