Regional Spatial Strategy, often abbreviated to RSS, is a statement of Government planning policy for a particular region. RSS were introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and are intended to replace Regional Planning Guidance. Transitional provisions in the Act allow RPG to be used as RSS until a revised document has been prepared. In the East of England region, the relevant draft RSS is the emerging draft East of England Plan. RSS are intended to provide the framework for the preparation of development plans. They will set out the broad location and scale of new employment and housing development for up to 20 years ahead together with a range of strategic policies dealing with matters such as transportation, environmental resources, services and waste disposal, energy, tourism and recreation.
Regional Spatial Strategy documents set the framework for local transport plans, biodiversity plans and other strategies within different regions. These have replaced Regional Planning Guides and have strengthened the role and importance of regional planning.
The new type of policy guidance and advice issued for each region in England by the Secretary of State. These documents also replace the Structure Plans formerly produced by the County Councils. They indicate how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time. It identifies the scale and distribution of items such as housing, areas for regeneration, environment, transport and economic development.
A strategy for how a region should look in 15 to 20 years time and possibly longer. The Regional Spatial Strategy identifies the scale and distribution of new housing in the region, indicates areas for regeneration, expansion or sub-regional planning and specifies priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals and waste treatment and disposal. Most former Regional Planning Guidance is now considered RSS and forms part of the development plan. Regional Spatial Strategies are prepared by Regional Planning Bodies.
In the case of Bedfordshire the relevant RSS is currently in draft form and contains a core spatial strategy, policies relating to sub regions and sub areas, policies relating to specific topics and activities (e.g. environment, transport, retail, housing) and policies for implementation measuring whether the strategy is meeting its objectives.
Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) provide a regional level planning framework for the regions of England. They are not prepared in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland as planning is a devolved power. Wales has a Wales Spatial Plan which is arguably an equivalent.