Regional spatial strategy

On the 6th July 2010, the Secretary of State announced the revocation of Regional Strategies (formerly Regional Spatial Strategies) with immediate effect. Regional Strategies therefore no longer constitute part of the development plan for the purposes of s38 (6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Evidence that informed the preparation of the revoked Regional Strategies may be a material consideration in both determining planning applications and the preparation of Core Strategies, but it will be up to the Local Planning Authority to determine this depending upon the facts of the case/document.

Letter to Chief Planning Officers 06/07/2010 - Revocation of Regional Strategies (pdf, 102Kb)

Previous Work

Prior to its revocation the Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands (formerly known as the West Midlands Regional Planning Guidance) was formally adopted by the Secretary of State on 14 June 2004. It was being revised in three phases. Phase 1 covering the Black County is complete, and was issued by the Secretary of State in January 2008. The Phase Two review was launched in November 2006, and had been through its Examination in Public (EiP). GOWM published the EiP Panel Report on 28th September 2009. The Report includes the Panel’s findings and recommendations to Government about changes to the draft WMRSS. The Secretary of State's Proposed Changes were expected. Phase Three was launched in November 2007. The RPB published their Options document for consultation from the 29th June - 14th August 2009.

In February/March 2010 the West Midlands Regional Assembly approved Interim Policy Statements on Provision of New Accommodation for Gypsies & Travellers and Travelling Show people and Sub-Regional Apportionment of Construction Aggregates, together with Policy Recommendations covering Rural Services, Culture & Sport, Tourism and the Visitor Economy, the Environment, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Positive Uses of the Green Belt, Safeguarding Mineral Resources and Future Brick Clay Provision.

Further information on what evidence informed the preparation of the Regional Strategy before it was revoked can be found on the West Midlands Regional Assembly website.

Material published after the 1st April 2010 will now be provided on the West Midlands Leaders Board webpage.