North East plots 30-year regional growth strategy
Cabinet is being asked to approve the timetable for the North East Spatial Development Strategy, with the Mayoral Strategic Authority aiming to submit it to government in October.
The SDS will set broad areas and priorities for growth and investment, alongside the strategic infrastructure needed to support it.
While it will not allocate individual development sites – that will remain the responsibility of local planning authorities – Local Plans will be required to be in general conformity with an adopted or emerging SDS.
The MSA said the strategy is intended to help accelerate housebuilding across the region. As part of that, a Regional Housing Needs Assessment has already been completed, while an Economic Development Needs Assessment is due to be completed next month.
An Energy Review is also underway to identify where infrastructure will be needed to support future economic growth.
The MSA plans to launch an online engagement portal in January 2027, publish its spatial vision that month and begin statutory consultation on the draft SDS in August. It aims to submit the strategy for Examination in Public in December 2027.
The authority said it aims to be one of the first Strategic Authorities in the country to adopt an SDS and has already been engaging with developers, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders.
The timetable remains subject to the publication of secondary legislation and planning practice guidance, expected this autumn.
