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The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy

What is the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)?

The main purpose of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS) is to provide a long term land-use and transport planning framework for the West Midlands region. The WMRSS framework guides the preparation of local authority development plans and local transport plans. It determines (amongst other things) the scale and distribution of housing and economic development across the region, investment priorities for transport and sets out policies for enhancing the environment.

Why is the West Midlands Spatial Strategy so important?

It is one way that regional partners can jointly address major economic, social and environmental issues facing the West Midlands and agree 'what is best for the region'. The West Midlands RSS has statutory status. All local development frameworks / documents must conform with its principles, policies and proposals.

RSS Revision

The WMRSS was published in June 2004. In approving the document the Secretary of State identified a number of issues where further work was required. The revision is being carried out in three stages. Phase One has now been completed, Phase Two is underway and Phase Three was launched in 2007.

Phase 1 Revision Black Country Study

On 15 January 2008 the Secretary of State issued the Phase 1 Revision to the WMRSS. The revised RSS will continue to be part of the Development Plan for the Region and the specific revisions concerning the Black Country sub-region will form the framework for the Joint Core Strategy, which is being prepared by the four Black Country Authorities.

Phase 2 Revision - Submission

The West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA) presented a Draft Revision to the WMRSS to the Secretary of State on 21 December 2007.

Public consultation on the Preferred Option is currently being undertaken. Anyone has the right to make their views or comments (representations) on the draft Revision and its policies. If you would like to view the draft policies and supporting documents, copies are available for inspection in all main libraries and Local Planning Authority offices across the Region. Also, documents can be viewed or downloaded from the Regional Assembly website or hard copies or CDs can be obtained by contacting the Regional Assembly on (0121) 245 0200 or by emailing wmrss@wmra.gov.uk.

Following the submission of the WMRSS Phase TWO Revision Draft, the WMRA received a letter from Baroness Andrews, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government. In the letter dated 7 January 2008, the Minister expressed concern over the housing proposals put forward by the WMRA, in light of the Government's agenda to increase housing building across the country.

In view of this, the Minister has asked the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM) to commission further work to look at options which could deliver higher housing numbers and this will be considered as part of the Examination in Public. It is intended that this work will be undertaken between January to April 2008 and in order to allow consultees the opportunity to consider the additional evidence, the consultation period for making representations has been extended to 23 May 2008.

Following the submission of the Phase Two Revision to the Secretary of State the management of the final stages of the process will be led by GOWM. Detailed information can be found on the GOWM website www.go-wm.gov.uk.

Where to send responses

All written views/comments on the WMRSS Phase Two Revision must be submitted before the closing date of 23 May 2008 using the Consultation Response Form (a word version can be found on the WMRA website) and sent to:

WMRSS Panel Secretary
c/o Government Office for the West Midlands
5 St. Philips Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2PW

wm.panelsecretary@gowm.gsi.gov.uk

To find out more information on the WMRSS Revision and view or download documents visit the WMRA website.