Submission draft of the Regional Spatial Strategy

This section of the archive provides the most relevant background to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). Although the RSS is now revoked, the evidence informing the preparation of the RSS is a material consideration.

In 2002 the North East Assembly (NEA) began a review of Regional Planning Guidance 1 (RPG1). As changes to national policy took place during 2004, the North East Assembly was one of the first regions to start work on preparing a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).

The submission draft of the RSS was submitted to Government in June 2005 and was prepared by the NEA in liaison with local authorities and other regional stakeholders. A public consultation was held to look at the submission draft of the RSS from July to October 2005. This was followed by an Examination in Public which was held before an independent panel between March and April 2006 to test the soundness of the draft RSS. The panel's report was published in July 2006.

The draft RSS took into account the implications of the Northern Way Growth Strategy, as well as the results of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA) which were comissioned by the NEA. Both the SEA and the SA were found to be sound by the Secretary of State.

The NEA ensured that the preparation of the RSS was an open and inclusive process. A draft report was prepared, a public consultation carried out and a wide range of organisations and individuals were engaged, ensuring community involvement across the region.

Copies of the submission draft of the RSS and and other accompanying documents are available to download here:

Submission draft RSS

Sustainability Appraisal comissioned by NEA

Sustainability Appraisal non- technical summary 

Implementation Plan

Statement of Public Participation

View: Shaping the North East leaflet

Examination in Public Panel Report for the RSS

Examination in Public Report Addendum

Examination in Public website

Technical papers :

1. Development Options
2. Economic Prosperity and Growth
3. Retail
4. Housing
5. Rural
6. Environment
7. Energy
8. Minerals
9. Waste
10. Transport

Links to more RSS related pages:

Regional Spatial Strategy

Two-Stage RSS consultation

Draft RSS proposed changes

Draft RSS further proposed changes