Regional Spatial Strategy- what is built and where in Yorkshire and Humber

How much housing should we have in the Region? Where should new housing development go? What type of housing should we build to meet our communities’ needs? Do we need new transport and infrastructure? How should we provide for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation? Which parts of the Region should we prioritise for investment?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly is currently undertaking a partial review of the Regional Spatial Strategy (entitled the RSS 2009 Update) to address the requirements of the Housing Green Paper and look at accommodating housing growth in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

Between 3 November 2008 and 2 January 2009 we will be consulting on strategic options for accommodating growth in the region. We are pleased to invite you to attend one of four events being held during the strategic options consultation stage:

Tuesday 11 November 2008: National Centre for Early Music, York

Thursday 13 November 2008: Octagon Centre, Hull

Tuesday 18 November 2008: Megacentre, Sheffield

Thursday 20 November 2008: Marriott Hotel, Leeds

The purpose of the events is to introduce and consult on the strategic options for accommodating growth in the region and will consist of discussions, presentations and interactive workshops during the day and an open drop-in session in the evening. The events are open to everyone in the region.

Please find attached an invitation providing further information on the events and a booking form.

To reserve your place, please contact the person below to get a booking form and return the booking form by Friday 10 October 2008 (places are limited). If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact Hannah on 01924 331592 or email rssupdate@yhassembly.gov.uk

Kind Regards

Hannah Madajewski
Planning Administrator
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
18 King Street
Wakefield
WF1 2SQ
Tel: 01924 331592
Fax: 01924 331559
Email: Hannah.Madajewski@Yhassembly.gov.uk

Economic and regeneration (spatial planning) changes to who makes the decisions that affect Leeds...

In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality.

This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR for putting in place reforms that would:

- Streamline the regional tier, introducing integrated strategies and giving the regional development agencies (RDAs) (e.g. Yorkshire Forward) lead responsibility for regional planning; (this means the Regional Assembly would lose one of it's core roles- I am unsure whether the regional assembly will cease to exist)

- Strengthen the local authority role in economic development, including a new statutory duty to assess local economic conditions; and

- Support collaboration by local authorities across economic areas.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms look forward to receiving your views (apparently).

see:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/regional/sub-national-review/page40430.html
and:
http://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/SNR-Consultation/KMS/news.aspx

Yorkshire and Humber Environment Forum Newsletter

FOR MORE DETAIL ON ANY STORY BELOW SEE: http://www.yhref.org.uk/ click the links to 'yhref newsletter' or read the articles under the news section. You can subscribe to recieve the newsletter (which I would recommend as I can't always pass information on in time)

One Region Living - Advanced Notice of Workshop 3
Environmental Limits and Rural Areas will be the subject of the next seminar in the popular WWF / YHREF co-production. We are currently confirming the date and venue but read on for an outline of discussion topics.

Workshop Discusses Fund to Finance Land-Based Climate Change Works
A partnership of organisations in Yorkshire is working towards a climate change scheme to pay for enhanced carbon storage in land-based projects. The scheme should help businesses who want to help tackle climate change to finance organisations that restore damaged moorlands or plant trees to reduce carbon emissions and provide wider environmental benefits.

New from WWF: The Right Climate for Change
The transition towards a low-carbon economy requires a fundamental change in the way we think about climate change at a local level. This change needs to be about extending local authority action to include communities and behaviour change. It also needs to include a recognition of our global responsibility to act-not just on domestic emissions but also on indirect emissions.

Why Place Matters and Implications for the Role of Central, Regional and Local Government
This paper highlights some of the underpinning Communities and Local Government analysis which fed into - and supported a number of recommendations of - the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) July 2007.

Prosperous Places Consultation - 7th April to 20 June 2008
In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality. This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR. More details...

Have your say on the future of our countryside with CPRE
CPRE are looking to the future and we want to set out some of the challenges facing our countryside. The ambition is to provoke a national debate that will lead to a consensus on how we can all protect the green spaces that make England beautiful.

