Council and democracy > Council news >
Council - news and information releases
City’s response to revised regional spatial strategy
Thursday 3 April 2008
The Government will be publishing the final revision of the Regional Spatial Strategy this summer and officials at Durham City are pleased that the Government is starting to recognise important aspirations for Durham district.
Councillor Nigel Van Zwanenberg, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Regeneration said today,"One of the most notable changes that we've consistently strived to achieve is a revision of the housing figures to allow for much needed affordable and mixed housing, particularly in the villages of Durham district. "We've also seen that the government now talk about 'guidelines' for housing stock and not 'ceilings'. This should mean that the figures can be adjusted if the Local Development Framework provides evidence of additional need. "The re-instatement of Tursdale as a potential development area for a new freight depot for the wider region is included in the revised draft and the City is hoping that this will reassure and restore developer interest. Cllr Van Zwanenberg again," I am a lot less happy to see that the sustainable construction policy has been watered down with the removal of the 10% target for energy supply from renewable sources for major new development. This is an environmental target that we and other planning authorities have been working to for some time. I would like to see this reinstated. " The County Durham Local Authorities Association has agreed to make a formal response to Government Office for the North East.A copy of the updated report for RSS can be downloaded from www.go-ne.gov.uk