Regional Planning Policy Guidance

The South East Plan

The South East Plan is the Regional Spatial Strategy for Winchester District. It sets out a vision for the future of the South East region to 2026, outlining how we need to respond to challenges facing the region such as housing, the economy, transport and protecting the environment.

Click on the following link to view the South East Plan documents including technical supporting information and an independent report on sustainability: South East Plan

Current Status of the South East Plan

The Government has stated its clear intention to revoke the Regional Strategies (RS) through the Localism Bill (published by the Government in 2010) and there has been much debate during 2010 and 2011 on the status of the RS given this intention.

The current position is that the RS is still part of the statutory development plan. This means that for the time being any Development Plans Documents produced must be in general conformity with the RS. In addition, planning applications must comply with the development plan (which currently includes the RS ) unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The Governments intention to abolish the RS is a material consideration, but the weight this consideration should be given will be a judgment that the decision maker will have to take. The decision maker could be for example, Winchester City Council, the Planning Inspector, or the Secretary of State.

Click on the following link to view the Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee's Report 'Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies' which sets out the Governments' current view on the future and status of Regional Strategies: Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee's Report 'Abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies: a planning vacuum'