Independent online - The new age of the train
Britain is witnessing the dawn of a new era of rail travel as an unprecedented demand for environmentally friendly transport encourages people to take more train journeys than at any time since the Second World War.

Reduction Film Festival
The Reduction Festival is managed by Sheffield-based companies 'Sort Of.Films Ltd' and 'Environment Room' and is dedicated to film and video content with a green/environmental theme or agenda. Sponsorship opportunities are still available so read on if your organisation would like to be involved.

The West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network
The Travel Plan Network brings together Metro, the five local authorities of West Yorkshire and the Highways Agency, to support employers from West Yorkshire in promoting more sustainable ways of travelling to work and reducing the number of people who drive alone.

Residents of UK cities ranked in eco-debt index
The residents of UK cities will plunge into ecological debt over the next month having exceeded their fair share of the Earth's natural resources for 2008, new research from WWF-UK shows.

Full details of all storues via www.yhref.org.uk

Yorkshire Forward taking on new roles. Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

Sub-national review proposals published

The government has released their plans for implementation of last summer's sub national review of economic development and regeneration. These include; a scrutiny role of regional policy for local government and a greater role for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) (Yorkshire Forward) who will take on some functions of the Regional Assemblies (including regional spatial planning). The review also proposes putting Multi Area Agreements (MAAs) on a statutory footing and gives further details of how the new integrated regional strategies will work.

To download a copy of the implementation plan click here: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file45468.pdf

The roles of Yorkshire Forward and the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly will be affected by the plans.

Eco-towns consultation paper

Eco-towns consultation paper

LEEDS HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED TO GET A NEW ECOTOWN. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) have published a shortlist of 15 possible sites for new Eco-Towns which are now open for consultation. The Government plans to establish five new Eco-Towns by 2016 and ten by 2020 which will provide affordable housing and high standards of sustainable living. The closing date for the consultation is 30^th June, 2008.

To find out more and download the consultation: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have been commissioned by CLG to carry out a study of the criteria for new Eco Towns and their incorporation in the Government’s ‘Growth Points initiative’.

For more about this go to TCPA’s website: www.tcpa.org.uk/ecotowns.asp

Yorkshire and Humber Climate Change Scrutiny

now availible are the emerging findings of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Scrutiny Board looking at how Yorkshire Forward, the regional (economic) development agency, has performed in relation to climate change.

There is an opportunity for you to comment and encourage Yorkshire Forward to invest more of it's money in tackling climate chnage and sustainability issues. see:

http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/Get%20Involved/Meeting%20the%20Climate%20Change%20Challenge%20Scrutiny%20Review/

Give your views before 21st April.

Environmental Limits and One Region Living in Yorkshire and the Humber

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Environment Forum report of the seminar, 'Environmental Limits and City Regions', held in Leeds on 6 February, is now available.

You can view the report by visiting www.yhref.org.uk/policy and looking for 'One Region Living'. Links to related research, case studies etc will also gradually amass on the website.

Regional Environmental Enhancement Plan

The thoroughly-updated Regional Environmental Enhancement Strategy is availible via http://www.yhref.org.uk/. It contains a 5 year Manifesto and Action Plan for the Region's Environment.

The new Strategy has arrived through a 2 year review of the original 2003 version, with several consultations. The most important things people wanted to see were a clearer statement of the region's environmental agenda, that everyone else's strategies could contribute to, and a unifying aim for the whole strategy of 'living within environmental limits'.

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Climate Change Scrutiny

If anyone from Leeds plans to go please let me know. I am attending a 'key stakeholdr' focus group on 3rd March so will be feeding in to the consultation. If you have a question or comment please contact me to raise it on your behalf.

Whose responsibility is it to tackle climate change in the region?

Are we making the right interventions at a regional level? And are they having an impact on hitting the regional target?

What else could/should we be doing?

What do you think are the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents to the region's economy?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly would like to hear your views about tackling Climate Change and the role that Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Economic Strategy can play. The Assembly's Scrutiny Board, supported by regional Sustainable Development expertise, will be reviewing the progress that has been made in achieving the regional greenhouse gas emission target of 20-25% between 1990 and 2016. They will look at the role that Yorkshire Forward plays and focus on the challenges and opportunities that Climate Change can offer the region. Your involvement is vital to the success of the scrutiny.

