Planning, building and the environment

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) (formerly Regional Planning Guidance (RPG))

The objective of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. The RSS, incorporating a Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), provides a broad development strategy for the region for a fifteen to twenty year period. The RSS also informs the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDDs), Local Transport Plans (LTPs) and regional and sub-regional strategies and programmes that have a bearing on land use activities.

Following the commencement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) became RSS in each region outside of London and now forms part of the statutory Development Plan.

The RSS for each region is available below. Details and timetable information on any emerging draft RSS is also accessible for each region through the links to the Regional Planning Body (Regional Assembly) and Government Office websites below.

North East RSS

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the North East (RPG1) (external link, PDF, 2570kb, 175 pages)
Date published: November 2002
Emerging draft RSS revision information:
North East Regional Assembly (external link)
North East Government Office (external link)

North West RSS

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG13) (external link, PDF, 1070kb, 202 pages)
Date published: March 2003

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
North West Regional Assembly (external link)
North West Government Office (external link)

Yorkshire and the Humber RSS

Publication title: The Yorkshire and Humber Plan: Regional Spatial Strategy to 2026 (external link, PDF, 2695kb, 225 pages)
Date published: May 2008

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
Yorkshire and Humber Regional Assembly (external link)
Yorkshire and Humber Government Office (external link)

West Midlands RSS

Publication title: Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands (external link, PDF, 9650kb, 165 pages)
Date published: January 2008

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
West Midlands Regional Assembly (external link)
West Midlands Government Office (external link)

East Midlands RSS

Publication title: Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8) (external link, PDF, 1170kb, 108 pages)
Date published: March 2005

Publication title: Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy: Alterations to Regional Spatial Strategies covering the East of England, East Midlands and South East of England (external link, PDF, 1050kb, 46 pages)
Date published: March 2005

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
East Midlands Regional Assembly (external link)
East Midlands Government Office (external link)

East of England RSS

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance 9: Revision to Waste and Minerals Strategies - Statement of Reasons for Further Changes (external link, PDF, 52kb, 4 pages) (RPG 9 includes policy areas relating to Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex - which are now within the East of England Region).
Date published: June 2006

Publication title: East of England Plan: The Revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England (external link, PDF, 3470kb, 131 pages)
Date published: May 2008

Publication title: Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy: Alterations to Regional Spatial Strategies covering the East of England, East Midlands and South East of England (external link, PDF, 1050kb, 46 pages)
Date published: March 2005

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
East of England Regional Assembly (external link)
East of England Government Office (external link)

South East RSS

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) (external link, PDF, 2910kb, 115 pages)
Date published: March 2001

Publication title: Regional Transport Strategy (Chapter 9 of Regional Planning Guidance for the South East) (RPG9) (external link, PDF 3010kb, 54 pages)
Date published: July 2004

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9), Chapter 12: Ashford Growth Area (external link, PDF, 552kb, 18 pages)
Date published: July 2004 

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance 9: Revision to Waste and Minerals Strategies: - Statement of Reasons for Further Changes - Cover note (external link, PDF, 244kb, 2 pages)
Date published: June 2006

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance 9: Revision to Waste and Minerals Strategies - Statement of Reasons for Further Changes (external link, PDF, 52kb, 4 pages)
Date published: June 2006

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9): Waste and Minerals (external link, PDF, 804kb, 88 pages)
Date published: June 2006

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9): Chapter 10 (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) Chapter 14 (Tourism and Related Sport and Recreation) (external link, PDF, 1820kb, 50 pages)
Date published: November 2004

Publication title: Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy: Alterations to Regional Spatial Strategies covering the East of England, East Midlands and South East of England (external link, PDF, 888kb, 46 pages)
Date published: March 2005

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
South East of England Regional Assembly (external link)
South East Government Office (external link)

South West RSS

Publication title: Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10) (external link, PDF, 1180kb, 138 pages) 
Date published: September 2001

Emerging draft RSS revision information: 
South West Regional Assembly (external link)
South West Government Office (external link)

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