A quick guide
Why the strategy matters
The regional spatial strategy (RSS) presents a vision for what the region will look like in 15-20 years' time.
Regional planning is now more important for the future of our countryside than ever before.
This is because:
The regional spatial strategy influences what happens locally, because local development frameworks have to be in line with it
It will be part of the local authority's development plan that has to be taken into account when deciding planning applications and making other planning decisions.
The majority of the planning body's members are councillors from the local authorities in the region, so they will care about both region-wide and local issues.
It has to say how its policies will be delivered: the focus is on getting things done.
It has to help make things happen that are included in other strategies on issues like tourism or energy.
Other strategies have to pay attention to what the regional spatial strategy says, for instance about sustainability.
It will be the only layer of planning between national policy and local development frameworks.
It will take over sub-regional planning and replace the structure plans that county councils used to produce.
It may include targets for the percentage of new housing that should be built on brownfield sites.
For further information about your local region, can be found in our Government policies section.