Over the next month the Assembly's Scrutiny Board will be speaking with key partners in the region and would like to hear your views. There are a number of ways to do this:
*Come to the public discussion and pose your questions to Yorkshire Forward on Tuesday 18 March 2008, The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole 10.30- 3pm. Booking online at http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

*Write to us or email us with your views and experiences to mailto:scrutiny@yhassembly.gov.uk by Thursday 20 March 2008.

*Log onto the Assembly website to access key documents and feed in your
views - http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

What Jon is planning to ask:

Can we simultaneously aim for economic growth and greenhouse gas emission reductions?- what takes priority?

How are we going to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions increases?

How have the findings of Stern Review informed regional economic decision making? (I think Stern is overly optimistic- but embedding the findings would be better than business as usual)

Can we refocus on quality of life and sustainable development (sustainable livelihoods and 5 types of capital) as a measure of success/as a goal instead of economic growth?

I've got papers for the 'key stakeholders' meeting in Barnsley if anyone wants me to forward them please get in touch.

Yorkshire CND meeting 22nd Feb

To view the flyer (or is it flier?) for the Yorkshire CND's meeting in Leeds discussing their opposition to US missile defence bases click here...

Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape - Sheffield 17-19 March 2008

The Yorkshire & Humber Assembly is supporting a major conference on the theme of ‘Flooding and Water Management in the Landscape’ to be held at Sheffield Hallam University from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 March 2008. It will cover the lessons of history and landscape change for the future and the impacts of climate and other environmental changes.

The conference will include speakers from the Environment Agency, ADAS, Halcrow, the Assembly, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and various academic institutions. In addition there will be a community and conservation management dimension looking at the impacts of flooding and the responses to extreme events.

If you would like further details or are interested in attending, please contact the Conference Team on 0114 272 4227 or email info@hallamec.plus.com

Regional Biodiversity Strategy- Consultation Deadline Approaching

I have just recieved details of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy Consultation via the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Environment Forum e-newsletter (18/1/08).

The consultation documents can be viewed via:
http://microsite.yhub.org.uk/articledetail.aspx?article=EAA2F8AE-3915-4006-BF65-D9F1EDC9CF6F&dom=yorkshirehumberenvironmentforum

The deadline for responses is 25/1/08. I apologise for not informing you of this deadline sooner. I asked to be sent a copy of the documents as soon as they were availible but for some reason I didn't get them.

I mentioned the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (RBS) in my post about the Sustainable Development Advisory Board. Below is the write up of the workshop I participated in. Watch this space for information on the consultation.


WORKSHOP SESSION 1
How does biodiversity link with the IRF (Integrated Regional Framework) and the region’s landmark issues?
Attended by:
David Smith
Association of West Yorks Authorities
Arthur Barker
Hambleton District Council
George Munson
Leeds City Council
Steve Littlewood
Leeds Met University
Jon Holland
Leeds Voice
Rose Norris
Local Government Y&H
Richard Wilson (Facilitator)
Natural England
Andrew de Freitas
NE Lincs Council
Graham Joyce
Pennine Prospects
Brian Rooney
Wakefield MDC
Paul Mosley
WWF
Andy Horrocks (Facilitator)
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly
Chris Martin
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly
Richard Wood
Yorkshire & Humber Assembly

Landmark Issues
Sustainable transport
Climate change mitigation
Climate change adaptation
Productivity and innovation
Housing markets and affordability
Public health and obesity
Skills and education
Violent crime
Diversity and equality
Regional growth

What are the dangers to the natural environment that solutions to landmark issues might present?

- biodiversity struggles to achieve attention/resources against more immediate challenges.

-very generally, little understanding among policy makers and implementers of what biodiversity is, how it is important and what their role is.

- sustainable transport – big risk from setting aside too much land for production of biodiesel. Danger of increased industrial agriculture and extensive mono-cultures.

