Regional spatial strategy and local development framework

Regional and Strategic Planning

The County Council is involved, along with partners across the region, in developing and implementing the Regional Spatial Strategy. This includes regional level planning, sub-regional planning in the Three Cities sub-area and the Northern Sub-area, and work along with Nottingham City and district councils in preparing evidence to support their development plans, known as Local Development Frameworks (LDFs). The County Council also produces a Minerals and Waste LDF.

Regional Planning

The East Midlands and its Organisations

Nottinghamshire is part of the wider East Midlands Region. together with the historic counties of Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. It is a large and diverse region, with a population of about 4.2 million.

The principal urban areas are the cities of Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Lincoln and the county town of Northampton. Additionally there are a wide range of Market towns including Newark, Retford, Worksop and Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. Just under 40 percent of the region’s population live in towns and villages of less than 10,000 people, making the East Midlands one of the more rural regions in England.

Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS8)

The Regional Spatial Strategy, previously known as Regional Planning Guidance, was approved by Government in January 2002. The Strategy sets out policies for the sustainable development of the region’s economy, infrastructure, transport, housing and other land uses over the period to 2021.

The County Council was involved in the preparation of the draft document through the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association (EMRLGA). The draft was then subject to a public examination process followed by amendments by Government. The approved Regional Planning Guidance is available at the web site of the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) under the heading of Regional Planning Guidance.

RSS Review

The East Midlands Regional Assembly is now in the process of reviewing the Regional Plan. A Draft Plan has been produced and during May-June 2007 was subject to an Examination-in-Public in front of an independent Panel. The Panel report was released in November and the latest position can be viewed on the Local Government for East Midlands web site, under the heading Regional Planning Guidance: and the GOEM web site.

Regional Transport

Regional transport issues can be viewed under a number of regional web sites including:

GOEM and the East Midlands Assembly Transport Task Group.

Sub-regional and local planning

The County Council is involved in many areas developing sub-regional planning and working with Nottingham City and district councils in preparing evidence and supporting policy development. Current work is listed below some of the information for this is on other authorities’ web sites.

Nottingham City Region Employment Land Study

This review has now taken place.  Nottingham City Region Employment Land Study shows the detailed results for the City of Nottingham, Ashfield (Hucknall), Broxtowe, Erewash, Gedling and Rushcliffe Districts.

Northern Sub-Region Employment Land Study

Northern Sub-Region Employment Land Study was carried out by Arup Consultancy has now been published.

Appraisal of Sustainable Urban Extensions in greater Nottingham Final Report 27 June 2008

This Appraisal of Sustainable Urban Extensions in Greater Nottingham Final Report 27 June 2008 [PDF 4.85MB] (please note this is a large file and may take a while to download) was carried out by Tribal Urban Studio and has now been published with this report is an associated press release [PDF 39KB]

Greater Nottingham Retail Study

This study will be available shortly.