Assembly welcomes publication of RSS panel report

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly today (May 4) welcomed the independent Panel report on the new Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), published following the seven-week long Examination in Public.

Assembly Chair Peter Box said as part of the organisation’s work as the Regional Planning Body, it had consulted widely on the draft RSS, known as the Yorkshire and Humber Plan.

He added: “ The Examination provided a further opportunity for many partners to influence its content and direction. This report is an important step in taking forward the Plan, which will help ensure regional planning continues to support the economic, social and environmental transformation of our region’s cities, towns, rural and coastal areas”.

And Chair of the Assembly’s Planning Board Steve Galloway commented: “After significant input from many people and organisations we’re pleased that the Panel has backed the draft Plan’s overall approach. We now need to carefully consider the detailed recommendations with regional partners and stakeholders before making our views known when the Government asks for further comments on changes to the Plan before it is finalised later this year.”

Notes for Editors

The Examination in Public, led by an independent Panel, provided a key opportunity for many different interests to question and inform the preparation of the Plan. The Panel have now put forward their recommended changes to the draft. These independent suggestions will be considered by the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State) who will put forward proposed changes to the Plan for consultation over the summer.

The report presents the EIP Panel’s conclusions and proposed policy changes to the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy, following the Examination in Public which took place in September and October 2007.

The report is not for public consultation, but is intended as guidance to the Secretary of State in revising the draft strategy. The Secretary of State will put forward proposed changes to the document taking into account the Panel’s recommendations (although they are not binding on the Secretary of State). The proposed changes to the RSS will be published by the Government for a further round of public consultation in Summer 2007.

For more details contact Iain Lovell at the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, tel 01924 331583, e-mail iain.lovell@yhassembly.gov.uk