Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations provide for certain matters relevant to the operation of Part VIII of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (planning).
Regulations 1 and 2 provide for preliminary matters, including citation and commencement (regulation 1) and interpretation (regulation 2).
Part I of the Regulations provides for the form and content of the spatial development strategy. Requirements are specified for the title of the strategy (regulation 3), the content of the strategy (regulation 4) and diagrams in the strategy (regulation 5). Regulation 6 sets out certain matters to which the Mayor is required to have regard in formulating the strategy.
Regulation 6(1) implements in part, in relation to town and country planning in England, Article 12 of Council Directive 96/82/EC (O.J. No. L10, 14.1.1997, p. 13) on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances. That Article is implemented in relation to town and country planning also by the Planning (Control of Major-Accident Hazards) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/981) and the Town and Country Planning (Development Plan) (England) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/3280).
Part II of the Regulations sets out the procedures to be followed with regard to the spatial development strategy. Procedures are specified for public participation (regulation 7), examination in public (regulation 8), publication (regulation 9) and withdrawal of proposals (regulation 10).
Part III of the Regulations provides for the availability of certain documents. Regulation 11 deals with the availability of certain documents prior to the publication or withdrawal of the proposed spatial development strategy and regulation 12 deals with the availability of the strategy after its publication.
Part IV of the Regulations provides for the conformity and conflict of unitary development plans with the spatial development strategy. Regulation 13 specifies the manner in which an application should be made for the Mayor’s written opinion whether a unitary development plan is in general conformity with the spatial development plan and the period in which such an opinion shall be given.
A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Planning Division, Government Office for London, Riverwalk House, 157-161 Millbank, London SW1P 4RR. A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.