Changing spatial planning systems and the role of the regional government level; Comparing the Netherlands, Flanders and England



environmental, and other policies. One of the objectives of the Planning Reform was to move
from a land-use planning system to a more spatial planning system with more integration
between policy fields. This approach is elaborated on both the local and the regional level.
With respect to the economic perspective, one of the reasons put forward for the greater role
for the region was the large economic differences both between and within regions. Through
giving the regions more competences, the idea was that better advantage could be taken of
specific regional characteristics. The European structure funds which are directed to this
regional level probably also play a part. In the government document Modernising Planning
of 1998 the European context for planning in England is at least identified as the missing
dimension in the planning system. This gap relates to both the supranational level of the
ESDP and the regional level.

The key features of the new landscape for regional planning as presented in the Planning and
Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 include new regional planning bodies (RPBs) for each region
and the statutory Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The RPBs are established to draw up these
planning documents. At least 60 percent of the membership will have to be elected councillors
from either county councils or local planning authorities. The RPBs will be responsible for
preparing and monitoring the Regional Spatial Strategy. The new Act states that “the RSS
must set out the Secretary of State’s policies (however expressed) in relation to the
development and use of land within the region.” These policies must be concerned with the
use and development of land, but they need not be directly related to the granting or refusal of
planning permission. The RSS can include different policies for different areas within the
region (Explanatory Notes to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004). The RSS
should provide a ‘broad development strategy for the region’ for up to 20 years. The RSS will
identify the scale and distribution of provision for new housing, set priorities for the
environment, and consider transport infrastructure, economic development, waste treatment
and disposal, and the like. At the same time attention is paid to regional and sub regional
plans that cross regional and local authority boundaries. Every Regional Spatial Strategy
reflects the regional diversity and the specific regional requirements within the national
planning framework. The Secretary of State finally publishes the definitive version of the
Regional Spatial Strategy and has the authority relating to assignment and withdrawal.

We now turn our attention to the relationship of the envisaged region and the other
government levels (both central and local) and the market sector. With respect to the
relationship with the central government, Great Britain was one of the most centralized
countries — certainly because the central government determines which competences to
delegate to a lower level government authority. The relationship between the current regional
level and the central government can be considered equivocal. While the current Regional
Assemblies consist at present of local representatives, the Regional Spatial Strategy must be
approved by the Secretary of State and also express his policy in relation to the region
concerned.

With respect to the relationship with the local government authorities, the relationship with
the regional assembly is close by definition. Since England at present has no democratically
elected regional chamber, the regional chambers are constituted by an official representation
of the local authorities, representatives from the business world, and societal organizations. In
2005 the government is consulting on the role of regional bodies as statutory consultees. For
the time being, the Regional chambers are not legally required. The relationship between the
central government and the local government authorities in England does not always run

19



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