Proposed areas for new sub-regional spatial development strategies have been published by the government.

Forty zones are proposed across England, with many following mayoral devolution arrangements already in existence, or due to be implemented from April 2026.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has  also announced its intention to progress a new wave of Foundation Strategic Authorities (FSAs) in areas currently lacking devolution.

It has opened consultation on the views on the proposed ‘sensible’ geographies for SDSs  until 26 March.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Dorset Council, Somerset Council and Wiltshire Council are proposed to form a ‘Wessex’ geography.

Combined authorities, combined county authorities, upper-tier councils and unitary authorities have a duty under the Planning and Infrastructure Act to prepare a SDS for their area.

The act also enables the government to establish ‘strategic planning boards’ (SPB) to prepare SDSs on behalf of specified groupings of these authorities although secondary legislation will be required to make the strategic planning system operational.  The Wessex area will require a SPB.

SDSs will act as high-level spatial plans covering at least 20 years. They will set the framework for local plans, which will have to be in general conformity with the relevant SDS.

MCHLG says that SDSs will ensure that sub-regional areas can effectively plan to:

• to meet their housing needs
• co-ordinate the provision of strategic infrastructure
• grow their economies
• improve the environment and climate resilience

SDSs can identify broad locations for growth and development and the necessary infrastructure needed to support that growth.

This may entail the re-distribution of housing need and other development needs between local planning authorities and may include specific policies for development or to be taken into account by local planning authorities when preparing or updating their local plans. However, they cannot be site-specific or allocate/designate particular sites, which are reserved for local plans.

Other proposed SDS geographical areas include:

• Hampshire and the Solent – Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority
• Surrey – Surrey County Council
• West of England and North Somerset – West of England Combined Authority
• North Somerset Council

It is encouraging to see greater strategic planning brought back although it must serve the purpose of a smoother and more efficient planning system to deliver the development, infrastructure and housing that is required rather than add greater complexity to an already Byzantine system.

Please contact us to find out how this development will affect your project or plans.