Regional strategy for South East next to be axed, says Pickles

The regional strategy for the South East of England has become the third to be revoked by the Communities Secretary.

Eric Pickles had previously announced the abolition of the regional strategies for Yorkshire and Humber, and the East of England.

However, in relation to the South East strategy, the government has decided not to revoke the policy on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area or the structure plan policy covering the former Upper Heyford RAF base.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said abolition of regional strategies reinforced the importance of the local plan as the keystone of the planning system.

The DCLG added that the date to lay the relevant Order in Parliament was expected to be set after Parliamentary recess and would determine the exact date the revocation takes effect.

In a written ministerial statement, the Communities Secretary said: “When the Order comes into force, it will mean that development plans across the former South East government office region will comprise local plans, and where they exist, neighbourhood plans.

“Localised planning enables councils to make the development choices that work for them; choices that are right for their communities and respond to the needs of the local area rather than to arbitrary top-down targets. This presents a far better deal for local people.”

The South East region stretches from Oxfordshire to Kent and covers nine million people.