Regional

Established in 1994, the nine Government Office Regions are the scale at which the spatial planning system operates.

The conditions within and between each of the nine regions vary greatly. So, any solutions, whether they are economic, social or environmental, have to be tailored to meet the needs of a particular area.

In each region Regional Planning Bodies (in London, the Mayor) prepare and produce a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) (in London, the Spatial Development Strategy) reflecting the needs and aspirations for development and land use for a ten to fifteen year period. Each RSS should reflect and build upon the policies set out at national level.

The RSS are intended to inform preparation of Local Development Documents, Local Transport Plans and regional and sub-regional strategies and programmes which have a bearing on land use activities. There is a specific requirement for each RSS to include measures to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation.

All Government regional agencies are required to support climate change objectives. The key regional policy bodies include:

In addition to Regional Spatial Strategies, we can plan to address climate change at the regional scale through:

  • Resource Strategies (such as energy, waste, biodiversity, minerals)
  • Sustainable Development Checklists
  • Transport Strategies
  • Constructing Excellence Tools
  • Air Quality Strategies

Specialised support for regional climate change objectives can be found at:

Energy

Waste

Water

Transport

Green Infrastructure

Public Space