Archived decisions

FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE STRATEGIC PLANNING OF HAMPSHIRE

1. The Government has set out its proposals to radically change the development plan framework in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, which was first published on 4 December 2002. This will see the current system of Regional Planning Guidance, Structure Plans and Local Plans replaced with a new two-tier system of development plans as follows:-

(i) Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) prepared by regional planning

bodies (regional chambers/assemblies), and


(ii) Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) prepared by district councils

Minerals and Waste Local Plans will be replaced by Minerals and Waste LDFs, but will still be prepared by County/Unitary Councils.

2. The Bill is not specific on the content of Regional Spatial Strategies but draft guidance has now been published and it is anticipated that the Strategies will have a strong sub-regional component and will include specific sub-regional strategies for particular parts of the region concerned. At this stage, the Government envisages that `upper tier' authorities (County Councils, Unitary Councils and National Park Authorities) will assist the regional planning body in the preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies and assist district councils in preparing Local Development Frameworks.

3. On 3 December 2002 a meeting of County, City and District Council Members discussed the implications of the anticipated new legislation. Some positive outcomes were noted in respect of the future role of the strategic planning authorities in assisting with Local Development Framework preparation and in representing and articulating Hampshire's interests at the regional level. Members' views were incorporated into a report on the future arrangements for the strategic planning of Hampshire which was considered by the Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel on 2 April 2003. In light of the Government's new proposals, the Panel concluded that Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council were recommended to:-

(i) cease work on the roll forward/review of the Hampshire County

Structure Plan;


(ii) prepare, in conjunction with the South East England Regional Assembly, project briefs for sub-regional strategies for South Hampshire and the Blackwater Valley;


(iii) explore with the South East England Regional Assembly whether sub-regional strategies were needed, as part of the proposed Regional Spatial Strategy, for any areas which cross the Hampshire boundary; and


(iv) discuss with the Hampshire local planning authorities the topics on which joint technical work could be undertaken to inform the preparation of Local Development Frameworks.


These recommendations were submitted for consideration on 20 May 2003 and the decision was made to endorse them.

8ER360703