Development of the Regional Strategy for the North West Michael Gallagher Director of Planning, Transport & Housing 4NW

Summary of Presentation Moving to the new integrated Regional Strategy –Regional Strategy – RS2010 –Summary of key features of Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4

Regional Strategies in the North West – a History Regional planning strengthened from mid- 1980s First Regional Planning Guidance document published in 1996 First Regional Economic Strategy published in 2001 Second Regional Planning Guidance published in March 2003 (became RSS in September 2004) Third Regional Economic Strategy published in March 2006 Second Regional Spatial Strategy published in September 2008 Second Regional Economic Strategy published in March 2003

NW Regional Spatial Planning Former North West Regional Assembly led on work to prepare: ~original Regional Planning Guidance (RPG13) ~Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) NW leading on work to prepare Partial Review of RSS ~Commenced Nov 2007 ~Draft RSS due to be submitted – July 2009 ~Final version of RSS due NW & Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) jointly leading on work to prepare new Regional Strategy - RS2010, which will ultimately replace RSS and RES

Regional Strategy Part 1 - High level strategic framework Regional Strategy Part 2 - Detailed supporting policies Implementation Framework (actions implementing Regional Strategy) Tested via Examination in Public process Together forms Single Regional Strategy NW Regional Strategy Structure

Main Stages of Development EvidenceIssuesDevelopment Draft Strategy 2008Feb-Apr Sustainability Appraisal

RS2010 Development Process (1) Consultation Report Principles / Values Outcomes June - July 09 Summer - Dec 09 Jan – Feb 10 Evidence Papers Independent assessment of evidence base. Economic Forecasting Regional Scenarios Regional Strategy Seminars Principles and Issues Paper Consultation Feb - April 09 Strategy development work on Draft Part 1 - options, actions and implementation Draft Regional Strategy – Part 1 Informal Consultation Actions and Investments Detailed Options Draft Regional Strategy – Part 2 Detailed Supporting Policies (including Planning Policies) Sustainability Appraisal: input into strategy development Leaders Board / NWDA Board SA on Draft Part 1 published Leaders Board / NWDA Board Technical Work Starts

RS2010 Development Process (2) Feb – Summer 2010 Examination in Public (EiP) process Draft Regional Strategy – Part 1 Revised following Consultation Draft Regional Strategy – Part 2 Development of detailed policies Submission of Draft Regional Strategy Parts 1 & 2 to Secretary of State Sustainability Appraisal: input into strategy development & Publication of SA reports alongside Draft Parts 1 & 2 Leaders Board / NWDA Board SA on Final Regional Strategy Leaders Board / NWDA Board Revision of Draft Regional Strategy Parts 1 & 2 in light of EiP Panel Report by 4NW / NWDA Leaders Board / NWDA Board 12 weeks formal public consultation Secretary of State prepares, consults on and issues final version Summer 2010 Post Autumn 2010

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of 12 outcomes for RS2010 (1) Following RS2010 Principles & Issues Paper consultation in Early 2009, 4NW and NWDA have agreed on 12 outcomes for RS2010. –The development of a low carbon economy, which promotes the sustainable use of resources and minimises, and adapts to the impact of, climate change –A region attractive to the private sector which has…….. ~ vibrant and attractive cities, towns and rural areas, capitalising on the region’s rich cultural, heritage, sporting and university assets ~ increased levels of enterprise and trade, creating the right conditions for business growth and sustainability in the region. This will capitalise on the region’s strengths and assets in international trade, intellectual property, advanced manufacturing, bio-medical and digital/creative. ~ increased productivity, which capitalises on the region’s innovation, science and research assets and exploits the Northwest’s potential in the renewable and nuclear offer and worldwide opportunities for low carbon technologies ~ protected, enhanced and developed the quality of the Northwest’s outstanding environmental, natural and coastal landscape assets.

