Regional assemblies get new planning powers

Elected Regional Assemblies are now able to direct local authorities to refuse strategic planning applications that are not in the region's best interest under new powers given to them, it has been announced today (Thursday).

Elected Assemblies are now able to look across local boundary constraints and ensure planning decisions are made with region-wide interests taken into account.

Elected Assemblies have also been given responsibility for producing a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) - designed to draw together plans for housing, planning, transport and waste in the region.

The new power adds to the Elected Assemblies' ability to ensure planning decisions are consistent with their Regional Spatial Strategy, without having to call on the Secretary of State in Whitehall to intervene.

Minister for local and regional government Nick Raynsford said: "This new power is a prime example of how responsibilities for policy can be decentralised from Whitehall in a clear and consistent manner.

"We recognise the people best placed to make decisions affecting the regions are the people who live in the regions."