The government's timetable for setting up a growth area in northern England is jeopardising the preparation of robust regional plans, according to the North-west regional assembly.
The ODPM has asked the three northern regions to get their regional spatial strategies ready by summer 2005 so the Northern Way, the northern sister of the South's Communities Plan, can be implemented quickly.

But the North-west regional assembly has said it will be unable to meet the deadline unless it receives extra funding.

Housing Today has seen a letter from housing minister Keith Hill to Tony McDermott, former leader of the North-west assembly, which said: "The regional spatial strategy will be a primary delivery vehicle for the Northern Way. The North-west is some way behind the other two regions in development of the strategy. However, the Northern Way means the process needs to be expedited."

Tim Hill, director of planning and transport for the North-west assembly, said: "'Faster' would need more consultants and so we will need more resources.

"The second issue is public engagement and consultation. Ministers are saying they want detailed consultation with the public, particularly up front, but that all takes time."

Doing it quickly is going to need more resources. Ministers want consultation, but that all takes time

Tim Hill, North-west regional assembly

Hill raised the issue with housing minister Keith Hill at a meeting at the end of last month but has received no assurance of extra funds.

The North-west assembly had been planning to publish its regional spatial strategy in winter 2005 and it estimates the process will take at least 15-16 months, rather than the 12 months demanded by the ODPM.

The regional strategy is important because of the new powers it got under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act, which mean it will be able to enforce its decisions over councils.

Source

Housing Today