- sustainable transport – increased use of biofuels risks habitat destruction through more mono-cropping of fuel crops and the export of the same problem, e.g. sugarcane production in rainforest.

- growth in the region – the need for transport links – could increase traffic on roads until infrastructure catches up – increased carbon.

- renewable energy – wind power risks to biodiversity

- risks that “quick fix” responses to mitigate climate change/reduce CO2 might adversely impact environment (biofuels?? Wind and hydro power??) careful assessment needed.

- drive for biofuels (green) putting at risk existing networks or at least at odds with potential other land uses with greater biodiversity value.

- limate mitigation –ve /+ve - pressures/changes to land use linked to biofuels

- climate change adaptation – Poorly planned species selection not resistant to changing weather patterns, e.g. lack of frosts to trigger flowering in some tree species.

- climate change adaptation – changing climatic zones making protecting isolated and small ecosystems impossible

- climate change adaptation – damage to natural environment by flood defence

- productivity – biodiversity impact assessment not well enough understood and loads costs onto development projects – often unnecessarily when regulatory/regulator understanding is scant.

- increased productivity – could lead to same situation as South East in terms of env. Impact!

- will the greener solutions for housing be in the right places for jobs?

- over-development of some areas for economic/housing development may negatively impact on biodiversity.

- affordability and density of housing development. Can we develop affordable housing that gives people green space of value to wildlife, growing produce, leisure …

- housing development on Greenfield and brownfield sites.

- dangers – short-termism. Big push to find new sites for housing may squash out good biodiverse sites (including some brownfield!)

- obesity and health inequalities are largely based in urban areas – need to ensure that opening up the “great outdoors” for people to exercise, walk, etc, doesn’t lead to more cars in rural areas!

- the public’s engagement and buy-in on issues like biodiversity can reinforce inequalities (i.e. usually educated people)

- diversity and inequality – relegating the natural environment to an ‘acceptable cost’ to bear in
levelling up economic disparities.

- diversity & equality and regional growth - these two can be in conflict – need to try to avoid bland development.

- regional growth – necessary housing growth will destroy habitat and increase fragmentation of habitat.

- directing growth/managing growth needed to ensure biodiversity assets retained. Need new development linked to habitat creation?

- housing and growth – growth pressure = threat to biodiverse brownfield habitats; urban green
spaces and greenfield sites. Planning system used to secure appropriate planting and multi-level green space (green roofs and terraces)

How can the natural environment help to address the landmark issues?

- provision of green infrastructure network needs to include provision for non-vehicular transport.

- sustainable transport and public health – high quality, green space encouraging people to walk and cycle more

- climate change adaptation – considerable opportunity to provide links from ‘island’ sites in water retention/storage schemes, e.g., prevention of drying out wetland areas, etc, restoration/creation of flood plain and restoration of rainwater in upland catchments.

- climate change will both adversely and beneficially affect different species/habitats. Need a network of ‘routes’ and opportunities to allow change to take place.

- crossover between climate change adaptation and natural environment -> green infrastructure / flood risk mitigation.

- opportunities for carbon capture sequestration through changed land uses with greater biodiversity value.

+ve – Flood risk management solutions offer huge potential to create opportunities for natural env. enhancement, recreation, leisure and tourism.

- natural environment has central role in climate change adaptation. RBS needs to consider key elements of regional social adaptation and develop its role in responding.

- climate change adaptation – urban green infrastructure and green roofs promoted and enhanced to reduce flash flooding and urban heat island effect.

- climate change mitigation – high quality natural and semi-natural environments promoted to encourage more local holidays and less aviation. Need for well developed local tourism infrastructure.

- climate change mitigation – greater use of locally sourced natural building materials (e.g. wood, stone, etc). Skills and acceptability issues.

- climate change mitigation and adaptation – large-scale upland peat-bog protection and re-establishment. Mechanism to value downstream flood alleviation and carbon sequestration.

- ownership issues vital to resolve.

Climate change mitigation – carbon sequestration offers opportunities to restore/protect habitat, e.g. woodland/pasture.

Loss of biodiversity (or threat of) related to climate change has strong communication power.

