Following the enactment of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) became part of the statutory development plan and has been re-named as a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). RPG8 therefore became RSS8. The latest version was published in 2005, and can be downloaded by selecting the link at the bottom of the page.
How did the latest RSS8 come about?
The RSS took into account the independent Panel’s recommendations following a Public Examination held in Nottingham in 2003. This also incorporated changes made by the Secretary of State following public consultation. Changes relating to Northamptonshire were also made following a separate Public Examination held in 2004.
Next Review
The last revision did not review all parts of the previous RPG8 and the key parts not revised included:
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housing provision figures, except in Northamptonshire
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the target for new housing built on previously-developed land (60 per cent)
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the sequential approach to encourage sustainable development
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affordable housing
These matters are being re-examined in the current major RSS review which rolls forward the period covered by the RSS up to 2026 and amongst other matters also provides for district level housing figures. Relevant details and documents can be found on the East Midlands Regional Assembly (EMRA) website.
Following the issue of proposed changes by the Secretary of State in summer 2008, and subsequent public consultation, we expect the RSS to be published in its final form by the end of the year.
