Spatial Development Strategies for England

Image Courtesy of Lichfields

Consultation Announced.

The next step towards the Government’s ambition to implement Spatial development Strategies for England were announced for consultation on the 12^th Febuary. -  see announcement here.

Spatial Development Strategies (SDS)

If the system of SDS's is implemented and works as intended, which in the current state of politics must be in doubt, then SDS's will be the documents driving strategic development plans across much of the country.

This is broadly a roll out of the same process that has been used in London for many years which operates a Strategic Plan covering the next 20 Years.

The SDS will link too, and inform, Local Plans and plans from other interested groups such as National Highways, Power Networks etc.

The consultation proposes the areas to be covered by SDS’s and identifies Surrey as one of the SDS areas.  This will align with the intention to create a Mayorial Combined Authority for Surrey (Note this has yet to finally confirmed by the government).

Managing SDS Development

The government proposals provide for the management of the SDS process by the setting up of Strategic Planning boards.  It specifically mentions that: “For any single county SDS areas, such as we propose for Surrey and Hertfordshire, a strategic planning board will need to be established at the point when local government reorganisation takes effect”. 

Lichfields Note

Lichfield’s a planning consultancy have produced a interesting note - see note here -on the SDS’s considering the make-up of the new geographies, and explore some metrics related to two key priorities: meeting housing needs, and growing the economy.  Lichfield’s in their analysis note “Across the South East those preparing SDSs will face some of the greatest challenges in meeting housing need. London, Hertfordshire, and Surrey will require building at between 120-150% of the current rates (over the last three years)”.