Climate change mitigation – potential for new mixed woodlands to provide both locally sourced food (fruit and nuts) and biomass from thinnings.

Provides a focus for education and learning (resource)

Positive impacts on neighbourhoods from rich biodiversity/natural landscapes (feelings of wellbeing?)

RBS need to look at natural environment aspects of innovation in response to climate change, i.e., creation/engineering of natural environment to maximise cc adaptation potential.

Innovation – green solutions to building materials, energy use with reduced reliance on petro-chemical derived energy input and derived products.

Good stewardship and land management absorbs CO2 and can help manage water/drainage.

Role of habitats in slowing/reducing flooding.

Sustainable transport – develop more GI/transport corridors (greenways) to encourage walking and cycling as practical (and affordable) alternatives for short journeys.

Health/obesity – increase opportunities and incentives to utilise the natural environment as a ‘green gym’ to achieve individual health gains.

Public health and obesity – access to open space / local fields (landscape pressures)
+ve Innovation – Natural environment has huge potential for new ‘crops’ in the biochemical area replacing petro-chemical sources.

Open the outdoors up for people to help reduce obesity and health inequalities.

Outdoor activity, raising awareness of habitats.

Need to use urban greenspace creatively. Allotments can help engage people with the environment and can help meet health outcomes and can be positive re biodiversity.

Can obviously provide the backdrop for exercise/leisure

Public health and obesity – access to open space – local/fresh foods.

Rich natural environment promotes healthier lifestyles

Productivity/innovation – innovative use of natural resources within the region, e.g. renewables/biomass.

Does natural environment have a role in rehabilitation of violent criminals? Is this a way of sourcing ‘novel’ resources for biodiversity delivery?

Environmental enhancement can help and re-engage people at risk of entering into criminal activity. Can also help re-interest young people in education and gaining skills.

Housing markets, etc – ensure that developers (public and private) build GI into new (and existing, where possible) developments using S106 or other planning tariff type mechanisms.

Rich biodiversity and green infrastructure – resource attractive for inward investment and jobs.

Housing market affordability – attractiveness of natural environment

GI has a key role to play in community cohesion. This may well link into diversity and equality solutions.

Inclusion of green roofs/walls can enhance distinctiveness and bring environmental benefits (including biodiversity)

Climate change adaptation and mitigation – understand the potential role of the South Pennine (and other) Moors to prevent further CO2 emission (erosion, fire, etc) and sequestrate additional CO2 (eg aviation, road growth).

Regional growth – identify opportunities for benefiting the natural environment through new development and increasing focus on environmental sector as a growth sector.
+ve – Regional growth/productivity – the regional tourism economy has huge potential for growth based on its existing and enhanced natural assets. –ve – outside region visitors expending resources to visit.

A ‘whole system’ approach will help ensure this works and is sustainable in itself – solutions are often driven by a number of factors.

Regional growth – natural environment help to address negative implications, e.g., air quality, access to space, quality of life.

Natural environment can contribute to regional economic growth. RBS needs to i.d. a small number of demonstration events/cases/examples.

Regional Decision Makers

Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber

“The Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber works with organisations across the region to deliver Government policies and programmes and to contribute a regional perspective in their development. As the representative of central Government in the region, we promote effective integration of policies and programmes so that they reflect priorities at regional and local level. Our Aim is to deliver thriving and sustainable communities across the region by working in partnership, ensuring effective delivery of Government programmes and informing policy development to:

Improve the economy

Improve the quality of life of all those who live or work in the region, and the quality of experience for those who visit

Protect and improve the natural and built environment “

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/

Yorkshire Forward

“Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency charged with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy.”

http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/www/index.asp

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

“The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly works closely with partners on key regional issues, and to promote and champion the region nationally and internationally. We lobby for the very best deal for Yorkshire and Humber and all its communities.”

http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is important for influencing Leeds planning policy and is taken into account when deciding planning applications. There are some proposed changes to the RSS, including a weakening of the requirement for new developments to have on-site renewable energy generation. To make a representation on the proposed changes please see:

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/plan/regplan/propchanges/

The deadline for responses is 21st December 2007