(regional planning) [Ge]
The preparation and agreement of an overarching plan that sets out the policies and proposals that will be followed by a local government authority in respect of such matters as land use, property development, environmental protection, transportation, employment, and so on for a defined period (typically 5–10 years). Once approved, the policies set out in a strategic plan are binding on the authority and must be followed in the course of development control. In Britain, central government provides regional planning guidance, county councils prepare structure plans, and district councils prepare local plans. Where the roles of different tiers of local authorities have been merged, as with unitary authorities, then a unitary plan will be produced. Where special issues are important to a local area, for example minerals extraction, then a subject plan may be produced. Archaeology and the historic environment in general is included in such plans, usually under the general heading of environment.
