25 June 2009

THOSS SHEARER
Deputy Regional Director
Regional Strategies, Housing and
Planning
1st Flr
2 Rivergate
Temple Quay
BRISTOL
BS1 6EH
GTN: 1361 1709
Tel: 0117 900 1709
Fax: 0117 900 1916
Email: thoss.shearer@gosw.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Chief Executive

REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY PUBLICATION

Jon Bright wrote to you on 15 June to inform you that the South West
Regional Spatial Strategy would not, as we had intended, to be published by
the end of June.

We have had a number of queries following this. So, for clarification, I am

writing to all local planning authorities to emphasise that the only reason for
the delay beyond end June for publication of the Regional Spatial Strategy is
to consider the implications of the recent High Court judgement on the East of
England RSS. The question at issue is whether the sustainability appraisal of
alternative options meets the requirements of the SEA Directive and
Regulations, in the light of the East of England judgment, and, if not, how we
can best make good any omission with minimum delay to completion of the
RSS process. Unfortunately, it is not possible to estimate how long any delay
is likely to be until we have seen and studied the written judgment.

In the meantime, the RSS has reached such an advanced stage that we
would expect it now to be given considerable weight in consideration of any
application for development.

Our advice to local planning authorities remains that they should proceed with
the preparation of Core Strategies (and any other development plan
documents that may be relevant), and not wait for the final RSS to be issued.
Plymouth adopted their Core Strategy for the period to 2021 in 2007 and
Poole adopted their Core Strategy to 2026 in February this year. If you have
identified particular policy risks in the relationship between the RSS and your
Core Strategy, I suggest your planners speak to the Senior Planning Manager
here covering your area.
I am copying this letter to your Chief Planning Officer.

Yours sincerely

T M H SHEARER