The Future of Strategic Spatial Planning

POS has published a draft paper on the Future of Strategic Spatial Planning.

POS does not wish to prescribe the geographies at which strategic spatial planning should undertaken, but suggests those geographies should have regard to economic, social and environmental realities and the areas covered by key delivery agencies; attract public recognition and  allegiance; make for meaningful public engagement and influence over decision-making, and have democratic accountability; remain reasonably permanent and having the resource capability for strategic spatial plan production.  Taking account of these principles, POS believes that there is a role for strategic spatial planning at a variety of levels, principally sub-regional, but  there is not a "one size fits all" solution.

POS recognises the governance challenges raised by strategic spatial planning.  It requires difficult and, sometimes unpopular decisions.  POS does not prescribe any specific solution, since this is essentially a political matter.  It does, however, note the success over the years of the coming together of the principal local and national park authorities for this purpose. As with geography, there is no single right solution and the appropriate form of governance may vary from one area to another.

To read the paper in full clcik here

To comment on the draft please reply direct to dsimpson@solihull.gov.uk