There is a sense of eager anticipation at the South West Regional Assembly this week, as Members and Officers await the arrival of a major independent report scrutinising the plan which will shape development in the region over the next 20 years. 

The plan, known as the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), outlines how the South West can respond to challenges facing the region such as housing, the economy, transport and protecting the environment. The report is expected to outline findings and make recommendations which will affect everyone living in, working in, or and visiting the South West between now and 2026. 

Last year, the draft Strategy was examined in detail over 10 weeks by an independent panel appointed by the Secretary of State, who invited over 200 organisations and individuals to take part in public hearings held in Exeter. The Panel recorded all the evidence and has spent the autumn preparing the report, which is expected to be published on 10 January.

 To develop the Draft RSS, the Regional Assembly worked with Councillors and Officers from the 51 Local Authorities in the South West, the South West RDA, members of the business community, voluntary and community groups and a wide variety of stakeholders over a period of more than two years.

Councillor Mike Bawden, Assembly Member and Chair of the Assembly’s Regional Planning Group said:
“The independent Panel’s report will bring the Strategy one step closer to becoming the blueprint for the region’s future. We are looking forward to reading what the Panel have to say about the Draft Strategy and where they think changes should be made. Equally, I’m sure all those hundreds of people and organisations who took part in the Examination in Public last year will also be keen to see what changes the Panel have recommended.”

Cllr Bawden added:
“On behalf of my colleagues in local government, I hope that the money required to pay for infrastructure projects will be forthcoming from the Government.
There is still a long way to go before the Strategy becomes a legally binding document, with another chance for people to have their say later in the year.”

The Panel report will summarise the various debates from the Examination in Public and, if necessary, make recommendations, to the Secretary of State.

The next stage will see the Secretary of State consider the Panel Report along with all the representations previously submitted, and aims to publish her proposed changes in the Spring 2008. There will then be a 12 week period of public consultation on the proposed changes.

Following consideration of comments and views arising from that consultation, the Secretary of State is expecting to publish the final RSS in Autumn 2008. 

For more information visit the Regional Assembly website: www.southwest-ra.gov.uk