Invitation to Consultation

LINKAGE TO OTHER STRATEGIES

Strategic development planning can take place at several levels - regional, sub-regional and area plan level. A public consultation process is currently underway on the key development issues confronting the Belfast City Region - the "travel to work area" extending some 30 miles from Belfast City Centre. Clearly the Belfast City Region Strategy and the Regional Strategic Framework are closely related and will inform each other. Indeed working in parallel at the regional and sub-regional level is a positive approach to the planning process. Another example of this type of approach is the work being done to develop a long term vision for Londonderry. Likewise, an example of a trans-regional approach is the concept of an economic corridor between Belfast and Dublin.

The Regional Strategic Framework will build on the experiences and insights of sub-regional and local area strategies. The process is about making the strategic connections with all planning processes throughout the Region. It will take account of linkages to area strategies for other services such as education and health. The Framework will be developed in the context of the Government's initiatives on Targetting Social Need and Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment.

The development of a Strategic Framework will inevitably pose resource implications. The outcome of the comprehensive spending review will identify just what the spending priorities should be.