HL Deb 17 October 2000 vol 617 cc84-5WA
Lord Dubs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When are the Government going to publish the final version of Planning Policy Guidance Note 11 on Regional Planning. [HL4259]

Lord Whitty

Today we have published the final version of PPG11Regional Planning. The new regional planning arrangements we announced in draft last year have been seen to work well in practice and have been widely welcomed. Our new guidance contrasts with previous practices where Whitehall produced draft regional planning guidance with decisions being taken behind closed doors. Under our new arrangements it is the regions that produce the drafts. There is then open public debate at a public examination before the Secretary of State approves the guidance.

Fundamental to the new arrangements is that these strategies should be produced on an inclusive basis to promote regional ownership. The regional planning bodies need to work with a wide range of stakeholders in accordance with a streamlined and publicly accountable timetable.

The new strategies should integrate land-use and transport planning. They will provide a long-term regional planning framework for the preparation of structure plans, unitary development plans and local transport plans. They will also inform other strategies and programmes, including the RDA regional economic strategies.

We are also publishing today new guidance on how to prepare sustainability appraisals of these strategies to help ensure they deliver sustainable development.

Copies of both PPG11 and the guidance on sustainability appraisals are available in the Library and on my department's planning website: http://www.planning.detr.gov.uk.