The South East Plan

The South East Plan is the name given to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East of England. This is a document that will set out changes needed to improve the quality of life in the South East England region over the next 20+ years. The South East England Regional Assembly are required to produce this document to replace current planning guidance issued by Government, called Regional Planning Guidance 9 (RPG9).

Key topics covered in the Plan will be housing, transport, employment and the environment. In early 2005 the Draft Plan went out for public consultation. After consultation, a Revised Plan was produced and submitted to Government for approval on 31st March 2006. The Government then carried out further public consultation between March and June 2006 and begun an examination-in-public (EiP) looking at the proposals in October 2006 that finished in March 2007. View the Panel Report into the South East Plan that was published in August 2007.

The Government published the changes it proposed in July 2008 to make to the draft Plan taking account of the EiP panel's recommendations.  The Proposed Changes endorsed many, but not all of the Panel's recommendations. Individuals and organisations can comment on the Proposed Changes until October 2008.  View the Under Secretary of State’s letter and the Proposed Changes

After considering the comments made, the Government will publish the Plan its final form in late 2008 or early 2009.

All nine regions in England are producing similar documents for their areas. Once approved by Government, they will become statutory documents that local authorities and other agencies will have to follow.

Regional Minerals and Waste Management Strategies

The Government has finished the process of reviewing and updating the Regional Planning Policy advice on minerals and waste management planning. An examination in public was held in Autumn 2004 and in the light of the findings of the Panel, the Government made changes to the minerals and waste policy advice. The advice was published in June 2006 as the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) - Waste and Minerals (PDF).

SEERAWP and SERTAB

The key advisory body to the South East England Regional Assembly on minerals issues is the South East England Regional Aggregates Working Party (SEERAWP). This working party comprises an equal number of representatives from the aggregates industry and the local authorities, together with representatives from recycling, agriculture, the Port of London Authority, English, Welsh and Scottish Railway, DTLR and GOSE.

Minutes of SEERAWP's meetings are available online.

For waste, the relevant advisory body is the South East Regional Technical Advisory Body (SERTAB). The overall aim of SERTAB is to inform and advise the South East of England Regional Assembly and Waste Planning Authorities within the South East Region on regional waste management issues.

Minutes of SERTAB's meetings are available online.