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of 12 outcomes for RS2010 (2) –People at its heart with…. ~ communities and places which are sustainable and safe, with less deprivation and disadvantage within the region ~ a world class skills base, with improved education, which helps to attract and retain talent as well as tackling gaps in basic and graduate level skills ~ a healthy population, with reduced health inequalities and which capitalises on the economic opportunities from changing health issues ~ an improved range and depth of quality employment opportunities for all. There will be links between areas of opportunity and need, with reduced employment rates and an improved supply of labour to businesses.

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of 12 outcomes for RS2010 (3) –The right infrastructure for both businesses and people reflected in….. ~ balanced housing markets across the North West that support economic growth and strengthens inclusion that ensures that everyone has access to appropriate well-designed high quality, affordable housing in mixed, sustainable communities ~ high quality, reliable and efficient infrastructure, transport and digital networks which contribute to sustainable development ensuring that the region is better connected, locally and internationally. ~ high quality, efficient and responsive public services

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (1) Forward What is RS2010? Why are we doing this? Section A –Background –Assumptions –Assets & opportunities –Where the region wants to get to – Vision, Values, Outcomes –What the evidence base tells us for each of the 12 outcomes

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (2) Section B – Our Strategic Priorities –Address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change by: ~ positioning the region to take full advantage of the opportunities from low carbon energy and technologies; ~ ensuring that the region understands and adapts to the implications of unavoidable climate change; ~ ensuring that all sectors, including housing, transport and industry, are considering the implications of climate change and developing low carbon solutions and alternatives.

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (3) Section B – Our Strategic Priorities (cont.) –Build on our sources of international competitive advantage and regional distinctiveness by: ~ developing our strengths in internationally competitive sectors ~ strengthening our concentration of knowledge-based assets driven by our higher education institutions and science and innovation base ~ improving our international connectivity through the Liverpool Superport and Manchester airport ~ developing our world class sporting/culture/quality of place offer and the attraction of Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and the Lake District as international destinations

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (4) Section B – Our Strategic Priorities (cont) –Ensure we have the right housing and infrastructure for sustainable growth ~ securing sustainable housing growth ~ ensuring we have the right critical infrastructure ~ improving internal connectivity through sustainable transport ~ ensuring high quality digital connectivity ~ Improving the green infrastructure of the region

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (5) Section B – Our Strategic Priorities (cont) –Tackle poverty and release the potential of our people ~ tackling social exclusion, deprivation, ill health and inequality ~ addressing the implications of demographic change ~ linking opportunity and need to improve employment opportunities and skills ~ encouraging social enterprise ~ regenerating areas and building strong communities

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (6) Section B – Our Strategic Priorities (cont) To complement the strategic priorities we are also developing a section setting out spatial implications of the strategic priorities covering sub-regions and cross-regional aspects

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (7) Section C – Strategic Options –Strategic options are not alternative strategies, but designed to set out the range of choices which could be considered. –They allow us to look at the spatial and sustainability implications of putting emphasis in different ways on economic, environmental and social factors respectively. –The options do not set out the role of individual places at this stage. –They are deliberately designed to be distinctive and realistic and to act as a stimulus for thinking. Stakeholders are however not being asked to choose between options. –Details within options are indicative, and must be read not in isolation but within the context of strategic priorities and other elements of Draft Part 1.

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Summary of Content (8) The four strategic options are: –Option 1 – Status Quo –Option 2 - Focus on economic opportunity –Option 3 - Focus on protecting environmental resources and enhancing environmental quality –Option 4 - Focus on regeneration and development to tackle social deprivation and inclusion

Working Draft of Part 1 – version 4 - Informal Engagement Latest version of composite working draft of the Draft Part 1 document due to be ed out during w/c 9 th November 2009 for informal engagement with members of RS Advisory Group (RSAG), Regional Strategy Team (RST) and 4NW sub groups – Planning, Transport, Housing & Economic Development between now and 19 th November NB this is not a consultation draft (which will come later) but a working draft on which we are engaging RSAG, RST and 4NW sub groups in developing its structure and content. VSNW can input into this via Richard Caulfield’s membership of the RS Advisory Group (RSAG).